The Ventana X-5was first introduced in 2004, and even at a quick glance you can tell that it's a different beast altogether from El Saltamontes. Unlike the traditional look of the gently sloping top tubes of Ventana's shorter-travel full suspension bikes, the X-5 is built with an "X-Brace" main triangle design. The top tube is at its highest point at both the headtube and at the seat collar. The top tube dives downward from each of these points and meets at the midpoint of its length. The X-Brace design has two positive effects: (1) It leads to an overall stiffer frame, which means more responsiveness under power, and less flex under stress. (2) It decreases standover height, which makes the right size frame feel like it's the right size, something not always felt on long-travel bikes.
The X-5 provides 5.5" of travel, but Ventana nevertheless endows it with the soul of a cross-country bike. While many 5" bikes have all the nimbleness and climbing prowess of an overfull dump truck, the X-5 is designed to still feel fast -- you won't lumber down trails, you'll singe them. You'll feel an ease of acceleration and maneuverability rare for a 5.5" bike. Its low compression ratio design and a Fox Float RP23 shock (View our set-up video) assure plush, bob-free rear travel. You'll feel like you're gliding over familiar trails, and you'll be well-armed to attack the gnarly sections that devour hardtails and short-travel bikes.
The X-5 is built with Ventana’s proprietary butted and ovalized 6061-T6 aluminum tubing. It has an internally butted bottom bracket shell, and a one piece CNC-machined bottom bracket shell and main pivot, plus an internally butted headtube with wrap-around gusseting to enhance stiffness and durability. A CNC machined brace above the bottom bracket helps strengthen the X-5, and disperse stress to the pivot points. The X-5 has loads of toughness, but it's a beauty to behold, too, thanks to Ventana's legendary “Electric Sex” TIG welds and their luscious powder coat finishes.
Our friends in the UK at MBR magazine echo our love for the X-5, “… the incredibly stiff frame makes it the most responsive bike of the test — I even found myself oversteering until I got accustomed to its directness. With a myriad of geometry and travel options you can really set up the Ventana as an all-day bike to fit all sizes. It is quality unsurpassed at this price point.”
The Ventana X-5 uses a 1 3/8" (34.9mm) traditional top pull front derailleur, International Standard disc brake mount and 27.2mm seatpost. It has vertical dropouts with a CNC machined replaceable derailleur hanger. It’s available in odd sizes between 13”-21”, and comes stock in either Electric Superdust or Grinch Green. Or for $150 and a few weeks, it can be finished in any of Ventana’s trademark colors -- Electric Red Metallic, Gloss Black, Gloss White, Blue Metallic, Army Green, Cosmic Grey and Cosmic Orange. If you’d like to personalize your frame, it can be upgraded with custom or semi-custom geometry.
Frame |
Shimano | SRAM |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2295 | XTR 970 | 5109 | SRAM X.O | 4298 | |||
| XT 770 | 4338 | SRAM X-9 | 4126 | ||||
Size |
Seat Tube |
Effective Top Tube |
Stand Over |
BB Height |
Head Tube Angle |
Seat Tube Angle |
Head Tube |
Chainstay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 14.9 | 20.8 | 26.84 | 13.3 | 68.7 | 74.1 | 4.0 | 17.0 |
| 15 | 15.4 | 22.32 | 27.11 | 13.3 | 68.6 | 73.0 | 4.0 | 17.0 |
| 17 | 17.4 | 23.0 | 28.28 | 13.4 | 68.8 | 72.4 | 4.75 | 17.0 |
| 19 | 19.4 | 24.0 | 28.88 | 13.5 | 68.9 | 71.8 | 5.5 | 17.0 |
| 21 | 21.4 | 25.0 | 30.56 | 13.7 | 69.2 | 71.8 | 6.25 | 17.0 |
