Cove Hummer Reviews

Made by Litespeed USA
North Shore XC Dominator
3/2.5 Titanium
Oversized downtube with headtube gusset
Engineered to accomodate up to 130mm travel fork
Matte titanium finish
Available sizes: 16, 17, 18, 19, 20″ C-T

Media Reviews

MBR (October 2008 issue)

Cove Hummer tested against the Charge Ti Duster, Cotic Soda and Seven Sola. The Cove received 9 out 10 in the review-see below.

We think the Cove Hummer was one of those bikes that changed the way people thought about titanium hardtails; they weren’t just for racing cross-country you atually could use them for all-day trail riding. Alongside the Litespeed (which unfortunatley never appeared), it was one of the titanium frames we definatley wanted for this test and was the type of bike we had in mind when we were putting the specification together.

FRAME

The Hummer frame is made by Litespeed in the USA for Cove, and it even comes with Litespeed tags and a welder’s signature on the frame when you pull it from the bike box. Further details are a bit hazy, as is the way with Cove , but we think it’s made from Litespeed’s Quad Tech 3 AL/2.5V titanium tubing or something very similar. We’ve also been told it has slightly thicker walled tubes with less butting, but the only way to gauge this is by weighing the frame and our built up test bike. Complete, the Cove weighs 23.25lb (10.54kg, slightly more than the Charge but lighter than the Cotic and Seven), and in 18in frame tips the scales at 3.6lb (1.63kg)

Litespeed have welded two plates to the underside of the down tube, which act like a single open gusset for added impact strength, but the rest of the frame is pretty conventional with a non-machined/butted headtube, straight top and down tubes, and a plain-gauge seat tube. However if you run your hand along the the down tube you’ll notice it is slightly bi-ovalised, like the Charge, but it is a lot more subtle. This increases pedalling siffness and improves the steering response.

Rearwards, both the seatstays and the chainstays are shaped for extra heel and tyre clearance, but again this bend is less pronounced than on the Seven. The bullet shapes on the stays don’t offer a performance benefit; they’re just for looks.

Unfortunatley, this aesthetic doesn’t extend to the dropouts, which are pretty crude, but at least the left hand one incorporates the disc mount. This is better than having to brace the tube as there’s less chance of it being welded on wonky or fatiguing.

The frame gets a matt bead-blasted finish which is slightly easier (and crucially cheaper) thean buffing the frame with Scotchbrite, the conventional finish for titanium frames.

PERFORMANCE

In terms of pedalling rigidity the Cove is the stiffest frame here. It blasts up climbs and we could almost ride in a gear higher than anything else: it’s that rigid under load. I have no doubt it’ll make you feel like you’ve got a big edge over your riding mates but the downside is it’s one of the least compliant bikes on test. It’s not as harsh as the Seven because it has more seatpost sticking out, but rattle into a  rooty section of trail and the impacts do force you out of the saddle. If we were going on some long fitness-type rides the Hummer wouldn’t be our first choice.

On the flat the Cove doesn’t exhibit the same urgency as the Charge but feels more solid and actually heavier, even though it’s not. On our Swinley Forest test loop there’s a section of built trail with rolling berms and the Hummer felt more stable through them than either the Charge or Cotic. Maybe it’s the extra wall thickness in the tubes and the lack of flex but the Cove didn’t exhibit any vaguesness in the front end or when steering.

Cove says it redesigned the geometry on the Hummer three or four years ago, but if you look at the Chart on page 128 you see it’s not that different from the Cotic, Soda or Charge Duster. The head angle splits the difference bewteen the two frames, but it has a similar bottom bracket height, chainstay length and down tube measurement. The only thing that is different is the slightly longer wheelbase, which probably explains why the bike feels more stable.

VERDICT

Of the four hardtails on test, the Hummer feels the least like a titanium bike. It’s stiff, pedals really well and is lightweight, but it lacks that resilience and charecteristic ride you get with the material. In terms of comfort it feels more like an alumiunium frame, and obviously if you are after something that has those traits you might as well buy one, as it’d cost you a lot less than £1,400. That said, we reckon the Cove is an ideal bike for the bigger rider or someone who hammers shorter technical loops and wants a bike to feel really solid and reliable. It should also last years, which for a bike for life means the price is starting to look a lot more attractive.

GEOMETRY

Head Angle 67.9

Seat Angle 71.3

BB Height 13in

Chainstay 16 3/4 in

Front Centre 26 1/4 in

Wheelbase 43in

Down Tube 25 1/4 in

What MTB Magazine March 2008: Gold Award: Group Test Winner

The first time we rode Cove’s latest Hummer, we proclaimed it to be the “hottest bike of the year” and “the best aggressive hardtail we’ve ever ridden”. This certainly creates a lot of pressure second time around, but then ‘under pressure’ is precisely where the Hummer really comes alive.

The facts
Cove’s Hummer has been through several evolutions to get where it is now, but it has retained its tough, tackle-anything edge. Hummers are now built by premier titanium specialist Litespeed, which applies its impeccable welding skills to a relatively plain set of classic round 3AL/2.5V pipes. Everything about the Hummer is understated. The head tube is a straight pipe and the back end uses slightly kinked tubes in a conventional A-frame layout. The disc brake is mounted on the extended offside dropout to remove the need for a bracing pipe. Even the 4lb frame weight is on the solid and robust side by Ti standards. The only bit of visual showmanship is the pair of gorgeous windowed brace plates reinforcing the throat of the frame up front.

The feel
Those super-slack angles sound crazy at first, but settle behind the broad Atlas bars, and you’ll swear the bike has just given you ‘the nod’. The nod that says “buckle in, drop your previous limits and expectations in bin, and get ready to grin”. While the Hummer is mid-weight for titanium, it’s still lightweight by most other standards, so it surges forward with startling pace when you press the pedals. Its muscular stiffness means it delivers everything you’ve got without distortion, too, while retaining just enough compliance to keep the wheel connected when stiffer alloy, carbon or even some Ti bikes would scatter precious traction across the rocks. While winding down the fork and sticking on skinnier tyres would undoubtedly make a superb race bike out of the Hummer, the Cove’s technical ability really takes the biscuit and slam-dunks it. Compared with classic 71/73 degree XC angles, it definitely takes overshooting the first few corners and then adopting a more dynamic ‘throw your weight around’ style to start realising the potential of the Hummer. Once you’re syncing into its accurate, 3D-agile but spellbindingly surefooted singletrack character, though, it starts to become embarrassing. Embarrassing in the sense that people who are normally right on your tail are suddenly left standing. We don’t mean trailing either, we mean proper, ‘you’re standing there for long enough to wonder if you should turn back and look for them’ standing. The Cove is light and lithe enough to totally launch or skim over the really big stuff, but accurate enough to make every touchdown count as immediate control and traction for nailing the next crux move. Thanks to that slack head angle and titanium tubing, the Cove is one of the few hardtails we’ve ridden that can hold its own against long-travel double springers at speed. The titanium starts to show its naturally supple, shock-absorbing character – with a calm, composed control and fluidity – at exactly the the point when alloy bikes would be rattling your eyeballs out of their sockets. Luckily Cove has been smart enough to leave plenty of space for seriously chunky tyres that’ll take the hammering lives to laugh off.

Kit notes
It’s a happy coincidence that Cove distributor Silverfish also looks after Race Face, whose Deus and Atlas kit here is a superbly tough and confidence-inspiring complement to the Hummer. Ditto Hope’s super-tight straight-pull Pro III wheelset, Intense tyres and SDG saddle. The travel adjust Revelation forks are a good versatile choice too, although we can’t deny we were itching to plug in a set of Fox F120s or DT Swiss 130s for lighter weight and better damping.

Summary
Cove’s Hummer came into the test with a lot to live up to, but the love we felt for it first time round was rekindled as soon as we hit the singletrack again. If you’re an aggressive hardtail rider who lives to tackle the most technical, treacherous singletrack on a wet weekday night or a truly epic weekender, then we simply can’t think of a better bike. Telepathically accurate, tenaciously surefooted, and super tough but sweetly spirited, the Hummer is speed-supple and race-light as only titanium can be.

What MTB verdict: Simple, but speed friendly and strong, yet still Ti lively and race rapid when you get your groove on – 9/10: WMTB Gold Award
Group test verdict: If the sign of a truly great bike is that it makes you ride far better than you thought you could, then we’ve definitely done the right thing declaring the Cove Hummer our winner. It might not be the most ‘titanium’ feeling bike here, but it’s an outstanding ride and a whole load of fun, too. While we can think of bikes of comparable character for the Seven and Soda, the Hummer manages to combine the punch, accuracy and confidence of the best hammerhead alloy bikes, with the low weight and subtle shock shrugging of titanium. The result? Without a doubt it’s still the best hardcore hardtail we’ve ever ridden.

With all the hype flying around about masses of suspension versus keep-it-real steel hardtails, it’s easy to forget that titanium bikes were once the ultimate ride in every manufacturers range. Easy to forget, that is, until you ride a bike like the Cove Hummer.

Like the Orange P7, the original Hummer has had a revamp to make it suitable for longer 5in travel forks. The beautifully Litespeed built frame still keeps just enough of the trademark titanium flexibility to float your bike through trouble, without the fork wandering. the result is a bike that just spirits you through the most treacherous, technical sections without you even thinking about it. We casually thrummed down lethal rocky steps we’d think twice about on a freeride bike without realising what we’d done until we got to the bottom. Yet the whole bike weighs just 25lb and screams up the climbs like a seasoned XC race machine.

With cheaper but very similar or far more elaborately worked titanium MTB’s available, the Hummer might not seem an obvious choice at first. What makes it stand out though is the way each tube dimension, each angle, each butting profile and curve all mixes together. It’s truly a bike that you’ll want to ride every day, and thanks to the top class Ti frame and reliable, bomb-proof Canadian Cove branding, it’ll last you a very happy lifetime indeed. What other alloy frames or full suspension bikes can you say that about? Exactly.

The Hummer may not be the gaudy play thing of mountain biek nihilists but there’s meat on this bone exactly where it counts. Quality 3.25 titanium, increased tyre clearance, an oversized down tube, and re-jigged geometry to take the lengthened fork flogging, it’s plain and simple: the Hummer didn’t come to f**k around. It’s unafraid, unabashed, and unapologetic. Sure, it’s not cheap, but then for a US-made frame coming straight out of the Litespeed shop you’re guaranteed none of the reductionist stalling of budget straight gauge tubing or Bob-a-job building. No, if steel is real then Ti is to die for.

the Hummer has got the lot. the classic Ti essence mated with the modern leanings of longer travel, more aggressive XC tendencies. And there’s no vacuous showmanship. This is a bike that lets its ride do all the talking, and it’s got its lines dialled. It cannot be ignored.

What Mountain Bike Hottest Bikes Of The Year Supplement July 2005

When the Cove Hummer was introduced by Canada’s Cove Bikes it kicked up a few waves.
The concept was simple, to use the dream bike material of titanium and build it into a bike that was more about riding than racing. The first incarnation was a sweet machine, I even rode one myself for a season, it gave you everything you’d expect from a lightweight Ti hardtail but without the need for a 65mm travel fork of the Merlin/Litespeed characteristic arse in the air riding position. Last year you’d have been lucky to buy a Hummer in the UK, Cove took production to the American Bicycle Group and reworked the Hummer to produce the ultimate Ti hardtail for riders that don’t kick around in lycra and overshoes.

First up the major structural changes are in the geometry and the headtube, the seat tube/top tube now intersect which kind of reduces the standover but if you are shelling out £1400 on a hardtail then it is worth making sure you get the right size. Geometry wise we are in a different place than we were 3-4 years ago and this new Hummer will take a 100mm fork with ease, if you run a 130mm fork then don’t panic – it feels just fine. With these beefier forks the team at Cove have specc’d the frame with a headtube gusset – some people will start saying ‘if they needed a gusset then they probably are worried about strength’, one thing I’ve noticed is those type of people are unlikely to try and land a Hummer off a four foot drop off or clear a set of doubles, a headtube gusset is just like the seatbelts in your car, you have to wear them every daybut you’ll be stoked that you have them for their intended reason.

The Ride Out on the trail the Hummer is what you’d expect, the lively ride of a high end alloy frameset but without the snap to your spine. This Hummer was built with a standard dose of parts and weight was under 25lbs which for a bike with 130mm up front is probably better than you’d expect and with a whole heap of carbon, Crossmax and XO you’d be looking at a bike akin to the weight of a length of dental floss. Size wise this was an 18″, personally my first impression was that it was too small for me but once I was giving it some stick around the woods and on steep slippery climbs I started to feel the benefit. Up to around 5′11″ I would say an 18 would do it, over that and you’ll be looking a 19.

Compared to riding the current crop of full sus’ bikes I was amazed how close the Hummer is to giving the benefits of full suspension but in a light hardtail frame. The Hummer is unique in that it is the Ti bike that is more than a race day machine, its geometry makes the perfect all day trail bike that will allow you to nail trails, it climbs great but is awesome on the downhills.

The Conclusion This bike is like hot toast with honey on both sides, it is the sweetest thing and you don’t want to put it down.

Shred Magazine #41

2005 Hummer Reviews:

Not sure which of these bikes sounds perfect for you? The good news is we’ve ridden the perfect blend between the classic XC performance of the Indy Fab and the hammertime Chameleon, and it’s Cove’s new Hummer.
Canadian mentalists Cove have had a titanium hardtail on their bikes for a long time, but it’s always been a bit more sedate than we’d like. It rode just fine, but it was just one of the many great riding titanium frames available. Now though, they’ve finally let some of the lunacy of legendary frames like the Stiffee, G-Spot and Peeler seep into the Litespeed-built gene pool.
Perfectly shaped and tough enough to handle a 5″ fork, but with the unmistakeable springheeled zing and subtle flow of a top quality titanium frame. Whether we were racing up climbs, ripping through the singletrack or suddenly finding ourselves at the bottom of something we’d never had the guts to try before, it’s just a bike apart.
As you’d hope for a bike begging to be ridden off the hook for as much of the time as possible, it’s fully disc specific, with enough tyre room for fat rubber. The 3Al-2.5V titanium alloy means you’ll not have to worry about rusting or over cleaning paintwork to keep your pride and joy perfect, either. Build your own from a frame or get a Cove appointed dealer to create your perfect ride for you.
What Mountain Bike September 2005 – BEST TRAIL HARDTAIL OF THE YEAR 2005

The titanium Hummer has been in Cove’s line up since the first Stiffees set UK singletrack addicts on fire back in 1998, but it’s always been a mild mannered beast. However, the 05 version now gets full long fork capability for a finely balanced ride. Frame production has also switched from Sandvik to Litespeed, which puts a dramatically bi-ovalised down tube and a steeply slpoed oval top tube on the menu. Light, agile, inspiring, perfectly balanced…it all falls short of summing up how balanced the Cove Hummer feels. If you want the best hardtail we’ve ever ridden, start saving now.
WMB Verdict; Performance 10, Value 8 – The best aggressive hardtail we’ve ridden? That’ll be the Hummer.
What MTB ‘Mini-Test’ October 2005

The titanium Hummer has been in Cove’s line up since the first Stiffees set UK singletrack addicts on fire back in 1998, but it’s always been a mild mannered beast.
However, the new ‘05 version now gets full long fork capability for a finely balanced ride. Frame production has also switched from Sandvik to Litespeed, which puts a dramatically bi-ovalised downtube and a steeply sloped oval top tube on the menu. Gently tapered “A frame” rear stays spread wide for decent (2.3″ plus) tyre clearance and then kink back for heel clearance.

To be honest, we always view ti tubes that have been heavily crimped and preened with scepticism – past experience shows they often ride too stiffly to let the natural spring of the metal shine through. Happily, smart butting and metal working means that’s definitely not the case here, and the Hummer really does vibrate with – for want of a better term – the “energy” that makes Ti worth paying extra for.

Press the pedals and it surges forward, rolling smoothly over the top of too big gears or random rock heaps with equal, fluid enthusiasm. The back end then handles any flack coming up from the rear wheel with a quick shimmy and playful shake, before dropping back in and hooking up for the next corner or sidehop.

Run Riot There’s certainly no sloppiness or lack of direction in the way it chops and carves even the tightest lines, though, in fact, the whole ride is all about those “snatched at the last second” shoulder drop sidesteps, hopped rear wheels or slid, snatched and then slid again corners. Swaggering confidently along the slidiest North Shore woodwork or just ripping fast and loose down favourite trails, it’ll take whatever skill you have and run riot with it.

Cove are one of the few manufacturers still not using basic “T-shirt” sizing too, and with frame sizes only an inch apart, finding one in your size should be a cinch. Even running a shorter bike than we’d normally choose, it still flew up climbs, so we’d be tempted to recommend sizing down slightly to gain the extra agility.

If you haven’t picked up that we absolutely loved our ride time with the Hummer by now, we give up. Light, agile, inspiring, perfectly balanced…it all falls short of summing up how good it feels, if you want one of the best hardtails we’ve ever ridden, start saving now.

Verdict Yes, the Hummer is the most expensive frame tested here and yes, not everyone wants a hardtail, but oh boy, is the Hummer a phenomenally fly ride. Equally at home cranked down for racing or picking out perfect lines in the sketchiest technical situations, this sublime all-rounder epitmises everything that makes lightweight long travel bikes the current Holy Grail of the biking world. A true bike for life.

Reviewed against the Scott Genius MC40, Cannondale F1000 and the Specialized Stumpjumper FSR 120 Expert

Guy Kesteven What Mountain Bike January 2005, Performance 10, Value 8

For more information on the 2006 Cove Hummer frame please click here
To locate your nearest Cove Bikes Authorised Dealer please click here

Published Wednesday 24 May 2006