Replacing a Stolen Full Suss

Ryan220

Having had my MTB stolen last weekend Im in the market to replace it (well the insurance company supply it so I dont get the cash option)

The thing is Ive not really been "following" the MTB scene for a couple of years and I am a bit out of touch with whats hot and whats not.

Having done some internet research has left me none the wiser - I think trying to catch up on 2 or 3 years in a couple of days is impossible. MAny of the reviews around seem quite good but more seem quite biased (almost as if the reviewers are afraid to criticise a manufacturers bike in case they dont get any more bikes to review)


Anyway based on what I have seen/ read I have pretty much settled on getting one of the following three bikes (in order of preference)

1) Scott Genius MC40
2) GT IDrive 5 1.0
3) Cannondale Rush


Ive put the Scott at the top as the bike Im replacing was a Scott and I found it to be bomb proof. Plus I like the variable rear travel option and the whole package seems quite well specced.

The other two are on the list because of their manufacturers reputation and (ahem) looks - totally the wrong reason to choose a bike I know.

I would be grateful if anyone give me some good unbiased comments about the Scott and/ or maybe give me a more informed choice for No.s 2 & 3 please?


I like all types of riding (except jumps - I dont do air)


I appreciate any comments

L60N

Hi Ryan,

My personal feeling is.. none of the above :P

Can I ask what sort of insurance have you got that covers your bike? Is it specific bike insurance? And how much were you covered for??

cheers

Leon

dawnophile

Try a Genius first, apparently the riding position is a bit strange given the rear suspension design. One of the testers in WhatMTB or MBUK has one as a long termer. Can't remember which mag though.
The I-Drive 5 2.0 won whatMTB's bike of the year. Enough said.
The '08 GT's are looking quite interesting though.
The Rush I believe is a single pivot bike, so it'll be quite different compared to the other two bikes with more complicated systems.

What is your approximate budget?

bullcross

mongoose teocaili elite gets good reviews

or maybe the focus super bud looks great nice spec

both sold at
www.wiggle.co.uk

have a look

Ryan220

Thanks for the advice - much appreciated.

To answer the questions.

The bike was insured as a specified item against my house insurance to the tune of £100 (this cost me £30 extra on the house insurance) I also submitted receipts for just over £600 for extra bits when I changed the fork and brakes

So in answer to the question regarding my budget - a maximum of £1800 dependent on the loss adjusters (the policy is new for old so Im hoping for something over £1500 at least)

To complicate matters (and possibly rule out '07 bargains) they will replace my bike and not provide cash, so I am assuming that I will at least get a choice from a range of models.

bullcross

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... rst%202008

Ryan220

bullcross wrote:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360032408&N=Focus First 2008

Thanks for the link.

Now that is an unusual layout - but not quite my cup of tea though.

bullcross

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... ike%202007

try this

bullcross

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 0SL%202008

maybe this??

Ryan220

\the Mongoose looks a bit too chunky and heavy but I like the Focus.

The odd thing is I always thought of Mongoose and Focus as El cheapo stuff. Obviously it is not judging by the prices. Are these makes on par with the long established makes like GT, Cannondale etc?

bullcross

mongoose has been around for years so should know a thing or 2
both bikes have great spec for the money and good reviews

Ryan220

Well, my insurance company has been in touch and it seems I have £1400 to spend on my replacement bike.

This limits my choice a little and was thinkning

08 Scott MC40
08 Spec Pitch Pro

Im not dead set on these but would like if possible to have at least 125mm at the back.

I might be able to add a bit more money to the purchase but because Im rather skint at the mo' it wouldnt be a lot (less than £100)

Now that I know my budget I'd be interested to know what people would spend that kind of money on and why.

Thanks in advance

Ryan

Father Faff

It depends a bit on what sort of riding you like - if it was me I'd get a 2007 Commencal Meta 5.5.2 in the sales for about £1300-1400 quid (though you'd have to move quickly) because it has 5.5" of travel, is not too heavy (13kg I believe), and is a blast down rocky trails and will handle technical stuff really well. It won WhatMTBs best sub-£1750 long-travel bike. I ride a 2007 Meta 5.5.1 and it's taken me to places I didn't think possible when I got it in May. Of course if all the trails you ride are smooth and not so technical then maybe a 4" bike like the Giant Trance may suit better - again you can get 2007 ones in the sales. If you can try them out before buying that's your best bet.

cjw

dawnophile wrote:

Try a Genius first, apparently the riding position is a bit strange given the rear suspension design. One of the testers in WhatMTB or MBUK has one as a long termer. Can't remember which mag though.

It's in MBUK, home of Bikeradar!. Jamer's been riding it for 3 months nad seems to rate it highly according to latest issue Nov 2007.