All Mountain/Cross Country bike ?

s1mon

Hi,

Looking to get a new bike asap probably have to be in the new year though Jan/Feb time. I suppose I am looking for a bit of an all round bike mostly cross country/all mountain type riding. Pretty sure I want to go full suspesion. I won't be racing, won't be doing just downhill or any huge jumps so I have ruled out a cross country specific bike (hardtails), jump bike's and downhill bikes and I am left with anything that fits in between all that I want something light(ish) for going uphills but also strong/reliable for the downhill bits. So far I have looked at,

Marin Mount Vision 2008 seems to get excellent reviews
Trek EX9 2008 (although I think this bike is more suited to cross country ???)
Specialized Pitch, over the top in terms of travel needed, didn't think I would like the colour but looked at one today and it does look nice.
Orange Five only looked on the net, seem alot more £££ compared to the above

anything else anyone recommends ?

Simon.

BlackSpur

There are some happy owners of Pitches here
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12549641

I get the impression from other users that Orange bikes have excellent frames to make up for their comparatively greater cost

s1mon

Yep just read through that post.

The Orange are nice, but at 2K for the Marin/trek I am at my very upper limit and I think the Orange's start at nearly that price.

Simon.

Anonymous

well, atleast you are on the right track, you have decided what you dont need and i reckon that is the hardest part.

it sounds like you are looking for the holy grail, one bike to do it all. the choices you have made all look excellent, have you thought about a stumpjumper? similar to the pitch in shape, but with shorter travel and lighter build.

s1mon

have you thought about a stumpjumper

Not keen on this years colours :? 07 are alot nicer so I could get end of year one at a good price but after owning a fsr xc I have been put of by Specialized it really wasn't my thing anyway.

Simon.

Anonymous

you're right about this yrs colours, those paintjobs are so ugly they could trick or treat down the phone!!

how bout the giant trance x?

s1mon

how bout the giant trance x?

Not looked at any Giant's will have a look into them.

Only owned a Marin, 3 Kona's and a Specialized.

I do like Kona's alot but again this years models I think are ugly :?

The Specialized Enduro Comp 2008 looks nice.

This years Stumpjumper FSR Pro is the only one I like but it's out of my price range so thats this yrs Stumpjumper's of my list

Simon.

Anonymous

i agree, the enduro is the one bike i would be tempted to save up for at the mo, its just too much bike for the kind of riding i do i think. that said, i really want an old reign even tho i dont need one, i'd best not get started

Amos

Slightly over your budget, but if you can stretch it a bit further to Tomac Snyper 140 Two would be worth a look.

http://www.stif.co.uk/gear/select_optio ... uctid=5447

Apparently there pretty damn swift! Has anyone had a go on one?

Andy B

Orange 5 starts @ £1700.

I have an '06 5S (the cheapest one), but upgraded a few bits from the factory (forks & braided hoses) and have upgraded bits as needed. She weighs in at 28-29lbs cost (so far) ~£2300.

Great bikes, yes they do seem expensive or not as well specced for the money, but it is hand built in Britain, not a mass produced Taiwanese frame (not that there is anything wrong with then, I own 2 Taiwanese framed bikes) and it is a very, very good bit of kit and well worth a test ride.

Splasher

Another nod to Giant, my Reign frame was £800 and I built it up from there mainly with stuff I already had. You could build a great bike with £2k taking advantage of the stuff in the sales.

See link below.

s1mon

Thanks for the replies,

I think the Giant Reign is slightly out of my price range ? I maybe pooking in the wrong place though.

and I was thinking do I really need a 6" trail bike ? surely a 5" is enough ? if it is that crosses the Enduro's and pitch of my list and I could look into an 07 stumpjumper fsr, but I do plike the look of the Enduro's :?

Simon.

Splasher

If you decide you want 5", the Giant to consider is the Trance X.

BikerDan

Have a look at the Commencal Meta 5.5's. If you want the top spec 5.5.1 you'll have to part with over £2000. So the 5.5.2 will be in you're price range.

s1mon

Hi,

Is the only differance between the Trance and Trance X the travel ?

Simon.

Splasher

Esentially yes, but you could say also the only difference between the Trance X and the Reign was the travel. All 3 use Maestro suspension rear with matching (ish) forks at the front and they are ostensibly designed for XC (Trance), XC/Trail centre (Trance X) and All Mountain (Reign). I wouldn't get too hung up on the marketing tags though.

s1mon

Ok thanks. I have my list now down to three,

Mount Vision
Trek EX9
Trance X1 (the Zero is above my budget )

I can test ride the marin and Trek back to back hopefully begining of Jan and I think there is a dealer near me which has the Trance X in stock.

Anyone got a Trance X ? Just wondering why the Zero dosen't come in a 14.5" ? I am 5'5" - 5'6" so would definatly need a 14.5" or 16" anyone around my height with a Trance X what size do you ride ?

Simon.

Splasher

You say the zero's above your budget and then fret that the zero doesn't come in your size

s1mon

Na just wondered why they didn't have the zero in a 14.5" more importantly was there anyone the same height that has a Trance X, which size did they go for ?

Simon.

Splasher

Sorry, can't help - 6'3" and went for large. There are stickers on the frames giving a guideline but obviously, you need to ride it to be sure, I'll see if I can find out.

Splasher

Here's the geometry http://www.giant-bicycles.com/_upload_u ... -X0-08.pdf you can compare the top-tube lengths to your current bike to get a rough idea but as I said earlier, don't think of spending 2k without a damn good test ride.

Good luck.

thewaddys

Get yourself a Cannondale Prophet 1 2 or 3 mx. I bought one a couple of months ago and its as plush as a DFS sofa and looks stunning. Multi pivots blow sheep, whats the point in them?! My 3 mx came with top kit, Louise brakes, pikes, XT stuff, truvative cranks, ditch witch rims etc. Climbs like a goat and laughs at gnarly DH's.

william_93

the new marin bikes are also good i cant remember what model they are and also the specialized s-works are good!

s1mon

Hi,

Decided on the Trek. Test rode the Trek, Marin and Giant, the Trek felt the best and most comfortable. Thanks all for your help.

Simon.