Knowledgeable unbiased opinions requird on bike choice.

ptacruse

Go on then,you've heard it all before but someone point me in the right direction.

Just getting into mtb after 10 years when I used to do a fair bit of road cycle work on a beautiful Eddy Merckx until some lovely old dear in her Golf diesel decided that she wanted me as her bonnet mascot. 12 hours being paralysed put me off going back on the road but time now to do some muddy stuff.

Have the option of laying hands of a Scot Spark 30 for about 1400 squids,a better buy than a Mount Vision?(Not Pro version) for about the same price or can one of you experts point me in the right direction without trying to get some commission from your sales manager.

And yes,I am over 40 nearly 50 to be exact but this ex-marine will take on any of you skinny bums!

Let me know please and I will be eternally grateful

Yours,Toddy.

ride_whenever

It depends what you want to do, the scott is an out and out race bike, super light, fantastic frame. The marin is tougher and better specced though. If you don't want to compete then the marin is probably the better bike, it has a little more travel and will be more fun. If you want to really flatter your fitness and want to compete then the spark is more your bike.

Hope that helped.

supersonic

How muddy do you want to get?! A bike for just easy trails and paths, something more taxing, or really gnarly terrain? Is weight much of a factor for you (given that a bike with more suspension will generally be heavier) or does comfort and control take presidence? Basically, what sort of riding do you plan to do and distance.

ptacruse

Taken me this long to bloody log on but thaks for the reply.Want to use the new bike to cover all different aspects or riding,from going with family round Grafham water a couple of times to Chicksands which is just down the road plus have invite to Morzine in the Alps for the summer with some pretty hard core riders so need the bike to do a varietyy of jobs.Am not getting into racing but would like the best bike available with the best kit on for the budget I have.Seems like the Spark is a very good deal but am I just being won over by the frame.

Thanks

supersonic

The Spark may not be the best bike to thrash around the Alps or for harder riding, but would handle some of your other discplines better. I would say the Marin suits your needs better - but many would recommend even more travel for the Alps! Best thing to do is try a few out, see how they feel. More money generally means lighter weight, so tough capable longer travel bikes dont necessarily have to weigh a ton - on the Apark the weight is its trump card.

ptacruse

So if it was your 1400 quid which bke(not neccessarily the two metioned) would you choose?

supersonic

I'd certainly shortlist this one:

http://www.ride-bikes.com/products.php? ... 1656&rs=gb

Thats a good weight for the travel it has, and I am a big fan of the Idrive system as it peddles so smoothly. This should be able to handle what you'll throw at it, but not too weighty to spoil longer easier rides.

ptacruse

Thanks for that,got to go the jacuzzi is calling

ride_whenever

I'd look at the marin attack trail as well, similar to the other marin but a bit burlier, won alpine test even though it is a "short travel" bike.

dave_hill

ptacruse wrote:

Taken me this long to bloody log on but thaks for the reply.Want to use the new bike to cover all different aspects or riding,from going with family round Grafham water a couple of times to Chicksands which is just down the road plus have invite to Morzine in the Alps for the summer with some pretty hard core riders so need the bike to do a varietyy of jobs.Am not getting into racing but would like the best bike available with the best kit on for the budget I have.Seems like the Spark is a very good deal but am I just being won over by the frame.

Thanks

It's the perennial "moon on a stick" question! For general trail riding I'd say have a look at the likes of a Giant Trance X or Specialised FSR.

But then if you want something that's capable of Alpine riding and a bit of tomfoolery on the 'shore you would probably exceed the capability of both - you'd need something like a Giant Reign X, Orange Patriot or an Iron Horse 6point.

Trouble is there's so many niches now it's getting very difficult to distinguish - a 6" to 7" travel dual squidger would be overkill for all-day trail riding, where a 4" to 5" tool would be preferable. But your 4" to 5" bike would take a sever beating in a alpine riding situation.

ride_whenever

Hence the attack trail...

clas

unfortunately there is no "perfect bike" not even a perfect bike for one person. its all compromises but I would look to the worst case scenario.
The Alps you need something fairly brutal to survive that sort of beating so Giant reign X, Santa cruz bullit , iron horse 6.6, orange patriot. will survive it. OK its over the top for tooling around a lake shore with the family but it will do it and survive although you may feel a bit of a twit. However I guess you and I are of an age where this is not so crucial! And I did see someone out on the skyline trail (quite long trail centre ride) on an intense M3 (loony downhill bike) last weekend!
what you CANT do is buy a lighter rig like the scott spark and expect it to survive the bash fests in the alps. well i suppose it will but not in one piece and neither will you be!

Chaka Ping

The Spark is a brilliant bike, and that sounds a great price, but it's not at all suited to Chicksands (apart from the XC loop) or to the Alpine downhilly kind of stuff it sounds like you're thinking about.

I can't recommend anything, but for the kind of riding you describe people usually go for something like the Giant Reign mentioned (good 07 deals around) or the Specialized Enduro.

The Marin Attack Trail does sound like a good option too.

There's loads of brands out there though, so buy a few mags and see what catches your eye.

The Spiderman

The new Specialized Pitch is worth a look,and within budget.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/pitch-pro-08-28147

clanton

clas wrote:

! And I did see someone out on the skyline trail (quite long trail centre ride) on an intense M3 (loony downhill bike) last weekend!
quote]
Lol - I wonder if you saw my mate Tom? He was actually on a Rocky Mountain Switch - 7inch front and 6 inch rear suspension. He is VERY fit but the SKyline very nearly proved too much for him on that bike- this was Saturday last week?

Steve_b77

Spidey, I was going to say the exact same thing

I've got a Pitch comp but with your budget you'd get a Pitch Pro, it's a ride all day trail bike, desn't weigh too much (about 31lbs or a bit less) and it'll take a good amount of abuse as I found out at Llandegla (I know it's not the Alps) Black run the other week with a couple of offs and no damage

I did read the review of the Force 2 in MBR and they said ti felt a bit too tall and unstable at speed, but then again everything is down to personal preference.

ptacruse

Thanks for all the responses,really useful.I also have the option on a Scott Ransom 20/30 or a Scott Genius mc20 for round about the same money as the Spark so it would be a very good deal but is the bike up to what I want to do on it. Basically have a very good deal on all Scotts more or less trade price so the deals are excellant so which one would suit me the best.

And for Clas I'm afraid I'm way beyond what people think I look like and would love to ride around the soft bike trail with a bike that will do the Grand Canyon.

ptacruse

If you had about 1400 pounds to spend and could have in your choice a Scott RANSOM 20/30 or a Scott Genius 10/20 would you consider either and if so which one or go for something else with not as much discount.I want the bike for easy trail rides with the family plus more extreme riding including chicksands and trips to France with the boys or should I say the men(old!).I ain't bothered what I look like riding with the family as someone earlier mentioned.Rather have one excellant bike that'll do the downhill stuff than 2 mediocre bikes to cover both fields.

prophet_1000

ptacruse wrote:

If you had about 1400 pounds to spend and could have in your choice a Scott RANSOM 20/30 or a Scott Genius 10/20 would you consider either and if so which one or go for something else with not as much discount.I want the bike for easy trail rides with the family plus more extreme riding including chicksands and trips to France with the boys or should I say the men(old!).I ain't bothered what I look like riding with the family as someone earlier mentioned.Rather have one excellant bike that'll do the downhill stuff than 2 mediocre bikes to cover both fields.

I have a Pal with an Genius MC50 and I can say that it is a fantastic bike, I have ridden it and it is really good at climbing and descending and even though its a lower model than the 10/20 you are after it has great spec and can handle anything thrown at it, also its in Pimping White and looks the Bomb. although it also looks awesome in black. Get the 10 or 20 I don't think you will be disappointed !!

ptacruse

Thanks for that,am having some trial rides over the weekend so by next week will hopefully have made a decision between the two