Which Bike For Mountains - Scott, Santa Cruz, Specialized ?
thumpercrossracer
Posts: 13
Looking for advice on a bike purchase.
Last year I was lucky enough to ride the Passporte Du Soleil which was fantastic but a little hairy on my XC bike.
This year I am returning to Les Gets, and may do the mega avalanche as well, my question is on what?
My thoughts are Orange Patriot, Scott Ransom, Specialized Enduro, Santa Cruz Nomad.
It is important that this bike can also be used at home and in Wales, and can be ridden uphill.
It must also go downhill well and have strong dependable brakes.
Because of mountain use I am not keen on carbon frames.
All advice welcome!
Last year I was lucky enough to ride the Passporte Du Soleil which was fantastic but a little hairy on my XC bike.
This year I am returning to Les Gets, and may do the mega avalanche as well, my question is on what?
My thoughts are Orange Patriot, Scott Ransom, Specialized Enduro, Santa Cruz Nomad.
It is important that this bike can also be used at home and in Wales, and can be ridden uphill.
It must also go downhill well and have strong dependable brakes.
Because of mountain use I am not keen on carbon frames.
All advice welcome!
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Comments
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Ransom without doubt, robust enough for alps, but good enough to ride up hills.
Also look at the marin attack trail.0 -
bionicon edison, cant beat it !0
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poll seems very close!0
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You thought about going for an Orange 5 in All Mountain spec (or even regular spec)? It would cane that lot uphill and it's a lot burlier than it looks going down... Unless you're planning some very big drops it would make for a more all-round bike... I've just ordered one for trail centre use and hopefully some Alp-based exploits going forward...0
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Zero 303 thanks for the advice, I really like the look of the Patriot, and the fact that it's made in the UK.
What forks and shock are you having?0 -
I'm going for a more allround trail/tough XC spec rather than true all mountain...
I've got a Fox RP23 and a Float R 140 coming on mine. I'm not a big guy so for me the bike feels pretty burly!0 -
I have a scott genius that I really like and am going to keep.
I guess I can afford to go to about 32lbs, I am 6.1 and weigh 16 stone
what setup would you have on the orange, if you were me?
thanks for your time0 -
5pro with 32 talas, hope pack, mono minis, performance pack and ust wheelset.0
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Out of interest, is the only difference between the 32 Float and the 32 Talas just the adjustable travel? If so, I never felt the need to adjust the travel on the Orange Five, unless you're really into mountain goat style climbing (which looking at his bike shopping list I'm thinking he isn't) it seems a bit surplus to requirement...0
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Yeah, the only difference is the Talas has adjustable travel.
Back to the original question - I think the Enduro still has too many question marks over the in-house suspension. Would leave it another year before buying one to make sure the problems have been ironed out.
If money is no object then surly the Nomad has to be the one, as long as you can give it the spec it desrves.
I agree with ZERO303 that an Orange 5 All Mountain would be a good choice. Also, along the same lines, how about a Commencal Meta 5.5 frame with 160mm forks? The Megavalanche has been won with this set up. There's also a Meta 666 now with slightly steeper angles but 160mm of rear travel.0 -
I like the look of the Nomad, what set up would you go for??0
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new marin attack trail or one of its stable partners?0
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I can't believe how close that poll is! At least you know you're going to buy a corker!0
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Ive got a Meta 5.5.1 and I've used it on some fairly steep bare rock and stone type all mountain territory in France and it feels very secure and competent. It's also a great all round XC bike in this country. I guess an Orange 5 is in equivalent territory.Commencal Meta 5.5.1
Scott CR10 -
Never done it, but I understand there are some killer climbs on the Mega so I'd want something with some game on the ups as well as the downs.
My list of contenders would have to include:
Santa Cruz Heckler (build it light for trails, burly with a coil shock for the big stuff)
Cotic Hemlock (with both rockers to vary rear travel)
Trek Remedy (bit of a wildcard but they look wicked and sub-30lb would be pretty useful)
Cove Hustler (for the strength, perhaps a bit porky?)
Marin Attack Trail (top reviews)
Meta 5 (great ride, low BB for some people, more stability at speed for others)
Know these are more trail oriented choices but I think any one of them would be fantastic all-rounders and more than capable of doing what you want them to do. I'd be leaning towards the Heckler but would have to ride the Remedy first. Other possibles could include Ellsworth Epiphany or Turner 5 Spot for something a bit different. Get testing...0 -
i've already said marin attack trail, such good reviews and does exactly what you want. but out of your list dunno how you can't go with the patriot. get the latest dirt mag - all about british companies. come on support your home country!0
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On a Nomad, I'd probably go for a DHX 5.0 air shock, 36 Talas RC2 forks, then a full all-mountain set up on the rest (65mm stem, wide riser bars, strong set of wheels with 2.35in treads, good brakes with 203mm & 185mm rotors etc etc) - exact specs would be down to budget of course but Easton, Hope and Raceface stuff would definitely feature, keeping strong but also light where ever possible.
You should be able to build a Nomad to a sensible weight (32lbs-ish) that's still easily strong enough for enduro downhilling.0 -
Rode a heckler today. loved it but maybe a bit close to my current bike, made me feel the Nomad is the way to go??0
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OK its now becoming clearer, Nomad or Patriot!!0
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yeahuh orange 5 rides very similarly to the meta 5
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