Another which bike :) xc/trail

s1mon

Hi,

Looking at getting a new full susser after doing a lot of road riding over the past year I want to get off road again and keep the road bike for the better weather Got 2K max ! the less the better. Travel wise anything from 4" to 5" I don't think I need anymore i'm down south so ride the usual places, Queen eliz, Swinley etc. Have had a Trek Ex before which was nice but would prefer a different make. I'm not a fan of Spezialized but do quite like the Epic's 08's, don't want a Scott. Won't be racing on it just the usual weekend ride and night ride in the week. Also been looking at the Anthem X but this and the Epic's seem a bit more race orianted ? I like nice fast flowing singletrack, small jumps/drops no big air :shock: have also been up to Wales so I need something capable for up there, but don't go there often. Sorry to babble on just trying to give you as much info as poss. Any suggestions welcome ?

Thanks.

thirty1

Have a look at Brodie bikes. One of the guys i ride with owns the compnay who imports the bikes into the UK, so i have had a chance to try a few out. Nice bikes, and you don't see too many on the trails.

I know they have a few 08 Mettle's left, which are going for silly money, so might be worth a look.

The 2009 Ethos is nice, but not seen it in the flesh yet.



anyway the company is called progressive bikes.

stu8975

I recently had a spin on an Anthem X1 and was very impressed with the standard bike, i thought it was just as quick as the older model (prob because im running 100mm forks on my current one and am used to the handleing) and will be doing a custom job on one next year sometime. Highly recommended and just over 24lbs w/pedals. Cant really find anything that matches the maestro setup, it seems the competitors have to have some gimmick to match it, brain shock/ brake pivot thing on the trek. only way to find out is to get test rides on them if possible. My current anthem was my first full sus and doubt i will be changing to spesh/trek etc anytime soon.

s1mon

Had a look at an Anthem X1 in the flesh, nice bike just don't like the flat bars. Would risers be ok or would it throw the geometry to much ?

Also looked at the Trance X2 I think but I rekon is to all mountain style for what I need ?

Cps

Have a look at the cube's


or even the FS Boardman - that looks well spec'd for the money

Cps

Have a look at the cube's


or even the FS Boardman - that looks well spec'd for the money

jam1e

Try a Lapierre x-control 410 - I recently tried one when a friend did a demo day and was really impressed. Light, fast, very stiff (even with me onboard )and flowed through the singletrack really nicely.

I NEVER took it into the skills park and couldn't possibly tell you that it also isn't averse to getting some air from time to time...

grantway

Last years Orange 5 if you can find one also look on the Orange web site
they have a couple on there

nferrar

s1mon wrote:

Had a look at an Anthem X1 in the flesh, nice bike just don't like the flat bars. Would risers be ok or would it throw the geometry to much ?

Also looked at the Trance X2 I think but I rekon is to all mountain style for what I need ?

According to one of the mags this month (I think MBUK?) Giant are changing the spec on the Anthem X's to include riser bars from early next year after it was pointed out flat bars would put a few people off. I guess if you can't wait until then the shop you're buying it from should swap it for a riser at minimal/no cost.

s1mon

I could wait but hate waiting

what month was it in the mag ? I have December's MBUK.

So what's people's wiews on the Spech Epic ? They seem to get mixed reviews on here. It's just there's a few 08's around at a resonable price.

dan45a

I'd recommend a Lapierre Zesty, any model. I think the 314 is under £2k, it's a 5" trail bike that is really confident and stable on the descents but also climbs really well. It also helps that they are absolutely stunning to look at.

http://www.lapierrebikes.com/lapierre/e ... ESTY-314-1

I have a 514 and ride Merida mtb marathons on it but also blast the welsh trail centres with no problem. Best bike I’ve had, and I’ve had a few.

LoUiS1985

'08 spesh stumpjumper.my mates got one and its excellent!

Mattbot2

This looks great. BeOne are good too!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=25455

anjs

I have very similar requirement to you and I end up with a trance x1. it not quite a AM as you would think. Certianly worth trying. I bought mine form Pedal on. they still seem to have some deals on last years models

s1mon

Hi,

Right I think it's down to Epic Comp 08, Kona Four Supreme 08 or a Giant Anthem X? probably the X1 if I could stretch to the cost. Only ridden a spesh fsr xc so don't know how the Epic will compare. Like Kona's but only ridden HT's and never ridden a Giant mtb but got a Giant road bike which is nice, Aarrrggghhh decissions :roll:

nferrar

s1mon wrote:

I could wait but hate waiting

what month was it in the mag ? I have December's MBUK.

It's in the January one (they review the X2 along with a few others, X2 wins but Spesh FSR Pro not far behind.

xtremedash

s1mon wrote:

Hi,

Right I think it's down to Epic Comp 08, Kona Four Supreme 08 or a Giant Anthem X? probably the X1 if I could stretch to the cost. Only ridden a spesh fsr xc so don't know how the Epic will compare. Like Kona's but only ridden HT's and never ridden a Giant mtb but got a Giant road bike which is nice, Aarrrggghhh decissions :roll:

The Spesh FSR and Epic will be totally different as they use a different type of linkage and have different purposes. The Epic is really a lightweight race machine. The Stumpjumper is an excellent all round trail bike.

As with most of these things, you need to try one.

Also my mate has an 08 Trek EX and it really is a very nice bike, prefer the spesh, but the Trek is still good.

buzz1

s1mon wrote:

Hi,

Right I think it's down to Epic Comp 08, Kona Four Supreme 08 or a Giant Anthem X? probably the X1 if I could stretch to the cost. Only ridden a spesh fsr xc so don't know how the Epic will compare. Like Kona's but only ridden HT's and never ridden a Giant mtb but got a Giant road bike which is nice, Aarrrggghhh decissions :roll:

Konas are under spec'd and overpriced in my opinion, what about one of the new Treks, they've been getting good reviews.
Cant go wrong with a spesh though, I know you see a lot of them, but that must tell you something!!

s1mon

Hi,

Had a Trek EX nice but think I want something lighter and probably less travel but still trail freindly. Don't need to be beefy or bomb proof as I'm only small but needs to still survive small drops etc .

Not to bothered about the stuff on the bike as long as the frame/fork is good I can upgrade the rest latter on.

For some reason I've never been a fan of Spesh's I guess it's like you say you always see loads of them, the FSR XC I rode was ok.

Going to search around the shops this weekend, got quite a few decent shops within an hour or two's driving.

adun1408

I have changed my flat bars on my ANTHEMX2 to riser bars and it is a better ride all together. I have had the bike for two month now you just want to ride flat out all the time.

s1mon

Tried a few bikes out today, epic comp in a small didn't really like it but didn't have a medium to test. Stumpjumper 08 quite liked it and a mount vision again liked it to but slightly over budget.