£2000 budget for full sus

valheru

I'm going to make the move from HT (Merlin Malt 4) to FS, for a number of reasons (laziness being one!) but also to give abit more confidence for some of the more technical routes at trail centers.

I ride mainly XC, some trail centers and the occasional visit to the north York moors or the lake district.

My list is either the 2009 Trek Fuel Ex 8 or the 2009 Giant Trance x2. Any views on these or other bikes in the price range would be appreciated.

Also could anyone recommend the best place(s) to buy Giant or Trek?

cullen_bay

i have the 2008 trance x3, not as fancy as the 2009 x2, which is like the 2008 x1... have tried the trek fuel ex8 and didnt like it, especially as the pivot bearings as unreliable as the average british bus. as to where to buy, i bought mine from squarewheels, my lbs and they are fantastic. maybe you should look at the anthem x? i had a go on one and i loved it, its very fast and still has plenty travel. still its up to you, speed in sacrifice of a little bit of comfort, or comfort in sacrifice of speed?

llamafarmer

cullen_bay wrote:

have tried the trek fuel ex8 and didnt like it, especially as the pivot bearings as unreliable as the average british bus.

Although according to MBUK:

We hammered an Ex all the way through last year, so we know the new frame and the bearings hold up well regardless of the weather and workload.