Which all mountain bike?

kristhemute

Hello

I started mountain biking last summer (23 years old) I bought what at the time, I thought was a top bike, a mongoose amasa super, mainly cos it was reduced.

I'm now hooked, riding almost every day around the city and at trail centres. I don't mind the ups and love the downs, starting to get stuck into some nice big drops tho still a bit wobbly jumping. What bike should I get? I've since realised that my XL hardtail is a bit clumsy and want an all-mountain full suspension bike, with the aim of driving to the alps with mates this summer.

The problem is which all mountain bike do I get, also should I go for a cheaper bike, then upgarde it? I don't want to realise i need something else in a years time so a do it all bike is needed. I'm 6'5'' and 15 stone, not sure if this matters.

I've looked at (mainly in magazines);
Trek remedy 8
Gary fisher roscoe
Intense tracer vp
Turner 5 spot
Meta 5.something
Specialised pitch pro

Leaning towards the turner for value, what do you think? any others come to mind?

someone tell me if this is rediculous after 7months of riding? I'm not that good at the maintenance side so is there any I should stear clear of?

Thanks

thirty1

Turner 5 Spor for its value? Not something you hear everyday, the frame alone is £1700 ish!

The Trek's look great bikes for the money or if you fancy something a bit boutique then the 5 Spot or the Intense fits the bill, but make sure you try if you can.

Have a look at Chumba Racing http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/news/article/chumba-bikes-return-to-uk-21334

They have been making good frames for many a year, and have just come back into the UK (I am friends with someone who works for the distributor). I think the XCL would be an ideal bike, really tough and very stiff and pretty light. Can be built up numerous ways and won't brake the bank for a full build, in fact i do know they have a great deal on the frames at the moment, but i dont think i should say on here!

kristhemute

I'll have a look at that link, I think I must have misread the turner price I thought it was about that for the finished bike!

The remedys the only one I've had a sit on, tho it wasn't my size, was a really nice bit of kit

thanks

SDK2007

thirty1 wrote:

Turner 5 Spor for its value? Not something you hear everyday, the frame alone is £1700 ish!!

Yup - Turner bikes are on the expensive side

I would go for a Pitch, great value and performs well.

dunker

the marin wolf ridge's look good,
http://www.marin.co.uk/2009/bikedetail. ... No=3931-1F

Mr Wu

Id take the pitch pro off your list as you wont find one in your size anymore.

Tom Barton

Take a look at a spicy 316 (bottom of the range but ride wonderfully - longish bikes though - try one for size.

Othwise - you can't go wrong with either the remedy or the pitch - both are class bikes and better value than their boutique conterparts by a country mile. (if you go for the pitch go for the more expensive one - well worth the part upgrades.)

Kiwi Kranker

Check out the Scott Ransom (10 20 30...whatever fits your budget) as the 2008 models have huge amounts of coin off them at the moment.

Its definitely a bike worth adding to your list to take for a spin.

Duffer

Tom Barton wrote:

if you go for the pitch go for the more expensive one - well worth the part upgrades.

i agree - however the only chance you've got of finding one is if your LBS has one in stock. everywhere else has sold out. i've just ordered the Comp, and the only ones i could find were in medium.

kristhemute

Hi

Thanks for your guidance, I'm currently waiting on a price for a custom build on the chumba xcl.. If it works out a lot cheaper than the remedy then I'll go for that. Otherwise its a few months saving and a Remedy 8 for the summer, and to verbier!

Cheers

peachos

what's your budget mate?

i can highly recommend a norco six-one! mine's a 2006 model purchased from winstanley's about 12 months ago. they still have them in stock with bomber Z1's (awesome fork!), DHX 3 and X9 kit. £1k for a £2k bike is good in my book anyday and it is a fab bike.

it's based on the specialized FSR link so pretty similar to pitch/enduro/bit hit. have no problems with it on the ups (despite being a 35lb bike), has a super stiff rear end so very quite responsive and the frame design means it's really huck-able.

check it out, would be great in the Alps. http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2006