Need guidance on buying an All Mountain Bike

mancunian
mancunian Posts: 31
edited August 2009 in MTB buying advice
New to the board and full suspension bikes - currently riding an 'old' Giant MTB.

Currently undecided between a Specialized Pitch Pro, LaPierre Zesty 314 or Trek Top Fuel 8. I've read lots of reviews but reaching a decision is hard to say the least, Specialized is a good price, Trek has a good warranty, spec wise doesn't seem much between them or am I completely wrong?

Most of my riding will be in and around the Alps/Black Forest as I live in South Germany, anz advice or experiences with these bikes appreciated.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    the trek is different to the other 2 bikes as it is an xc bike, so short travel and steep angles but gorgeous looking.

    t'other 2 are more like all mountain bikes. eveyone loves lappierre at the moment but im not sure if this is more down to the fact they are gorgeous. as ithappens they do review really well and spec seems ok.

    the pitch has always reviewed well and is often referred to as being a better option than its bigger, more expensive brother, the enduro as it is such good value for the quality of ride.

    seeing as you'rin germany, have you thought about bionicon? they are ace bikes (depending on which reviews you read) i had a golden willow and it was outstanding, if a little ugly, but i like the look of the edison.
  • nferrar
    nferrar Posts: 2,511
    Can highly recommend the Lapierre 314 but the Pitch is a great bike to (both would be more comparable to a Remedy from Trek which is also a nice bike). I'd say it basically comes down to test riding all 3 and seeing which suits you best, if you can't test ride them then I guess go by spec/looks/local backup (warranty etc.). In the UK at least the bikes you mention are all getting pretty low on stock so you may end up having to wait on 2010 bikes which will also have a price increase :(
  • mancunian
    mancunian Posts: 31
    went to the local Trek dealer today and can confirm the Remedy is sold out. Will be going to the Specialized dealer tomorrow (who also sells LaPierre and Bionicon). I know for sure they have a Large frame Pitch in stock.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    definately give the bionicon bikes a chance, they are really good and the geo change thing is a brill idea which works really well.

    i sold my golden willow but would love to have it back.
  • ragged1100
    ragged1100 Posts: 147
    Again, as you're in Germany, have you looked at the Cubes, possibly the Fritz?

    Ragged
    Gawton Gravity Hub - "England's best permanent downhill tracks"

    www.gawtongravityhub.co.uk
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  • mancunian
    mancunian Posts: 31
    Ok so here's the latest...went to the Specialized store, Pitch is available in L for 1800 Euro (10% discount), only managed a quick ride round the streets, brakes seemed a bit spongy but otherwise OK.

    Also visited another Spec store and looked at the LaPierre and Bionicon (@sheepsteeth great advice).

    LaPierre Zesty 314 for 1800 same as Pitch, Zesty 514 for 2430.
    Bionicon Golden Willow for 2790 and supershuttle for 3060.

    Have an invite down to the Bionicon R&D centre in Tegernsee for a ride of anything in the range, sounds like a great opportunity however the discounts only last whilst 2009 models available.

    Not tried the Cube yet but looks great.

    From looks, the Spec is my least favorite, the Euro brands Bionicon, Cube & LaPierre look amazing but are more expensive.

    Any more advice much appreciated
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    i would definately take the invite offer up. if you are looking at the 140-150mm travel range i would recommend asking for a go on an edison, it is bionicons 150mm bike and hardly weighs any more than the 120mm golden willow.
  • cat_with_no_tail
    cat_with_no_tail Posts: 12,980
    Cube Fritzz gets my vote. I am hoping to get one myself but going to wait to see what the 2010 models are like first.
    New Giant Reign X is pretty sexy too.
    "Avan-TT"
    F*cking Fast 29er
    Rapid Rose Roady
    Bionicon Beast
    Rockhopper Communter
  • mancunian
    mancunian Posts: 31
    The more I read the more I am going in favor of the Euro brands, pity I have to wait till after my vacation to go to Bionicon, may have to make a snap decision beforehand, don't want to miss out on the 2009 deals.
  • nferrar
    nferrar Posts: 2,511
    Bionicon was on my short list to, I think it's a great concept and well executed (apart from looks :p ) but ultimately I was put off by having to buy into proprietary forks and rear shock technology, even Specialized couldn't get that right and are moving back to Fox - I just doubt Bionicon with a fraction of the R&D budget can get it right. That said I've not read of any failures of the forks etc.

    What is your budget? The €1800-3020 bikes mentioned is a pretty big spread! You really need to demo them properly (i.e. off-road!), I new the Zesty was right for me after about 30 mins but a few people don't like it - same will apply to any decent bike.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    my bionicon suspendion was a whole lot more reliable than the spesh stuff. worked very well indeed and the company are ace to deal with, i got a few bits and bobs i needed really quickly with no questions asked, very impressed.

    i wish i hadnt sold the bike on to be honest, it was ace, im sorely tempted to get another but the prices are going to ocket for 2010 stuff according to themselves!
  • Rich25
    Rich25 Posts: 231
    I have had my Pitch Pro for nearly a year now. It's an awsome bike but there is one thing that is worth considering. It has such a low bottom bracket, I am forever having pedal strikes and ive lost teeth of the outer ring where I caught it. It's annoying but not so enough to detract from the fun ive had.
  • yoohoo999
    yoohoo999 Posts: 940
    i agree with the irritation on the low BB on the Pitch!

    i've got a Shore One and a Pitch and they couldn't be more different in that respect.....I can slide under my Shore One the BB is so high!!!!
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    all specialized bike have a low bb. even my enduro is pretty low. this makes it stable at high speed but you do have to adjust your style a little bit to avoid strikes.
  • yoohoo999
    yoohoo999 Posts: 940
    very true. i managed to break my big toe on my old 1999 Enduro :cry:
  • mancunian
    mancunian Posts: 31
    latest update, just been offered a Trek Fuel Ex9 for 1999 Euro, 1000Euro off list for 2009 run out model. Realise this is not in the all mountain category as a Pitch but for this price as a first Fully MTB (and too old for screamin down hill) may not be a bad deal.

    Any thoughts??
  • GHill
    GHill Posts: 2,402
    It's an excellent bike at an excellent price (I do have an Ex8 though).
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    true, its not an all mountain bike in the widely accepted translation of the term but for most people, most of the time a trail bike is more than enough.

    those treks are said to be very good indeed and just look at them! ace looking. seems a good price too.

    what i would say is be very definate about what you want, dont "settle" for the trek because of the deal, make sure you buy what you actually want, if that means waiting or paying more, it will be the right thing to do in the long run.
  • grumsta
    grumsta Posts: 994
    what i would say is be very definate about what you want, dont "settle" for the trek because of the deal, make sure you buy what you actually want, if that means waiting or paying more, it will be the right thing to do in the long run.

    I would agree, although from this
    as a first Fully MTB (and too old for screamin down hill)
    it sounds like it might be more suitable than a burly all-mountain bike like a Pitch.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    grumsta wrote:

    I would agree, although from this
    as a first Fully MTB (and too old for screamin down hill)
    it sounds like it might be more suitable than a burly all-mountain bike like a Pitch.
    i concur, it may well be more suited

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