which £2k AM?

m4point5

hi guys,

Sorry if this thread has been done to death already, first time post!

i'm in the market for a £2k(ish) AM bike.

so my (current!) 4 are:

Trek Remedy 8
Cannondale Rize 4
SPECIALIZED ENDURO FSR EXPERT
wolf 6.8 / 6.9

i love the look of the wolf but was concerned with the weight for keeping up with my XC whippet mates... 33lbs? i wasn't sure about the spesh's own brand rear shock either (this will be my first bouncer).

any other pearls of wisdom from actual owners?

cheers

jon

Anonymous

The weight on the wolf ridge isn't really a problem. It's no XC whippet, but that's a good thing - it will descend like a DH bike, and tame rough ground like you wouldn't believe.
Climbing is fine, it's not a chore at all, it just isn't as quick as an XC-thoroughbred.

THIS thread might be useful to you as well
There is a guy looking at almost exactly the same bikes as you

bomberesque

if it's your first bouncer then test test test. different bikes feel very different and some will suit you while others will not. Only you will be able to tell.

Also for your list;

La Pierre Zesty
Commencal Meta 5.5
Yeti 575 (might be tough at that price)
Intense 5.5 (old model before the tracer, available at good discounts atm, at least around here... thinking about one myself)
Giant reign (don't know much about this bike but everyone raves it seems)

cat_with_no_tail

Cube Fritzz The One. £2,300
Cube Fritzz - K18 £2,040

If the 2010 models are as good as the '09 models, and the price dosent go up by TOO much, I'll be getting one of these myself. Recently spent a day on the '09 'The One' model and it was simply mind blowing.

lawman

+1 for the zesty

rode one a few weeks ago, just gotta save up for the 2010 model now

Andy B

orange 5?

mine weighs 28lbs

Superb bike well worth a test ride

m4point5

thanks for all the (rapid!) replies.

currently digesting the info....

about the cube (and any others that have the rear shock mounted tyre side). that layout doesn't make sense to me. is this a problem for getting covered in dust / crud / wet?

i'll be riding mainly in fair weather but also in dry dusty condtions and rain / mud...

m4point5

Andy B,

i liked the look of the blood but it's got a hefty price tag!

which five model do you have?
the pro reads well and is 2.3k from a quick search on the interweb...

Andy B

I have the '07 5 pro with performance pack.

The only changes from new are 2.1 nevegal tyres (stick e up front DTC out back) & Sram X9 shifters & rear mech & a Charge Spoon Ti saddle

I also had a '06 S with plenty of upgrades, the only original parts were the frame, front mech, bars & brakes (with braided hose upgrade), unfortunately some scrote nicked it almost a year ago, the '07 is the replacement bike.

A very highly rated bike by their owners & magazines despite their relatively large price tag.

They're a very tough bit of kit & seem to take everything in their stride without ever feeling at their limit.

A big plus point for me was the hand-built in Halifax frame.

pics here: ('07 Pro) http://www.flickr.com/photos/thecycledo ... 465441017/

('06 S) http://www.flickr.com/photos/thecycledo ... 9/sizes/l/

('07 Pro) http://www.flickr.com/photos/thecycledo ... 6/sizes/o/

quagmire man

Hi m4point5 love the cube's but my buget for this year could only streach to the xms but it's great and a workmates got the 09 Cube Fritzz - K18 gets it good and dirty and i said the same about the shock, he said he gives it a quick spray with wd40 before he goes out and it stops the mud drying to it and he loves it and its black and cool like mine

m4point5

quagmire, Cat With No Tail

those cubes do look nice in the greys and blacks but i'd like to avoid the WD40 rear shock squirt if possible. especially for salty winter road sections.

Andy B,

what's the warranty like for Orange?
the US bikes come with lifetime frame / bushings etc which has a certain peace of mind.

yeehaamcgee

i think the wolf's are more AM / mini DH rig style of bike, as you say it'll eat anything and ask for more! but i feel it'll be too much bike for me and at 6lbs more portly than an Orange i'd notice that even if it makes me grin like a loon on the next decent!

bomberesque + lawman

Zesty added to list!

Anonymous

Well, you did ask for an AM bike. It climbs fine though.

largephil

You could save yourself some cash and grab a bargain if your looking at the Meta 5.5 (last one in small though, other models left in other sizes):

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/custom-mo ... -5-uk.html

Thats a hell of alot of bike for the cash, you will struggle to find better at that price

cat_with_no_tail

m4point5
Personally, I certainly wont be squirting mine with WD40. May give it a quick lube when I do the rest of the bike, but no more that with any other shock or forks I've ever owned.

I have not lived with the Fritzz for any period of time. I only spent a day on one for a test, so I am only making assumptions here. But I don't imagine the position of the shock would cause any problems. I've never known that part of a bike suffer from rock strikes, and as for mud, well so long as you clean it on a regular basis and maintain the seals properly, it's no different to having it mounted anywhere else on the bike i'm sure.

I could of course be completely wrong and mine might fall apart within weeks of me getting it (hope not).

If it's really a big concern, I'm sure I have heard of mudguards designed specifically to protect shocks seated in this position. Or maybe I'm just making that up :?

marinman1

giant reign is bike to consider, one of my mates got his reign 1 for 1000 after being ex-demo, i think it RRPs at £2000, just in your budget. out of the bikes you listed i would say the marin, will take a bit more abuse than the rest of them and marin give you a lifetime warranty on the frames

Anonymous

marinman1 wrote:

marin give you a lifetime warranty on the frames

And the bearings, don't forget the swingarm bearings.

marinman1

yeah them too

m4point5

someone else mentioned the reign, just had a peek at the 0...

looks very good, fox both ends with 6inch rear, sram X0, 28lbs, just a whisker over 2k online.

it's on the list and near the top!

Eranu

I think you can get a guard for the Cube shock, here's a pic.

clarkson

+1 for the cube.

+1 for the enduro. wait for the 2010 bikes though. they seem to have gone back to the enduros 'hardcore' roots. and the lower models have proper suspension too.