My first FS bike - EX8 / Mount Vision 5.7 / Felt Compulsion2

jonflat2
jonflat2 Posts: 10
edited September 2009 in MTB buying advice
My first post … so be gentle :-)

Having been away from MTB-ing for well over 10 years, I've decided to get back into the sport, which I loved as a teenager.

I've visited the Leith Hill area a few times on my 15-year old Cannondale M700 - and having been bounced around the place a bit too much, I've decided a full-suspension bike would make my time a lot more enjoyable.

With this in mind, I've had a few rides on a range of bikes and I've narrowed it down to the following, and wondered if anyone had any input/thoughts on my shortlist:

Marin Mount Vision 5.7
A little on the heavy side but otherwise felt like a well sorted bike. Also, (as I intend on keeping the bike for the longterm) I like the idea of the lifetime warranty on the frame and suspension bearing/pivots.

Felt Compulsion 2
Felt even heavier than the Marin - but all that travel was reassuring.

Trek Fuel EX 7 or 8
Seemed like a decent compromise on weight vs. travel.


Most of my riding will probably be round the Leith Hill area - but am hoping to get over to Wales at some point in the near future.

In an ideal world I’d like a bike that I can stick with for the long term.

Look forward to the comments!

Comments

  • harveyg77
    harveyg77 Posts: 30
    Of those I love the Trek Fuel EX8.

    TBH I have had two Trek 8000s and two mates run Treks (8500 and EX8), they seem bullet-proof and never let us down!

    When I got my new full-susser I was going to get the EX9, but eventually got a Orange Five Pro, not because the Orange is better - but because I prefer the agricultural look of the Orange and the fact that its British. Otherwise its would have been Trek EX all the way!!!

    Harvey
  • BurtonM
    BurtonM Posts: 425
    Commencal Meta 5.5.2 :)
    yeehaamcgee wrote:

    That's like saying i want a door for my car that doesn't meet the roof, because I once had the wind blow it shut when I was getting in, and I had my head squished between, well, the door and the roof.
  • jonflat2
    jonflat2 Posts: 10
    Thought I'd amend the subject title - to see if I can magic-up some more responses :D
  • projectsome
    projectsome Posts: 4,010
    EX8
    FARKBOOK TWATTER Happiness is my fucking mood!
  • Beardface
    Beardface Posts: 5,495
    My vote would be for the Marin, I think they're great bikes, especially for the Surrey Hills.. 120mm is plenty for the majority of trails that way :)

    I'm biased tho, as I ride over the Surrey Hills and have a Mt Vision ('08 Model), my mate has an '06 model, and another has a Whyte E-120 (same designer)... none of us have had complaints, and the after service has been great.. my mate with the '06 cracked his swingarm, Marin replaced with no fuss.

    On a side note, I agree that the mount visions are heavy for what they are, but it feels solid going both up and down the hills. Its 'Trail Friendly' :)

    I'm not a huge fan of Treks, I honestly couldn't tell you why either, its just a brand I seem to overlook..

    The felts are nice too, I had a go on a compulsion, which felt great, but his equilink was creaking, which came and went as it pleased.. not sure if that was a one off however, but it still worked fine!
    Bird Aeris
  • jonflat2
    jonflat2 Posts: 10
    Thanks for the advice.

    The Marin is a nice bike - my only concern is its weight and also that the on-board kit doesn't seem to be quite as good as some of the competitors.

    I'm guessing this is because the money has gone into the frame (?)

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