Second hand Trail bike

TrailDogMTB

I’m in the market for a 2nd hand Trail bike, something hard hitting and full suss that I can throw about with reckless abandon and that will pull me out of the brown stuff when I inevitably run out of skill.

Currently I do allot of XC and regularly race my lightweight Giant XTC carbon hardtail, however my weekend training has become more and more trail orientated.
Basically the XC bike can’t really take the abuse in the longer term and I don’t want to wreck my pride and joy, so I’m after a 140mm+ travel trail bike that I can throw around at the weekends so I can keep my hardtail for the racedays.

I have been looking at the following 2nd hand models

Orange 5 Pro
Orange Alpine 160 (too hefty?)
Scott Genius
Trek Remedy
Giant Trance
Giant Reign (too hefty?)
Bionicon Golden Willow 0 scandium (interesting bike, too many compromises?)
Turner 5 spot

Budget is up to 2k

Any suggestions, advice, alternatives, ones to avoid?

Ryan
www.traildogsmtb.co.uk

joec1

what about a Spec Enduro? really rightweight, and can take a lot of abuse i have a Pitch personally. but they are heavier, and cheaper (less than your budget)

bails87

The Trance is only 120mm I think. Seems a bit lightweight compared to the rest of the choices.

TrailDogMTB

Thanks, Ill have a look at the Enduro's......

The Trance is a little on the light side, I know a couple of guys that swear by them but I agree, not enough travel!

Ryan

Airienteer

For the type of riding you're describing I'd stick to 140mm travel. The Orange Alpine you've listed is a great trail bike if you often ride hard and want to do something like the Megavalanche in the future, but could be a bit much for everyday stuff. Similar deal with the Trek Remedy.

Other options would be a Commencal Meta 5.5 or a Trek Fuel Ex. Also take a look around for past models, as they tend to be just as good value as 2nd hand but without the hastle. Paul's Cycles seems to be particularly good for this.

TrailDogMTB

Good advice, thanks to all..

Im liking the idea of an 09 Commencal Meta 5, also looking at the Lapierre spicy 516 if I can get one in price..

Ryan

MacAndCheese

Marin Attack Trail??...if you don't mind the fact it's a little bit ugly....

passout

140mm it is. Orange 5 or Meta 55 I'd say. My mates have the Orange and I have the Meta - build quality is better with Orange but value is a weak point. Both ride very well but I must say that the Meta is sublime on the rough stuff... Can't go wrong with either.

TrailDogMTB

Ok, great, thanks for the info and good to get it from an owner..

Kinda discounted the Marin, it gets good reviews but does look like a dogs dinner..

Ill get some test rides booked in.!

Ryan

heavy_rat

Book the Meta test ride first, you probably won't want to try anything else after that.

Also get a 2010 model if you go for one. Few issues with 2009 frames.

bregante

heavy_rat wrote:

Book the Meta test ride first, you probably won't want to try anything else after that..

Now there's a bold statement. I demo'ed an 09 meta and found it skittish and flexy. Compared to an Orange 5 or a Heckler - there isn't any comparison!!!

heavy_rat

Bregante wrote:

heavy_rat wrote:

Book the Meta test ride first, you probably won't want to try anything else after that..

Now there's a bold statement. I demo'ed an 09 meta and found it skittish and flexy. Compared to an Orange 5 or a Heckler - there isn't any comparison!!!

Yes bold and very biased

Although I hear the 2010 are not has flexi

andyrm

Seriously you NEED to test ride a Bionicon to get it. There's a damn good reason they have such an amazing conversion ratio from test ride to sale.

I rode a few different Edisons and fell in love with the whole variable geometry system which really makes a massive difference - and from what you have described about your riding, the GW looks like a great bet. Maybe consider an Edison or Edison Ltd as well for a bit more travel and slightly beefier/more thrashable chassis?

kenan

The Scott is a bit to weenie for what you want.

Ridden the Marin and it is a very good all rounder.

TrailDogMTB

Managed to get a test ride on a Meta and a Giant Reign XO this weekend, need to sort out a ride on an Orange Pro5 and Lapierre Spicy 516 during next week....

Any ideas on who stocks Bionicon in or around London as the concept is definately interesting and the GW looks pretty cool.?

Ryan
traildogsmtb.co.uk

andyrm

Ryan,

Moose Cycles in Colliers Wood do - and they have demo bikes built [url=uphttp://www.moosecycles.com]uphttp://www.moosecycles.com[/url]

moet32

Giant reign x0 2009

Excellent condition fully serviced 2010 many new parts

New parts

Elixir 5 brake sets, Disc Calipers Levers
New Rock shox Lyrik forks maxle lite axle
SLX crack set and bottom bracket
SLX Front Mech
XT shimano rear Mech
Swalbe Nobby Nic tyres
Rear cassett
DT swiss ex5.1d front wheel with Hope pro2 hub

Serviced Parts
Fox DHX AIR rear shock

Older parts
Rear Mavic 317 wheel

Frame excellent no scrapes or damage

Great bike ready to go nearly as new, selling because I ride mostly on road these days

The selle saddle will be replace with standard saddle at sale

inspection welcome

STEVE 07786692196

rockmonkeysc

Reign is far from too hefty, it's only about 30lb for the lowest spec. I wish I had got a Reign instead of the Trance X, though the Trance can take a lot of abuse and I ride it pretty hard the geometry is a bit steep.

tsenior

Kinda discounted the Marin, it gets good reviews but does look like a dogs dinner..

:roll: but your considering a 5?

ok its never going to win any beauty contests but i love my attack trail (2005 model which i picked up for £500 quid 2nd hand) are you going to hang it up over the fireplace or ride it up and down big hlls cos i find it pretty good at the latter?

popstar

Marin Wolfridge / Attack trail = strong frame, if specced with maxles throughout is razor sharp at piloting around. A bit short in cockpit to my prefference so needs to get the size right if you are tall. Suspension wise it feels very active and gives very plush feel to it. If there were no pro pedal on it , could lead to way too much bobing around on it while climbing. Thankfully pro pedal does cure it. Otherwise very capable machine not only for aggresive XC but more.

Lapierre Zesty frame doesn't look as brutal as Wolfridge but then it's a fine creature isn't it? Handling of the bike is more XC like with faster steering sega rally style. Suspension isn't as plush as Wolfridge's but is very good at tracking grip. Pedals very well don't think you will really need to reach for pro pedal. Miraculously once trail opens up out of rock/root gardens into flowy high speed the bike shoots out like fook, something I didn't experience with Wolfridge. But Wolfridge does corner with surgeon precision and is better at those.

Didn't ride but suppose Spicy wouldn't be that far off Zesty in character. But Zesty is plenty enough, or at least to me. At the end of the day, it all depends how you see yourself riding these bikes or how stylish do you want to be.