Full Sus Trail Bike - £2500 Budget (now up to £3k?)

jmillen

Afternoon peeps...

I'm in the market for my first full sus due to starting to ride with a new group of people. I've narrowed it down to a couple of options and would be grateful for your thoughts/comments.

I'm after something with about 120-140mm travel (adjustable)
Budget of up to £2500
I'd prefer SRAM set up
Also prefer (as I'm sure most will) to keep it as light as I can for the price

Options so far:

Specialized Stumpy FSR Expert 2010 (£2499)
Trek Fuel EX9 2010 (£2499
Trek Fuel EX8 2010 (£2000)
Giant (model un-decided)

I went to my local Specialized Concept Store yesterday and test rode an FSR Pro in medium (18" I believe) and was a nice ride and liked the "brain" which it had.....Specialized also comes with 10% of free accessories which always comes in useful but to be honest, I wasn't overly keen on the look of the frame (very dull looking)

Am I missing any obvious bikes from the list above?
Any reason to choose one over the other?

Grateful for any thoughts/advice etc

Thanks in advance

ads4

I'd have a look at the Lapierre Zesty 314

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/lap ... e-ec020992

and the Cannondale RZ140 5

http://www.bonthronebikes.co.uk/14-226367

JamesBrckmn

this seems to be wa ou're looking for- Cube stereo: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=44302
Or, since you thought the stumpy was too 'dull', how about this:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=44305

sussexboy1954

Hi

Just brought a Marin Mount vision 5.8,, loving it so far.

RP £2499 on offer for £2250 if you order by March 9Th

FSR_XC

Why 140mm?

Are you doing a fair bit of DH or FR?

supersonic

140mm doesn't necessarily mean DH or FR - depends on geo and components.

But for a lighter, racier sort of XC/trail bike I'd look at this Spark:

http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/bikes- ... e-8552.htm?

Hell of a good deal!

jmillen

Not downhill as such no, but there will be some farely demanding trail/woodland riding with lots of rockey decents etc included.

I know the quoted weights aren't always correct, but just over 27lbs for the Stumpy doesnt seem too bad weight wise? I liked the good adjustment features of the Stumpy as well (suspension wise).

Do you think its too Downhill orientated?

Is the Trek EX 8/9 in the same bracket?

the article don

At that price, your un-named Giant would be

Trance X1 for £2645, for all round trail use

http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/118717.html

Or last year's multi award winning Anthem X1 if you want one of the best racy XC bikes money can buy, at £2745 ( almost identical spec for 2010)

http://www.ashcycles.com/web/index.php? ... anguage=en

EDIT Note, of course, that Giant don't use SRAM on these bikes

milhouse329

sussexboy has it sussed Marin Mount Vision. Great bike!!!! I love mine. Your other possibles are good though. I doubt you'd be disappointed.

GHill

I'm not sure the Fuel Ex9 offers a £500 improvement over the Ex8, depends if the different spec makes much difference to you.

Ex 8/9 are approx. the same bracket as the Stumpy. Stumpy has a bit more travel, but I'd use the bikes for the same purpose.

To choose one over the other? Ride them.

jmillen

The Spark does seem excellent value for money, but I'm not sure about the carbon frame, I'd end up being so paranoid about coming off and scratching it etc...

I like the look of both the Treks, do they have their own version of the Specialized brain?

I really like the look of this....
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=44309
....but I'm just not sure the 100mm travel will do the job

:roll: Decision Decisions, too much choice

rudivoller22

I'd go for the Stumpjumper. Fantastic bike with lots of potential for upgrading in future. The Zesty is also a great bike but the success in 2009 has meant the 2010 bikes are basically more expensive with lower grade kit so i'd maybe avoid that.

My mate has a 09 EX8 and is loving it, I agree with comment about trhe EX9 not being really worth the extra unless you are really fussy about kit.

It really is a minefiield but you can't really go wrong with any of the biokes you have mentioned.My vote ios Stumpy though for what it is worth.

bomberesque

can't believe SS didn't say this right out of the gate but; Especially as this is your first FS bike, do be sure to test a few before dropping all that money.

You need to make sure that the size is right but also different FS systems feel and work differently. In the 140 travel range there's everything from close to DH geometry (very slack angles) to steep enduro racing builds so take your time and test some stuff out.

and weight wise 27lbs is a perfectly respectable weight for a FS trail bike. Once you get over 30lbs you'll start to feel it but 27 is nice and light (and almost impossibly light for the capabilities you get these days compared to 10 years ago) 25 is a bit of a watershed "superlight" for FS so 27 is perfectly respectable IMO

lawman

for more am/dh riding, zesty, orange 5 or commencal meta. if you want a more xc orientated bike, the cubes are pretty good, the ams comes in a 125mm format so that could be worth a look

ellsbells1973

scott genius 40, 150mm travel with 3 mode rear shock, gotta be worth a look
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Scott-Genius-40 ... _28726.htm

JamesBrckmn

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=44312 ? :?:

jmillen

Yes the Cubes certainly bring the looks to the table don't they and not lacking in good quality kit either.....whats it like to get hold of parts?

I've got my test ride on the Stumpy on Thursday, and then I'm planning a trip to two of my LBS's to check out the Treks at one, and the Cubes at another....

I think a trip to Evans in Bristol is required to see if they have any of the Sparks in stock that I can see "in person"

I'm getting there ! Always happy to hear reviews/comments of people who have any of the above, or have opinions on what they think is the better buy

Thanks for the replies so far, its a lot of money to spend, so want to make sure I get it right

GHill

jmillen wrote:

I like the look of both the Treks, do they have their own version of the Specialized brain?

Nope, AFAIK only Spech have anything like that (certainly of the big boys). I've never ridden a bike with a "brain", but various sources seem to suggest they've almost nailed it this year. That said, I've never noticed anything particularly "wrong" with either the standard FSR or Trek designs. The Treks do have the DRCV shock which gives a more "coil like" feel and should, in theory, give some of the advantages of the brain.

FWIW, I have a Trek Fuel Ex 8 ('09) and happy to answer questions about it. But, haven't ridden a stumpy since the '07 model so can't give you a fair comparison.

jmillen

Well I've now also booked a Trek Fuel EX8 ('10) for a test ride on Saturday, as well as the Stumpy FSR tomorrow.

Incidently, I've just been reading some reviews of the Specialized "Brain" system. It seems Brains of old weren't quite there yet, and even a couple of recent reviews suggested that it can be unpredictable and you don't always have full travel/lock out when you need it, despite being able to adjust it.

Is anyone using a new version of the Brain yet? Whats it like, does it do the job it is supposed to properly without any silly delay?

peter413

If you can stretch your budget to 2800 then you could get a sram x9 equipped Santa Cruz Nomad

slimboyjim

+1 on the Zesty - I love mine. I've heard nothing but good reports on the Trek Fuel EX's too.

jmillen

Well, I've got this on demo at the moment



I love the look of the Zesty 514, and at £2800 I could stetch to it....but I get the distinct feeling I'm paying for a name?

There are various 09 model Spesh on offer in my LBS, some with well over £1k off (carbon frame etc), extremely tempting but the '10 versions have Fox suspension, larger travel.

Too confusing, theres sooo much choice I just don't know

GHill

Try to ignore the awful performance of the tyres on the Trek. They're great for dry summer hardpack, but it isn't as if we really see that in the UK.

Test as many of the bikes as you can - better to go for the bike that suits you best, rather than the one that looks nice/has the most money off/most recommended by faceless people on the Internet

The Big Cheese

And don't rule out the GT Force range, especially the Force 1.0

http://www.gtbicycles.com/usa/eng/Bikes ... -Force-1.0

Lovely bikes, I had the 2008 model and it was superb, can't believe I got rid of it DOH!

Handle lovelym and the i-drive system is superb!! 8)

jmillen

I may well have upped my budget to £3k :roll:

I was in the Specialized Concept store today looking at the Stumpy FSR Expert Carbon for £2999

I can also get the Trek Fuel EX9.8 for the same money.

I prefer the SRAM shifting, which points to the Spesh and also the increased travel.

Looks like I may finally have made a decision unless someone has something to throw into the pot and change my mind again ?

hyperman

jmillen wrote:

I may well have upped my budget to £3k :roll:

I was in the Specialized Concept store today looking at the Stumpy FSR Expert Carbon for £2999

I can also get the Trek Fuel EX9.8 for the same money.

I prefer the SRAM shifting, which points to the Spesh and also the increased travel.

Looks like I may finally have made a decision unless someone has something to throw into the pot and change my mind again ?

commencal meta 55 team/pro? more of a trail bike than the trek ex's imo?

sam_commencal

Commencal Meta 5.
I ride last years model and it is awesome!
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/com ... e-ec021446

andygibbins

With your budget you are always going to end up with something pretty special, interesting to see that the cunning salesman in the Spesh shop has convinced you to go carbon.

Looking at your initial requirements I think you would do well to beat this Cube:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=44312

It has the adjustable fork you mentioned (TALAS 100-140), SRAM X-0 kit and weighs just 12kg. Its also got some of the best brakes around and a smattering of carbon in the seatpost and handlebars. You will also get change from £2700 so a saving on the Spesh too.

Call me biased as a Cube owner but the spec, build and price are astonishing.

Good luck with your purchase.

ExeterSimon

http://www.whytebikes.com/2010/e120xt.html

I know it's Shimano specced but still very good value and it comes within you £3k budget.