XC or AM?!!

Cannon71
Cannon71 Posts: 92
edited April 2010 in MTB buying advice
Argh!! :x

After testing the Ghost AMR 7500 at the Cannock Chase demoday, I was sold. Problem is, there're a rare as rocking horse sh... :shock:

I've been offered the AMR Plus for the same price though. So now I have the hardest choice: go with what I know (AMR) or get the 'bigger' bike? (AMR = 120mm, AMR Plus = 150mm.)

I intend doing some enduros/75km races this year, so thought the 'lighter' AMR would be best. I'm also not that great at downhills, so thought the AMR Plus would be 'too much bike'... Outside of racing, I'm into trail centres (but only for their convenience really...) If it helps anyone, I prefer the 3hr+ rides.

The Plus is better on paper, but the AMR is fine. The travel can be adjusted on the Plus (150-130-110mm) so I guess that's coming out tops, but my riding buddies (and the wife) reckon "go with what you know"!

HELP!! :( How do I choose?!!
Ghost AMR 7500

Comments

  • lawman
    lawman Posts: 6,868
    i agree with you're riding buddies, stick with the standard AMR, imo you're more likely to be disappointed you went for the plus than wishing the standard AMR had abit more travel. 120mm is plenty for what you want to ride, but i dont think you would be too overbiked with the plus, from what you say you want to ride the 120mm AMR is perfect and more than capable of handling what you can throw at it
  • RealMan
    RealMan Posts: 2,166
    If the travel can be adjusted, then what's wrong? Sounds like a good deal - how much heavier is it?
  • Cannon71
    Cannon71 Posts: 92
    ...Specs say AMR = 12.4kg, AMR Plus = 13.3kg, so 0.9kg (2lbs?) But then, can you trust the manufacturers? (I hear they tend to weigh their 'small' frames.)

    And yes, that's what I thought - adjustable travel? Perfect! But I've tested the AMR and as Lawman said, it's "more than capable".

    I should go for the Plus, but the climber in me is saying XC/AMR.
    Ghost AMR 7500
  • P-Jay
    P-Jay Posts: 1,478
    Cannon71 wrote:
    ...Specs say AMR = 12.4kg, AMR Plus = 13.3kg, so 0.9kg (2lbs?) But then, can you trust the manufacturers? (I hear they tend to weigh their 'small' frames.)

    And yes, that's what I thought - adjustable travel? Perfect! But I've tested the AMR and as Lawman said, it's "more than capable".

    I should go for the Plus, but the climber in me is saying XC/AMR.

    Even if they do weigh their small frames the difference should be right. I'd go for the Plus, but I'm a Trail Centre Yuppie and like a bigger bike.
    Shocker Enduro
  • RealMan
    RealMan Posts: 2,166
    An extra kg isn't much to worry about. And you can wind the fork on the plus to 110, whereas the amr is stuck(?) at 120. Might even climb better. Surely won't slow you down too much anyway.
  • largephil
    largephil Posts: 358
    I would not trust the manufacturers bike weights. Mines supposed to be 30.8 lb but after fitting a few nice light weight upgrades I was horrified to see its actually over 35.5 lb on my mates digi scales! The 120 bike should be a bit lighter though.

    Tough choice. I'd take the bigger bike and have a bike for all rides but if you do mainly 3 hour rides then maybe the 120 is the bike for you.

    Either way... niiice bike mate 8)
  • baba123
    baba123 Posts: 235
    basically your choice is between a lighter bike with less travel (at the rear) or a hevier adjustable travel fork thats proberley going to be bombproof but slower up hill
    mongoose amasa elite 08
    giant anthem x4 10
  • xtreem
    xtreem Posts: 2,965
    Considering most of the time will be sort of XC, 120mm are plenty.
    I would save the extra weight, because there is no such thing as 3 hour downhills.

    You aren't that slow, or are you? :shock:

    But, 150mm sounds yummy. :twisted:
    NS Bikes Eccentric Alu custom - 2016
  • RealMan
    RealMan Posts: 2,166
    Xtreem wrote:
    there is no such thing as 3 hour downhills.

    I strongly disagree.


    Alps-200920090804_49.jpg

    Just the start.
  • xtreem
    xtreem Posts: 2,965
    Hmmm, where's that?
    NS Bikes Eccentric Alu custom - 2016
  • Cannon71
    Cannon71 Posts: 92
    OK, 120mm it is. 8)

    Yes, the 150 does sound very tasty, which is why it's such a hard choice. But as you say, Xtreem, there's no such thing as a 3hr downhill (in Britain!!)

    And no, I'm not that slow! :lol: ...but I know there're are faster people out there who would use the full 150mm. (I say that, my buddy and I only got caught once at the Cannock Chase demoday - most of the time it was us shouting 'out of the way'! :P
    Ghost AMR 7500
  • lawman
    lawman Posts: 6,868
    Cannon71 wrote:
    OK, 120mm it is. 8)

    Yes, the 150 does sound very tasty, which is why it's such a hard choice. But as you say, Xtreem, there's no such thing as a 3hr downhill (in Britain!!)

    And no, I'm not that slow! :lol: ...but I know there're are faster people out there who would use the full 150mm. (I say that, my buddy and I only got caught once at the Cannock Chase demoday - most of the time it was us shouting 'out of the way'! :P

    lol bet it was me :P
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    There are 3 hour DH courses in Britain. If you ride at 0.3mph ;-)
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • Cannon71
    Cannon71 Posts: 92
    haha!! :) Lawman: did you hear anyone shouting "GAY" as you rode past then?!! :P

    The riders in question were in white lycra and had their heads down. No banter, just deep breathing - obviously taking it a bit too seriously!

    I'm kidding of course - I have the greatest respect for racers, or indeed anyone that can outpace me!! :wink:

    0.3mph?! I can trackstand, does that count?!! :P
    Ghost AMR 7500

Categories