Best 140mm Full Susser for <£3K?

spodomodo
spodomodo Posts: 48
edited October 2011 in MTB buying advice
Time's come to replace the old knacker.

I've got my own views of what could be the options but would be interested in the wisdom of crowds on this one.

This particular steed is required for general fairly aggressive trail duties - both natural and trail centre - 140mm is a minimum - I'd consider 150mm but anything more's probably overkill..

Bring it on!

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    There is no "best". If there was, then everyone would be making the same bike.
    Go out and try a few that take your fancy, see what suits you.

    And don't get hung up on the amount of travel. It ultimately has very little to do with how a bike behaves (until you get to the extreme ends of the spectrum)
  • spodomodo
    spodomodo Posts: 48
    Cheers Yeehaa - the reason for the post is that I've got in my head a short list of probably 3 bikes - my concern is that I might be being too narrow in my thinking - this reflects the fact that I haven't bought a bike for 5 years. I'd be interested in peoples own preferences and prejudices rather than an absolute right answer- it might trigger me off to think about some different alternatives.
  • DCR00
    DCR00 Posts: 2,160
    not saying this is the best, but if i had that sort of money to spend, it would be a Yeti

    think the ASR frame takes a 140mm fork, but that would only give you 120mm at the back

    go to 150mm and you could go for the 575
    Tranny
    Tracey
    Bouncy
    Carbon
  • rhialto
    rhialto Posts: 277
    Yeehaa is correct. The proof is in the riding. Admittedly, it can be challenging to put a few bikes through their paces on proper trails prior to a purchase.

    Having said that, if I were going to attempt it, I would put the following bikes on my list:
    Lapierre Zesty (140mm). I own one. It has served me well.
    Trek Remedy (150mm)
    Specialized Stumpjumper Evo (150mm)
    Rocky Mountain Slayer (160mm). Yeah, that's a bit out there.

    Aside from the Zesty, this list is not based on actual riding time. It's just those bikes I have drooled over in the pages of the mags read over the last 4 years. But you did ask for preferences!
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Just to emphasise the travel/purpose reasoning, take a look at this:

    http://www.damianharriscycles.co.uk/pro ... -2.0-2012-

    Tough bike, but 'only' 4.5 inches of rear travel. I think we will be seeing a lot more bikes like this ie shorter travel, but solid build with slacker angles. Dropper post as standard too.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • leaflite
    leaflite Posts: 1,651
    Canyon Nerve AM 9.0/SL/X is probably the best spec you are going to get for your £3k

    I see quite a lot of people on them at the trail centers and they look excellent. A friend has just bought one and it is extremely quick!
    GT Hardtail
    The Apollo Project
    Titus FTM Carbon
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    Giant Reign or Saracen Arial would be top of my list for medium travel aggressive trail bikes. Both will take a real beating and can do anything from XC to freeride
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • lawman
    lawman Posts: 6,868
    RockmonkeySC wrote:
    Giant Reign or Saracen Arial would be top of my list for medium travel aggressive trail bikes. Both will take a real beating and can do anything from XC to freeride

    problem with the ariel is its damn heavy, but also flexy as fook, not really impressed by the fairly long test ride i had on one last year.

    for £3k id look at the whyte 146s, imho its one of the best all-rounders out there, canyons look good value, but no chance of a test ride :?
  • Stu Coops
    Stu Coops Posts: 426
    Lapierre Zesty 514 for me every time but again as people say in this price bracket it's more about which fits you best as they are all pretty much as good as eachother just personal preferene seals it

    whichever one you go for you got a top end machine just take ya time and look for bargains as the 2011 models are going cheap now some places to make room for next years model, I always buy last years model as most of the time it's just different paint job
    Zesty 514 Scott Scale 20 GT Expert HalfwayupMTB
  • madmax245
    madmax245 Posts: 108
    orange 5 they are bomb proof
    live to ride ,ride to live
    If I'm not riding I'm not happy.
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    Marin XM8 or Whyte 146s is where my money would be, the Whyte is stunning...

    http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/p ... s_id=10958
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • donncha
    donncha Posts: 31
    Yeti ASR5 was my choice. Only 127mm rear travel but very compentent.

    I wouldn't call the Whyte an all-rounder; not great for climbing ang bottom bracket too low for natural trails.

    You need to test ride a few and see what suits....
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    Donncha wrote:
    Yeti ASR5 was my choice. Only 127mm rear travel but very compentent.

    I wouldn't call the Whyte an all-rounder; not great for climbing ang bottom bracket too low for natural trails.

    You need to test ride a few and see what suits....

    Utter bollocks.....the Whyte is one of the best trail bikes around !! What Mountain Bike gave it a Gold Award for Best On Test..

    Admitdly this is a review of the works.....but it's the same frame etc and gets 4.5 stars.
    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... -11-42611/

    It would piss over a ASR5 all day long.
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • donncha
    donncha Posts: 31
    Have you ridden both? I have....

    The thing about people's opinions is that they can vary but thanks for your constructive criticism.
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    Donncha wrote:
    Have you ridden both? I have....

    The thing about people's opinions is that they can vary but thanks for your constructive criticism.

    No but I have ridden a 575, and also demo'd a 146...I much prefered the Whyte is felt more stable on the decents and climbed with ease....it is a fantastic machine....only for the fact I couldn't get a works version at the time I was looking and ended up with a custom build, it would be in my garage now....it was one of the best bikes I have ridden (and that's lots) by a county mile....

    Yes we all have our opinions but to say it's not a good allrounder is absurd....that's like saying Jordan (katie price) is a virgin and the moon is made of cheese ! :wink:
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • bails87
    bails87 Posts: 12,998
    I've ridden the 146X and it's a great climber and I'm used to a carbon hardtail! I don't see why the S would be any/much worse than the X.
    MTB/CX

    "As I said last time, it won't happen again."
  • donncha
    donncha Posts: 31
    I'm not the only one with that opinion.
    Check the other comments below the review on the link you sent Pudsey.
    Everyone opinions vary - that is why I said Spod should test a few bikes and see what suits him best.
  • bails87
    bails87 Posts: 12,998
    Donncha wrote:
    Spod should test a few bikes and see what suits him best.

    Absolutely, but I don't think many people would say the Whyte wasn't an all rounder.
    MTB/CX

    "As I said last time, it won't happen again."
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    Donncha wrote:
    I'm not the only one with that opinion.
    Check the other comments below the review on the link you sent Pudsey.
    Everyone opinions vary - that is why I said Spod should test a few bikes and see what suits him best.


    Yep but you mentioned its not a great climber or its not a good allrounder, its a light trail bike so climbs with ease.....I have also read thisludo's comments, and to be honest it looks like he bought it on a whim which is the worst thing you can do, the other comments are from people who have demo'd one...unless your going to spend time setting up the susspension then yes it may feel to soft or hard .....of the actual review from owners its a top bike and perfect for them.....I know comments are subjective but to make a statement like you have has no real substance.

    Another top review.
    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... -12-45309/
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • si_s
    si_s Posts: 2
    the new patriot??? i ride an old one and cant knock its reliability served me well with everything i have thrown at it
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    si_s wrote:
    the new patriot??? i ride an old one and cant knock its reliability served me well with everything i have thrown at it

    Err nice bike but not a 140mm trail bike.
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !

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