'Flickable' bike for manualing and jumping

pseymour
pseymour Posts: 194
edited October 2011 in MTB buying advice
My current bike is a Giant Anthem X3. It's a great bike and has served me well. However, I'm now looking for another bike to complement it. The Anthem is low, long with a steep head angle making it difficult to throw about, manual and jump, but perfect for XC. I want something that I can manual really easily and jump easily. 'Flickable' is the only word I can think to describe it. I still want a relatively light bike and am not into downhill. Any suitable bike suggestions would be greatly received.
Giant Anthem X3 2010.

Comments

  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    Cotic Soul or Santa Cruz Chameleon. Basically a light hardtail with not to slack of a head angle and 16.5 inch or less chainstays.
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    Depends if you want to head down the HT or FS route, the Transition AM is another burly hardtail and the Ragley's will take some abuse....if FS is more your thing there is plenty to choose from.
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • pseymour
    pseymour Posts: 194
    Being over the 40 year old mark, my hardtail days are definitely behind me. So Full Suss is what I had anticipated.
    Giant Anthem X3 2010.
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    I'd size down and try an ibis mojo HD 140, beautifully well balanced bike that manuals really easily.
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    Next questions....what would be your top budget ? also when you say "Jumps" what do you mean ? 2 foot, 4 foot or bigger ? the drop into a transition gives an idea as to how much travel you need....120mm, 140mm etc....
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • pseymour
    pseymour Posts: 194
    I'm really looking to just have some fun, so nothing too extreme, 2 foot jumps, so 120mm or so travel should suffice. Budget around £1500-2000. Easy manualling is quite key for me.
    Giant Anthem X3 2010.
  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    Being over the 40 year old mark, my hardtail days are definitely behind me. So Full Suss is what I had anticipated.

    Hardtails are better than full suspension bikes for those size jumps and drops. They are also more flickable and cheaper. Seems the obvious choice. I dont know why the fact you're 40 makes any difference.
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    styxd wrote:
    Being over the 40 year old mark, my hardtail days are definitely behind me. So Full Suss is what I had anticipated.

    Hardtails are better than full suspension bikes for those size jumps and drops. They are also more flickable and cheaper. Seems the obvious choice. I dont know why the fact you're 40 makes any difference.

    Because he has probably been riding a FS for a good while and would be uncomfortable in a HT.....Something like a cube AMS 130 Pro, Trek EX8, Spesh Camber....the cube is stonking value
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • FunBus
    FunBus Posts: 394
    It's mainly down to personal preference - i can see the advantages of a hardtail, but i'd still sway towards a full susser - they're more forgiving and in my opinion more fun. That might highlight my riding ability, but on any size jump, a full susser can add to your confidence. As for a bike for easy manualling, i'm not sure that's been invented yet ;)
  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    It's mainly down to personal preference - i can see the advantages of a hardtail, but i'd still sway towards a full susser - they're more forgiving and in my opinion more fun.

    Thats probably because you're crap.
    on any size jump, a full susser can add to your confidence. As for a bike for easy manualling, i'm not sure that's been invented yet

    Being able to jump correctly add's to your confidence. If you cant jump properly then you'll struggle whatever bike you're on.

    Hardtails with short chainstays are generally the easiest bikes to manual (with the exception of bmx's etc)
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    styxd wrote:
    It's mainly down to personal preference - i can see the advantages of a hardtail, but i'd still sway towards a full susser - they're more forgiving and in my opinion more fun.

    Thats probably because you're crap.
    on any size jump, a full susser can add to your confidence. As for a bike for easy manualling, i'm not sure that's been invented yet

    Being able to jump correctly add's to your confidence. If you cant jump properly then you'll struggle whatever bike you're on.

    Hardtails with short chainstays are generally the easiest bikes to manual (with the exception of bmx's etc)


    I guess your one of the pisspot helmet brigade.....I would rather hammer down a FR track on a capable FS than a HT anyday.....yes they are more forgiving and a lot faster....

    I have an XC HT and a decent FS....the HT is fun on twisty technical trails, the FS comes into it's own when things get narly....and for me having the confidence to attack anything on the FS with a smile on my face is much more fun rather than hanging on to the bars of a HT having my fillings shaken out...
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    Saracen Arial would do the job well, they make great play bikes and have very forgiving geometry.
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    RockmonkeySC wrote:
    Saracen Arial would do the job well, they make great play bikes and have very forgiving geometry.

    Not a bad shout, although may be a tad to much....and I think they are made of pig iron...as they are very heavy
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • felix.london
    felix.london Posts: 4,067
    Spent a few days with a Stumpy FSR in the summer

    Extremely well balanced bike and seemed just as happy with two wheels in the air as on the ground

    Something about it just makes you wanna hop over stuff!
    "Why have that extra tooth if you're not using it?" - Brian Lopes

    Votec V.SX Enduro 'Alpine Thug' 2012/2013 build

    Trek Session 8
  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    I guess your one of the pisspot helmet brigade.....I would rather hammer down a FR track on a capable FS than a HT anyday.....yes they are more forgiving and a lot faster....

    I have an XC HT and a decent FS....the HT is fun on twisty technical trails, the FS comes into it's own when things get narly....and for me having the confidence to attack anything on the FS with a smile on my face is much more fun rather than hanging on to the bars of a HT having my fillings shaken out...

    Not really, I only really ride my road bike and cross country. I can jump and manual properly though!

    I was just responding to the original question - an easy to jump and manual bike that wont be hammered downhill.
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    styxd wrote:
    I guess your one of the pisspot helmet brigade.....I would rather hammer down a FR track on a capable FS than a HT anyday.....yes they are more forgiving and a lot faster....

    I have an XC HT and a decent FS....the HT is fun on twisty technical trails, the FS comes into it's own when things get narly....and for me having the confidence to attack anything on the FS with a smile on my face is much more fun rather than hanging on to the bars of a HT having my fillings shaken out...

    Not really, I only really ride my road bike and cross country. I can jump and manual properly though!

    I was just responding to the original question - an easy to jump and manual bike that wont be hammered downhill.

    But comments like "probably because your crap" doesn't help...
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    New Ragley full sus could be good. Or maybe something like a Transition Bottlerocket or Corsair Konig if you don't mind never being able to ride up hill.
    Another possibility would be a Giant Trance X with a 140mm fork
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • getonyourbike
    getonyourbike Posts: 2,648
    RockmonkeySC wrote:
    New Ragley full sus could be good. Or maybe something like a Transition Bottlerocket or Corsair Konig if you don't mind never being able to ride up hill.
    Another possibility would be a Giant Trance X with a 140mm fork
    I rode a bottlerocket on some decent sized jumps and it really didn't feel nice. I think it needs big stuff to come to life. On these jumps it felt like you were riding a sofa. It might be because I'm used to my hardtail and feeling when I nail a jump perfectly, though.
  • paul.skibum
    paul.skibum Posts: 4,068
    Arriving late to the party but how about a Pivot M4X - Basically a 100mm rear, 140 front four cross bik e- chuck a uppy downy seatpost on and I reckon it would be a wicked trail bike.

    http://www.pivotcycles.com/bikes/detail/9
    Closet jockey wheel pimp whore.
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    I rode a bottlerocket on some decent sized jumps and it really didn't feel nice. I think it needs big stuff to come to life. On these jumps it felt like you were riding a sofa. It might be because I'm used to my hardtail and feeling when I nail a jump perfectly, though.

    Really? I rode one and it was awesome on jumps. Really easy to throw about in the air. Halfway between a jump bike & a big freeride bike
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • squiggoth
    squiggoth Posts: 70
    I have an Anthem X and I find it pretty easy to manual and jump. Whack a 70mm stem and 720mm bars and its wonderful. 3ft drops are about its limits though (well with a 210lb rider in kit)

    then again I have a M frame where I border on M/L so its a little short for me if I were to race.. and I am looking for a longer travel bike. But for what you describe I'd stick with it, the only thing ive felt out of depth on with mine is nose heavy landings into berms and medium (4ft +) drops to flat,
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    Sharp head angle & high top tube won't be confidence inspiring for learning to ride jumps & drops.
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • getonyourbike
    getonyourbike Posts: 2,648
    RockmonkeySC wrote:
    I rode a bottlerocket on some decent sized jumps and it really didn't feel nice. I think it needs big stuff to come to life. On these jumps it felt like you were riding a sofa. It might be because I'm used to my hardtail and feeling when I nail a jump perfectly, though.

    Really? I rode one and it was awesome on jumps. Really easy to throw about in the air. Halfway between a jump bike & a big freeride bike
    yeh, I think it's probably just the fact that I'm used to a 120mm hardtail with quite a twitchy head angle.

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