£2k for a Full Sus... Help Required!

ryan_w-2

Evening all,

This is my first post on here, so it's doubling up as an introduction too...

My names Ryan, I'm 26 and have just dusted off my '02 Kona Stinky Primo and been hitting a few beginner trials. I used to ride religiously when I was 14-18, but then alcohol, girls and partying got the better of me and I lost interest in mountain biking.

Currently I'm lucky enough that my house is 1/2 a mile from Wakerley Woods and my back garden actually backs onto Fineshade Woods. Went all over Wakerley yesterday with the family and have just got back in from a good solo session around Fineshade Woods.

Now the in-laws have both just bought a pair of '11 Whyte 19C's which are a lovely bit of kit, and now I want to replace my trusty old Kona with something more up-to-date.

I went to Rutland Cycling in Whitwell today and had a good long chat with a few of the guys there, they were extremely helpful. We kind of narrowed it down to:

'12 Lapierre Zesty 314
'11 Lapierre X-Control 510
'11 Lapierre X-Control 410
'12 Trek Fuel EX 8
'11 Trek Fuel EX 8

Odd ball hardtail - '11 Trek Elite 9.8

Soooooo, you mountain biking experts, which one would you choose from the above list? Or if you had around £2k in your pocket, what would you buy?

Just so you know, I really don't like SRAM, doesn't feel natural to me whatsoever!

Cheers all for your time!

Ryan

supersonic

WHat terrain will you be riding? XC, or harder riding with big drops and jumps?

ryan_w-2

A bit of everything to start with, then once I'm confident enough, I'll be hitting bigger jumps and drop-offs etc.

supersonic

At least the Zesty then. Ask for a test ride.

Anonymous

Ryan_W wrote:

Just so you know, I really don't like SRAM, doesn't feel natural to me whatsoever!

What, anything at all by SRAM, inc Rockshox, Truvativ, Avid components? !

If you're talking gears though, personally the way SRAM have evolved in recent years I see there's little in it and far too much Shimano snobbery based on "only Shimano is good" history of biking, when both are now very similar and much of the stuff is interchangeable.

Brakes on the other hand are another matter.

ryan_w-2

Sorry, mad bad... I was referring to SRAM gear leavers, push and push (unnatural for me), opposed to that of the Shimano push and pull system.

Pudseyp

There is plenty of choice in the 120-140mm travel bracket at that price point, the Trek EX8 is a cracker and is comparible to the Zesty 314 both get great reviews....I would go for the 2011 as on both you will save in excess of £500

The Cube AMS 13 Pro and SL are also worth a look CRC have some great deals on 2011 models inc these and the Sting and Stereo and some of the carbons are in reach

the Whyte E120s is also very nice
http://www.atb-sales.co.uk/atbshop/rang ... up=10E120S

ryan_w-2

Had a look at the Whyte E120 today, not a fan of the look of the bike, unfortunate since there's some cracking deals on it around.

Been browsing through CRC and added these to the list:

'11 Rocky Mountain Altitude 70
'11 Cube Sting Super HPC Race
'11 Ghost RT Lector 9000

How would you rate the above bikes to the list in my first post? Just by the price of things, surely I'm getting more for my money from the above?

Cheers,

Ryan

Pudseyp

The cube and ghost offer great value, the Canyon is also a cracker and tremendous value

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2558

Bishbosh10

Some options here perhaps:

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/mtb_sale.php

ryan_w-2

What are the 2011 Trek Top Fuel 9's like? Good saving on those!

ryan_w-2

The Canyons have some amazing reviews online! I see that the Nerve XC 9.0 won 'Trail Bike of the Year'!

Hmmmmm... Nerve XC 9.0 SL fits my needs perfectly.... Where's that credit card

streetvw

if you are thinking about some bigger jumps then you might want to look at the Nerve AM 7 or for a bit over £2K you could get the AM 8X

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2564

I've got an XC7 and it's awesome value and a great ride

andermt

I'd suggest a trip to the other Rutland Cycling store at Normanton (Giant specific store) to look at their range, the Anthem is an excellent bike,

diy

I'm a Push/push convert, I like the idea of fingers for brakes and thumbs for gears. I've got shimano on the 'hopper and attack on the stumpy. I prefer the attack even though they are pretty entry level.

Anonymous

Had a two way shifter and didn't realise I could push/push also. Once I did, I've never looked back. So much easier and works great when the levers are adjusted for one finger braking.

bails87

Ryan_W wrote:

What are the 2011 Trek Top Fuel 9's like? Good saving on those!

Very much an XC race bike. Don't get one for the riding you're describing.

You probably should be looking at something with at least 120mm of travel, so Anthems, Top Fuels, Epics are all out.

Giant Reign/Trance, Specialized Stumpjumper, Lapierre Zesty/SPicy, Trek Fuel EX/Remedy are the types of thing I'd suggest.

ryan_w-2

Thanks for your replies gents!

I'm now looking upwards of £2k and potentially in the Lapierre 514/714 or the Canyon Nerve XC 9.0 SL reign.

This is such a hard decision! I keep looking at a base price and then adding and adding and adding lol.....

Will have a look in the Giant store this weekend and see what they can offer.

Is it true that the Zesty 314 really needs a lockout front fork, I've seen a few guys have upgraded their forks for models that have the option?...

Cheers and sorry for the bombardment of questions!

Ryan

Pudseyp

You will get a way better spec Canyon than the likes of Lappiere as your paying more for the name and the perception of that is of better quality (which it is not)

The 314 does have a lockout on the fork, but doesn't on the rear can, however on the last few full sussers I have owned I never use the lockout anyway.

jayson

Ok i know im biased but how about a Trek Remedy 7? its just a hair over your 2k budget but its an awesomely capable bike and doesnt weigh more than the moon.

Stu Coops

You might be able to get a 514 Zesty for couple of hundred quid over ya budget if you go for 2010/11 model and they are awesome but then i'm biased

ryan_w-2

Trialling a 2012 Zesty 314 next week... Shall report back... Maybe with a new bike

ryan_w-2

Evening all,

Right, I've narrowed it down to 4 bikes. Please can you give me your honest opinions on the below bikes:

2011 Orange Five Pro
2011 Scott Genius 20
2011 Trek Remedy 9.7
2011 Giant Anthem X SL 0

All your help is greatly appreciated since I'm looking to buy in the next 2 weeks!

Cheers,

Ryan

supersonic

You need to test them really. But...

The Orange is heavy, overpriced and underspecced.

The Genius at 27lbs is a good weight, especially with that adjustabilty (if you need it)

The Remedy doesn't have the best spec, but a light and highly regarded carbon frame.

The Anthem X - totally different type of bike to the others, is a racy XC bike.

ryan_w-2

The Anthem comes with SID XX World Cups (120mm). I'm mainly looking for an XC bike, but I will be venturing up to the Lakes, so durability over AM and very mild DH would also be on my list... Would the Anthem cope with that?

Orange is at the bottom of the list. I've just asked about it since it has so much praise over various biking forums. I had an old 2007 Five and enjoyed it, but it wasn't anything phenomenal!

supersonic

There are probably other 120-140mm AM or trail bikes to look at too, though I do like the Genius for the weight and adjustability.