Giant Yukon FX2 or FX1 or Anthem X5?

38Super

Hi everyone

Owing to a tax rebate I've got some money to spend on a new ride - ideal budget around £500. My current HT (Claude Butler 'Stone River') has done me fine for years and is still good for commuting/roads/byeways.

Given that I managed to break the rear axle on it this summer I think I need a bit of bounce in the back end for the more serious outings on Exmoor so I'm thinking of going full-sus. XC mainly with a few steep rocky descents and occasional small drop-offs'.

After much research sensible options appear to be:-

Giant Yukon FX2
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s1p1747
Giant Yukon FX1
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s1p1748
or (stretching the budget)
Mongoose Teocali Comp
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s1p2162
or (breaking the bank and not eating for the next 6 months)
Giant Anthem X5
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s1p3618

I'm 5'4" and 150lbs so looking for a small size which means 'try before I buy' and 'secondhand' don't happen.
I have tried a 2011 Anthem X5 briefly in 'small' at LBS which felt OK but I can only compare it to my HT which is a medium and technically too big.

1) Would it be better to buy the FX2 and upgrade the fork and/or wheelset pretty much straight away or go for the FX1 and follow the 'upgrade when it breaks' route?

2) Given that I tend to keep bikes for years is it worth biting the bullet now and going for the X5? I really don't want to spend that much but it could be the sensible option. Will I really get twice as much fun out of the X5? Most people seem very happy with their Yukons.

3) My HT weighs in at 31.25lbs. Will I really notice the extra couple of pounds on the Yukons? Will I get up hills just as easily as a 200lb rider on a 28lb bike?

I would like to take it with me to Tenerife at the end of the week so I need to decide pretty much straight away. If I spend less money on the bike then I can spend some on clipless pedals and shoes etc.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Chunkers1980

option 1

tarbot18

Ive just gone down the full sus route ive just bought a GT Sensor 4.0 reduced from a grand to 750 as its a 2011 bike and aim to upgrade as things wear out and break. I d go for the anthem if i where you less to upgrade and a better frame and shocks etc than the yukon and it looks very priddy too.......

386ka

I would go for the Yukon FX1, has decent parts in it and is in your budget. I don't know anything about the Mongoose, but if you opt for the Mongoose, stretch your budget a bit more, and get the Anthem, it has great frame and proven capabilities.

cooldad

Supersonic has a Mongoose. Sounds chunky but very capable. Ask him.

widge34

I have the Mongoose Teocali Elite. Love it.

peter_booker2003

Ive got an Anthem X4 and its a great piece of kit, flys uphill, but then loves the downhill aswell. My friend has got the X5 in small and he loves it! Try before you buy though

supersonic

It is not a downhill bike, but a racy XC bike - quite a different piece of kit to the Mongoose, which will be far more capable on the downs and drops, if that is your thing.

The Yukons are decent entry level XC bikes, but even if you spent £300 upgrading the parts on the FX2, you still won't have a good spec or as light bike as the Teocali.

If XC is your thing then the Anthem is the best bet here, but for more of an all rounder then the Teocali is best by far.

38Super

Thanks for your input everyone.

Seems like the Anthem X5 is the best (most expensive) bet. An LBS has one in 'small' asking £1000. They may be willing to negotiate.

I don't do DH as such, steep or technical descents are mostly done on the brakes but that might change if I don't get bounced around so much. Ususally I'm just out to explore and tackle whatever terrain gets in the way. Favourite places are Exmoor, the Quantocks and the Ridgeway. That's what I think of as XC but I could be wrong.

Supersonic - The reviews put the weight of the Teocali Comp at 33.7lbs, about the same as the Yukons. What weight have you got for the Teocali as weight seems to be the main criticism of the Yukons.

supersonic

About a pound lighter than the fx1. Have you considered a Boardman? This sits in between in use and travel.

gmacz

http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/giant_anthem_x5.html
Here is a small at £899

38Super

I looked at the Boardmans, very good spec but still £1000 (less the wopping £25 discount at the moment :shock:) and they never have a small for sale anywhere I've looked.

Very tempted by the 6 months interest free on the Anthem X5 or Pedalon are doing the same price with 'buy now pay in 12 months'. it's looking very Anthem X5 at the moment 8)

Edit: Thanks gmacz - you beat me to it. I had seen it and no delivery charge

gmacz

Free delivery at pedalon and £15 at pauls cycles.

gmacz

http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/122618.html
An x4 for £1095 in small

38Super

gmacz wrote:

An x4 for £1095 in small

.... or I could have 3 Yukon Fx-2's

supersonic

That would weigh more ;-)

ste_t

I'd have the Teocali any day of the week, but then I prefer the downs to to the ups.

widge34

I find the Teocali climbs great. I climb as quick on my Teocali as I did on my hardtail.

38Super

XC all day stuff is definitely my 'thing'. Love exploring.

Any thoughts on the 'Cube XMS' there may be a used 2010 one not too far away.

Something completely different and probably more sensible than a cheap full-sus is the Giant XTC Alliance HT.
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/948274/
Light with (apparently) just a little more bounce in the back end. I had one of these on my original list before deciding I wanted (needed?) a fully.

supersonic

XTCs are racy XC bikes, and are very stiff frames.

The Cubes are decent bikes, but is second hand a good way for you? Remember no warranty or back up, and pays to check it over first.

If looking at HTs, take a look at this:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/81-2011-id_8168695.html

38Super

I've read that the carbon rear on the alliance takes the sting out of the frame. HT is just what I'm familiar and comfortable with and has done me OK up to now. I prefer riding standing rather than sitting and LBS told me I'm supposed to 'sit' more on a fully. Is that true?

I've got my mouse hovering over the 'order' button for an Anthem knowing I really shouldn't spend that much. Desperately trying to find a better alternative that's in budget .

The Teocali seems to be well regarded, I'm not sure how much I'll feel the weight though. Still very tempted by the Yukon FX2 at £375. Then if I hate it I can't lose much on re-sale.

supersonic

A full suss may allow you to sit longer, but doesn't mean you should or have to.

Very few manufacturers use the carbon/alu frames anymore as it is expensive, and usually results in a heavier frame for no benefit. I'm not sure how the Alliance rides though.

If getting an FX, go for the £500 one, well worth the extra not just for the fork (the Dart is poor), but great shifting kit.

38Super

Can't decide - AAAAAAARRRRGGGHHH.
I think I should leave this until after Xmas. Too many choices :evil: .
Do the bargains get better after Xmas or do they just run out of stock?

I'll see if I can hire a fully for a day or two in Tenerife and see if it is what I really need. With all the hills there the weight issue may be a deciding factor.

Many thanks for all the advice.