Calling all XC racers I need bike advice.

irvs

Evening everyone, I'm having a crisis with "what bike next" I really wanted a long travil full suspension bike but realistically I'd never get the full use of it living in n.ireland

I do a fair bit of XC racing so it pretty much seals the deal what I really need, an awesome, full carbon, full suspension, XC monster.

I'm currently riding a basic "giant revel 1" with a few mods namely mavic wheel set and a better, longer rockshox recon fork. The bike is good but is heavy and I'm pushing it's limits, after all it is just a beginner trail bike.

The most common bikes at the XC events are specialised s-works and giant anthem's. I really like thr scott spark and also quite like the anthems but it would have to be the carbon advanced version, BUT!!!! I've been reading that the giant trance Is better suited to XC racing. #confused:(

Sooo the big question goes out to all my fellow XC racers, what bike should I get with a budget of roughly £2500????

Thanks loads Neil.

ddraver

All you list are good, but the buzz seems to be around the Anthem X!

You need to try them and see which one you prefer

njee20

I've been reading that the giant trance Is better suited to XC racing

Where have you read that? I'd disagree totally, it's the longer travel trail bike innit?

There's not a bad bike out there of that ilk really, you just need to try a few and buy the one you like. 29ers are increasingly dominant, no 26" Epics or Top Fuels (from 2013).

I'd try:

Anthem
S-Works Epic
Scott Spark
Trek Top Fuel/Superfly 100 (the 29er version)

Friends have Anthems, they're very nice, but disappointingly heavy for the money IMO. The Spark is a lovely bike, but you need to use the Tracloc a lot to get the most out of it, not the bike for riders who just want to pedal (me). I've had several Epics, and like them, and have had two Top Fuel 9.9s, and also rate them. Like I say though, nary a bad bike, just buy what you like!

irvs

I was reading a test done on pinkbike and they rated the trance above the anthem for XC racing as the new model is much lighter than before.

Njee20 Out of the bikes you've had which would you buy again??? I don't no if I could decide prob just pick one out of a hat lol.

Thanks Neil.

supersonic

Why full suspension? if after super light, a hardtail will be the best bet.

njee20

Njee20 Out of the bikes you've had which would you buy again???

Well I've still got a Top Fuel, and really like it, but I've not ridden a 29er properly, and never a FS 29er, so I can't really comment on the current crop. I'd not buy a Spark or an Anthem personally.

irvs

Supersonic, I'm sick of the feel Of a hardtail with the back end banging about over really bumpy sections.

Ive heared good reports about the trek mtb bikes I've a trek road bike and love it would he anthem x advanced (carbon) be any good, I don't no anyone with one to try out or review. What r your reasons for not liking the scott spark?? It was the one I was considering the most

Neil.

supersonic

i don't find short travel full suss stops the bumps as much as you think - adds traction and kills smaller stuff - I'd say test ride a couple first.

njee20

What r your reasons for not liking the scott spark?? It was the one I was considering the most

As I said above:

The Spark is a lovely bike, but you need to use the Tracloc a lot to get the most out of it, not the bike for riders who just want to pedal (me)

I never touch lockouts and that, I just want to ride, and I didn't find the Spark rewarding for that. It's extremely light, but IMO that's at the expense of efficiency, unless you use the Tracloc a lot. Plenty of people love them, I'm not one of them. Try one.

Anonymous

My.mate who I go out riding with owns a giant anthem x custom build
With SIDS and xt and hope hoops and surprising still weighed 27lbs on the scales.

I'd go with njee Trek has sum good offering I've got a trek ex9 good spec light weight trail/ xc
But looking into the fuel 9.9 or the superfly now.

supersonic

I find the Trek sus system bobs just as much as the Spark's though - guess this is why a test is needed.

irvs

Thanks loads for the input everyone giving me loads to think about, I'll have a good look at the bikes mentioned and try and get a wee test ride then I'm sure I'll be back with a few more questions.

Thanks LOADS neil.

anj132

Get great spec from Canyon.

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2562
Nerve under budget, sub 24lb.

And 120 is long travel isn't it?

There is also the carbon nerve but going over budget.

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2552
Lux MR bit over budget but sub 22lb

Bit hard to try one out though

irvs

Oooooh I'm really liking the canyon nerve more decisions lol

Thanks Neil

njee20

I'd get the Nerve CF if you go down that route. Still a bargain 9.0 LTD

andy_welch

Irvs wrote:

quite like the anthems but it would have to be the carbon advanced version, BUT!!!! I've been reading that the giant trance Is better suited to XC racing. #confused:(

Me too. I wonder where you read that? I have a Trance X2 and while I think it's a great go-anywhere-do-anything bike I would have thought that the Anthem was the faster XC bike, at least on less technical courses.

Mind you, if you really want a 140mm bike the 100mm Anthem may be a disappointment and the Trance could be a better compromise, giving most of the speed of the Anthem on gentle sections but a bit more security when the trail heads down.

Best advice, as always, is to ride a few though.

Cheers,

Andy

irvs

I read an article on pinkbike.com and they changed a few parts on the trance and made it awesome. I've been doing a bit of research and the thing that is puting me off the giants is the weight, although carbon they are still heavy

I had a look at the canyon nerve 9 LTD and nerve XC 9 SL and MY GOD what a spec list and the prices ain't too bad
I don't think I'm going to find a better bike.

Neil.

andy_welch

You do need to be careful about quoted weights though. I know that Giant don't publish the weight of their bikes (too many variables) so the weights you see for Giant bikes tend to be real weight measured by users. The weights quoted by manufacturers don't always seem to bear much relation to reality. So, for example, comparing the weight of bike X against a Giant that somebody put on their bathroom scales might be a bit misleading.

Cheers

Andy

njee20

Several friends had 2011 Anthem Advanced SL 1s - one fitted some ZTR Race wheels, 1x10, alu bolts etc. And it was still 25lbs (on my scales - an S-Works Epic 29er was a whisker under 23lbs for comparison). Pretty disappointing considering they're hardly cheap.

irvs

I think giant make an awesome handling bike, I have an entry giant hardtail and I really love it. But the giants are heavy though I'd LOVE a trance or reign to throw about.
I think I'm going to go for a canyon nerve 9 LTD just not going to get a better spec'ed bike for the money also some great reviews on other forums.

Thanks Neil