Whats the best value "All Mountain" Bike.

kammybear

I have a Cube LTD 29er right now. It's my 3rd bike in 3 years and I've slowly been going up the bike scales as I get better.

I want my "final" bike as it were. Something that does it all. It appears, I need/want an AM bike. I love their look. Like a butch XC/DH combo? I think they look the best and will help me with my confidence as well. I want something that will compliment my LTD 29er, so looking at a 26er as well.

What's the best value out there?

The Cannondale Claymore 2 at Paul's cycles was really tempting me. That shit looked insane. But it's sold out but I've noticed they have a few Scott Genius models as well and I'm now tempted by a Scott Genius LT20,30 and 40....

What else is out there?

The Rookie

Links?

Budget?

XC/DH combo - no that would just be stupid, besides Enduro bikes are slightly nearer that unachievable eutopia, AM are burlier and not at all XC.

cooldad

If your new butch bike compliments your 29er properly, they could have a nice candlelit dinner together and make little 69ers.

Tom Barton

Judging that the claymore looks to be around the 1800 mark I'll assume up to 2k is your budget. From what you've said you want an enduro bike.

The canyon strive 7.0 will be hard to beat new out of the box for kit - comes with a full compliment of fox and a reverb post. For a bit over 3k you get a full draw of top of the line kit and it rides well apparently.

If I can remember the prices right, you might be able to stretch a Lapierre 316 but honestly, the fork and some of the components are pretty mediocre for the price compared to the canyon.

The Giant reign 2 is worth a look. Slightly better spec than the Lapierre plus a dropper post but nowhere near the canyon - the spec is a little lighter on the weight than the lapierre (RS revs vs domain). The Trek remedy is in this category too but I don't really know much about its performance of late...

To really open up your options for an enduro bike you need to consider a budget in the high 2000 pound range. This will give you the options of a Orange five or Alpine 160 build. The better equipped giant reign 1 or Remedy and much higher specc'ed canyon strives of course... Rose bikes are also pretty good value and have enduro offerings but I don't know much about them and De vinci have been getting good reviews lately too. Kona have been slowly getting their mojo back recently too and have a large range of bikes aimed at enduro - they aren't leading the race yet but they seem to still be strudy, solid, trusty bikes...

Happy shopping!

kammybear

Hi thanks,

Ideally I'd like to spend a max of £2500. My plan is either to pick up a 2012 model in the next few months or wait and pick up a 2013 model. Basically, last years stuff so I can have access to the top notch stuff. The Claymore is sold out now, but I've seen a Scott Genius LT20 for around 2500 and that's a £4000 beast?

kammybear

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=95371

This Kona Entourage seems good value and is somekind of AM bike by the looks of it and has had good reviews?

cooldad

I wouldn't like to ride that uphill.

jairaj

The Kona Entourage is a bike park type bike its not really designed to be rode up a hill.

Tom Barton

The 2013 Genius is not nearly as Enduro as it claims to be. Feels far more XC trail orientated rather than the more confidence inspiring enduro bikes out there (been a couple of mag reviews on this bike or its various stable mates). The 2012 ones were a bit more aggro but the extent of fancy kit (pull shocks, remote levers etc) on them always seems like a worry for repairs should it fail.

The Entourage is a Freeride bike intended to go primarily downhill - it will climb terribly.

If your budget is 2500 - then try to use it (while sticking to it of course) - always cheaper than aftermarket upgrades down the way and it gets the best bike possible for your money right away.

Canyon in terms of spec will still be competitive even against sale bikes in terms of spec - they often sell out so you are very unlikely to get a end of season one that fits you or is the one you want etc. Best looking early when the 2014 bikes come out.

Otherwise if you can pick up a sale enduro bike from the big manufacturers then awesome - giant, trek, Lapierre, scott, cubes will all be discounted.

cr250noob

I like the look of these, spec looks sweet for the price. If I remember correctly it works out around £2300 wish if you use PayPal to pay.

http://www.yt-industries.com/shop/index.php?page=product&info=351

The Rookie

The Scott Genius LT is worth a look, good price at Pauls cycles right now......
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s1p403 ... LT-20-2012

More Enduro than the plain Genius and not AM heavy.