All day in the saddle-FS

ubergn0men

I'm driving my self nuts trying to find an all day FS bike, just riding around the woods encountering whatever in my way. Mostly just normal trail-riding with occasional climbs and descends.

I have no preferences regarding wheel size (atleast not anymore), though I'd prefer something more nimble so 27.5b is encouraged.

Was thinking maybe a 150 mm travel 26" would be good, or maybe a 140 mm 27.5. I think I looked at pretty much all bikes. I'm not too fond of the Fox CTD, so would prefer getting something without this.

I came across the Wicked 650b which seems like an amazing value bike. Everything seems perfect, from geometry to components, though the travel is 160 mm!! Its description is perfect for my type of riding but I'm just scared it will be too much travel.

Am I just overthinking this, or is there no such thing as too much travel? I have no experience with FS bikes from before, so I need some help here.

http://www.yt-industries.com/shop/en/Bi ... icked-650B

rockmonkeysc

Those bikes you mention are aimed at quite aggressive riding.
If as you say, you want to do all day xc rides something a bit lighter with less suspension might be better suited.
I do a lot of long, 50+km xc rides and I find my Giant Anthem perfect. Its light weight and efficient, short travel suspension mean it takes minimal effort to cover miles but it can still handle black graded trails at a reasonable pace.

ubergn0men

Okay. WHat would be the disadvatages with more travel? More weight? Plushy?

I'd really like to get the RS Pike fork, but they only come in 150 mm travel.

rockmonkeysc

More weight, less pedal efficiency, more hard work climbing.
You will just be carrying around something you dont need.
The Pike is a all mountain fork intended for enduro racing or blasting down rocky trails. It's also a completely new design which hasn't had a chance to prove it's reliable.
A short travel bike will be much better at covering miles on all day rides unless those rides include some pretty gnarly trails otherwise you are just carrying excess weight that will be of no use to you. It won't necessarily be more plush or more comfortable either.

ubergn0men

I'm seriously confused. Seems like all the new "trail bikes" with 27.5b are going with 150-160 mm travel. Canyon just announced their Spectral, which is coming with 150 mm Revelation. I was hoping they were going with 140 mm...


Between the 150 mm spectral and the YT wicked, the wicked seems like a better choice with the burlier Pike fork imo.


Breezer just announced a 160 mm AM 27.5 bike too. Seems like enduro is taking over the AM segment when it comes to allround bikes.


Just wanna find a darn bike that I can be happy with. WANT TO RIDE ARGH.

ej2320

for all day in the saddle perhaps consider the Transiton bandit, it climbs better than the suggested and probably descends as well

If you're keen on 160mm look at the Cube fritzz 2014, the prototype had an awesome write up and it's on my shortlist at the moment

The nukeproof mega AM and TR offer both 26 and 650b

A lot of new bikes are moving to the enduro catergory due to the increasing popularity, lighter parts and cleaver suspension designs

rockmonkeysc

Do you want a bike for bashing through black graded trails and down gnarly stuff or a bike for day long, big mile xc rides?
If its the first then a 150-160 mm bike will be just the job. If its the second then you will be much better off with something much lighter and more efficient.

Levi_501

I would have thought Trek Fuel or the Remedy would fit the bill.

BigAirNig

Have a look at the Rocky Mountain Altitude. Now 650b with 150mm travel and you can adjust the geometry with a clever little bit of tech - the Ride 9 system to set it up for the style of riding you want, whether more DH focussed, or more trail / climb focussed.

OK - so it has Fox CTD - but the adjustable geometry could give you more choice with a single bike !

http://www.bikes.com/en/bikes/altitude/2013

ubergn0men

Man am i overthinking this. I've been reading for hours every day for the past 1.5 month trying to find a suitable bike, at a decent price. In truth, all I want is a good fs, with a non nonsense durable frame which can last me a couple of years. Suspension should be around 130-150 with a 67 head angle. Also I seem to be falling right in the middle of most sizing too at my 6' and 35" inseam(clown).

Also been looking at the orange five but seen loads of different reviews regarding the durable frame part. I value this a lot...

ej2320

Take a look at the nukeproof mega TR, 130mm rear 150mm front, 67 head angle, good design and strong and reasonably priced

ubergn0men

I saw the nukeproof and it looks perfect, but I haven't found any pricing.

Also. Sizing seems real odd. 469 st on a large!

ej2320

Mega TR frame only is £1250
Mega AM frame only is £1300 or £1550

Full builds start around £2400 (only 650b)

Personally I'd build it myself

ej2320

http://www.nukeproof.com/products/compl ... ega-tr-275

Build kits here

Personally I'd build it with shimano SLX drivetrain and brakes and hope hoops

ubergn0men

The NP really does look good. Reasonably procedur too. Delivery isn't until November though, which kind of puts me off. I'd really like to make use what's left of this summer

ej2320

ubergn0men wrote:

The NP really does look good. Reasonably procedur too. Delivery isn't until November though, which kind of puts me off. I'd really like to make use what's left of this summer

The 26" version is available at the moment

You'll have that issue with a lot if bikes, they're all updating for 2014 and will be a month gap when 2013 sell out and 2014 come in

ubergn0men

I'm just afraid I'm buying something outdated when going for a 26".

Anyone have experience with the Orange Five 27.5? The kits are priced pretty steep, but it seems to be pretty much the only thing available atm. I'd really like the Five RS with Pike and whole shebang, but 4200 quids is.... well, alot.

JBA

Specialized Stumpjumper FSR EVO?
150mm travel, 67° head tube angle, Rochshox Revelation forks and Command Post seat post.

rockmonkeysc

I would avoid Pikes until they have had time to prove they are reliable.
They aren't going to be amazingly better than anything else, just a bit better. They just have some new internals and a slightly lighter body to compete with the Fox 34.
I wouldn't choose a new bike based entirely on the fork.

ej2320

Stump jumper is a good call, also if you want single pivot the new Santa Cruz Heckler is a decent price with 650b.. Proven design too

I'd stay clear of Orange builds, bit of a rip off, you could build that bike yourself for £3500 ish

jairaj

ubergn0men wrote:

Suspension should be around 130-150 with a 67 head angle.

Any particular reason you have chosen those values? The fork travel and head angle are just a few variables that make up a bike. You could theoretically design very different handling bikes all with a 130-150mm fork and a 67 head angle. So its a bit meaningless to just quote those values.

Its better to state the type of riding you want to do and find a bike that is designed to do that type of riding regardless of what the head angle figure might be.

ubergn0men wrote:

Also I seem to be falling right in the middle of most sizing too at my 6' and 35" inseam(clown)

Your inseam has very little to do with bike sizing. The top tube length and reach are far better ways to size up a bike.

Specialized Stumpjumper FSR EVO

In my opinion this is the wrong kind of bike for the OP's needs. This again is a bike designed for bombing down rock gardens and technical terrain.

I would have thought the Specialised Camber would have been a better choice.

Some other bikes that I think will suit the type of riding you describe are:

Giant Trance
Trek Fuel EX
Scott Spark

Have a look to see whats available from nearby dealers and see what you can demo.

poah

67 degree head angle is a bit slack for all day cycling is it not?

ej2320

I think I've just found your ideal bike..

2014 Transition bandit
140mm rear
140 - 150mm front
68 degree HA
650b
Stiff
Awesome colours
Great company and support

hainman

how about a Giant Reign 2,i bought one a few months ago and its been amazing,looks like it fits your bill.....
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bik ... /#features

ubergn0men

JBA wrote:

Specialized Stumpjumper FSR EVO?
150mm travel, 67° head tube angle, Rochshox Revelation forks and Command Post seat post.

Dont like the "special solutions specialized use (not standard), and would prefer a 27.5 incher if possible.

RockmonkeySC wrote:

I would avoid Pikes until they have had time to prove they are reliable.
They aren't going to be amazingly better than anything else, just a bit better. They just have some new internals and a slightly lighter body to compete with the Fox 34.
I wouldn't choose a new bike based entirely on the fork.

All the reviews I've seen so far have been great. Heard nothing bad about the Pike.

jairaj wrote:

ubergn0men wrote:

Suspension should be around 130-150 with a 67 head angle.

Any particular reason you have chosen those values? The fork travel and head angle are just a few variables that make up a bike. You could theoretically design very different handling bikes all with a 130-150mm fork and a 67 head angle. So its a bit meaningless to just quote those values.

Its better to state the type of riding you want to do and find a bike that is designed to do that type of riding regardless of what the head angle figure might be.

ubergn0men wrote:

Also I seem to be falling right in the middle of most sizing too at my 6' and 35" inseam(clown)

Your inseam has very little to do with bike sizing. The top tube length and reach are far better ways to size up a bike.

Specialized Stumpjumper FSR EVO

In my opinion this is the wrong kind of bike for the OP's needs. This again is a bike designed for bombing down rock gardens and technical terrain.

I would have thought the Specialised Camber would have been a better choice.

Some other bikes that I think will suit the type of riding you describe are:

Giant Trance
Trek Fuel EX
Scott Spark

Have a look to see whats available from nearby dealers and see what you can demo.

The numbers are just what I picked up in my mind, but yes I guess 67 is a little slack.
The Trance is interesting, but it seems to take a while before the 2014 line up arrives. Otherwise it seems like a great buy. Just something about the Giant bicycles that doesnt tick too many boxes for me. Can't explain it.

ej2320 wrote:

I think I've just found your ideal bike..

2014 Transition bandit
140mm rear
140 - 150mm front
68 degree HA
650b
Stiff
Awesome colours
Great company and support

That one really is the perfect bike. Just what I thought when I read the report from Eurobike. Been thinking long before the bandit would make a great 27.5. Unfortunetly Transition dont start shipping bikes until november/december if I'm right? If I'm gonna wait for a bike, this or the Spectral Al from the Canyon will be it.

pete_s

It sounds to me like you're letting the marketers tell you what you need, instead of what you want. I mean, a 160mm fork for potentially all-day cross-country rides? Crazy.

What about a Cotic Soul? Can take a 100-140mm fork which is a massive range, I reckon. I'm currently on 100mm forks and do everything from yawnathon XC to a couple of black runs at FoD and other places on my BFe.

ubergn0men

pete_s wrote:

It sounds to me like you're letting the marketers tell you what you need, instead of what you want. I mean, a 160mm fork for potentially all-day cross-country rides? Crazy.

What about a Cotic Soul? Can take a 100-140mm fork which is a massive range, I reckon. I'm currently on 100mm forks and do everything from yawnathon XC to a couple of black runs at FoD and other places on my BFe.

Well yes, I guess I'm affected by the 27.5 hype, but I'm thinking long term when purchasing the bike. The 160 mm fork is what puts me off btw. It's way much for my needs, I know.

The Cotics look good, but I'd really like to get an FS.

I have the opportunity to buy a Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Elite 2012 in great shape for 2000 quids which I'm considering. It's the 26 inch one with upgraded brakes to Avid XX and XTR drivetrain. As said before I'm not too happy with Speshs non standard solutions, even though they are said to be great. If this would be considered a good price though I might take it.
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/ ... e#features


Thanks for all the input I'm getting!

rockmonkeysc

Don't get xx brakes. Most useless, unreliable, overpriced crap I have had the misfortune of owning. Shimano SLX are a fraction of the price and ten times better.
Stumpjumper FSR is a good bike. Light yet reasonably burly.

97th choice

ubergn0men wrote:

I'm driving my self nuts trying to find an all day FS bike, just riding around the woods encountering whatever in my way. Mostly just normal trail-riding with occasional climbs and descends.
]

Not being rude, but to go back to your first post I can't see how you need anything more than 100 - 120mm travel. If you buy a 150mm bike you'll either never use its travel or have to set it up very, very soft.

ubergn0men

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Don't get xx brakes. Most useless, unreliable, overpriced crap I have had the misfortune of owning. Shimano SLX are a fraction of the price and ten times better.
Stumpjumper FSR is a good bike. Light yet reasonably burly.

Okay lol, I've seen some reviews before, and that was not pretty. Ye it seems like a good bike, but is it £2000 worth of good? Damn wheel agenda has gotten me all confused.

paul.skibum

I'd happily take a 26er Stumpjumper FSR as an all day bike - enough suspension for anythign but still not too heavy or burly to make it a chore.

I'd look into the new 650 Trance too and possibly the Mega TR in either wheel size although for all day rides I'd want the Mega with a double chainring.

Scott Scale in 650 might be fun if a little fraught for a long day in the saddle - fast and direct may not add up to a full days riding.

Loads of options out there as everyone has said long travel probably not needed, lighter, shorter travel and any wheel size is where I'd be looking.