Upgrading from Santa Cruz Superlight - which bike?

Woody80

After some help for my friend from the collective wisdom of the internet

He's got a Santa Cruz Superlight which he's decided isn't burly enough so wants a longer travel steed. He's looking to spend a maximum of £2.5k. He'll consider any wheel sizes.

Our riding is a mix of natural and trail centres; Peak District, Cannock, Llandegla, BPW, FoD etc. and I'm trying to get him on our annual trip to the Alps for uplift assisted riding.

Now he's committed (bike is on eBay) he will have a spin out on my Canyon Strive and a mates Titus El Guapo to see what he thinks of those.

What ideas are there on suggestions, he's currently tempted by a Commencal AM1 29er since CRC have them on sales:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/commencal-meta-am1-29er-suspension-bike-2013/rp-prod83506

passout

Orange 5s? http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/bikes/five_s/

Thewaylander

he said a budget of 2.5k not 4k

Try Modraker, Lappier, the new commencal ride very well though tyre clearance is an issue apparently.

Woody80

Thewaylander wrote:

he said a budget of 2.5k not 4k

Try Modraker, Lappier, the new commencal ride very well though tyre clearance is an issue apparently.

I'd thought about suggesting a Zesty. I've had one (and a Spicy) previously and it was great. Shame he's only just decided to swap as another mate just sold a Zesty which would have been ideal and left loads of upgrade money!

passout

Thewaylander wrote:

he said a budget of 2.5k not 4k

Try Modraker, Lappier, the new commencal ride very well though tyre clearance is an issue apparently.

Not sure what you mean TBH? The Orange is about 2.5k in its basic form isn't it?

ej2320

Take a look at the Nukeproof Mega TR (Or AM)
Good value for money, solid, slack and with great reviews

Transition Bandit is worth a look too
Also have a flick through the used bike ads

rockmonkeysc

Giant Trance 1. Not bad value and I have been told its a very good ride.

supersonic

passout wrote:

Thewaylander wrote:

he said a budget of 2.5k not 4k

Try Modraker, Lappier, the new commencal ride very well though tyre clearance is an issue apparently.

Not sure what you mean TBH? The Orange is about 2.5k in its basic form isn't it?

And that's the problem - it's basic!

ej2320

supersonic wrote:

passout wrote:

Thewaylander wrote:

he said a budget of 2.5k not 4k

Try Modraker, Lappier, the new commencal ride very well though tyre clearance is an issue apparently.

Not sure what you mean TBH? The Orange is about 2.5k in its basic form isn't it?

And that's the problem - it's basic!

Just about sums it up

passout

ej2320 wrote:

supersonic wrote:

passout wrote:

Thewaylander wrote:

he said a budget of 2.5k not 4k

Try Modraker, Lappier, the new commencal ride very well though tyre clearance is an issue apparently.

Not sure what you mean TBH? The Orange is about 2.5k in its basic form isn't it?

And that's the problem - it's basic!

Just about sums it up

I agree that the spec is basic & that there are better value options around. But I trust the frame - very reliable & good quality IMO. bnlike the Commencal Meta I had a few yrs back which was faulty & needed the rear triangle replacing. Personally I would not take a chance with a FS Commencal again, once burnt etc. I also really like the way the orange rides.

paul.skibum

Squeeze another 600 out of him and he can go to a Santa Cruz Blur TR or Bronson in a relatively base spec - but its still got good forks and rear shock just basic gearing but upgrades follow as it wears. He already likes the basic SC geometry.