Buying a new bike vitus escarpe 1 2013

petegee56

Is it only mountain biking where making a new purchase of a nice new shiny thing is a pain in the ass. Looking to buy a full sus bike and once again like when I had when I was buying my first hardtail bike I just have a head swimming full of specs, what a pain in the ass. Anyone know somewhere good that has lots of different makes of demo bikes that don't cost the earth to take out

Forum searches help make the decision harder too, add in that all the bikes get good reviews need to find some way of riding them and seeing which one I like

Pete

Giraffoto

Simplify things. Find a shop that you like, one with a reasonable range of bikes. Maybe two or three shops. Try out one or two of the bikes there, and choose the one you like best. This is a lot less stressful than agonizing over whether the Specialized is better than the Trek by going through the spec list in minute detail.

At the end of this process you'll have a bike, and you can reduce your stress levels still further by riding it

Uli

Set the budget but leave small reserve. It would be silly sacrifice really nice bike for sake of £50. More focus on how the bike fits you rather than gear, which you can upgrade later if required. Visit some local shops including big ones like Evans, Halfords etc. They usually have bikes ready to try and often on sale. Check local shops for demo bikes. If you figure out the basis like size, sort of geometry, wheel size then you can even try buying online. Don't get to fixed about magazines reviews.

petegee56

Well after all my talk of test riding bikes, set my budget (1500 quid) which had narrowed the field but leaves me really buying 2013 models on line. Keep coming back to the vitus escarpe 1 2013

Can't find much info anyone got one tried one, what are vitus like as brand do their bikes last.

Looking at trial riding with some cross country mixed in, like the idea of 140mm travel but wondering if 120mm will suit what I do at the moment more.

Other bike I was looking at is the ghost amr 5900

Pete

ej2320

I have a 2012 Vitus blitz and I really like it

Only part to fail was the GXP bottom bracket but has nothing to do with the frame


Also spoke to someone with the 2012 escarpe and he really likes the way it rides

ej2320

I can also say my 100mm rear 120mm front blitz has handled the MBR trail, The beast at Coed Y Brenin, some DH tracks as well.. I feel it's the geometry but as I'm doing a lot more technical runs with drops I've found the Blitz to be twitchy and I'm under biked but that's not what the Blitz is designed for so it's nothing to do with the bikes quality
from your description either 120 or 140 will be capable

MonkFunk

Also got a Vitus Blitz 1 and been very happy with the bike. The geometry is excellent for trail riding. The head angle is quite slack compared to most short travel bikes which makes it very confidence inspiring on descents and it rides like it has more travel than it does. However because of the short travel and overall relatively light weight, it pedals and climbs really well.

I've had no other issues with the bike except the matte paint finish isn't as hard wearing as the finish on other bikes I've had. It's not peeling off or anything but it just scratches a bit easier and nothing a bit of heli tape wouldn't sort.

doinggolary

They usually have bikes ready to try and often on sale. Check local shops for demo bikes. If you figure out the basis like size, sort of geometry, wheel size then you can even try buying online. Don't get to fixed about magazines reviews.

Crism

I've had an Escarpe 1 2013 for six weeks now. First full susser and its amazing. I trailed round all the shops and the web, but in the end it came to what i got for my ££££. The spec cannot be beaten. I too was concerned about Frame/Name but the bike rides sweet as, just get it bought and enjoy the ride!