3 Bikes Under consideration

kesher

Please could someone recommend FS bike for me. I bought my first cheap HT in spring and have decided to go for a decent MTB I am prepared to spend up to £2000. I might even consider going as high as £3000; but the difference in quality would have to really warrant the extra grand.

I have ridden on the Marin trail (red) on the HT and hated it. Same goes for the Penmachno (red) trail. Too much bumping around.

Llandegla red trail is OK and same for the blue. The trail I really enjoy is the blue trail (Minor Taur) at Coed y Brenin. Even on my current bike I can move quickly around it; but problems are this trail is too short so I end up going around a couple of times. I want to be able to try the red trails here (only tried one red trail here: no good) and also go back to the Marin trail which is nearer to home. I prefer to go up hills rather than go flying down them and I don't like technical sections. Now this could be down to my current bike or just me or a bit of both, I'm not sure.

So I need something that is going to smooth things out and that I can handle jumps: I manage to get airborne in places on Minor Taur.

I don't think I need an aggressive trail bike, and so the bikes I have in mind at present are: the 2014 Boardman FS Pro; the 2014 Scott Spark 750; and the 2014 Whyte M109.

cooldad

Would be easier if you post links to the bikes you are looking at, and mention what you ride now for comparison.

lawman

By the sounds of it you should be getting a cyclocross bike!! :shock: The Minor Taur is possibly the worst blue I've ridden and the red at Penmachno is a very, very good trail. There's plenty of riding other than trail centres around that kind of area that aren't as technical, although having said that, other than one or two sections at Coed y brenin there is nothing overly technical, we had a complete novice come on a trip there with us and she rode everything on an ancient Marin with seized forks and v-brakes! Of the 3 bikes you mention I'd probably go for the Whyte, but I think you'd really benefit from a skills course to improve your descending, as there is very little on the trails you mention that you should find overly challenging.

kesher

cooldad wrote:

Would be easier if you post links to the bikes you are looking at, and mention what you ride now for comparison.

Current bike
http://www.thebikelist.co.uk/carrera/carrera-centos-limited-edition--2013


http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtb/fs_pro650b.html


http://www.whytebikes.com/2014/product.php?xProd=100&xSec=114


http://www.scott-sports.com/us/en/products/233974007/bike-spark-750-m/

cooldad

Boardman has the best specs, the Scott the worst on paper, assuming they are all around £2k.

kesher

Boardman currently costs £1440 the other two £1999

kesher

lawman wrote:

By the sounds of it you should be getting a cyclocross bike!! :shock: The Minor Taur is possibly the worst blue I've ridden and the red at Penmachno is a very, very good trail. There's plenty of riding other than trail centres around that kind of area that aren't as technical, although having said that, other than one or two sections at Coed y brenin there is nothing overly technical, we had a complete novice come on a trip there with us and she rode everything on an ancient Marin with seized forks and v-brakes! Of the 3 bikes you mention I'd probably go for the Whyte, but I think you'd really benefit from a skills course to improve your descending, as there is very little on the trails you mention that you should find overly challenging.

Are you sure you've been on Minor Taur? It's the most popular trail at Coed y Brenin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeP7K_cPrSI

supersonic

Two sides to this one: on one hand a lightweight hardtail will suit you current needs very well, but a full suspension trail bike might give you the extra control, comfort and confidence on the harder trails.

The Boardman bikes always do well in tests, are highly regarded and good value.

paul.skibum

kesher wrote:

lawman wrote:

By the sounds of it you should be getting a cyclocross bike!! :shock: The Minor Taur is possibly the worst blue I've ridden and the red at Penmachno is a very, very good trail. There's plenty of riding other than trail centres around that kind of area that aren't as technical, although having said that, other than one or two sections at Coed y brenin there is nothing overly technical, we had a complete novice come on a trip there with us and she rode everything on an ancient Marin with seized forks and v-brakes! Of the 3 bikes you mention I'd probably go for the Whyte, but I think you'd really benefit from a skills course to improve your descending, as there is very little on the trails you mention that you should find overly challenging.

Are you sure you've been on Minor Taur? It's the most popular trail at Coed y Brenin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeP7K_cPrSI

That is pretty damn smooth - a rigid bike could cope with that - now my question is this "being bumped around" experience you have on your hardtail, are you standing up on the pedals at all? Your legs and arms are the best suspension you are likely to find when riding and should be involved whatever bike you have.

The majority of trails in Wales are readily ridden on a hardtail but it is probably true to say a full susser will take some sting out of it. If it was my money I would be looking at http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s1p4944/GIANT-ANTHEM-X-1-2013 or http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/fuel-ex7-2013-mountain-bike-ec042090 for VFM or maybe http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/sight-killer-b-1-2013-650b-mountain-bike-ec041221 if I were pushing the budget.

I'd take the Anthem over the Boardman - not heard the greatest things about the boardman full sussers in terms of frame quality.

lawman

kesher wrote:

lawman wrote:

By the sounds of it you should be getting a cyclocross bike!! :shock: The Minor Taur is possibly the worst blue I've ridden and the red at Penmachno is a very, very good trail. There's plenty of riding other than trail centres around that kind of area that aren't as technical, although having said that, other than one or two sections at Coed y brenin there is nothing overly technical, we had a complete novice come on a trip there with us and she rode everything on an ancient Marin with seized forks and v-brakes! Of the 3 bikes you mention I'd probably go for the Whyte, but I think you'd really benefit from a skills course to improve your descending, as there is very little on the trails you mention that you should find overly challenging.

Are you sure you've been on Minor Taur? It's the most popular trail at Coed y Brenin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeP7K_cPrSI

Yes I have ridden it, the first section is reasonably good fun, but the trail as a whole is pretty poor and boring. A bowling alley smooth trail such as that would suit a hardtail more than a full sus bike, as sonic says a full sus would help you on the technical sections. personally I'd seriously look into a skills course to improve your confidence on technical terrain, there is nothing on the MBR trail at Coed y Brenin that cannot be rolled over. As a guess I would say an expert looking over your riding and helping you improve in certain areas would be really beneficial and allow you to enjoy any new bike you buy even more. If I were you I'd book a skills course before buying a bike and then you'll have a better idea which would be suited to your needs.

poah

how about these assuming size fits

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitu ... -prod81016

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/comm ... prod115032

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/nuke ... -prod87480

rockmonkeysc

A day with a skills coach might be worthwhile before spending on a full sus bike. Your current bike is more than capable of red or even black trail. Rear suspension won't make the trails significantly easier.

miceden

Any particular reason the Boardman, Scott and Whyte are your shortlist? You need to go out and test a lot of bikes before making a decision and a skills day is a good idea... +1 for the anthem.

Cqc

get the specialized camber evo

kesher

Perhaps I should explain things more. I've only been round the Marin trail once: the day after I bought my current bike back in early April. The second time I rode the bike was at Penmachno.

Since then I have improved quite a bit, including confidence, via riding on the red trail at Llandegla (a couple of times the blue there also), and Minortaur. So I no longer consider myself a beginner, probably intermediate. I'm sure if I returned to Penmachno or Marin I would do much better as I was a real novice when I first tried them. However, I still feel that a FS bike would smooth things out more for me so that I would start to enjoy a trail like Marin or Penmachno. I'm surprised my current bike hasn't come in for a lot of criticism considering what most of you are probably riding.
I'm also wondering how many riders take MTB skills courses as opposed to trail and error (no pun intended); or pick things up from, for example, youtube.

My initial consideration of the Boardman was because of the spec/ price and reviews; the other two were shop recommendations.

One more thing I'm not new to cycling I 've been doing that for years; but on the road.

lawman

kesher wrote:

Perhaps I should explain things more. I've only been round the Marin trail once: the day after I bought my current bike back in early April. The second time I rode the bike was at Penmachno.

Since then I have improved quite a bit, including confidence, via riding on the red trail at Llandegla (a couple of times the blue there also), and Minortaur. So I no longer consider myself a beginner, probably intermediate. I'm sure if I returned to Penmachno or Marin I would do much better as I was a real novice when I first tried them. However, I still feel that a FS bike would smooth things out more for me so that I would start to enjoy a trail like Marin or Penmachno. I'm surprised my current bike hasn't come in for a lot of criticism considering what most of you are probably riding.
I'm also wondering how many riders take MTB skills courses as opposed to trail and error (no pun intended); or pick things up from, for example, youtube.

My initial consideration of the Boardman was because of the spec/ price and reviews; the other two were shop recommendations.

One more thing I'm not new to cycling I 've been doing that for years; but on the road.

Would still recommend a skills course, hell I've been riding best part of 10 years and I'm still learning new things Along with this, go back and ride the Marin and Penmachno again and see how you fare, you might surprise yourself. Even on a basic hardtail there is nothing there that should hold you back, if you find it too rough perhaps your technique could be improved and a course would be a massive help in this respect, you can watch others and learn from them and personal tuition is always good. I've seen too many Boardman's with problems with the frame and components, while they work they seem to be good, but just a few too many of them seem to crack, a friend's actually cracked half way along the downtube, let alone the weld!!

Have you considered any Canyon's? Great VFM and get very good reviews.

Shackster

lawman wrote:

Have you considered any Canyon's? Great VFM and get very good reviews.

Beat me to it but how about this?

This isn't overly 'aggressive' but will make things much more comfortable. I've got the 2011 equivalent and, having ridden both this and my 90's hardtail with minimal front suspension around Coed-y-Brenin, the canyon was infinitely more capable and much more fun, pretty sure my skills hadn't changed in the meantime!

chrisrobs

If you have 2-3k then your choices are endless.

You should be really going to a demo day and riding it first if you can.

cooldad

kesher wrote:

I'm surprised my current bike hasn't come in for a lot of criticism considering what most of you are probably riding.

Why? I rode my full sus Kona on Sunday, my son had a couple of technical issues with his bike so took the next closest bike - my old 1987 Rockhopper, rigid with canti brakes.
He was still much quicker than me, everywhere.

The Rookie

Centos may not be the best bike, but far from the worst, better than any Spesh Lardrock for example, you can have a look at a few owners bike in the Carrera Hardtail thread (link in sig below).

CitizenLee

With 2-3K to burn I'd be looking at buying a frame only and then building it up to my own spec.

Too many compromises on complete bikes for me.

chrisw333

come on, there's plenty of excellent choices out there perfectly suited to what the OP seems to want without having to go down the custom route. Sometimes people seem to over complicate things for the sake of it?

CitizenLee

I've always found it to be much less faff than a complete, as even for bikes costing a few K there's always stuff that needs to be changed.

I just think with that sorta cash you may as well get the exact spec you want, make the bike totally personal and also learn some valuable skills in the process.

Was just a suggestion though, each to their own

lawman

CitizenLee wrote:

With 2-3K to burn I'd be looking at buying a frame only and then building it up to my own spec.

Too many compromises on complete bikes for me.

For a custom build you have to have a pretty good idea what you want from a bike and perhaps the OP is not too sure what he wants, hence asking on here.

rockmonkeysc

But will a full sus bike really solve the op's problem? I doubt that it will.
Get the skills then the bike but get some demo rides before buying aanything. Even if buying something like a Canyon which can't be demo'd a test ride on something similar would be a good idea.

poah

RockmonkeySC wrote:

But will a full sus bike really solve the op's problem? I doubt that it will.
Get the skills then the bike but get some demo rides before buying aanything.

that's a load of crap TBH - buy a bike and enjoy yourself. if you can afford a decent FS bike then why not get one. even if you demo a bike you'll probably not find one that suits you in every way.

demoing bikes can be an issue to if you don't have many bike shops round your way and even in mag tests they change stuff or moan about stems and bars.

CitizenLee

lawman wrote:

For a custom build you have to have a pretty good idea what you want from a bike and perhaps the OP is not too sure what he wants, hence asking on here.

He could get the same help with a custom build as he can asking which complete.

As I said, it's just another option to consider.

POAH wrote:

that's a load of crap TBH - buy a bike and enjoy yourself. if you can afford a decent FS bike then why not get one.

Totally agree.

Kowalski675

supersonic wrote:

The Boardman bikes always do well in tests, are highly regarded and good value.

The new FS Pro 650b gets a very good review in this month's What MTB. I've had a brief play with one in the shop (hardly an exhaustive roadtest, admittedly), and it felt just like mine, but with significantly plusher suspension and sharper brakes. They've definitely sorted the rear wheel mud clearance issue, and I'd guess they've sorted the rear end flex complaints too, with the 142x12 axle and chunkier rear triangle. Looks a bargain (especially if you take advantage of combined discounts), I reckon I'b be buying one if I hadn't bought my 26" Team FS.

supersonic

Yeah, the design seems better, and the prices are not too much more for still a good level of kit so looks like they are on to another winner.

Kowalski675

RockmonkeySC wrote:

A day with a skills coach might be worthwhile before spending on a full sus bike. Your current bike is more than capable of red or even black trail. Rear suspension won't make the trails significantly easier.

Have to disagree with that, unless you're riding very smooth trails. Gisburn and Stainburn on my Carrera hardtail were both bloody hard work, it was well out of its depth, even at my pace. Much easier on my full suss bike. Admittedly a more trail focused hardtail with decent fork and brakes would make it easier than on my Carrera, but full suss will always be easier (maybe no faster, with a decent rider, but certainly easier, and more comfortable).

Another vote for a skills course here though - mine was worth the £80, and an enjoyable day in itself. I'll be going back for level 2 after winter.

Kowalski675

supersonic wrote:

Yeah, the design seems better, and the prices are not too much more for still a good level of kit so looks like they are on to another winner.

Front triangle seems largely the same (albeit slightly revised geometry), but the rear end seems a definite improvement, and there was no mention of flex in the review. Even just dicking around in the shop you can feel that both the fork and shock are significantly better than mine. The Pro looks much better value now than the down-specced Team. I haven't used my Team FS since building it onto the new frame (with the new cranks and chainrings too). I'm seriously considering refitting the unused OE bars, stem, grips, seat, pedals, tyres and tubes and selling it to buy the new Pro. It would be basically a new bike.