Which one of these trail/AM bikes?

rapid_donkey

Im looking into getting a new 140ish travel trail bike that can deal with trail centres and the Peaks, Wales, Scotland etc too.

Im particularly interested in these 3 bikes:

2013 Cannondale Jekyll 3 £1599.99: http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s1p518 ... YLL-3-2013

Frame JEKYLL, 150/90MM, SMARTFORMED ALLOY, BB30, ISCG03, 1.5SI HEAD TUBE
Rear Shock: FOX DYAD RT2 DUAL SHOCK, 150/90MM
Forks FOX 32 FLOAT CTD O/C, EVOLUTION, 150MM, 15QR THRU AXLE, 1.5" STEERER
Rear Derailleur SHIMANO XT SHADOW+
Front Derailleur SRAM X7, DIRECT MOUNT
Shifters SHIMANO SLX 20 SPEED
Chainset SRAM S1000, BB30, 24/36 (Please note that no Bash guard is supplied - picture is for illustration only)
Bottom Bracket SRAM BB30
Chain KMC X10
Freewheel SRAM PG-1030, 11-36, 10-SPEED
Headset TANGE SEIKI 1.5", INTEGRATED
Stem CANNONDALE C3, 1.5", 31.8
Handlebars CANNONDALE C2 RISER, 740X18MM, 2014 ALLOY
Front Brake MAGURA MT2 HYDRAULIC DISC 180MM
Rear Brake MAGURA MT2 HYDRAULIC DISC 160MM
Rims SHIMANO MT68
Front Hub SHIMANO MT68, 15MM
Rear Hub SHIMANO MT68, 142X12MM
Tyres SCHWALBE HANS DAMPF 26X2.35
Saddle VTB VOLT
Seatpost CANNONDALE C3, 31.6X350MM
Pedals The manufacturer does not supply pedals with this bike
Grips CANNONDALE DUAL LOCKING GRIPS
Miscellaneous DYAD REMOTE LEVER, SYNTACE X-12MM REAR AXLE

2013 Lapierre Zesty 314 £2000: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/lap ... wwodX3gAmQ

Frame:Zesty 314 Alloy 7005 Sl Sot+ 140mm Tapered 12X142
Rear Shock:Fox Float CTD Lv Evolution
Fork:Fox 32 Float 150 CTD Fit Performance 15Qr Tapered
Front Derailleur:Shimano M670 New SLX 10 Speed
Rear Derailleur:Shimano M786 Gas New XT Shadow + 10 Speed
Number of Gears:30
Shifters:Shimano Kslm670 New SLX 3X10 Speed
Chainset:Shimano M780 XT Hollowtech Ii 10 Speed
Chainrings:24X32X42
Cassette:Shimano HG62 11X36 10 Speed
Front Brake:Formula RX
Rear Brake:Formula RX
Handlebars:Lapierre Nico Vouilloz Signature 31.8X20X711mm
Stem:Easton Ea50 8 degrees 31.8 Sizes S, M : 75mm Sizes L, Xl : 90mm
Headset:Fas Orbit Tapered 1 1/8-1.5’’
Rims:Mavic New Crossride
Front Hub:Mavic New Crossride
Rear Hub:Mavic New Crossride
Front Tyre:Schwalbe Nobby Nic
Rear Tyre:Schwalbe Rocket Ron Perf. 26X2.25
Saddle:SDG New Duster Custom Black/Cyan
Seatpost:Easton Ea50 31.6X350mm
Weight:Approx. 12.8kg

2013 Orange Five Pro £2480: http://www.drakescycles.co.uk/m1b114s1p ... lours_2013

Tubeset Monocoque/6061-T6 OS Reynolds Custom Butted Aluminium Tube
Rear Shock Fox Evolution Series CTD
Swing Arm Maxle Swingarm
Forks Fox Float 32 140mm Performance Fit CTD QR15
F Mech Shimano SLX
R Mech Shimano XT Shadow + 10 sp
Shifters Shimano SLX R Fire +
Chainset Race Face Evolve XC 10 sp X Type
Cassette Shimano HG62-10
Brakes Hope Tech Evo X2
Wheelset Hope Pro 2 Evo + Mavic XM319
Tyres Maxxis Advantage 2.35
Headset Tange Seiki Terious Zero Stack Tapered
Stem Race Face Ride XC
S Post Race Face Ride XC
Saddle SDG Bel Air
H Bars Race Face Ride XC
Pedals Flat
B Bracket Race Face X Type

These bikes are al 26" wheels. Im not overly worried that they arent the latest 27.5" wheel size or that there will suddenly be a shortage of spares or new components. I am thinking about resale value in 2 - 3 years time though. Will there be a market for used 26" mountain bikes then?

At the minute Im mostly liking the Orange. I like the external bottom bracket, it has ISGC05 tabs, and the Hope X2 brakes are the only ones Ive had experience of and they were good. I wouldnt say Im an Orange Five lover like some people are, but I dont hate them either, its just another bike option to me.

I like the Cannondale Jekyll, and the price is very attractive. Im a bit worried about the Dyad rear shock though. I can imagine it being expensive to replace, limited upgrade options, and Ive only ever service Fox Float R and RP23 which is pretty simple.

So just wondering what peoples opinions are on those bikes really, and whether buying a 26" bike now is a waste of time etc.

kammybear

I was looking at the Jekyll for a while before going with something else as it was a great deal 2nd hand.

I don't think the Zesty is £500 better. Use the £500 to buy some Fox34 and sell the Fox32 as it's frame is supposed to be be too good for 32s!

Tyre size is a personal choice but remember a lot of other sorts of bike 26er and will be for a long time. I've owned 26,29 and 27.5 bikes and personally 29 don't ride too well in twisty UK trails and 27 and 26 don't feel much different.

I'd happily still buy a 26er plus everyone will think you're hardcore!

lostboysaint

Or bin all of those and get the "connoisseurs choice", the Transition Bandit.

poah

huge price range there 1600 to 2400 - you can get a huge range of bikes with that cash.

https://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbike ... tml?b=3252

Kowalski675

kammybear wrote:

I don't think the Zesty is £500 better.

Especially when the frame cracks.

rapid_donkey

I do think the Cannondale is cracking value, and its already 2x10 so all I would do is put on a chain device, maybe some SLX/XT brakes, and I think it would be a ripper.

Not really interested in a Canyon, I would prefer a POC in the UK if anything were to go wrong. I looked at Transition bikes, they are very nice, but are a bit pricey. My price limit is probably the price of the Orange Five. I dont want to take finance out, and I dont want a used bike.

Lapierre frames cracking is old news, its pretty rare on newer models. All manufacturers suffer from problems, and with buying new, it would be covered under warranty.

markjohnwood

You can't ignore the price of the Jekkyl but I'm a cannondale fan and that offer is attracting me too if I can CONvince the wife it's a good purchase!!

jfry94

The Magura mt2 brakes are worth trying, i personly like them more than shimano brakes. I did go for the Jekyll. you'll need the shock pump. £25 And I reccomend getting the sag kit for it which is £17.

poah

if its small you are after

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/nuke ... -prod87479

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ghos ... -prod82978

or in other sizes

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ghos ... -prod82976

rapid_donkey

Well, I got a new bike. Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.

cooldad

Excellent. Please join the Orange Haters thread so we can be nasty to you.

poah

rapid_donkey wrote:

Well, I got a new bike. Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.

thought you wanted a decent bike?

Kowalski675

rapid_donkey wrote:

Well, I got a new bike. Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.

Cue the barrage of mockery...

jfry94

tbh if i had the money. i might have brought a five. i like the look of some girders.