process/granite chief/nerve al 7.0

Teds21

Evening all, I'm looking to treat myself to a new full susser, I've narrowed my choice to 3:

kona process 134
REAR SHOCK RockShox Monarch R
FORK RockShox Sektor Silver Air 140mm QR15 Tapered
CRANKARMS Shimano Deore
CHAINRINGS 24/38t
FREEWHEEL Shimano Deore 11-36t 10 spd
CHAINGUIDE n/a
F/D Sram X5
R/D Shimano SLX Shadow Plus
SHIFTERS Shimano Deore
BRAKE CALIPERS Shimano M505
FRONT BRAKE ROTOR Shimano 180mm (centerlock)
REAR BRAKE ROTOR Shimano 160mm (centerlock)
BRAKE LEVERS Shimano M505
HEADSET FSA Orbit 1.5 ZS No.57B
HANDLEBAR Kona XC/BC Riser
STEM Kona 40mm
SEATPOST KS Eten R
SEAT CLAMP Kona Clamp
GRIPS Kona S-LOG
SADDLE WTB Volt Sport SE
FRONT HUB Shimano Deore QR15
REAR HUB Shimano Deore 142x12mm
SPOKES Stainless 14g
RIMS WTB SX23
FRONT TIRE Maxxis Ardent 27.5x2.25"
REAR TIRE Maxxis Ardent 27.5x2.25"

rose granite chief 1 with some upgrades
fork: Rock Shox Sektor Gold SoloAir 150 mm,
wheelsDT Swiss M 1900 Spline 27,5"
TyresContinental Mountain King II 27,5"
crankset Shimano Deore 38/24
rear derailleur Shimano Deore XT SGS Shadow Plus
chain Shimano CN-HG54
sprocket Shimano HG 62
Shift levers Shimano Deore
front derailleur Shimano Deore FDM616
brake Formula RX 203mm/180mm
seat post Rock Shox Reverb 420mm
saddle ROSE
handlebar Race Face Ride, flat wide, 710mm Grips Rose Lock on
Rear shocks Rock Shox Monarch RT3
stem Race Face RIDE XC

canyon nerve al 7.0

Rear Shock Fox Float CTD Evolution LV
Fork Fox 32 Float CTD Evolution
Headset Cane Creek 40
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore XT Shadow +
Front Derailleur Shimano SLX 3x10
Shifters Shimano SLX 10-speed
Brakes Shimano Deore
Cassette Shimano Deore
Wheelset Mavic Crossride
Tyres Continental Mountain King 2,2"
Cranks Shimano Deore XT FC-M782
Chainrings 40/30/22
Chain KMC X10-93
Bottom Bracket Shimano Deore XT

Can anybody offer a voice of experience on any of the 3 above? All are coming in at around £1500, which is the top of my budget. Obviously the kona and rose come with a dropper post, which I'm really keen on, although the forks on the Kona look a little suspect. On the other side, the Canyon has a great drive train and brake spec, but 20mm less travel. Also, I've seen that Kona geometry is highly rated (i'm trying one for size at the weekend). I ride trail centres (llandegla mainly) and some natural trails (rivington/darwen/some others). Any help/advice appreciated.

rockmonkeysc

My sensible side would say the Granite Chief. Great ride and excellent value but my stupider side would buy the Kona and an upgraded fork.
The Kona is a brilliant ride but let down by a bargain basement fork.
The Nerve also has a ropey fork but when I rode one a couple years ago it was perfectly good but just didn't make me want one.

Teds21

Cheers rockmonkey, I had similar thoughts, the kona looks great and gets good reviews, but that fork looks to be a bit of a let down, I think my mrs will divorce me if I look to upgrade the fork as soon as I get it through the door

paul.skibum

You get it done at the shop when you buy it that way she doesn't need to know.

rockmonkeysc

Tell her if you can have a new fork she can have a new washing line. Can't say fairer than that.

dirkpitt74

No experience of any of the bikes but the Granite Chief looks like a great bike.

I think there was a thread on here not so long back by someone who'd not long had one.

Found it!

2014 Rose Granite Chief

Angus Young

Just got the 134. First ride was at BPW yesterday. Simply brilliant. The other two would have to be something incredibly special to be more fun.

The fork on the Kona might not be the greatest but it didn't detract from my day at BPW one bit.

Teds21

Slowly having my arm twisted towards the basic model canyon spectral, which includes a stealth dropper and fox forks/shock, but comes in at £1700, does anybody know if it is £200 better than the rose, other than it looks far nicer?

rockmonkeysc

The Fox fork and shock on the Canyon aren't very good.
The fork on the Process is better, it may be a little heavier but it is better damped and more reliable.
Those CTD Evolution Fox forks are really bad.

Angus Young

The 134 2014 is coming up with some big discounts at the moment if you look around. Got mine with £550 off and I did see it even cheaper but I wasn't quick enough off the mark to snag that one before it went.

Teds21

Already on to that one cheers mate, the big discounts are bringing it into my budget.

Angus Young

Depending on what size you need Evans have got it for £1539.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kon ... e-ec055946