New full-suss mtb advice please
Macdory
Posts: 113
hi all,
I generally do the trails at Swinley forest along with some easier trail riding.
I'm looking to trade my Hard-tail in for a Full-suss ... getting old and the bumps and jolts are killing me
I've seen the following:
Giant Trance 27.5 1 - £1900
Strive AL 6.0 - £2300
Kona Precept 130 - £1400
Kona 134A Process DL - £1650
Would you recommend any of the above, or are there better bikes for similar cash?
I generally do the trails at Swinley forest along with some easier trail riding.
I'm looking to trade my Hard-tail in for a Full-suss ... getting old and the bumps and jolts are killing me
I've seen the following:
Giant Trance 27.5 1 - £1900
Strive AL 6.0 - £2300
Kona Precept 130 - £1400
Kona 134A Process DL - £1650
Would you recommend any of the above, or are there better bikes for similar cash?
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Comments
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Please add links so we know we are all looking at the right bike.
For Swinley I'd be looking at something shorter travel like an Anthem perhaps?Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.0 -
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Trance-27-5-1-Mountain-Bike-2015-Full-Suspension-MTB_73878.htm
https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/mtb/strive/2016/strive-al-6-0-race.html
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Kona-Precept-130-Mountain-Bike-2016-Full-Suspension-MTB_82234.htm
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kona-134a-process-dl-2015/0 -
Thanks for the reference to the Anthem. I've just seen that I can get one discounted to £1150
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/74044/Giant_Anthem_2_275_2015_Bike
So, for red and blue trial riding, the odd run down the black route, and general faffing around ... which one would be the bike to get?0 -
Personally I'm not that keen on Kona's full suspension designs, but obviously not everyone agrees. My concerns are that they have the wheel path of a single pivot bike, but the maintenance complexity of a four-bar design. I've ridden both singe pivot and true four-bar linkage bikes in the past, and they have their strengths and weaknesses. To me the Kona design seems like the worst of both worlds.
Personally I wouldn't want to buy without a test ride, which would rule out the Canyon unless you can borrow one off someone for a quick ride.
Also, I'm not familiar with Swinley, but the Anthem is much more XC-oriented than the Trance. Given that comfort is a key driver for you, I'd be looking for more than 100mm suspension travel. The more trail-oriented bike with longer travel will soak up the bumps more, even on a relatively tame loop.0 -
Call the guys at Bird and see what they can put together for that sort of budget.
After the holidays as they are closed now.I don't do smileys.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools0 -
Call the guys at Bird and see what they can put together for that sort of budget.
After the holidays as they are closed now.
Thanks - never thought of Bird. Definitely worth a go given how close they are.0 -
Just looked at the Bird website - great specs for the cash, but they are a bit f-ugly ...
Any other recommendations for a trial centre bike (Red/Blue mainly, with the odd Black bit)?0 -
Who cares what it looks like, you wont see it while your riding and if you are going fast enough no-one else will eitherJust looked at the Bird website - great specs for the cash, but they are a bit f-ugly ...
Any other recommendations for a trial centre bike (Red/Blue mainly, with the odd Black bit)?
Really good bikes for the cash. Framebuilder
Handbuilt Steel 29er https://goo.gl/RYSbaa
Carbon Stumpjumper https://goo.gl/xJNFcv
Parkwood:http://goo.gl/Gf8xkL
Ribble Gran Fondo https://goo.gl/ZpTFXz
Triban:http://goo.gl/v63FBB0 -
All bikes look the same when they're muddy.
You're going to struggle to beat Bird for value but some of the discounted Giants come pretty close.Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=130702350 -
Never be in too much of a rush for a new bike. You're going to have it a couple years (probably) so a couple weeks or even a month wait for the right one is well worth it.Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=130702350
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The Anthem seems a great spec for the cash ... £1150 for:
Frame: ALUXX SL-Grade Aluminium, 4"/100mm Maestro Suspension
Rear Shock: RockShox Monarch RL
Fork: RockShox Reba RL Solo Air, 100mm travel, 15mm Axle OverDrive Tapered Steerer, PushLoc
Cranks: Shimano SLX, 24/38
Bottom Bracket: SRAM Press Fit
Front Derailleur: Shimano SLX
Rear Derailleur: Shimano SLX, Shadow +
Shifters: Shimano SLX 20 speed
Cassette: Shimano HG50 11-36
Chain: KMC X10
Hubs: Giant P-XC [F] 15mm [R] 135mm QR
Rims: Giant P-XC 27.5
Tyres: Schwalbe Racing Ralph, 27.5x2.25" Performance Folding
Brakes: Shimano M615 160mm
Brake Levers: Shimano M615
Handlebar: Giant Connect Trail, Low Rise, 730mm
Stem: Giant Connect, ±8-degree rise
Saddle: Giant Contact Forward
Seat Post: Giant Connect, 30.9mm
Is there a better bike for the cash?0 -
Not really, there are worse spec'ed hardtails for more than that.Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.0
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Its pretty likely you can extend the travel on the Reba to 120 mm on that Anthem.0
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Gone for it - order placed ...
Thanks for the input and suggestions all0 -
Its pretty likely you can extend the travel on the Reba to 120 mm on that Anthem.
No you can't. We tried it with my mates. You would need to change the air shaft at least and I'm not convinced the damper shafts are long enough.Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=130702350 -
Anthem arrived this afternoon ... just finished dialing in the suspension, but now too dark to ride it ... GAH!
Up bright and early tomorrow - will take suss-pump with me for those tweaks!
It looks great, and is as light as my hardtail ... really impressed!
My only concern is with the tyres ... The Racing Ralph's look like they will be fine for spring/summer, but I'm guessing I need something with a bit more grip at this time of year? I'm currently running On-One Smorgasbord on my 29'er which tackle everything thrown at them, but the rolling resistance is quite high.
Should I just get the 27.5 version of these, or is there a better tyre for running trail centres at this time of year?0 -
Most trail centres, even at this time of year, don't need much tread, compound is more important, I've run Ralph and Ron's at trail centres through winter no problem, on natural single track though they are ruddy aweful, a Nic is a good compromise, or an HR2/Ardent combo is popular.Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.0
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Agree with the trails not needing much tread, but I also live in the Chilterns and when I go out on the single track it gets very muddy!
After reading some reviews, I'm going to try:
On-One Smorgasbord 650b on the rear - http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYOOSM65/on-one-smorgasbord-650b-tubeless-ready-tyre
On-One Chunky Monkey 650b on the front - http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYOOCM65/on-one-chunky-monkey-650b-tubeless-ready-tyre
I've never tried the Chunky Monkey, but it gets some good reviews0 -
Ive a monkey on the front of mine, its not bad rolls well an is big im ruinning the same compound an so far no complaints though ive not been out in the super slop of late.0
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Im running the same combo and they seem to be good choice for my riding. I ride stainburn quite a bit whoch is rocky and rooty, also ride gisburn a bit and they seem tocope well. If i remember rightly mbuk id a tyre test a while back and they either got a 7 or 8, take fron that what you will.0
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Thanks all ... I took the bike out this morning - all I can say is whoah! After 10 mins I had no confidence at all in the corners, nor any mud over 1cm deep (a lot was deeper than this) and ended up un-clipping as I came into them just in case I needed to dab to keep going.
I also ground to a halt wheel-spinning going up one hill which admittedly has a lot of tree roots - However, i'm used to just bounding over these on a 29'er with Smorgasbord's on, so it took me by surprise and almost had a stationary clipped-in off (embarrassing!)
New tyres ordered and I'll save the Ralph's for a day when I feel a little bit suicidal!0 -
Chunky Monkeys are the worst tyres I have ever used. They are so hard that even a week of dry alpine trails barely marked them. Bugger all grip in any conditions.
The only good thing about them was that I could sell them after three months as nearly new because the plastic compound tread had barely worn.Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=130702350 -
http://www.h2gear.co.uk/119907/products/2015-giant-anthem-27-5-3-full-suspension-mountain-bike.aspx?origin=pla&kwd=¤cy=GBP&gclid=COf8muKhi8oCFWXnwgod0yoLwQ
Is this the same as the one you got?
I'm considering this as it seems like a lot of bike for the money.
EDIT- just taken the plunge, I found (as a newbie) that there's too much to choose from! ordered it off that website along with a nice new service stand for assembly. Please await my post on how to set up the suspension!
Great thread.0 -
http://www.h2gear.co.uk/119907/products/2015-giant-anthem-27-5-3-full-suspension-mountain-bike.aspx?origin=pla&kwd=¤cy=GBP&gclid=COf8muKhi8oCFWXnwgod0yoLwQ
Is this the same as the one you got?
I'm considering this as it seems like a lot of bike for the money.
EDIT- just taken the plunge, I found (as a newbie) that there's too much to choose from! ordered it off that website along with a nice new service stand for assembly. Please await my post on how to set up the suspension!
Great thread.
Nope - I got the 2 rather than the 3 ... http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/74044/Giant_Anthem_2_275_2015_Bike
Although, someone posted here saying that they raced the 3 - all in all both the 2 & 3 look great value
Enjoy!0 -
http://www.h2gear.co.uk/119907/products/2015-giant-anthem-27-5-3-full-suspension-mountain-bike.aspx?origin=pla&kwd=¤cy=GBP&gclid=COf8muKhi8oCFWXnwgod0yoLwQ
Is this the same as the one you got?
I'm considering this as it seems like a lot of bike for the money.
EDIT- just taken the plunge, I found (as a newbie) that there's too much to choose from! ordered it off that website along with a nice new service stand for assembly. Please await my post on how to set up the suspension!
Great thread.
Just google a YouTube vid to setup the suspension - I followed that, and I'm still tweaking but it gave a really good start0 -
http://www.h2gear.co.uk/119907/products/2015-giant-anthem-27-5-3-full-suspension-mountain-bike.aspx?origin=pla&kwd=¤cy=GBP&gclid=COf8muKhi8oCFWXnwgod0yoLwQ
Is this the same as the one you got?
I'm considering this as it seems like a lot of bike for the money.
EDIT- just taken the plunge, I found (as a newbie) that there's too much to choose from! ordered it off that website along with a nice new service stand for assembly. Please await my post on how to set up the suspension!
Great thread.
Just found a really good guide ... i'll PM you
http://lighttouchchiropractic.com.au/manly-mountain-bikers-rockshox-monarch-set-tuning-guide/?avad=145705_aa4a16ee0
