Sub 2k new bike advice

thisisjohnnyk

I’d welcome your advice on a sub 2k trail bike…

Backstory – I used to be massively into mountain biking, riding a Cannondale Jekyll. It was fun, do everything, hard hitting bike that I used to its limits. It was loved, but got fairly beaten up and so it got stripped and sold. It never really got replaced, and after about 5 years away I am back in the market for a new steed!

I’ve set a ‘total’ budget of £2k – which needs to include bike, and some new accessories etc. So realistically, I am looking to spend £1,800 on the bike.
My requirement is for a fun do-it-all bike that ultimately is for bike parks but could be used for a long day in the saddle over the downs…
I’ve so far whittled it down to a few options:
- On One Codeine GX1 spec - £1,799.99 (could be a bit heavy?)
- Bird Aeris - £1,800 ish in a 2x10 spec + a reverb (About as available as rocking horse s*^$)
- Canyon Spectral AL6 - £1,899 (Or the AL5 to save £300 to downgrade to Deore @ £1,599)
- Canyon Torque-Ex Gapstar - £1,649 (could again be a bit heavy?)
LINKS:
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOCOD27GX ... ntain-bike
http://www.birdmtb.com/aeris-150-2/
https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/mtb/spectr ... l-6-0.html
https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/gravity/to ... pstar.html

What do you think?
Anyone ride one of these?
I’d really welcome any other suggested bikes.

Ta!

joebristol

Might be thinking outside the box a bit (and depends if you want a brand name) but it might be worth looking at the Boardman Pro FS. It's about £1500 (or less in a current sale maybe) and has a Rockshox Pike (140mm travel) up front, a 1 x 11 Sram GX drivetrain and 4 pot Sram Guide brakes.

With the rest of the money you could get a decent dropper post to go on it and other bike gear (helmet, camelback, spds, spd shoes etc).

I got the previous year's Boardman Pro FS and it's been great since I've had it. All I've done is add spds and a dropper post and changed the brake pads a few times as worn them out. The new years' boardman has improved on the spec - can't imagine you find many other bikes with both RS Pikes / 1 x 11 / 4 pot disc brakes on it for that price.

rockmonkeysc

Canyon are best avoided at the moment. They're having serious and we'll publicised problems with delivery times (several months is normal).
The Bird you mentioned is excellent. I'd also recommend the Rose Granite Chief.

darren636

Bird aeris.

Its my most wanted.

BloggingFit

Bird Aeris.

I know their new shipment of Aeris frames dropped last week so ample stock at the moment.

hvm5

You can find last years Giant Trance Advanced 2 for around £1900, depending on size.

Also, it's a little bit more than you're wanting to spend but imo, best deal around at the minute is the Devinci Troy Carbon SX. I know you're spending a bit more but I always consider what you'll get back at the other end when you come to pass it on.

http://www.freeborn.co.uk/devinci-troy-carbon-sx-2015

The XP version is available for sub 2k as well.
http://www.freeborn.co.uk/devinci-troy-carbon-xp-2015

rockmonkeysc

hvm5 wrote:

You can find last years Giant Trance Advanced 2 for around £1900, depending on size.

Also, it's a little bit more than you're wanting to spend but imo, best deal around at the minute is the Devinci Troy Carbon SX. I know you're spending a bit more but I always consider what you'll get back at the other end when you come to pass it on.

http://www.freeborn.co.uk/devinci-troy-carbon-sx-2015

The XP version is available for sub 2k as well.
http://www.freeborn.co.uk/devinci-troy-carbon-xp-2015

Nice frames on the Devinci but let down by a terrible shock and ropey fork (Pike RC isn't great) and the rest of the build is very basic.

mart478

I have the Canyon Spectral AL6;

viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13042339

So far I'm very happy with it. Coming from a 29er XC race bike (Whyte) this is way more capable on the rough stuff but climbs surprisingly well and feels light and responsive on the trails. Delivery for me was about a month later than stated when I ordered. Not sure what the current times are, but something to consider if you want to be out riding in a hurry.

I agree with the Boardman suggestion too, especially with 10% British Cycling discount. £1350 for a Pike forked full susser is amazing value.

poah

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Nice frames on the Devinci but let down by a terrible shock and ropey fork (Pike RC isn't great) and the rest of the build is very basic.

so whats wrong with the pike RC?

The Rookie

Bikeradar review
"The Charger damper is available in RCT3 and RC models. The RCT3 offers Pedal and Lock efficiency settings, with an Open setting working on a separate damping circuit with independent low-speed compression adjustment. The simpler RC damper makes do with low-speed compression adjustment with Lock setting."

rockmonkeysc

The RC is OK until you start hitting really rocky / rooty trails. One of mine started out as an RC and I didn't like it.

poah

RockmonkeySC wrote:

The RC is OK until you start hitting really rocky / rooty trails. One of mine started out as an RC and I didn't like it.

it has the same damper as the RCT3 but lacks the pedal and lock settings - me thinks its all in your head.

rockmonkeysc

It's like having the RCT3 with high speed compression on minimum.
It is a charger damper but not the same according to the people at TF Tuned. I guess you know better than them though.

eric_draven

Does anyone know if you can buy a RCT3 cartridge and how much it costs,currently have some Pike RC's and not hugely impressed with them,not sure weather to upgrade these or find something else

rockmonkeysc

eric draven wrote:

Does anyone know if you can buy a RCT3 cartridge and how much it costs,currently have some Pike RC's and not hugely impressed with them,not sure weather to upgrade these or find something else

Full price is about £150 but there was somewhere selling them half price recently.
It's a good improvement.

Stoo61

Ok I'll do it...

https://www.yt-industries.com/en/detail/index/sArticle/541/sCategory/92

YT Capra AL - Around £1800

crazymac680

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s183p5 ... -27-5-2015
1350 with a pike is great value. Only in med
If your a small you can get the carbon one with a lefty and dropper for 2000