Aggressive Hardtail For Under £1000

CharlieV453

Hi I had looked at that but in my frame size with original spec it was over 1200 which I can't really afford

vulva65

The Vitus Sentier VRS looks pretty decent and leaves enough to look at getting a dropper, definitely worth a look. Nice slack geometry too.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-sentier-vrs-hardtail-bike-slx-1x11-2017/rp-prod146561?gs=1&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Chain+Reaction-UK-PLA-PLA-All-DT-SE-Shopping+QLB+Generic+Desktop&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mkwid|szyNpcZGR_dc|pcrid|161846596690|pkw||pmt||prd|533399UK

Georgexxx21

Im looking too for an aggressive hardtail for under £1000 with long travel forks , could you please suggest me some ?

dcwhite1984

Vulva65 wrote:

The Vitus Sentier VRS looks pretty decent and leaves enough to look at getting a dropper, definitely worth a look. Nice slack geometry too.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-sentier-vrs-hardtail-bike-slx-1x11-2017/rp-prod146561?gs=1&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Chain+Reaction-UK-PLA-PLA-All-DT-SE-Shopping+QLB+Generic+Desktop&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mkwid|szyNpcZGR_dc|pcrid|161846596690|pkw||pmt||prd|533399UK

I bought this bike last year, and can honestly say its well worth the money, It's taken everything ive thrown at it and come away unscathed.

I dont hit massive jumps but have just started out on smaller jumps and drop offs and can say its great.
I have a dropper fitted and wider bars along with different tyres, but a great bike for the money.

slc123

The Vitus does look like a decent bike and always seems to get good reviews on most sites although you will find that the Ragley Marley was pretty well reviewed and rated generally, which doesn't correspond with your experience. Reading back over your post you seem to have an idea of exactly what you want e.g. no shimano gearing, 32+ forks, 140mm travel and something you find aesthetic - You may struggle to find all of that for under £1,000 and may need to compromise but you shouldn't be far off and can always upgrade after.

If you could stretch I don't think you would go far wrong with the Bird TR.

CharlieV453

I think the vitus looks good too. The only downside is Shimano gears but I think I can overlook that. It's got everything else I want on it as well.

tallpaul_s

CharlieV453 wrote:

I think the vitus looks good too. The only downside is Shimano gears but I think I can overlook that. It's got everything else I want on it as well.

If you want SRAM rather than shimano, maybe wait a few weeks for the 2018 model:


The image isn't the right spec, but the text on the right is.

NX grouset, £900 after CRC discount.

Or... for £1170 afer dicscount is the VRS version, SLX, BUT it comes with a dropper so you're saving £100 there.
Here's a video of it at the bike show a few weeks back: https://youtu.be/4dEqH6YSZBE


Or, to throw a complete spanner in the works, how about a Vitus Escarpe FS for £996 after discount... http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-escarpe-suspension-bike-deore-2017/rp-prod146547

CharlieV453

So is it a plus bike now. If so only just.

dcwhite1984

TallPaul_S wrote:

CharlieV453 wrote:

I think the vitus looks good too. The only downside is Shimano gears but I think I can overlook that. It's got everything else I want on it as well.

If you want SRAM rather than shimano, maybe wait a few weeks for the 2018 model:


The image isn't the right spec, but the text on the right is.

NX grouset, £900 after CRC discount.

Or... for £1170 afer dicscount is the VRS version, SLX, BUT it comes with a dropper so you're saving £100 there.
Here's a video of it at the bike show a few weeks back: https://youtu.be/4dEqH6YSZBE


Or, to throw a complete spanner in the works, how about a Vitus Escarpe FS for £996 after discount... http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-escarpe-suspension-bike-deore-2017/rp-prod146547

2018 model looks decent, Better tyres, better fork. Not really a proper fat bike more around the mid fat marker but looks like a good spec for the price.

Doesnt look like they have changed the frame, there is plenty of tyre clearance in the 2017 frame. 2018 also gives a choice of colours, black looks pretty good.

Personally, if i was as set on what i wanted as you seem to be, and from what you have described id go for the Bird Zero, only reason i went for the vitus was cost.

tallpaul_s

There have been some changes to the frame as it's now Boost 148 at the rear, not sure about geometry as they haven't released the figures yet. I know the Escarpe models are meant to be 20mm longer and slightly lower, with a lower standover but not sure on the sentier model.

CharlieV453

I'm thinking the same way. Though I would love to purchase the bird it comes down to cost so I would probably end up going with last years or this years vitus sentier. Are you sure the forks are better this year?. I had always been led to assume sektor were better than recon.

dcwhite1984

CharlieV453 wrote:

I'm thinking the same way. Though I would love to purchase the bird it comes down to cost so I would probably end up going with last years or this years vitus sentier. Are you sure the forks are better this year?. I had always been led to assume sektor were better than recon.

Good point on the forks, i didn't read that they were recon's, i just saw gold vs silver. Oops Good spot.


I have to say that the 2017 model wants for nothing and even though the gears are shimano i havent had any issues at all.

The Rookie

CharlieV453 wrote:

I'm thinking the same way. Though I would love to purchase the bird it comes down to cost so I would probably end up going with last years or this years vitus sentier. Are you sure the forks are better this year?. I had always been led to assume sektor were better than recon.

The Recon is the budget short travel fork (gold and silver) below the Reba, the Sektor the budget longer travel (gold and silver) below the Revelation, neither is better than the other, just different.

rockmonkeysc

I'd have a gold recon over a silver sector. Longer travel really shows up damping inadequacies.

CharlieV453

Ok then. That's very helpful.

vulva65

For anyone who is interested, I've just noticed the Vitus Sentier down to £800, looks to be a bloody bargain!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-sentier-vrs-hardtail-bike-slx-1x11-2017/rp-prod146561?utm_source=awin&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=Monetizer101&awc=2698_1511781059_a97a27822c121ce1e047b85083af48d5

tallpaul_s

Vulva65 wrote:

For anyone who is interested, I've just noticed the Vitus Sentier down to £800, looks to be a bloody bargain!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-sentier-vrs-hardtail-bike-slx-1x11-2017/rp-prod146561?utm_source=awin&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=Monetizer101&awc=2698_1511781059_a97a27822c121ce1e047b85083af48d5

Apart from the fact they're completely out of stock

The 2018 model is around 100mm longer on the reach and half a degree slacker HA, they've added a better fork, a dropper, better (2.6") tyres and m7000 brakes for your extra £300 over last years model. £1170 with the BC discount.

I've love the new Bird AM Boost 2018 model but you're looking at £1400 plus £100 for a dropper, with NX and revelations and DT swiss wheels - it's a great spec but too much for me, £1200 is my limit. If I can't find anything better value in the next 2-3 months the VRS+ will be getting bought. I love the little touches like the 800mm bars on the L and XL models - I'm a lankey git so any bike with less than 760mm bars would get swapped straight away for some 800mm ones.