Short or Long travel

dudes

Hi,

I'm looking at getting back into mountain bike riding after some time off (5 years) and an even longer time since I bought a bike (20 years). I have a fully ridged specialised Rockhopper from 1998 made from steel with v brakes and 27 gears. I love this bike and in spite of heavy use have maintained and cleaned it religiously.

I am deciding on what bike to buy as I more cash now I am older. I am looking at, so far, the Canyon Neuron, Canyon Spectral and the YT Jeffsy 29. All towards the bottom of the range with alloy frame.

I will mostly ride locally near Brighton but occasionally will do some weekend trips so some more challenging places. I'll use the new bike for fun rides with friends and on my own and keep the rockhopper for riding with the family

My first instinct is to go with the Spectral because the reviews are great. Then sometimes I think this is too aggressive and I will get pissed off with too much suspension on easy routes and when pedalling across the downs to get to stammer park. So think the Neuron would be getter. then sometimes the YT Jeffsy 29 might be a good in-between. Or perhaps I am wrong all together and should get something else.

I have always wanted a FS bike so happy to splash out and keep it forever.

Any advice (I probably should not also ask about 1x or 2x)

Cheers

Adam

kajjal

Sounds like you need to test ride a fs bike to get a better idea. Various trail centres and bike parks rent out fs bikes for the day, that may help you decide. Newer fs bikes are far better than the 1990's equivalent. Take your time and enjoy choosing.

For gearing just choose what suits you and where you ride.

joebristol

The above advice is good - get out and test ride where possible. Sounds like something around the 130mm travel with not too crazy slack geometry would be good for you. Maybe start there and see how that feels - perhaps also look at a Whyte T-130 and a Bird Aeris 120. You should be able to get a test ride on both of those at Swinley Forest up near Bracknell if that’s not too far away.

jamski

Listen to Joe. At Bird you could try the 120 and the more agressive 145. So you could get an idea of both travels. Enjoy.

JGTR

I’d say around 140 as it will be sufficient if you wanted to push yourself with more aggressive riding but won’t be too much of a weight penalty. You can also adjust the rear suspension for longer rides (either full lock out or pedal platform). I have a 29” YT Jeffsy and a plus hardtail, the Jeffsy is awesome and I use it for everything - days out with kids, BPW, trail centres & long distance XC, it does it all. I demoed a Whyte T130 which was nice for trail centres as it was playful and poppy but didnt have the rolling ability and speed of a 29er...also demoed as Bird Aeris 120, felt really sluggish at first and although a great bike really needs to be ridden aggressively to get the best out of it.

tallpaul_s

Get the spectral.

140mm rear, 150mm front is perfect for a 'do it all' bike, it'll climb well, pedal on the flat and it'll fly downhill over anything bump. Suspension has moved on a lot in the last 10-15 years, these bikes bear no resemblance to the old 2000's full suspension designs.

To give you an idea of how versatile they are, I did a 23 mile ride today keeping to low HR (base miles) on a 99% flat route, a lot of it tarmac or solid hardpack mud, I never once felt the need to lock out the suspension.

The spectral is a brilliant bike, very playful, climbs well and the 2.6" tyres give masses of grip.

dudes

Thanks for all the advice, sounds like I'm going to enjoy having a new bike.

One more question, at 178cm (5 foot 10) I'm right on the border between large and medium (at least for the spectral). I'll try and test out some bikes but I imagine they will both feel okay, so I will be stuck between the two. I remember when I last switched bikes I felt like I had slightly less control on the new slightly larger one.

Cheers

Adam

tallpaul_s

The L will feel a bit more stable on fast descents, better over rocky/rough terrain, and will be able to take rollable drops better. It will also climb a bit better on steep climbs. The M bike will be a bit less stable but also faster to change direction, more playful, more responsive.

TBH coming from a 1998 rockhopper both bikes will feel MEGA long

jamski

dudes wrote:

Thanks for all the advice, sounds like I'm going to enjoy having a new bike.

One more question, at 178cm (5 foot 10) I'm right on the border between large and medium (at least for the spectral). I'll try and test out some bikes but I imagine they will both feel okay, so I will be stuck between the two. I remember when I last switched bikes I felt like I had slightly less control on the new slightly larger one.

Cheers

Adam

Another reason to try the Bird. They do a Medium Long, perfect for our height.

dudes

Just in case anyone wanted an update. I got the spectral large (I sent the medium back as it seemed to shrink as I got used to it).

The Spectral is awesome, rides up easily and on the flat. Down hill is great and it is really lively. I can't ride the bike enough.

Thanks for all the Advice