First full suspension bike

wayneghall
wayneghall Posts: 15
edited January 2019 in MTB buying advice
Hi,

I've been riding a Cube Ltd Race hardtail for a few years, but am looking for a full sus as the knees are getting on a bit now. I tend to be a bit of a cautious rider after breaking a collarbone and snapping an ACL three years ago (not in the same incident). I'm 171 tall and weigh 85Kg.

I do a lot of rides in the Yorkshire dales and over towards the lakes, as well as some trails at parks (Hamsterley mostly).

So, I would like something that climbs well but will give confidence on the downhill bits.

My budget is upto around £2500

Thanks

Wayne

Comments

  • jamski
    jamski Posts: 737
    Check out the amazing British brands we have. Bird, Cotic, Airdrop, Sonder.

    Bird is my personal fave. :)
    Daddy, Husband, Designer, Biker, Gamer, Geek
    Bird Aeris 120 | Boardman Team 650b | Boardman Pro FS | Calibre Two.two
  • JGTR
    JGTR Posts: 1,404
    YT Jeffsy 29er......I have one and it’ll climb mountains then be just as happy at Bike Park Wales
  • JBA
    JBA Posts: 2,852
    Bird have a demo place in Consett, not too far from Hamsterley.
    Pop up there and have a look/trial on a couple of their bikes. A nice Aeris can be had for your budget.
    “Life has been unfaithful
    And it all promised so so much”

    Giant Trance 2 27.5 2016 ¦ Sonder Broken Road 2021¦ Giant Revolt Advanced 2 2019 ¦ Giant Toughtroad SLR 1 2019 ¦ Giant Anthem 3 2015 ¦ Specialized Myka Comp FSR 2009
  • CitizenLee
    CitizenLee Posts: 2,227
    Nukeproof Mega 275 or 290 Comp.

    They climb like a goat and descend like, er... a thing that's really good at descending :)

    £100.01 under budget too, + whatever offers CRC currently have on with their summer sale.

    Bird Aeris is another good shout, as above. Would definitely be on my shortlist if I had to replace my current bike.
    Current:
    NukeProof Mega FR 2012
    Cube NuRoad 2018
    Previous:
    2015 Genesis CdF 10, 2014 Cube Hyde Race, 2012 NS Traffic, 2007 Specialized SX Trail, 2005 Specialized Demo 8
  • froze
    froze Posts: 213
    With that budget you can get a really nice bike. You could consider the BMC Speedfox 03 Two, or the Giant Trance 3, or the Yeti Cycles ASR BETI SLX; or maybe a fat tire bike like the Borealis X01 Complete Fat Bike. Good luck hunting, let us know what you get.
  • wayneghall
    wayneghall Posts: 15
    Thank you to all that have replied. After visiting the LBSs it looks like a choice between the Giant Trance 2 and Whyte T130S, £200 between them with the Whyte being the most expensive, but both with good discounts. Anybody got any thoughts on these two?
  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    My thought is - ride them. Only way to know which you like, which is the only thing that counts.
  • joebristol
    joebristol Posts: 327
    Neither would be my first choice for your £2.5k budget (I had similar and bought a Bird Aeris 145lt) but equally they’re both good bikes. I’d take the Whyte and put a 150mm airshaft in the Revelation fork. It’s got gx eagle which is comfortably better than Shimano SLX 11 speed. You also have the potential to upgrade the fork to a charger damper at a later date to end up with a Pike up front.
  • eric_draven
    eric_draven Posts: 1,192
    A Whyte T130rs £1k off at the moment at £2150,good spec and quite a saving
    https://www.wheelbase.co.uk/product/bik ... te_t130rs/
  • joebristol
    joebristol Posts: 327
    Personally I like Sram and Rockshox over Shimano and fox so I’d probably take the 130s over the 130rs. I’ve also heard the fox stuff on that model don’t combine that well front to back - although that’s anecdotal on a forum so take it as you will! If you can ride both models back to back you can make your own call on it.
  • billycool
    billycool Posts: 833
    Ignore all anecdotal advice, reviews, hearsay and "I'll only ride Orange" etc. We all have our own reasons to like what we like.

    Try a few and buy the one you like.

    FWIW - I have a 140mm Norco and it climbs well and goes downhill plenty quick enough for me. I'll never be more capable than the bike.

    Whatever you get, you'll have a blast.
    "Ride, crash, replace"
  • JGTR
    JGTR Posts: 1,404
    Flip a coin, both are awesome
  • bobbydigital
    bobbydigital Posts: 254
    These is a cotic rocket on ebay right now, that would be my choice, it's a beauty.
  • wayneghall
    wayneghall Posts: 15
    Update:

    After missing my earlier window of opportunity I've just got a whyte T130 C RS. Rode it a couple of times so far and really pleased with it.

    Thanks to everyone for your suggestions
  • steve_sordy
    steve_sordy Posts: 2,453
    Wayneghall wrote:
    Update:

    After missing my earlier window of opportunity I've just got a whyte T130 C RS. Rode it a couple of times so far and really pleased with it.

    ........

    I have had one of those since Nov'16. It's a brilliant bike! :D

    Keep your eye on the RaceFace BB as it's made of cheese. Replace it with a Hope.
  • joebristol
    joebristol Posts: 327
    £3.5k?

    Should be awesome - is this the one with Pikes / Gx Eagle / Guide RS brakes / carbon frame?

    Looks like a nice spec - the only thing I’d wonder about is the no-name hubs specced. But I’d just ride them until something died on them and hen spec something a bit nicer.

    Enjoy!!
  • wayneghall
    wayneghall Posts: 15
    Wheelbase have them for £2.7k at the moment in their sale. Seemed rude not to get one!

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