please comments on these bicycles - MTB to buy

pep.fermi
pep.fermi Posts: 383
in MTB buying advice
I'm looking for a new MTB. Currently I own a 10yr old (almost never used) Whistle Arawak XTR, fantastic bike but 26" is not optimum, especially for someone clumsy as me on the technical trails. Actually I do almost exclusively road, but I want to switch to 50:50 road:trail.
I'm in love with climbing, if it matters. Of course got to go down too...

Anyone has experience with any of these?

Ridley Sablo - SRAM XX1 Eagle - 2900 €
https://buycycle.com/de-de/bike/sablo-sram-xx1-eagle-72210

Transition Sentinel Carbon Complete GX 2020 - 2350 €
https://buycycle.com/de-de/bike/sentinel-carbon-complete-gx-2020-37782

Trek Top Fuel 9.8 SL - 2250 €
https://buycycle.com/de-de/bike/top-fuel-98-sl-23647

Canyon Lux CF SLX - 2500 €
https://buycycle.com/de-de/bike/lux-cf-slx-42656

Comments

  • pep.fermi
    pep.fermi Posts: 383
    edited October 2023
    Just comparing them at 99spokes, it seems the Sentinel is more downhill oriented
    https://99spokes.com/en-DE/compare?bikes=canyon-lux-cf-slx-9-ltd-2021,ridley-sablo-shimano-slx-m7100-2021,trek-top-fuel-9.8-sl-2019,transition-sentinel-carbon-complete-gx-2020
  • pep.fermi
    pep.fermi Posts: 383
    in case I decide to go for front suspension:

    Bianchi Methanol CV S 9.1 – GX Eagle 2021 - 2500 eur
    https://buycycle.com/de-de/bike/methanol-cv-s-91-gx-eagle-2021-27421

    Trek Procaliber 9.8 SL 2018 - 1750 eur
    https://buycycle.com/de-de/bike/procaliber-98-sl-2018-50848
  • steve_sordy
    steve_sordy Posts: 2,453
    I don't know what I've done to deserve that compliment @Oxoman

    I wasn't going to reply to @pep.fermi 's post, but seeing as the mtb section isn't too lively these days, I'll give it a go. You never know it may smoke out a few further contributors! :)

    To have one bike for both road and technical trails means that it will not be particularly good at either. It will be a compromise. Get the sort of suspension and geometry that is good at descending rapidly soaking up the bumps on the way and yet be able to climb too will be terrible on the road. That suspension will feel spongy and will soak up your energy. The bars will be too wide for commuting and the gearing too slow to allow you to maintain a decent speed. The bike will feel heavy and the grippy tyres and heavy wheels will slow down your acceleration from a standing start.

    A good road bike will require a far better (and younger) rider than me to ride technical trails. The narrow tyres will lack grip and will not damp out any of the trail chatter. The narrow bars will be unable to resist the turning forces from those rocks and roots trying to deflect your front wheel. The steep head angle will make the bike feel unstable when descending. The lack of suspension will shake the fillings in your teeth. The gearing will fail to get you up steep climbs of more than a few bike lengths. If you have any knee problems then they will get worse!

    So what's to do? Where is the solution?

    The question has already been answered; it's a gravel bike.

    https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/best-gravel-bikes/
  • pep.fermi
    pep.fermi Posts: 383
    steve_sordy said:

    To have one bike for both road and technical trails means that it will not be particularly good at either./

    Thanks for chipping in. But sorry there must be a misunderstanding. Not looking at a bike for both road and trail. Already have one and that won't change just looking at a bike for the trail. In the Dolomites, with very big climbs and very big downhill. Gravel not the best choice IMO. Need at least front suspension. And 29" better than 26" (so they all say to me).
    Thanks.

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