Which full sus for a mate ? Cube , Trek, Specialized, other?

The AMS pro has a Fox rear shock, in theory much better than the Manitou on the Comp, which I found very wooden, but the pivot design on each bike makes a huge difference too.

I personally really like the Trek Fuels, but he should try a few!

Giant Trance/Anthem are worth a look....

weeksy59 wrote:

Cube AMS Pro XT 2009

Some history, he's 49, not slim and fairly new to the MTB lark. He wants something suited for some events over the coming year, offroad without jumps/ridiculous downhills.

A bit of a JAck of all trades really required..

imo he should get a hardtail with 100mm forks

but out of them the cube AMS pro for me

You can pick up a 2008 Stumpjumper FSR Comp for less than £1100. Identical to the 2009 version bar a few components.

It goes without saying that unless hes ridiculously rich, over a thousand pounds on a bike is alot of money for anyone - gotta get it right - cant give it back after 6 weeks of use cos you dont like it.

Get him down a bike shop and get them to let him ride a few bikes round the car park or something to get a feel for the postion of the bike. All bikes feel sutbley different.

You could also try a look at a lapierre zesty 314 for £1800 (exellent write ups)

A kona dawg - or one20 could be worth a look too.. personally dont look as good as the zesty or spesh/trek offerings tho..

I think you can get a low specced orange 5 for the 1800 mark too - but i might be wrong so dont quote me..

I'd look at the lapierre bikes, really really nice.

Cannondale prophet 1 or 2 are very good bikes around that price range. I am a bit biased, but saying that, they are getting great reviews in the mags at the moment.

Hi guys

thanks for the responses so far

La Pierre Zesty, mmm, funnily enough I've been looking at their website as they seem to get good reviews.

Hadn't included them as their website dosen't list any UK dealers.

I've based my choices so far purely on - have I heard of them and ooh, that looks nice.

The bike needs to be on 0% finance, I'm not rich, my mortgage has dropped, thats all, so it has to last and inspire me to ride it.

I work in manufacturing and machinery so appreciate trick engineering, I sat on a cheap Specialised and didn't like the cast gear change levers.

If I buy a cheap bike I know I'm going to spend on better/shinier parts so would prefer to go further into debt and get top quality bits to start with.

I know, all the gear, no idea, but if its well engineered and functions well I will enjoy riding it more and want to take care of it - I actually enjoy working on well engineered machines.

Specialised/ Trek confuse me, they appear to have a load of bikes all similarish.

I shall be visiting as many bike shops as I can to look, question and hopefully blag a ride, as well as asking local riders loads of questions.

Thanks again for the tips

:)crust