Spec Me Up

shidevil
shidevil Posts: 34
edited September 2012 in MTB buying advice
Hi

Right, I'm relatively new to mountain king, although have a rockhopper (2010).

My mates are going more and more and I'm keen to join them. I think they have the specialised Stump jumpers and do road/off road/trail, but mainly trail. I feel I need to upgrade my bike e.g. A new one. Full suspension, disc brakes etc. Currently it's painful trying to keep up with them as the mud and crap gets stuck in my brakes and the rockhopper isn't as light etc.

I have a budget of up to £1,500 and are looking for a new or used bike in v good condition.

I'm in my 30's, 6"2 and 15 stone (athletic build, gym etc).

Anyone recommendations? Currently looking at the Enduro, Stump Jumper, Boardman FS Pro... Maybe 2011 Nerve.

Steve
Bike: Yeti SB5C
Car TVR Sagaris and TVR T350

Comments

  • Adotparker
    Adotparker Posts: 128
    Be a bit different and go for the Canyon.......... great spec........... unbeatable for the money!
    Orange 5 Pro 650b 2014
    Orange Crush 650b 2014
  • felix.london
    felix.london Posts: 4,067
    If you want something lighter then I'd recommend sticking with a hardtail. Even a lightweight FS bike is gonna be around the same kinda weight as your Rockhopper.

    Also - except for the Boardman you haven't actually given any models, just lines. i.e. On Canyon's site they list about 20 Nerve's! There's also plenty of Stumpy's; 29er's, Hardtails, FSR's etc and Spesh aren't short of Enduro's either.

    Unless you want other people to trawl through websites looking for the models in your price range you better be a bit more specific.

    For what it's worth my '06 Rockhopper weighs in at 12.2kg (<27lbs) - that is after spending over a grand on it though :wink:
    "Why have that extra tooth if you're not using it?" - Brian Lopes

    Votec V.SX Enduro 'Alpine Thug' 2012/2013 build

    Trek Session 8
  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    Try a Canyon, or get a second hander (you'll get an awesome one for £1500)

    15 stone though!?! Lose a bit of weight, that'll be the most effective way to keep up with your mates.
  • benpinnick
    benpinnick Posts: 4,148
    Id get this: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... 9-12-45970

    Lots of people will say no to 29ers, but having tested a couple, Im a convert, and this is the best value one I've seen. You'll soon be walking all over your mates, 29ers are in fact cheating.
    A Flock of Birds
    + some other bikes.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    For that money you could have a really well specced lightweight HT like a 456 Whippet in carbon, or could upgrade your hopper...

    My Ht weighs 11.5Kg and cost me just over £500, frame weight is pretty much the same as yours (same as a 17" 06 'hopper) check link in my sig, climbs lovely!
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • shidevil
    shidevil Posts: 34
    Hi,

    Thanks for ongoing advice. It's a mindfield out there and I don't really know where to start. There are so many models and sub models etc, it's a little daunting, although have looked at a few reviews on bike radar, which is why I haven't been specific, I just wanted some thoughts. I'll run these comments by a couple of my mates who are really into their bikes as well.

    15 Stone, none of it is chubb, im about 15% body fat :P

    Steve
    Bike: Yeti SB5C
    Car TVR Sagaris and TVR T350
  • warpcow
    warpcow Posts: 1,448
    Fitness from other sports doesn't directly translate. You may need a bit of time to adjust to cycling, which may help feel less slow.

    Shiny new things will help too though.
  • shidevil
    shidevil Posts: 34
    edited August 2012
    Mmm, the Canyon Nerve XC 8 and AM 7 are tickling my fancy :)
    Bike: Yeti SB5C
    Car TVR Sagaris and TVR T350
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Take a look at this:

    http://www.freetownsports.co.uk/proddet ... od=fts1201

    Cracking spec (especially the wheelset) and nice finishing kit.
  • Hi,

    I think I've narrowed it down to a Canyon Nerve AM 7.

    http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2564

    Or a Trek Fuel EX 7

    http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/mo ... _ex_7_uk/#

    The Canyon is cheaper, mmm with slightly better spec, the Trek I can get for around £1600 I think.

    Trek uk shop, easier to resolve issues, canyon less so maybe? Horses for courses?

    Mmm, decisions.
    Bike: Yeti SB5C
    Car TVR Sagaris and TVR T350
  • mcnultycop
    mcnultycop Posts: 2,143
    I had the same debate, Nerve AM7.0 at about £1650 at the time or £2k for a Remedy 8 (the Remedy being similar in travel to the Canyon as opposed to the Fuel EX). I ended up going for the Canyon and haven't looked back. It is brilliant.
  • Right, I aborted on both bikes, bought a Specialized Camber 2012 for 1k and will spend £500 upgrading it :) should be more awesome than I anticipated getting :)
    Bike: Yeti SB5C
    Car TVR Sagaris and TVR T350
  • Reba & Reverb?
    "Why have that extra tooth if you're not using it?" - Brian Lopes

    Votec V.SX Enduro 'Alpine Thug' 2012/2013 build

    Trek Session 8
  • Correct Mate :)
    Bike: Yeti SB5C
    Car TVR Sagaris and TVR T350
  • ShiDevil wrote:
    Right, I aborted on both bikes, bought a Specialized Camber 2012 for 1k and will spend £500 upgrading it :) should be more awesome than I anticipated getting :)

    Aborted, bike was used more than suggested, more marks, wasn't confident after seeing it. It looked good, but too many things to put me off :/ back to the drawing board :)
    Bike: Yeti SB5C
    Car TVR Sagaris and TVR T350
  • Have look at this that Supersonic just put on another thread;

    http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k1866/a58333/skeen-7-0.html

    or this;

    http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s1p3494

    .. again from Sonic
    "Why have that extra tooth if you're not using it?" - Brian Lopes

    Votec V.SX Enduro 'Alpine Thug' 2012/2013 build

    Trek Session 8
  • Hi,

    Job done, just purchased a 21.5 2013 Trek Fuel Ex8 with a nice discount :) and with some DMR V12 Pedals thrown in :)

    Thanks for advice etc. Just ordered a few bits for it, including some Helitape and Magicshine MJ-852 1600 Lumen Lights :)

    Let's light some tires!

    Steve
    Bike: Yeti SB5C
    Car TVR Sagaris and TVR T350