£1500 Full-Susser Advice Please
HebdenBiker
Posts: 787
Been having a gander at the Evans sale, and I reckon I'm going to get my first full-susser in January. I've only ever ridden hardtails so my knowledge of suspension bikes is pretty limited.
The bike will be used on the bridleways round here, trail centre red runs, plus possibly a couple of MTB marathons.
What I've found is that my hardtail is perfectly set up for climbing (low front end, long stem, bar ends) but is woeful on steep descents, due to (I think) there being too much weight over the front end and not enough over the back. I really struggle on descents and knacker my back trying to get my centre of gravity rearwards.
What I want is a bike that is better balanced for descending, is more forgiving on my creaky bones, but can still put in a turn of speed when climbing, and is comfortable and efficient for long distances (Mary Towneley Loop, MTB Marathons).
I THINK I want a 120mm bike, because the more aggressive 140mm bikes seem better suited to messing around in the woods rather than full days on the trail... but if I'm wrong about this, please tell me!
Also, full sussers seems heavy. Surely 30lbs+ is too heavy for a "serious" bike?
OK - my criteria:
1. Must have triple chainrings
2. 26in/650 wheels (what is this 29er devilry?)
3. Frame quality is more important to me than spec of components - I will upgrade!
A few options I'm considering are:
Spesh Camber Elite Heavy!
Rocky Mountain Element 30Seems like good value but doesn't ring my bell
Scott Spark 60Gets brilliant reviews and looks gorgeous
Norco Sight 3 SE 140mm!
Rocky Mountain Altitude 50TBH this is floating my boat the most at the moment if I go for a 140mm bike, but I believe the frame is heavy and is this not "too much bike" for the bridleways of Calderdale?
The bike will be used on the bridleways round here, trail centre red runs, plus possibly a couple of MTB marathons.
What I've found is that my hardtail is perfectly set up for climbing (low front end, long stem, bar ends) but is woeful on steep descents, due to (I think) there being too much weight over the front end and not enough over the back. I really struggle on descents and knacker my back trying to get my centre of gravity rearwards.
What I want is a bike that is better balanced for descending, is more forgiving on my creaky bones, but can still put in a turn of speed when climbing, and is comfortable and efficient for long distances (Mary Towneley Loop, MTB Marathons).
I THINK I want a 120mm bike, because the more aggressive 140mm bikes seem better suited to messing around in the woods rather than full days on the trail... but if I'm wrong about this, please tell me!
Also, full sussers seems heavy. Surely 30lbs+ is too heavy for a "serious" bike?
OK - my criteria:
1. Must have triple chainrings
2. 26in/650 wheels (what is this 29er devilry?)
3. Frame quality is more important to me than spec of components - I will upgrade!
A few options I'm considering are:
Spesh Camber Elite Heavy!
Rocky Mountain Element 30Seems like good value but doesn't ring my bell
Scott Spark 60Gets brilliant reviews and looks gorgeous
Norco Sight 3 SE 140mm!
Rocky Mountain Altitude 50TBH this is floating my boat the most at the moment if I go for a 140mm bike, but I believe the frame is heavy and is this not "too much bike" for the bridleways of Calderdale?
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Comments
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Would building a custom bike interest you? Not going to find a better or lighter frame than this:
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FRTITFTMCAR ... arch_shock
Add some RS revs for 300, a Deore groupset and brakes for 250, Superstar wheels for 200. Leaves 150 to finish the build.0 -
supersonic wrote:Would building a custom bike interest you? Not going to find a better or lighter frame than this:
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FRTITFTMCAR ... arch_shock
Add some RS revs for 300, a Deore groupset and brakes for 250, Superstar wheels for 200. Leaves 150 to finish the build.
Possibly... but if I was to go down the route of budget carbon frames I would buy direct from China at a significant saving.0 -
It isn't a budget frame as such - is a highly regarded frame at a huge discount.
Not sure are many full sussers at that weight and travel that are cheaper direct anyway.0 -
looks like a stunning buy to me...... tell mewhat is the difference between this and a zesty???? if there is one!Yeti SB66c 20130
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just looked at the geometry....... (differs from zesty) head angle looks mighty steep for a 140mm bike!Yeti SB66c 20130
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HebdenBiker wrote:supersonic wrote:Would building a custom bike interest you? Not going to find a better or lighter frame than this:
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FRTITFTMCAR ... arch_shock
Add some RS revs for 300, a Deore groupset and brakes for 250, Superstar wheels for 200. Leaves 150 to finish the build.
Possibly... but if I was to go down the route of budget carbon frames I would buy direct from China at a significant saving.-
why not ask the people that have already built one
leaflite wrote:
Joe_Pineapples wrote:
Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 10- CANYON Nerve AM 6 20110 -
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I'm going to buy one in the next few days - it would be rude not to at that price!HebdenBiker wrote:OK thanks. Any comments other than about that On One frame?
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Dont forget the Cubes, their short travel full sussers have racy geometry. Me personnally id be getting a Ghost RT Lector 5700. Currently under £1100 at chain reaction.0
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I'll weigh in with this before anyone else does! And because it's the only one I know anything about.
Review of the XC8.0 on this website will tell you all you need to know. Just renamed as the AL for 2013, same frame as far as I know.2011 Canyon XC 8.0 (Monza Race Red)
1996(?) dyna-tech titanium HT; pace RC-35's; Hope Ti Hubs etc etc
Bianchi Road Bike0 -
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... 9#features
In my opinion, the above is quite simply one of the best full sussers out there!! Lighter that the Elite, only double ring for wide gear ratios! Rides like a dream.....missing out if you don't but your choice ;-)
All the best
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It isn't a budget frame as such - is a highly regarded frame at a huge discount.
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Worth checking out the sale bikes at pauls cycles. Just been looking at the 2011 giant trance x3 on sale from £2150 to £1430 saving £720!! Fox forks, fox rear shock. Shimano slx, avid brakes. And apparently the lightest 5inch travel aluminium frame giant have made. Nice bike, good saving. Also a lot of full sus cannondales going cheap too.0
