New mtb under £1500

underlay wrote:

I am currently looking to by a MTB to do trails/xc. I want a bike that I will enjoy riding and not need to upgrade or change for some while. My budget is up to £1500. I have been considering FS rather than HT and came across the Giant Anthem X2 2013 for £1275 at http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s1p494 ... M-X-2-2013

I have tried one out (a small men's and medium womens) briefly however haven't ridden a FS before so have nothing to compare it to. Any thoughts on this bike or others to consider in this price range?

Vicky

The Anthem is a very good bike and that model has a good fork and a decent spec at what looks like a good price.

I have a 29er HT and a 26er FS. For me the 29er HT is a great winter bike for xc and trail use, great through all the mud and crap and rides over anything within reason. The FS is a Summer bike, which I will continue to use right up until it's muddy and mudguards are required.

The Anthem is a cracking bike for the price and a great xc bike, but be warned, it's a pretty steep bike, and may have you over the bars when it comes to going down steep hills,in which case the Trance is a better option, just something to think about.

Jomox wrote:

underlay wrote:

A friend is now suggesting that I go for a hard tail with 29er wheels. Any suggestions on ones to consider?

I'd go for the Hardtail with 29.

Why?

RandG wrote:

...and may have you over the bars when it comes to going down steep hills

you what?

One thing worth thinking about is getting a Women's specific mountain bike. My wife used to ride a smallish men's mountain bike on and off road but hated the poor stand over height and also the very stretched out position. She recently got a Trek Mynx SL reduced in the 2013 sales and loves it due to not wanting "big wheels". Really good stand over height and the ride position is spot on for her being 5ft2. I have had a go myself apart from looking like I was on a clown bike due to being over 6ft6 it rides well enough and the SLX brakes are decent.

The Trek 29er womens mountain bike of a similar spec got very scores in recent reviews. I would give them a test ride to see what you think.

felix.london wrote:

RandG wrote:

felix.london wrote:

you what?

Take it on context about what I said about the trance, the trance is a slacker head, and the anthem is a steepish xc bike.

I still don't understand. "it may have you over the bars when going down steep hills" - like, pitch you over the bars?

Because it hates you.