Which bike; Anthem x / felt edict elite / cube ams 110

malibu2012
malibu2012 Posts: 15
edited February 2015 in MTB buying advice
HI all,
I’m hoping you can give me some advise. I’ve been mountain biking for around 6 months and am happy enough to throw myself down trails in the Surrey hills area but only have an entry point specialised hardrock. Been advised to upgrade but with a second hand bike and am torn between these.
2013 Anthem X – not sure which but £800
2012 Felt Edict Elite - £1100
2013 Cube AMS 110 SL £950
At this point anything is better than what I have but am looking for some advice on the best of these 3. I’ll give most things a go and have a lot to learn but am a little put off by the felt review which said it was very very racy.
I go out for a few hours each weekend and do some trails but am also looking to do xc events.

Any guidance you guys can give me is really appreciated.
Cheers
Mabs

Comments

  • Antm81
    Antm81 Posts: 1,406
    Got any links?

    I'd be inclined to go for the anthem though, having owned a couple of Giant Trances I like the way they ride. Not ridden either of the other 2 though.

    You might want to look at this too, new 2013 Anthem X2 for a lot less than the felt.

    http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b4s1p494 ... M-X-2-2013
  • Really helpful. Thank you.

    Of course that's now thrown up the question, do I go 26 or 29 as I was looking at the 29 but that is more expensive there.

    From what I can see the anthem is a great base and should be great whatever I take, but wondering if I search for / pay more for the 29?

    Thoughts?
  • Antm81
    Antm81 Posts: 1,406
    I'd suggest seeing if you can try a 29er, they don't suit everybody, they get a bit of a marmite reaction.
  • Great stuff, thanks.
    I'm leaning towards the 29 simply because I'm fairly new to the game and get the impression they are more newbie friendly.
    Will see if the local giant shop will let me trial both (albeit the 2015 models) over the next few days
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    malibu2012 wrote:
    Great stuff, thanks.
    I'm leaning towards the 29 simply because I'm fairly new to the game and get the impression they are more newbie friendly.

    That's completely untrue. They can be more difficult to ride, especially on tight, twisting trails but they can be faster on less technical stuff. Wheel size is less important than the overall design and geometry of the bike.
  • :-) completely proving I know nout. Thank you though, this is all really valuable stuff.

    I guess I'll find out more when I hopefully test them but reading between the lines you guys are recommending the anthem and the 26 variant on offer at pauls whilst allowing for personal preference and feeling on the bike.

    I'd like to test the bike on some trails but not sure if I'll be able to. I guess it's finding optimum feel, comfort and control on climbs and descents.
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    I had a 26" Anthem and it's a superb bike, the 27.5" version should be similar. The Trance is also worth considering.
    I must admit though that if i bought another Anthem it would be purely for long distance, epic rides so I would go for the 29" version.
  • Interesting... I'm mostly going to use it on trails a couple of times a week. I will find races to do maybe 6 times a year which will be up to 50k... But it's going to be 90% trails.
    Whilst the 29 would be useful for epics, I won't need that element regularly and so wont buy it for that.
  • I have a 2012 anthem x29 ... My first mtn bike, love it, ride mainly trails & it handles everything... Shorter stem helped the steering and wider handlebars too negated some of the hassles to get around tight turns with big hoops
    I recently brought a whyte 901 ... Love it too ... Wish I got the whyte first it has definitely taught me how to ride better...i'd consider a bike like the whyte's (travel & geometry) & you have a wide choice in the uk
  • I was so close to buying the x2 26 from Paul's... Then I've found a 2013 anthemx2 29er fit £800, second hand which I'm so ooooooo very tempted by. (£1k off the original £1800)
    Either are gonna be great but leading towards the 29er given it's reviews.

    What do I need to consider when buying second hand?
    Asked about use and to test ride, and quality and depth of last service. Any more?
  • Yep, had seen those. Unless I'm looking somewhere different to you guys, the comparable is £1300 versus the £800 second hand.

    Reading between the lines, I'mGuessing you are not recommending second hand bikes if we are looking at the same stuff?

    I know there's an inherent risk but £800 seems a good deal without being too good to be true...