Bossnut Triple B v Whyte T130s v what else?

Welcome to the forum.

There is no simple answer and I'm sure you'll get a variety of opinions (we can't all be right!).

I'm an old fart (45) who has ridden hardtails for 25 years and only had a FS for 18 months.

I've ridden a T-130 and it's a very capable bike - personally, I found it a tad heavy/tiring for general XC type riding. Don't know why. I test rode it in Wales at Cwmcarn going downhill and it was awesome. Just not sure I'd want to pedal the T-130 around bridle paths etc. My FS is quite light and more XC/Enduro orientated (13kg) - it's almost the same weight as my HT. Having said that, I'm sure the Bossnut isn't the lightest either.

Based on what you ride, part of me says get a decent HT. I'm not sure if that would float your boat. I ride FC trails near me (Sherwood Pines and Cannock Chase) - admittedly, you can ride them on a HT but I guess FS is more comfortable and you can push things a bit harder.

I'd maybe look for some FS bikes near the 29lbs (13kg) bracket. The Bossnut is about 14.5kg and you will notice the difference! Other people can recommend bikes that are suitable as I'm not so clued up on that.

As for 1x and 2x - potential can of worms.

I have older format 3x9 on HT although I only really use 2x9 as the granny ring is redundant. My FS is 1x11 with 11-42 (Shimano XT) on the rear and 34T up front. That range is enough to go up most hills but I will spin out going downhill. I find with 1x you can't really have both. I can go 36T up front but then I'll be geared more as a road bike and not MTB and won't have enough climbing gears.

I am a little surprised that 2x10 isn't giving you enough DH gearing. If you are spinning out with 2x10 then your big ring isn't big enough. With 2x10 you should be able to have the hill climbing capability using your smaller ring (and maybe part of your bigger ring) but then have the bigger ring for when you need it on the fast bits. It sort of goes back to the fact that MTB's are for climbing hills/mountains and bouncing down the other side and are geared accordingly. My FS spins out on the road but my friend with 2x10 on his FS still has more gears to go.

It sort of reflects the type of riding you do. I use my HT for a lot of that terrain as the FS can be a bit overbiked and the 2(3)x9 gives me more `road gears`. It also climbs better.

Personally, I can't see 1x solving your spinning out problem - not if you want a decent range at both ends. Some might say that with a 1x11 or 1x12 (Eagle) then you might be able to close that gap.

1x pros and cons for me (based on what I ride)

Pros
Simpler
Weight saving
Less faffing

Cons
Easy to spin out

I still prefer 2x (or 3x) on my HT as it is a semi road bike/path/trails etc and a good winter hack when I spend 50% of my time on tarmac and off the muddy trails. 1x is great on my FS as a mountain bike, but there needs to be a compromise as it is not a CX and/or road bike.

A lot of folk will say that 1x is the way to go - I'd argue that it depends where you ride and how you want to use your bike. 2x is still relevant in the right environment - in my opinion.

There are plenty of other people who will offer varying opinions!

Either way - for £2k you have a sensible choice. A lot of bikes are still being discounted with 20-30% off - so you can get a better bike for £2k or not spend it all.

swod1 wrote:

Giant trance maybe? Look out for models on sale.

I'd say a Giant Anthem would be better suited to the type of riding the OP describes. Some of the 2018 model Anthems are now on SALE from Giant as well as the usual discount place such as Paul's Cycles.
A T-130 is probably overkill.

sbis wrote:

Definitely coming down, plus a trip round Ladybower.

Which Trance/Anthem should I be looking at? I looked on Giant’s website earlier and admittedly was trying to do something else but got a bit lost.

Tried speccing up a Bird Aerris and got equally overwhelmed.

Is it xc type stuff you going to do or get into more gnarly riding as get a trance or something.

Did that Jacobs ladder and derwent edge down to ladybower on a 100mm travel hardtail doable but wouldn’t do it again.

Much better on my mega fs, winhill is a good descent and the ride over to strines pub for dinner.

Indeed they are. In the US Giant are marketing the Anthem 29er as an XC bike and the Anthem 27.5 as an XC Trail bike.

Looking online I found the following 2 Cube Stereo 120’s:

Carbon and £78 over budget:

https://www.mtbmonster.com/2018-cube-st ... m_keyword=

Aluminium and under budget:

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mob ... 7C622117UK

Tredz have some even cheaper stereo 120.

Note these are 29ers which are probably more suited than 650 bikes for most of what you ride. I haven’t checked geometry but these are likely to be less long / low / slack than the Whyte and the Bird but accordingly they will be better for 90% of the stuff you ride and probably a chunk lighter with better gearing.

The Neuron looks nice - probably leans a little more trail than xc compared to the Cube but would still
do a job. Looks like the al6 still has a front mech but the model up is 1x with GX Eagle.

You could also check YT and Radon as other German brands who maybe holding onto front mechs for their xc bikes.

However, all of the above are direct to consumer bikes so you may struggle to find one in the metal to even look at, let alone test ride.

Cube are stocked in a few shops in the uk so younought to be able to look at / stand over one and maybe even get a test ride.

Good spec for the money definitely with x01 eagle and pikes. Is it as heavy as other kona process bikes? My mates 134 is no lightweight and the one up is a right porker.

You do lose some top end on this bike compared to the 2x I think - you’d want bigger than a 32t front chainring I suspect. They are good quality gears though.

If nothing has changed I’d still look at the Cubes if you want a front mech and a lightweight butnok all round trail bike. Looking back up the thread that Kona is probably a right porker and aimed more at the enduro market than the type of riding younsuggest you do.

Equally, on reflection the t-130 / Aeris 120 are good trail bikes but I think you’d definitely have to go 1x on them but go with a sram drivetrain for the 10t rear cog to avoid spinning out so easily.