Spec me a bike

Jono

Jono

Jono

Man of Honour
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
13,262
Location
Northallerton/Harrogate
Hello,

I've been reading bike reviews and now I'm even more unsure what to spend money on.
Bikes I've been looking at
Giant Trance 2 (or better)
Cube Stereo 140 (of some description)
Orange 5 (of some description)
Trek Remedy 9
Santa Cruz Bronson (of some description)
Nukeproof Mega (of some description)
Commencal Meta AM V4 (of some description)

I currently have a 2011 Specialized Camber Comp. It's had its rear shock replaced (I think with a fox float), and brakes changed for avid something or other by the friend I bought it from.

I was originally looking at the Trance 2 because that's about what I wanted to spend; I could get it for about £1800 with a reverb dropper post from westbrooks if I paid it all in one go.

I've now decided I can go higher than that, up to possibly £3k and maybe a bit, but would prefer to be under that if I can.

I've sat on the Trance, Remedy and 5... but have only ridden round a car park and over a grassy hill on them. I've tried a Scott Genius for a day and hated it. I'm not sure if it was the nobby nic tyres, or the suspension setup, but it just kinda clattered over everything and didn't feel at all good/comfortable over anything. Brakes were awful too. It was a hire bike.
Mostly I'll be riding it around trails like Hamsterley, Dalby, Sutton Bank, Kielder etc, because they're closest, but I would also like to take it to the Alps/Scotland etc, so it should be able to handle a bit more adventurous things.

Reading about forks, it seems that a Pike RTC is the way to go? I really would like a reverb post in there because I find I'm constantly having to change my seat height - mostly I ride my road bike and like having a higher saddle to get up hills/fire roads between trails.

Ideally I'd like to demo a bike for a weekend/at least a few hours on the type of things I'll be riding on, but I can't seem to find anywhere that will allow that. Except a place in Pickering I need to go back to. They stock Trek and Orange, but availability seems to be something of an issue for both those brands at the moment.

Any thoughts?
 
I rode the 650b Remedy 9 at a work event for a good 3/4 hours and i absolutely loved it to bit.And SRAM X1 is just :eek:

Also have a look at the Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert 650b 2015. My favourite bike i rode that day. I like it so much I'm buying one. I will be taking the reverb off my current bike though!

Definitely Pikes, have rode the fox's as well.. The Pikes just dominate!
 
Interesting. I forgot about Canyon. Does anyone know the difference between the Pike RC and the RTC3?

The Spectre AL 8.0 looks very nice for about what I'm prepared to spend (2.8k)
 
Jono said:
Interesting. I forgot about Canyon. Does anyone know the difference between the Pike RC and the RTC3?

The Spectre AL 8.0 looks very nice for about what I'm prepared to spend (2.8k)
Click to expand...

RTC has climb mode the RC doesn't.

Also get a Aeris! ;)

If your getting a Caynon, it's got to be the Strive surely?
 
Forward thinking geo, great reviews, great price, UK based.

That and I have one soooooo ;)

No idea what mit ze vink means thjough!
 
So many good bikes out there, hard to go wrong.

Meta good, Aeris good, Trance good, etc etc etc :)

Firstly, decide on how angry / agrresive a bike you want, because there's a bit of variation in the bikes you've posted (not a lot, but it would be a good idea how angry a bike you want)

By the sounds of it, you'd prefer it on the angrier side, so Meta, Aeris and the Giant Reign (in stead of the trance) are the most aggro on the list, the Reign the most of all.
 
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Jono said:
A bit agressive, sometimes.
Click to expand...

Reign bro ... but that's just cause I'm biased. The Aeris , Strive or Meta all will rock - and another to add - TRansition Patrol :)

(orange and yellow coloured in this video is the Reign)


Mine's built up to 27.8lbs, doesn't bob when it climbs, and is a beast on the descents.

It's also rather happy on rowdier terrain


https://instagram.com/p/191EBsMOfa/?taken-by=yoannbarelli
 
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