What Trail MTB?

[GSXRMovistar]

Doing a lot more riding recently and wanting to update my old 2009 hardtail, I’m after a full suspension MTB and looking for recommendations

• Will be used for mix of riding so wanting a trail setup opposed to just XC or Enduro focused
• Undecided on 27.5 vs 29 wheels although thinking of trying the latter
• For my size it would be a medium sized frame
• Must have a dropper post
• Based on budget I’ll be looking for an aluminium frame
• Budget limit approx. £2500 (but will be using the Bike4Work scheme for a 42% saving on this)

So OcUK what are your suggestions?

Thanks

 

[DereksDontRun]

generally the direct sales companies offer better value for money, so YT and Canyon are v popular.

For 2k I'd look at https://www.yt-industries.com/uk/detail/index/sArticle/2364/sCategory/509
or stretch the budget a little for the model up.

But... now I've seen you need cycle to work scheme, and most of them rule out YT and Canyon .

I'm assuming this is a list of partner companies: https://www.bike2workscheme.co.uk/online-shops?page=1

so, erm, I'd look at Nukeproof or Vitus from CRC/Wiggle

I'd be happy with any of the following - but, I think stock will be your deciding factor atm... (probably lean towards the Nukeproof 29er, dunno why)

29:
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/nukeproof-mega-290-comp-alloy-bike-sx-eagle-2020/
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/commencal-meta-tr-29-ride-suspension-bike-2020/
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/vitus-escarpe-29-vr-bike-nx-eagle-1x12-2020/

27:
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/nukeproof-mega-275-comp-alloy-bike-sx-eagle-2020/
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/vitus-escarpe-27-vr-bike-nx-eagle-1x12-2020/

 

[GSXRMovistar]

Thanks, some good suggestions there. As you say I think finding stock is going to be the challenge!

 

[mattyfez]

one more for consideratin'

https://www.bird.bike/product/aeris-145-lt-gx-eagle-12-speed/#configuration

 

[DereksDontRun]

one more for consideratin'

https://www.bird.bike/product/aeris-145-lt-gx-eagle-12-speed/#configuration

and is that available on the bike2work scheme? not checked, but I thought Bird were direct sales (like YT)? (I admit, I've probably muddied the water by leaving the YT link there).

From the Wiggle stock, if the OP think's he's a medium, atm there's basically the Commencal Meta AM 29 which is the all mountain version of the trail bike I listed earlier. Didn't include last time as you specified trail and not enduro (despite the lines pretty much blurred these days with trail bikes often 150-160mm travel and enduro becoming better at peddling)

this would have also been great, if there was med...
https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bike...uminium-full-suspension-bike-2019-blue_462894
(can't see Whyte being offered at any of the other stores, but if you can see them, they're usually v good bikes too).

 

[mattyfez]

and is that available on the bike2work scheme? not checked, but I thought Bird were direct sales (like YT)? (I admit, I've probably muddied the water by leaving the YT link there).

Probably not but since you muddied the waters

 

[Begbie]

Probably not but since you muddied the waters

I'm 99% sure they do. I've seen them mention it on their facebook page.

But I'd go for the Aether if using it for a mix of trails, it's taking over the 145 now anyway as that's EOL. SLX 12spd, pikes and a dt swiss wheelset for £2.5k is decent if they do too.

edit - cycle to work I think they accept. No idea of the differences I'm afraid.

 

[DereksDontRun]

different cycle to work schemes work with different partner companies. Some allow YT, Canyon and other direct sales, others dont.

The OP is stuck with Bike2Work and limited to these online retailers: https://www.bike2workscheme.co.uk/online-shops?page=1

Bird aren't on that list, but they say they allow some cycle to work vouchers, so it might be work a bell to them to see if they accept Bike2Work?!?
https://www.bird.bike/terms-and-conditions-of-sale/

 

[GSXRMovistar]

On clarification the scheme is actually https://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/retailers which offers very similar options to Bike2Work.

 

[bloodiedathame]

Get a Bird: https://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/retailer/bird-cycleworks-eversley

 

[Begbie]

Get a Bird: https://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/retailer/bird-cycleworks-eversley

Agreed, the Aether is exactly what your looking for. Already amazing bang for buck.

 

[The_Arbiter]

Personally i'd not get a full sus, let alone a 29" full sus. Modern day mtbs have slack angles and take all terrain with ease, especially with bigger wheels. A small 29" full sus is still going to ride heavy for the average person.

Mate got a 1200 quid Commencal not long ago, wasn't impressed myself, but he likes it. The lack of chainstay brace on an alloy frame makes me less than confident about its strength.

If it were me i'd be looking at Oranges or Whytes mostly. And defo me, only 4130 frames. I did see a 4130 NS hardtail 29 on Wiggle, but is out of stock. There's other steels about, but dunno what shops do C2W scheme.

You should defo test ride some before jumping into a huge 29 full susser.

Just my 2c

 

[GSXRMovistar]

I quite like the look/reviews of the Whyte S-120C R.

 

[chorse]

Would you consider an ebike? Motor goes a long way to covering for cheap/heavy components..

 

[GSXRMovistar]

Just to wrap up this thread, I ended up increasing my budget to £3.3k based on availability with a short list of a Cannondale Habit 3, Orbea Occam M30, and a Whyte S-120C R. However when locating stock one of the shops had a Scott Genius 930 that instantly grabbed my attention, so with a little more scope/budget creep I went for it.

Done about 60 miles on it now of local parks/trails and absolutely love it, the twinloc system really does make a difference with the bike becoming very versatile. Roll on a summer of good weather and riding.