New boike

[Tom]

I'm seriously considering buying a brand new FS MTB. I was going to upgrade the frame on my existing bike but the fork doesn't have enough travel to be compatible.

Budget is anywhere between £1000 and £1500, XC only. The bikes so far that I've considered are Cube, Commencal (from Merlin cycles), and Specialized.

I like riding red grade singletrack, black is out of my league. I just want something good that won't kick me in the arse every time I drop off a boulder. Simplicity is good (don't want 36 bearings to change every year), hydraulic brakes, and preferably lockable at the back. I have some good bits on my existing bike that I can supplement the new one with if necessary.

Any recommendations? Shops around here are Evans, Harry Halls, and Merlin (Preston).

 

[Will]

Red grade stuff is usually hardtail friendly, though I'm a luddite, and full suss can be fun. In that price range, I'd go for...

Marin Rock Spring - 140mm travel, Pikes up front, should be a lot of fun

Specialized Pitch - Similar to the Marin, but a bit more conservative looking

Commencal Meta 5.5.3 or 4.3 - Quite different bikes, the 5.5.3 is similar to the above, the 4.3 is a bit less all-mountain and a bit more xc.

If you prefer the more XC bikes, you've got the Giant Trance 3 as well. All pretty good bikes, you'll need to test ride to tell which one is for you. Without a test ride on any of them, I'd take the Marin.

 

[TdC]

that marin is not an XC bike

 

[leviathane]

Only problem I have with specialized is your paying more for the logo.

 

[Will]

You tend to get a better level of spec with Specialized then you would get on a custom build or with a smaller manufacturer. But all the makes I've listed are pretty similar in that regard.

 

[Will]

And the Marin is an XC bike. Sort of. You need to come over here and I'll show you how XC is done properly.

 

[TdC]

XC bike
not XC bike

I'm a bit undecided on the meta's. Airsprung bikes swing both ways a bit imo. Ofc, I have a very euro view of XC which reminds me I haven't been in the woods for aaaaaages :/

 

[Will]

The Marin looks much more hardcore than it is. Its only 140mm travel at both ends.

It gets very good reviews. I'd like to testride it. I can't afford to blow £1500 on it though.

 

[Tom]

The Marin looks a bit pricey, especially as the Commencal bikes can be had for a discount at the moment. I can also shove my Mavic crossride wheels on anything I get, they should be better than whatever comes on the bike.

Teeds you appear to have posted a bicycle without front suspension. Ban tbfh.

 

[Will]

The Commencal 5.5.3 looks pretty nice for the money. I'd still buy the Marin.

And I used to really hate Marins, they were so old-fashioned. They seem to have finally sorted themselves out.

You can usually get pretty good deals on Giants if you have somewhere that does them. Or on any bike once the new years models come out. Waiting till then will make your money stretch much further.

 

[TdC]

Teeds you appear to have posted a bicycle without front suspension. Ban tbfh.

suspension is for mimes and apple users

 

[Trem]

suspension is for mimes and apple users

LMAO!

Not sure what it means but it made me laugh.

Ban Teedles

*fap*

*fap*

*fap*

Always loved those bikes, that first one is total pure sex and the second one is just about in Toms price range.

 

[Tom]

heh, I already looked at the Orange 5 and decided it was far too expensive I really should pay off my debts before spending more money

 

[Tom]

One of these will be mine, in a fortnight.

Anyone wanna place bets on how long it is before the mortgage company kick me out?

 

[TdC]

hehe that commençal is sweet though

 

[Will]

Nice.


You still should have got the Marin. And then given it to me.

 

[Tom]

Fap.

 

[TdC]

awesome!

now get some pedals on and get it dirteh!

 

[Tom]

Noooooooo