140mm Trail Bike Op...
 

  You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more

[Closed] 140mm Trail Bike Options?

30 Posts
21 Users
0 Reactions
140 Views
Posts: 726
Full Member
Topic starter
 

I'm in the market for a new frame. 140mm 29er for me I think. I've had a look at the usual suspects (Hightower / Ripley/ Ripmo etc) but just wondering what else is out there that folks would recommend?

Wheels on the ground type of rider. Good climbing characteristics would be pretty essential. Not looking for something that's great on the way down but a pig on the way up.

Budget would be a max of £3k but I would prefer to spend a bit less if possible.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 12:00 pm
 5lab
Posts: 7921
Free Member
 

I think you're likely to be picking whatever is in stock, rather than what you might want. Canyon neuron 7 is shipping in feb, seems like a decent choice (xt etc for £2500), or the carbon '8' is in stock now..


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 12:23 pm
Posts: 726
Full Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks. Availability is crazy at the moment. Noticing used Hightowers on Pinkbike for £3k probably because no one can get their hands on a new one for £3300.

I'm in no rush so hopefully my options will improve.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 12:59 pm
Posts: 28680
Full Member
 

WHyte T140.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 1:05 pm
 StuF
Posts: 2068
Free Member
 

Cotic Jeht would be on my list if I was shopping for a 140 trail bike. You might get a frame and then have to build it up yourself for less than 3k though


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 1:33 pm
Posts: 226
Full Member
 

New Sonder Evol?
Just got one myself and loving it.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 1:39 pm
Posts: 726
Full Member
Topic starter
 

Cheers. I've just sold the frame on my old bike so have all the bits. Fork will likely need a new airshaft to move from 140 to 150 though.

Just can't face another Intense.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 1:40 pm
Posts: 5164
Free Member
 

Evil Offering or Transition Scout if you're on about 3k limit on a frame, but for me i would love to give the deviate highlander a shot, looks good and reviews are positive, if i could afford it in a few years it might be the one i look at next!


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 1:46 pm
Posts: 726
Full Member
Topic starter
 

By chance my usual bike shop is both a Santa Cruz and Deviate dealer. They really couldn't recommend the Deviate highly enough to me.

Can't get a demo though.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 1:52 pm
Posts: 10225
Free Member
 

Norco Optic always looks quite good to me.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 2:04 pm
 Sui
Posts: 3107
Free Member
 

if it has to be a 29er.... Banshee Prime, or Evil whatever??


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 2:24 pm
Posts: 20675
 

Another vote for a highlander if you just need a frame.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 2:32 pm
Posts: 726
Full Member
Topic starter
 

Another vote for a highlander

What would it be like on long fire road climbs I wonder?


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 3:30 pm
Posts: 2124
Full Member
 

Shooterman, whereabouts are you? Happy to lend you my Deviate Highlander for a ride out.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 4:02 pm
Posts: 40225
Free Member
 

Is the Deviate really a frame for someone who prioritises climbing? Or are people just recommending without reading the brief properly?

Review suggested it was more of a short-travel enduro sled? And the idler will add a hint of drag.

Hightower and Ripmo have great reputations for pedaling, perhaps also look at the new Vitus Escarpe for a budget option? That's supposed to pedal well.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 4:06 pm
Posts: 1190
Free Member
 

I'd be looking at the Highlander or the Forbidden Druid.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 4:30 pm
Posts: 2571
Free Member
 

-Stumpy Evo when they are available.
-Trek fuel


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 5:39 pm
Posts: 20675
 

What would it be like on long fire road climbs I wonder?

Climbs as well, if not a little better than the VPP platform bikes I’ve had (Intense x1, Santa Cruz x2) if not quite as well as the DW link Pivot XC bike I had previously.

No noticeable drag from the idler.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 5:52 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Orbea Occam M30 (carbon) with factory fork and shock upgrade 🙂

Light , fast , efficient pedaling due to steep seat post , slack and looks the biz!


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 6:11 pm
Posts: 199
Full Member
 

Privateer 141


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 6:29 pm
Posts: 9539
Free Member
 

Orbea Occam M30 (carbon) with factory fork and shock upgrade 🙂

Light , fast , efficient pedaling due to steep seat post , slack and looks the biz!

Damn, I knew I shouldn't have bought the M10 Occam.

Would love a light and fast bike that's good to pedal 😩


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 6:32 pm
Posts: 17915
Full Member
 

Crikey that Deviate is a lot of moolah 😳
Nice mind.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 6:34 pm
Posts: 13741
Full Member
 

No noticeable drag from the idler.

The one I demo'd was shockingly bad, that was before the idler seal upgrade to fix a problem that Deviate said didn't exist along with the stiff linkage upgrade that didn't exist either. My love for that frame is slightly tainted by the response from Deviate to my issues


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 6:49 pm
Posts: 726
Full Member
Topic starter
 

whereabouts are you? Happy to lend you my Deviate Highlander for a ride out

I'm across the water in Ireland unfortunately.

if not quite as well as the DW link Pivot XC bike I had previously.

Looked very hard at a Pivot 429 trail before buying my last bike. Aren't they supposed to be a little less efficient DW link model than Ibis? Genuinely interested as I can still get a 429 at a decent price.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 7:02 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

YT Izzo, if you can get one


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 7:23 pm
Posts: 20675
 

My love for that frame is slightly tainted by the response from Deviate to my issues

They issued a new set of seals FOC to those with the originals, and changed them for newer frames? Can’t say it was an issue for me, still haven’t changed them over.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 7:38 pm
Posts: 20675
 

Looked very hard at a Pivot 429 trail before buying my last bike. Aren’t they supposed to be a little less efficient DW link model than Ibis? Genuinely interested as I can still get a 429 at a decent price.

Mine was a 429SL, and was the best climbing I’ve had, but then it’s the only really XC focussed bike I’ve had, so that might count for more than just the DW link. I know other Pivot owners (MrsTH being one) that comment on how efficient they are though.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 8:02 pm
Posts: 2124
Full Member
 

I'll be honest, I've no idea what you are on about Bruneep. If I felt I had poor service from Ben I would say but it's been the opposite from start to finish. Brand new seal set for free for an issue that I don't even think existed but some people did.

I've had exemplary service from start to finish with this bike and I honestly couldn't be happier.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 8:17 pm
Posts: 21
Free Member
 

Bird Aether 9? 130mm though, and although I havent ridden one id say its maybe slightly more biased towards going downhill. I can vouch for them making awesome bikes though, and you'd have a lot of change from 3k.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 9:08 pm
 ed-
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Just put an order for a Bird Aether9 Al 130 shock 150 fork. You'd get top specs for 3k. Great customer service and lifetime warranty on the frame.
Or
141 Privateer but you'd have to wait for 6 months. 😬


 
Posted : 24/12/2020 2:51 pm
Posts: 726
Full Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks to all. Plenty of research and reviews to keep me busy over Christmas then!


 
Posted : 24/12/2020 6:19 pm

6 DAYS LEFT
We are currently at 95% of our target!