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>I’m currently riding an Airdrop edit anniversary with the ext shock. 160mm front and back, 650b wheels.
also have a yeti sb130 lr which is 160/140.
I have a 14 year old who is very good at riding so I find I’m riding more and more bigger stuff these days so the yeti doesn’t get used a lot because it’s out of its depth. The airdrop I’ve had about 3 years now and so I’ve started to look around for something new, maybe a little less weighty and sluggish than the airdrop to pedal around to replace both bikes.
would ideally like 170 fork and 160 plus on the rear.
I’ve seen the usual bikes such as spesh enduro, nukeproofs (son has on so can’t have one), Santa Cruz etc. I quite like the look of the canyon torque and it gets good reviews but was just wondering what else is out there? It seems quite hard to get google to find me a list of these types of bikes.
thanks!
RM Slayer from Paul's Cycles
Vitus Sommet
A couple of mates have those in different flavours - very nice they are
I went from a Rallon (excellent) to a Firebird. I thought, and still think, the Rallon is excellent but I've been really impressed by the DW Link suspension on the Pivot. It's the first bike I've had with it, it's very active but supportive under pedalling.
My Norco Sight is basically an Airdrop Edit with bigger wheels. 160/150 I think but some people run 170 forks. I've fitted a Cascade link which solved the only real problem I had with it.
I like it. Very lively and agile.
I have a Transition Spire, 170mm front and rear and it’s been amazing… might also be for sale in the classifieds if you are interested 🙄😂
Bird Aeris 9 or Aeris AM
RM Altitude, love mine and theres a lot of adjustability
Trek Slash is always a good shout - or get a Remedy and stick some 170mm forks on there
Take a look at Enduro magazines reviews / group tests as they review a lot of bikes in this bracket, you’ll only get people telling you what they ride here in usual STW style. FWIW I’m sure I’ve read the Torque is more of a park basher than a proper enduro bike (ie pedals uphill ok), the Strive is probably the more appropriate bike from Canyon.
The Merida also gets very good reviews in the category.
Personally I ride a SC Megatower v2 and it’s a very easy bike to live with but may not be the one for you.
Orange Alpine6 or new stage7?
Thanks all. Some interesting suggestions there.
I’ve already looked through the enduro mtb site reviews which was kind of helpful but also not as they test a lot of obscure bikes that I’d never buy!
you’ll only get people telling you what they ride here in usual STW style.
There's a lot of truth in that. We're in really settled territory, all of the current bikes mentioned in this thread and elsewhere will likely be excellent, it's a matter of how much you want to spend and where you want to buy it from.
And colour. Obviously colour.
Ah I forgot to mention, if you have the cash, Atherton 170. I’d love to have a go on one.
Shame you didn’t jump on the Specialized Enduro PSA recently. I think they were half price. Great bikes for up and down.
Is anything that's 170mm travel and durable enough to make full use of it going to be lighter or nippier than the Airdrop?
Eldest_oab's Rocky Mountain is stupendously capable and happily gets him down UK and alpine DH and enduro trails at outrageous speed - but light and nippy it (and anything else he tried) it is not.
Santa Cruz megatower. Some good deals about at the moment new and used - incredible climbing and descends like a dh rig.
I keep reading this thread, and thinking that your Edit with EXT is pretty capable, so could you get lighter kit/wheels to shed a bit of weight and or upgrade the forks to something special if they aren't already?
You probably know this already but the V4 can go to 168mm rear and 170 front if you want more travel, I think yours can too.
razorrazoo
you’ll only get people telling you what they ride here in usual STW style.
Absolutely. And I hate to disappoint so... Cotic RocketMAX.
If you’re absolutely pissed on a big bike, then the answer is Deviate Claymore.
I have a highlander & it is by a looooooong way the best descending bike I’ve ever ridden. I imagine a claymore will be more of that.
My Highlander climbs like a goat & descends like a DH bike on crack; it carries its speed so well through really rough stuff that following a trip to the Alps my Fox 36 Factory grip2 VVC now feels rubbish when compared to the rear.
My bike is built sensibly; not light yet not heavy. Hunt wheels for trail & Hope for enduro. It’s my Swiss Army knife of a bike - it does literally everything well.
I was contemplating a new enduro bike a while back but in the end opted to go for something more 'trail'.
My shortlist was:
Deviate Claymore
Forbidden Dreadnaught
Transition Spire
Atherton AM
All are available for UK demo which is nice.
As mentioned above, the Torque is more of a bike park weapon. Strive looks interesting and has good reviews.
”I keep reading this thread, and thinking that your Edit with EXT is pretty capable, so could you get lighter kit/wheels to shed a bit of weight and or upgrade the forks to something special if they aren’t already?”
this is an interesting point. It is a very capable bike and is actually built up lighish - carbon wheels, bar etc and has a zeb ultimate on it so in all reality i’m probably not going to get anything significantly better with a new bike at the moment. maybe it’s just me that has it in my head that it’s sluggish.
worth asking wasn’t it, you’ve all saved me spending on a new bike I don’t need 🙂
Cotic RocketMax, just go and demo one.
you’ll only get people telling you what they ride here in usual STW style.
What does that even mean....
Are you saying that STW readers should all buy the second or third best bike from their shortlist just so that, in future, they can take part in these threads to recommend the best without breaking this ridiculous 'rule'
I was in your situation a few years ago, looking to replace my Airdrop Edit that I'd owned through a few builds (from 150/160mm with a Pike, Monarch and carbon wheels up to 160/170mm 36, DHX2, -2 angleset and offset bushes).
Best thing you can do is demo some bikes and see what you get on with. I ended up buying a Megatower, I didn't want to like the Santa Cruz but it just did everything really (really) well. It's currently setup 170mm/170mm with an Ext Era and Storia using a Cascade link. Climbs unbelievably well considering the size of the thing and use it for everything from weekly xc rides to enduro races, dh races and bike park laps. Hideous colour, properly good (if a bit of a boring option) bike.
Only thing I'd look to move to would be a v2 Megatower or a Deviate Claymore (when they do some better colours).
I have a commencal meta sx. It's a bruiser but a nice bike. Can be had at decent prices on crc now I believe.
For me, there is no doubt that some of this stuff is my head.
I went from a V1 Edit to Aether 7 and back to a V4 Edit. The newer Edit is obviously plusher than the A7 when its chunkier but no better at slower speed tech.
As for zippier or not, with the climb switch on I can't really say I notice a difference. Pretty sure its tyres that have the biggest effect on this.
Build wise its the same parts but its gained a bit of weight with the move from Pike to Lyric and Inline to KItsuma.
The biggest difference has been felt from a confidence point of view when I bought the A7 and went up a size.
moved to a trek slash from a 150/140 orbea occam fox36factory/xtr
the trek although a 1kg heavier is just better allround at everything, definately no slower uphill, certainly alot faster on flat and downhill, i demo'd one at bpw. second run ran a few blacks, drop offs and tech, the bike was taking off higher and further on insufficient funds.
had demo'd a megatower a few weeks earlier, wasnt a fan, really had to push hard to get the best out of it
there aren't many bad bikes these days, choose a colour
the deviate TI-lander looks a very nice bike
If I had the spare cash, Deviate Claymore.
What does that even mean….
Are you saying that STW readers should all buy the second or third best bike from their shortlist just so that, in future, they can take part in these threads to recommend the best without breaking this ridiculous ‘rule’
I’ve no issue people recommending what they own, but often, as is the case with several posts here, people just post the name of the bike they most likely (or most definitely) have a with little info bar ‘and I love it’. No context, no why they love it, no info which may be beneficial to the OP.
‘Rocky Mountain Slayer’
’Bird whatever’
’Vitus Sommet’
I’m pretty sure the OP is well aware these bikes are available (unless are very obscure). In fact it would be refreshing to also know the downsides of their particular bike rather than the usual statements like ‘descends like a demon’ - people don’t usually have a bad thing to say about the bikes they’ve spent a lot of cash on until they buy the next one and tell us how much better it is than the last (which is now not quite the ‘weapon’ in once was).
So to contextualise my earlier suggestion of the Atherton, I’ve really liked previous DW link bikes I’ve owned so would be interested in testing the DW6. I like the general aesthetic and rarity of the Atherton and would like to support a British business. Also, when compared to to other full builds the price is competitive. Immediate con for me is no frame storage (which I love on my MT).
eatmorepizza
If I had the spare cash, Deviate Claymore.
20% off the frames at the moment, I'm guessing because they didn't get the memo about UDH in time, so they have a new rear end in the works.
No idea on budget, but if the Claymore's getting mentioned then what about a Hope HB916? Without the 0% off Deviates at the moment the Hope's cheaper frame-only.
And unlikely to be lighter than your Airdrop, but I'd want to try out a GeoMetron G1 if I was looking for a 170/160 bike. I'm on an older G16 and it pedals remarkably well IME.
I’ve no issue people recommending what they own, but often, as is the case with several posts here, people just post the name of the bike they most likely (or most definitely) have a with little info bar ‘and I love it’. No context, no why they love it, no info which may be beneficial to the OP.
‘Rocky Mountain Slayer’
Razorrazoo, great answer, thanks. I clearly didn't understand the thrust, which is that people don't backup their view with info/reasons etc
Apart from weeksy of course, who expounds at great detail
As someone who owned (which is still in our household) a Claymore, I would suggest there are better options out there.
In fact of all the high pivot bikes I’ve ridden, it would rank last.
If you want something a little different, which rides well & just works, a Raaw Madonna is hard to look past, the V2 Megatower is decent bike & the NP Giga goes really well.
Apart from weeksy of course, who expounds at great detail
As much as I love Weeksy, Rocky Mountain Slayer is his stock answer to any what bike thread, even road bike ones (it used to be Whyte something or other and then Trek Fuel) 😀
Adding some further musings OP asks for something more nimble and less sluggish than the Edit. I know weight isn’t everything but some of the bikes mentioned here are arguably more at the point and plough end of the Enduro bike spectrum vs something which is more nimble (for which you’d possibly be wanting to look at something marketed as a more race oriented bike).
Funny, I found the Nukeproof Giga a real slog compared to the Claymore.
Watching this with interest, thinking about overbiking it too and the discounted V2 Megatower frames on cyclescheme are looking quite tempting.
I’ve had a Megatower 2 since release, so about 16 months, it’s my only Mtb. I tend to ride approx 3 hour local rides with trips to UK bike parks and also been to the Alps twice on it. S spec and I’ve upgraded to Hope Tech4s, Zeb Ultimates and GX AXS.
I came off a v4 Bronson and as such am used to the newer lower shock SC VPP bikes. I was surprised how easy it was to transition to 29 wheels and whist a clearly bigger bike I felt immediately at home on the MT and find it as easy to move around as the Bronson.
Frame wise the quality is top notch, usual SC refined finishing, easy to route internal cabling, bearings g change is easy (all bearings sit in the alloy linkages) and the glove box enables me to ride pack less without stuff strapped to the bike.
I find the bike very easy to live with, it’s easy to ride with no weird quirks. It’s a big enduro bike so not light, so it’s not what I’d call sprightly on flat singletrack (though it moves along just fine). Uphill it will happily spin up and I do feel the steeper s/a vs the Bronson helps keep the front end from lifting.
On the downs the bike picks up speed quickly and rolls well (29er definitely helps here). It’s fairly easy to keep on line and I never feel like it bottoms out even though the shock shows full travel (it’s an air shock). I would agree with the reviews that it does give trail feedback more than some others. If you want a point and plough magic carpet ride other bikes may be more suited, but if you want something that wants to be ridden it will reward you. Whilst I’d like to try a better shock than the stock one (new vivid?) it’s still a keeper for me.
As much as I love Weeksy, Rocky Mountain Slayer is his stock answer to any what bike thread, even road bike ones (it used to be Whyte something or other and then Trek Fuel) 😀
Adding some further musings OP asks for something more nimble and less sluggish than the Edit. I know weight isn’t everything but some of the bikes mentioned here are arguably more at the point and plough end of the Enduro bike spectrum vs something which is more nimble (for which you’d possibly be wanting to look at something marketed as a more race oriented bike).
Owning a Slayer myself and spending a fair bit of time on the Altitude, that'd be my next bike if I were looking; as capable as the Slayer; but less of a bruiser. Defo requires less muscle to get it working well so would suit a lighter rider.
Some very interesting points made here. I’m really not sure what I’ll be doing to be honest.
I’ve ridden a few of the bikes here and wouldn’t want to own one - megatower and the Rocky Mountain so they’re out.
I really like the yeti I already have so I’m going to try and demo the new sb160. I have also ridden in Spain with a guide that had a Raaw madonna that was very impressive so that’s also on the cards.
There’s also the option of increasing the travel on my edit which I think is probably the most likely option. It means I won’t end up spending £5k on something that isn’t going to be significantly better than what I already have here.
thanks for all the replies that have been very helpful.
I've got the Bird Aeris 9, it's a good bike that I've finally got riding great.
It's unlikely to be the absolute best, but it made all the right compromises and had the right versatility for me, namely:
- usable full 29 or mullet modes (easy to switch too)
- 160 & 180mm rear linkages
- balanced geometry (and nice and slack)
- pedals well for it's relative chonkyness
- external or internal cable routing (clever solution for this)
Frame was good value with the Formula Mod shock bundled in, but it comes with the wrong tune as standard IMO, rides much better with the "medium" CTS widget swapped for the "soft" one. Frame is very progressive apparently.
If anyones interested in how this ended, I had a number of drinks Saturday night and woke up Sunday morning having won a specialized enduro frame on eBay 😬🤣
so I now need to find bits to build that up.
You wont go far wrong with it but I'm a bit biased as I've had a few. What year is it and what bits are you looking for.
My latest in Leogang a couple of months ago
it’s a 2020 s-works, this one:
[url= https://i.ibb.co/rmG9D5n/71640523810-132235-FE-49-A3-47-B4-9012-51-C94-AC92398-fullsizerender.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/rmG9D5n/71640523810-132235-FE-49-A3-47-B4-9012-51-C94-AC92398-fullsizerender.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
mainly just need wheels and fork, I’ve got most of the other bits.
Rocky Mountain Slayer is his stock answer to any what bike thread
I am at least half kidding when i write Slayer... Although i do absolutely LOVE my Slayer.. but i don't in truth think bad bikes are out there any more, not in this day and age and in a highish budget.. There's just variations on bikes...
I could have said Specialized Enduro, Privateer 161, Megatower, Slash, they're all bloody brilliant... each and every one.
It almost comes down to which colour and which deal you can get that makes you happiest.
I got the Slayer at nearly 50% of RRP, which made me massively happy and still does.... but i don't know if it's the answer for everyone.
Frame looks nice. we have some used
FOX FLOAT Performance 36, Grip Damper, 44 OS, Kabolt 110, 170mm from Abigales Enduro when she took her dads 38s for her NZ trip
X-Fusion Manic, infinite adjustable, two-bolt head, bottom mount cable routing, remote SRL LE lever, 34.9mm, 150mm and 170 mm of travel
Would need to look but probably got some new Roval wheels
Loads of other stuff from our 3 Enduros
Let me know if your interested
If anyones interested in how this ended, I had a number of drinks Saturday night and woke up Sunday morning having won a specialized enduro frame on eBay
Congrats, nice looking frame that.
I always enjoy a bit of late night ebaying, wake up to an email on Sunday morning to find I've won something. I suppose better than the postie turning up with something and it being a complete surprise 😉
Thanks for the offer Tracey but I already have a dropper for it.
I’m undecided on what fork to get yet but I think it deserves performance elite or factory level forks rather than just the performance.
OK. No problems. The forks are the grip 2 versions. Only difference is the black instead of gold stanchions
Maybe you could pm me what you’re looking for price wise for the forks please Tracey. I didn’t really understand the fox hierarchy but having looked they sound good 👌
Ill message Abigale and see what she wants. She dosent always have signal or WiFi on her travels so will PM you once she gets back to me.