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I have a significant birthday later this year and am thinking of buying my first FS to stop me getting beaten up as much. Current bike is a 2011 26" Cove HJ.
Any recommendations for a XC FS bike for a talentless fool with zero mechanical sympathy? Local riding is Calderdale but I tend to stay away from Hebden stuff cos it's too gnarr for me. I'm more of a bridleway rider with occasional trail centre visits
Marin Riftzone 125mm, you can get the 29 or 27.5 versions in the bottom two specs (stock willing) and there's also the most of the Boardman range 140mm, again assuming stock.
Vitus Mythique or Cube Stereo?
Sonder Cortex also an option if stock
The Marin Rift Zone, regardless of spec weighs as much as a small moon. Good bike though but not xc in the way a giant anthem 29 1 is (£2.8k).
In many ways the bike in a 2k fs budget is purely determined by what is in stock at the time for this year. It is such popular budget for full sus not much stock about.
I would say sonder cortex NX is your best bet by a country mile for spec, support and availability once order book opens.
https://alpkit.com/products/sonder-cortex-nx-eagle
I think both Orbea Oiz and Occam can be had for around £2k poss a touch more.
Welcome to try my Bird AM9 if that's of interest. I compromised a bit on parts (foolishly) and had it on cycle to work, but it came in just over £2k. Size XL. I didn't like gnar either, and now I'm much less terrified when things go downhill. Bird are Ace to deal with as well.
Boardman 8.9 or 9.0 at £1750 and £2200 respectively ought to be worth at least looking at.
zero mechanical sympathy
Second hand orange 4.
I'm 6ft 1.5 and long limbed, would 29er be a better long term bike than a 27.5?
Yes you’re 100% in 29er body size
Cheapest Bird Aeris is circa £2.6k but trying to spec one up with parts in stock for preorder takes it over £3k at the moment.
Stock on the boardmans doesn't seem to be available anywhere. A common theme with a lot of brands and bikes though.
I would go 29er for the use you have described. Still very much a personal preference and ideally you test ride both. I could say go 29,someone else may say 27.5 etc etc
Calibre Bossnut/Triple B or Triple B Pro?
I've got 6 months to find a bike which is handy given supply issues
I have the £1450 Mythique in 27.5 wheel size. I am well impressed for the cost.
I was half wondering if a newfangled geo HT with large tyres would work too. Say 2.6"?
Saracen ariel 30? Touch over budget but a great spec and geo for the money
Anyone got a Canyon Neuron?
Status for me at that sort of budget
Sonder have the evol on pre order for delivery towards the end of April, that has to be worth a look.
https://alpkit.com/products/evol-29-sx-eagle
Second hand orange 4.
Or the stage 4 would be even better.
I'd suggest the XL, as I have the large and I'm 5ft 8in.
Second hand.
Just got me a Lynskey Summit for around 1.5k
I've got a 2021 Neuron AL7.
It's a bloody good bike - pedals really nicely but still has enough to be way more capable on techy stuff and downhill than my skillset needs.
(Probably be selling in a month so so to go back to hardtail)
Hey OP, I've found something that could be just what you're after. And not only is it in budget and in stock - it's actually discounted:
Dunno when Kona started being reasonably priced and well-specced again, but this looks very competitive with the other options at that price point.
Should be spot-on for the kind of XC/trail riding you describe.
thanks @chakaping
I'm going to have to sit on a few and do some demo days before throwing that much money at it