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Hi all, slight dilemma about which bike to buy. Found myself in a fortunate position that I have a budget of £2-£2.5K to spend on a new stead.
About me: 6ft 3 and a bit and a portly 17 and a bit stone (with the ambition of loosing weight this summer)
My riding: Essex based so mainly Danbury, Thetford and Bedgbury. But regular trips to the lakes and other sporadic trips to the peaks and wales. Been biking for over 15 years now and a confident biker with good technical ability. I won't be hitting the park on it but I want I don't want a xc whippet steed.
So far in my mind I have Cotic Solaris, Genesis Latitude (frame only and then build up), Canyon AM 8.0X or a Lapierre Zesty 314. Also had in mind a Salsa Horsethief fram and building that up.
Any advice/ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
29er FS would probably be the best overall bet at your size
Im similar spec in size to you, and I whent from a 20' 26 wheeled bike to my 2011 Giant XTC 29er and love it.
Feels like the bike fits me better and I enjoy riding it more.
I never realised though how better it would be until I rode it.
And this isnt a 'get a 29er post' as before I bough this I demoed a 20' 2012 Orange Five Pro and took it away for the weekend and loved it but my bank balance wouldnt as the spec I wanted was £3000+.
Get a few demos on some 29ers and I think you might enjoy them.
Certianly makes the the sort of riding I do mor enjoyable. 🙂
Heres a pic of mine (no longer the standard spec mind!).
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Also have a look at the Salsa Spearfish. Still a pretty capable bike.