[Closed] Best enduro bike for 2.5k? Can you better this....

I'd have a look at the Calibre Sentry too (£2000 - £2800 for the Pro version).

http://calibrebicycles.com/bike/sentry/

Actually... just had a look and that's a lot of bike for the money!

That's a fine machine indeed that... Damn.... LOL.

I'd rather have a second hand Rallon for that sort of use. It's probably a step back from an outright race bike in terms of well, everything now. You can get a lot of bike for that much money.

The Sentry, is pretty progressive in it's geometry. I ride something similar, but with more travel & there is no way I would want that as my only bike, unless I lived in the Alps, or BC.

Bird Am9?

£2.5k is a bit of an odd budget with the Bird though as the fork options are a bit all or nothing. When I was looking at the specs it seemed easier to spec a £3k bike unless you were prepared to compromise on the fork.

Its capable of doing what you say you want to use it for. I rode a medium S Works one for most of last year as my main bike and going to strip my 650b and sell some of it on and keep using the 29er.
My daughter rides the 2017 version of what you are looking at whilst she is at uni and its been hammered on a daily basis from big days out to wharncliffe DH and everything in between. Just had to replace a couple of bearings.
Is there a better bike for the money, who knows but it puts a big smile on my face every time I ride it.

I got that very bike two years ago and love it. I'll try tivpost more on a decent keyboard but two points:

It's a lot of bike, but heavy. Only get it if you need an enduro bike. I find it hard going anything above 30-40 km and wish I'd bought something less gnarrrrr.

The rear shock is shit. I'm on my third one, and am saving up to buy something better when this one goes. I rarelyvride the bike and am gentle with it but it just eats shocks. The LBS said it is a known issue.

I know where my 2.5k would be going.
https://www.radon-bikes.de/en/mountainbike/fullsuspension/

29er

Ruling out the vast majority of your potential choices due to needing a certain wheel size? cool.

I was sort of looking at 29er Enduro bikes not so long ago.

For between 2.5 and 3k you can get a well spec'd Commencal Meta AM, Nukeproof Mega, Bergamont Trailstar, Marin Alpine Trail (you'd have 300 quid for beer/upgrades from your 2.5k budget too), Vitus Escarpe, Trek Slash 8, to name but a few.

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/radon-swoop-170-8.0-799655?currency=3&delivery_country=190

Bloody Hell! That's a lot of bike for the money!

Some deal that.. 👌

Not the radon mind.. the 2018 spesh at evans with 40% off.

We've one of those Radon Swoop's landing on Tuesday, bought with even bigger discount so £2043....

Reviews are amazing.
We've a Radon Slide already that's been great and very balanced handling wise.
We know that size fits because of old bike and a friend letting eldest_oab have a spin on new carbonz Slide Trail.
I looked but couldn't get close on value or ride quality reviews.

£2.5k is a bit of an odd budget with the Bird though as the fork options are a bit all or nothing.

There's 5 levels of Rockshox fork you would possibly consider on this type of bike -

1. 35
2. rev/yari RC
3. Pike/lyrik select RC
4. Pike/lyrik Select+ RC
5. Pike/Lyrik Ultimate

We're offering 1, 3 & 5 so there's something at each level.

The Radon 29r is my next purchase.... Just depends do I go fox or rockshox when I hit the button.

Canyon Strive.

Been riding one for a couple of months. Genuinely brilliant bike. Just rode Binnean Mor for a feature and the Strive was the weapon of choice. I will be gutted to give it back. It does everything from long xc days to mountain epics. I was hesitant about the shapeshifter tech but within a few mins of use, I was sold on it.

Great bike and no, I'm not paid to say that. I would buy one.

Cheers

Sanny

The Strive is about 15kg and the Sentry 16kg! I guess my bike is probably a similar weight but it's got double down tyres, do that to these bikes and they will weigh more than downhill bikes!

I’m a fan of Bird, but it’s hard to ignore the spec for the price of the spec and the Radon linked above. I’d probably get the radon swoop 8.0.

Radon = Gopping

polygon sisku N8 or N9

If it's to be your only bike then I'd advise some test rides and perhaps limiting yourself to around 150mm rear travel and something with good pedaling manners.

Saw some well priced Whyte S150s recently and the new Strive does look to be more of an all-rounder than a total enduro tank.

New Jeffsy looks great too, but perhaps over budget?

Wanna try my Spec'duro?

(Manc based)

@thegeneralist- thank you but I actually plumped for the Enduro listed in my original post!

Thanks to all the replies. As above I ended up plumping for the Speccy Enduro Elite, and despite the 29er 160 f&r it is superb! It is certainly very capable and yet surprisingly efficient and easy to ride straight from the get go. I was partially swung by the lbs argument and warranty support offered by Specialized but I cannot fault the bike as it is. Did a couple of runs last night on it and well chuffed!!

Nice one!

You'll have to get some pics up with the mud to prove it now 😉

I’ve just bought the 650b Spesh on that deal and I’m chuffed to bits with it. Climbs really well and is amazing value.

Cool. Is it the bluey green and black one? Carbon front triangle?
I bought mine for 2.8k 2 years ago and it's brilliant. For lakes and rocks it just amazing.

Enjoy.

29er

Ruling out the vast majority of your potential choices due to needing a certain wheel size? cool.

Are people not allowed specific criteria in your world then ? Cool .

Is it the bluey green and black one?

I thought the '18 Elite is the shocking pink one?

I bought a Pro just before Xmas last year (Ohlins coil fork and shock) and it is bloody amazing, particularly impressed with how well it climbs

Good choice. Hope you enjoy it.

It is the shocking pink one yes! I'll post up some pics too 😎

I thought the ’18 Elite is the shocking pink one?

Ah yes. I'm just stoopid. I've got the green one and it's clearly a 2017 bike. No idea why I thought I'd have bought a 2018 bikes for 40% off in 2017.

Anyway, enjoy your bike.

YT Outlet Bikes...

https://www.yt-industries.com/uk/cat/index/sCategory/91