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Doing a bit of online hunting as a few pals have decided to get properly into 'Enduro' racing next year and I'm after a new bike myself with the same sort of characteristics.
Looking for the help of the STW massive - is there a 'best' £3k ish enduro bike out there? Something that is well specced all round with few compromises and has decent geometry?
All big lads so looking at Large and XL bikes with either 27.5 or 29 wheels. Crucially the bike shave got to be available now or soonish so some of the direct sales brands are a no go as they are all sold out!
So far the Merida One Sixty 800 is looking decent and the new Radon Jab might be worth a look depending on when it gets released!
YT.
Read the reviews, look at the spec and then laugh at the price.
Beerd
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they look well tasty. 3.2k
http://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/review-nukeproof-mega-290-race/
2018 version of that? Although XLs seem very thin on the ground already...
Under £2.2k via CRC with BC discount.
Canyon strive? Not my sort of riding but my mate loves his and he's pretty quick.
2018 Specialized Enduro looks good with a decent spec plus the fact you should be able to get it locally and the benefits that gives is worth considering.
That said the Nukeproof mega is a very nice looking bike.
YT.Read the reviews, look at the spec and then laugh at the price.
then take delivery and wonder WTF were they were all on about....?
There are still some good deals around on the 2017 Specialized Enduro Elites.
Radon Swoop, Canyon Strive are both great options round that price.
3 grand gets you a lot of used bike.
You can almost take your pick at that point 🙂
£3K will get you a decent spec Bird Aeris 145 too. They do proper sizing and are readily available for a test ride depending where you are in the country too.
[url= https://www.bird.bike/ ]Bird[/url]
Another vote for Bird, 3k gets a good build.
And another vote for the Aeris 145, or the AM9 if you can wait for 29 wheels.
Good sizing especially for tall guys. Compare the reach figures with those of the Capra for example.
Per Tracey's suggestion [url= https://www.rutlandcycling.com/371835/products/specialized-enduro-elite-carbon-29-2017-mountain-bike-black.aspx?origin=pla&kwd=¤cy=GBP&gclid=Cj0KCQiAi7XQBRDnARIsANeLIevBvu6z1Ez1v7CAJmXCyncEly0FoUuv-47sStXIA5TK924g6CAdzHAaAl0rEALw_wcB#infospec ]this[/url] can be had for £2.9k and [url= https://www.rutlandcycling.com/371837/products/specialized-enduro-pro-carbon-650b-2017-mountain-bike-red.aspx?origin=pla&kwd=¤cy=GBP&gclid=Cj0KCQiAi7XQBRDnARIsANeLIesVHusNsQ-TUuE380d5WRFq_SCva8MpNwx9fkcKq7nv0ryrqGwpHXkaAlQAEALw_wcB ]this[/url] for £3.5k. If I had the money lying around I'd be sorely tempted by the Pro with Eagle...
Edit - as long as I had some more cash to get the gopping paint job redone!
I've not done an enduro race but I do some uplift days as well as 'normal' trail centre riding and an occasional bit of natural trail riding.
As an all round bike I love my Bird Aeris 145 - on the really flat pedally trails it feels like too much long / low / slack but on most trails it's just huge fun.
At BPW it felt so capable (way more capable than me) and got me out of trouble on a number of occassions. I'm aware the Aeris has been used by a number of enduro race winning riders so it must be pretty damn good on that basis.
I've read (but not tried one) that the YT Capra is a bit short with slightly outdated geometry but you do get a lot for your money.
The Radon Swoop sounds like the pick of the European direct sales bikes - it gets awesome spec for the money and has up to date geo.
I guess the new Whyte s150 or g170 should go into the reckoning too depending on if you want 29 or 650b wheels.
Bird have just released a 29er too - the AM9 but not sure when the frames are available.
Feb for the Bird AM9 I think. Sounds superb – sizing/geometry and the ability to change bits using the configurator on their website (easy way to lose 30+mins…). But (sadly for Ben who’d been helpful) I slightly impulsively bought a 2018 Mega 290 when I saw the revised sizing on the L/XL models and found a XL actually in stock. The £££ difference will hopefully pay for an actual Alps holiday with the bike!
515/1285mm reach/WB is huge but I also ride a 120mm-forked hardtail 29er with 490/1205 reach/WB so I’m fine with that.
Do what Tracey says.
Enduro elite carbon 29er for 2800
Brilliant machine
Well the new Mega 290 Pro would be about £3k with BC discount, with lyrik & eagle 12sp.
Supplied wheels look good for lighter duties but you'd maybe want a second set for smashing into rocks with.
Presume it'll be coming in stock soon, but I'm sure CRC or Hotlines could advise.
Another +1 on a Bird Aeris.
£3k's almost on the nose of my budget which landed (albeit the previous model):
1 x 11 XT
RC Pike
Top spec Monarch (the one with the piggy-back)
- Splashing of Hope bits; wheels, B/B, headset & seatclamp
- Reverb
- Choice of bars, stem & tyres.
A year in, I'm really happy with it.
I think if there were a carbon enduro 29 or Mega 290 actually in stock in XL anywhere at least one of us would already be sorted!
A mate's selling a carbon Whyte 150mm 29er enduro bike for about that. couple of weeks old.
it's a medium but longer than I'd want (I'm 5'11")
I've no idea of any more details other than it's fast as. he just wants to go back to smaller wheels.
I can pass on your details if you're interested.
Scottish Borders/SE based.
Something from Cotic, a Flare or Rocket 8)
Silver build Rocket Max ?
OP a 2017 model from one of the big manufacturers being cleared by a UK stockist will be cheaper for the spec for sure but is that really what they [b]want[/b] ? 😉
I think if there were a carbon enduro 29 or Mega 290 actually in stock in XL anywhere at least one of us would already be sorted!
Glad I was a bit impulsive buying mine in the end 😀
After finding nothing taking my fancy in 2017 clearances I got lucky I guess: CRC's stock of 2018 Mega 290 Comps in XL went from 4 to 0 in a few days 🙁
The Enduro Pro linked to up there will be a fantastic bike and is a bargain at £3500.
On that Airdrop - Coil shocks always make a bike look sooooo good!
Everyone I know who has an enduro raves about it which includes a lad I know who regular races Enduro (with reasonable success...) and when I rode one it didn't feel like it was a 29'er if you know what I mean.
Plus the storage hatch on the down tube is genius!
Plenty here from Bird, Whyte, Canyone, Radon, Commencal etc. IN STW style of recommending what you own, the Rose Uncle Jimbo is ace, but weak pound v Euro means the price has gone up, but you can demo and you can use the configurator to massage spec. Worth a look but Rose have the new Pike's Peak now which looks awesome.
Willy, got my Santa Cruz Ltc tallboy up for sale, its a large with 36 fork, slackest, db inline with offset bushes, Full xx1, ZTR Flows on Chris King Hubs, ready to go now if someone can find a use for it.
Mail me on djh at cando4you dot com if anyone interested
Transition patrol NX build is 3k
Plus the storage hatch on the down tube is genius!
It's so not.
Mainly looking for XL's which seems to be part of the issue as they are in short supply!
Airdrop (I own one and they are spot on) or Bird.
Closeout deals on Ibis HD3s going for £3k and a touch more with a dropper.
Please feel free to buy them all before I sell my soul (no not the sodding steel frame) 😛
YT Capra.
End of thread .
P.S. ignore all the bs about ‘outdated geometry’ etc. spouted by people. It’s just fashion nonsense. Unless everyones arms have evolved to be 3 inches longer within the last 4 years, it’s still the same geometry that got 10/10 reviews across the board.
No Capra's available in Xl at the momenta nd i don't see any info about when their 'new' bikes are coming out.
Bird seems interesting.
An HD3 for 3k would be a bargain!
ignore all the bs about ‘outdated geometry’ etc. spouted by people. It’s just fashion nonsense. Unless everyones arms have evolved to be 3 inches longer within the last 4 years, it’s still the same geometry that got 10/10 reviews across the board.
Call it fashion, call it personal preference, or even call it progression, but there is no getting away from the fact that the Capra is a short bike.
My mate has one and he loves it. He's being riding at a very good level for 20+ years and likes hanging off the back of a short bike, it's what he's used to having grown up racing DH on 1990's and 2000's bikes.
I prefer more room to move around 'in' the bike so the current 'fashion' suits me. At 5'7" I'd want to the reach of the XL Capra with the seatpost of the small.
Not sure about the HD3 - not sure anywhere has an XL at the bargain bucket price either.
Capra is perfect for me - long legs/short torso
Swoop 170 9.0 (in your budget) or Swoop 170 10.0 (above your budget)?
For trail riding there might be bikes around which are more fun. 170 mm or 160 mm suspensions will be great when doing Enduro races but they turn the bike into an extreme sled.
Commencal, Canyon, Nukeproof might sell you a 3 k bike which is much more fun with less travel...
Interesting that not many XLs available... Lots of tall people or perhaps they just dont make as many?
Yes, NX boost builds with 36’s and Ibis’ 738 wheelset for sale at £3k for the HD3.
I have seen xls available.
Let’s just say I realistically went for a shorter travel mojo that was a whole grand more over my original budget.
It woukd have been the nx build hd3 but I’m nowhere decent level to ride it in air like it deserves.
Are you!?
Another vote for the Bird Aries 145, mine is great! and some XL's are in stock...
Rode the Enduro 29er a couple of months ago in a size too big for me and it still felt on the short side for me with not the longest arms in the world by any means. Lots of decent option mentioned already but the fit of the Bird Aeris works for me. I have the AM9 frame on order as a replacement for my Remedy 29er and loved how the AM9 rode on all types of trails.
I would try and demo a few bikes or at least get a quick sit and pedal from bike shops to get a rough feel of the fit that suits you and then use the geometry to narrow down possible best fit options. It doesn't substitute a demo but it should give you a ball park of options as long as y out have a decent understanding of geometry. A good examples is the Bird Aeris which looks way too long on paper but when to factor in other elements lie, the seat angle and stack height, it's not where near as daunting. It's more a case of centering the rider better in the bike, improving stability and retaining seat to handlebar reach. Reach doesn't account for the 300mm or so of height to where the saddle is which is where the steeper seat angle factors in with relation to reach and stack.
groundskeeperwilly mentioned the Merida one sixty 800 in XL size.
If enduro racing is key and if this fork travel is necessary...- the numbers of this bike appear to be right!
Very nice aluminium bike in boost standard. Looks like Merida engineered some fun into this bike. 3 k appear - for this spec - not too high at all.
Bird seems interesting.
Go and have a look... at least have a look on the website. I loved the fact that you can pick and choose individual components and the service from Dan and Ben is first class.
I had a Capra and loved it..... Bird aeris 145 is better!
Frame material:
Enduro: Aluminium perfect for harsh enduro racing and if you don't have a sponsor who gives you two bikes a year..
Trail: not a fan of carbon. But for 3 k you get a hell of good, low weight carbon sleds with 140 ... (150 mm) travel
Enduro: having a lift or shuttle to get you uphill? Enduro is made for steep fast downhill rides - being capable of "also" going uphill. But uphill with PAIN.
Canyon tries to cope with that with the ShapeShifter for the Strive Enduro. It turns the head angle from 66 deg to 67.5 deg. Not the best pick. Canyon builds beautiful bikes - but the Strive might be not the "best" Enduro around and the best Canyon design.
YT Capra was mentioned a couple times. Great bike. Fantastic pricing.
Available in Aluminium and XL size.
Possibel frustration with Enduro bikes: they are wonderful pieces of engineering. Perfect for harsh Enduro, downhill focused riding and if you love very deep drops and huge jumps. But the 3 k won't buy you fun and speed on most "home trails" where you spend most of the time uphill. The low weight, moderate travel trail bike for 2 k will for sure beat you there...
And yes - would make sure your dream bike has the "modern geometry". It's not a fashion thing. Independend from "trail" or "enduro" - these "modern" bikes from Commencal, Nukeproof, Radon (Swoop), Merida, YT (Capra) are a blast.
Commencal has the Meta Enduro AM 4.2 in sale right now...
https://www.commencal-store.com/meta-am-v42-race-black-2017-c2x19923181
2999 Euros right now.
160 mm travel
Aluminium
XL
If 160 mm travel (Enduro!) is necessary this bike might be worth looking at. The "new" suspenion kinematics of the Meta is excellent.
More moderate travel bikes from Commencal in winter sale as well.
Commencal build superb Aluminium mountain bikes and these guys are very innovative plus try to push the frontier...
Think it comes down to personal preference myself. Ended up buying a trek remedy 9rsl. Rode the capra, mega, enduro, reign and felt that the trek which I bought rode much better. Out of all of them the capra was probably my last choice. My point being that all of the above bike are fantastic bikes but it comes down to what you think rides best. The capra has rave reviews and sells tonnes and tonnes of bikes so is obviously an excellent bike. My only regret is I wish I would of tried the edit and aeris other than that I’m over the moon with mine
Beautiful aluminium very high quality fun bike!
Had a look on their 2017 geometry - looks damned good...
Excellent pick!
I don't have the 145 but another vote for Bird,and as has been mentioned the service from Dan and Ben is superb,always at the end of the one or even pm on Facebook and always helpful,I reckon it helps when paying out 3k on a bike you know if any issues arise you will get the customer service you desire pretty much at the drop of a hat,
What’s happened to op I wonder and what has he picked?
2018 Vitus Sommet range? Knock out bang for your buck spec list & up to date geo.
Also, direct from CRC so should (in theory anyway) be easier & quicker to deal with any warranty stuff than German outfits
new Orbea Rallon RRP 3.8k, some places have been offering them at 3.2k
theres a mojo g16 in the classifieds for just over 3k, great spec. not sure its big enough for you though.
Ps its not mine but I have one and rate it highly
I was just going to mention the G16 in the classifieds, not mine either but know someone who rides one. Rates it highly for Enduro, very fast Downhill and a capable climber
tdog - I am the OP. I bought a Rallon in the end. Was more than I wanted to spend but was really well specced and I am happy with the decision. The others guys bought Santa Cruz....
.
i win!