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Hi, I am looking for a new bike. I enjoy technical uphill and cross country. It needs to be under £2500, full suspension, have a decent dropper post and probably between 120-140mm travel.
So far I have been recommended the
Stuntjumper 2019 ST
Cube Stereo 120 Pro
Mondraker Foxy carbon R
Merida One-forty 700
Vitus Escarpe 29 VRX
Its a minefield. Any help would be appreciated
Craig
Just over budget ( for this year) but in the true STW way of recommending what you've got?
A Whtye T-130s
https://uk.intensecycles.com/collections/blackout/products/intense-primer-mountain-bike-foundation
or for a bit more
https://uk.intensecycles.com/collections/blackout/products/intense-primer-mountain-bike-expert
or for even less
I have a Cube Stereo 140 and I love it!
I had a Stereo 140 recently and enjoyed it- I'd have another.
I enjoy technical uphill and cross country.
But some of the bikes you've highlighted are pretty burly. Personally I'd be looking at something shorter travel, say 110-125mm rear and 120mm-140mm front. With 29in wheels for sure.
Possibly a bit more travel than you're after but the new 2019 Canyon Spectral AL is brilliant value. £2250 for Fox 36 and DPX2, GX eagle, DT Swiss wheels.
https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/mtb/spectral/2019/spectral-al-6-0.html
Or the 2019 Escarpe VR with RS revelation charger damper, NX eagle for £2k. The Canyon is better spec for the extra £250 though, if the 10% BC discount was still a thing the Vitus would take it.
Just over budget ( for this year) but in the true STW way of recommending what you’ve got?
A Whtye T-130s
The 2018 version is available for £1900. Any thoughts on it?
Maybe check also the bikes from Commencal and Canyon.
If you are focused also on uphill: check if you are able to mount a front mech.
Low cost Deore 2x10 in mountain goat setup... (11..42 rear and 24+34 front) is so great! (None of the 2.5k bikes will have this setup...)
Stereo 120 or 140 (at least to model year 2017): the rear suspension bearings and the suspension main bearing appear to be a bit "weak". One of my bikes is the Stereo 150 27.5+ aluminium (model year 2017) which has more or less the rear suspension design of the Stereo 160.
Giant Trance's are very nice - bit more travel than you are after so an anthem might better suit you. Look good this year too.
Might be worth checking out the spec and demo'ing a Rose Root Miller - which is the all rounder in the range I'd say. Average travel, big wheels, bit of trail, bit of XC etc. Things have got a bit more expensive at Rose where Canyon and Radon seem to have stayed roughly the same but being able to spec change to your taste was awesome when I bought from them.
Just over budget ( for this year) but in the true STW way of recommending what you’ve got?
A Whtye T-130s
The 2018 version is available for £1900. Any thoughts on it?
Went up to 140mm offset fork this year. Never rode last years but there were a lot of comments on owners threads that it rides better as a 140.
Picked mine up last weekend, it's set PBs uphill and downhill including an enduro trail that I've previously had my G160 down in the dry.
Possible to get a 10% discount too from what I've heard, got offered that after I'd done a Whyte demo day.
By all accounts though the 2018 is a cracking bike, it won loads of magazine tests. Just the 2019 is likely an even better great bike 🙂
Orbea have a good range of reasonably priced FS bikes.
Occam TR is a burly option. (I've got an Occam AM and it's a beast!)
Not sure what the cheapest Oiz comes in at but it's a popular SC machine too.
I think the new Canyon Neuron looks amazing for £1800.
for value have a look on ebay ltmracing17 has a carbon santa cruz tallboy new, with fox performance forks/shock
meets budget too , athough you may need to build it yourself. it'll be coming from the madrid based SC dealer
RWYR - Bird Aeris 120. NX build for £2150 then spec up from there. 140/120 travel, goes up and down well, great customer service.
I enjoy technical uphill and cross country.
This sounds like you would be better served by a shorter travel, lighter bike than many suggested above - unless your xc rides are The peak or Highlands...?
New Whyte s120 sounds perfect if it's out yet.
+1 for the 120 Bird
Yeah - I'm up in the Highlands (Aviemore).
Having looked at all the advice, I think I may struggle to beat the 2018 Whyte T-130 S at which I have found for £1900.
Thanks everyone
Craig
Recently got a trek ex 9.7. Carbon front for 2k in the sale at Evans with 200 quid trade in for old kids bike. 1300 off!
Having looked at all the advice, I think I may struggle to beat the 2018 Whyte T-130 S at which I have found for £1900.
Well, it’s gotta be said, I love my 2017 one my wife bought me for my birthday a couple of years ago..