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I am going to purchase my first decent MTB. I have decided that I will go for a HT to maximize what I get for my budget and so that I can learn some skills properly. I can spend up to around £1500 if necessary but ideally, I want to spend as little as possible. I plan to spend days out at my local trail center (probably riding mainly blue runs to start with) as well as days on Dartmoor and Exmoor in the UK. I ideally would like a bike that can handle some trail center stuff but that would also be ok for longer days in the saddle.
The first question I have relates toward whether I should go for 27.5 or 29 wheels. I am 186cm tall (189cm with my 5/10s on) and have a inside leg of 87cm. I am going to go for a large or xl but some advice on 27.5 vs 29 would be most welcome.
The next question is which bike to go for? I have done a lot of reading and watching videos and seem to have whittled my selection down to a few main options (albeit I am not sure between 27.5 or 29). These are:
Nukeproof Scout Comp 275 (£1499.99): http://nukeproof.com/products/scout-275-comp-2020/
Nukeproof Scout Comp 290 (£1499.99): http://nukeproof.com/products/scout-290-comp-2020/
Whyte 905 v2 27.5 (1699.99): https://whyte.bike/products/905v2
Vitus Sentier 27 VR (£1099.99): http://vitusbikes.com/products/vitus-sentier-27-vr-trail-hardtail-mountain-bike/
Vitus Sentier 29 VR (£1099.99): http://vitusbikes.com/products/vitus-sentier-29-vr-trail-hardtail-mountain-bike/
Other bikes that I really like the look of are the Marin San Quentin 2 or 3 and the Ragley Mmmbop but I have discounted these now as it is my understanding they might not be too good for climbing hills and for longer days in the saddle? Please correct me if I am wrong.
After initially discounting it (as at just over 1k in the UK I thought it couldn’t compete with the others) I am now swaying heavily towards the Vitus Sentier VR (although not sure about 27.5 vs 29). It does look like the Whyte is the best on paper (it has a Pike and the Sram NX) although I am wondering what kind of difference that these would make for someone like me (a complete beginner). Sure the NX is better than SX, but long term I will most likely upgrade the drivetrain anyway. I’ve obviously read the positive stuff about the Marzocchi Z2 Bomber fork on the Sentier, however, I have no idea how much inferior it is to the Pike on the Whyte and Sektor on the NP.
The reality is that the Vitus is £400 cheaper than the NP and £600 cheaper than the Whyte. It has the same SX set up that the NP has and the geometry appears to be similar. I don’t want to buy it though if it is not going to compete with the NP and the Whyte. I am aware that the frame of the bike I get will be the one thing that I will probably never upgrade so I want to get that bit right. I am unable to try out any of the bikes so that does make things trickier.
To summarize, would the Vitus be a good option or is it a waste of money compare to the NP and the Whyte? Should I go for 27.5 or 29 wheels? I am very open to other suggestions for other bikes and any advice at all.
Sentier would be on my list, had the nucleus for my first and was impressed
but, i then went for steel which i felt offered more for a serious hardtail
the Scout, well that is just a great frame, for beginner for experienced alike
I'm also of the opinion, that the average person will not notice the difference between high end forks, pike is always a safe bet though.
I've always stuck to 27.5, apparently 29 rolls over stuff easier. .to me that means i'll be going faster when i fall off..And apparently 27.5 is more nimble due to less gyroscopic effect.. again..
the inexperienced will probably never notice
Thanks for your reply. Would you say that the Scout is worth £400 extra over the Sentier. Also, have you any views as to how the Marzocchi fork on the Vitus would compare with the Sektor on the Scout?
Thanks
i see your predicament, i don't know much about the whyte but it does seem like a great bike, but obviously 70% more than the vitus
I'm no expert, but i would say the z2 is at least on par or higher spec than the sektor.
and the vitus you get mostly xt drivetrain (bar crank) i'm not convinced about the nx/sx mix on the scout
I, personally, would have a hard time justifying the others over the Sentier, (due to cost)
I know the scout is supposed to be an amazing frame however, so, if you are thinking you might upgrade stuff going forwards... scout
If you want a bike to ride and maintain, Vitus, in my limited opinion
The Vitus is an amazing value and good riding bike.
You're on diminishing returns vs cost, and your skill will be far more a limiting factor.
Buy the Vitus, ride and enjoy. You've got spare cash for some seasonal tyres or new saddle if you don't get on with the one, plus some nice riding gear. All that will make a difference above the Scout or Whyte.
For some reason the spec on the link for the Vitus is actually wrong (even though it is the Vitus site). They have put the specs for the VRS model on the page for the VR. The VR (which I am considering has the Sram SX like the Scout. Sadly at the moment there are neither the Scout or Vitus in stock in my size. At leas that gives me some time to think about the options.
this - What Matt said too
if you are starting out, don't take for granted how important decent kit is, and how much it can cost
a good set of shorts, lid, maybe pads, maybe shoes... can add up to a pretty sum
But, good kit makes a ride all the better
and tyres.......
Thanks for your reply. Do you think it makes a difference for me between 27.5 and 29?
I’ve got a Sentier and have had a go
on a Nukeproof Scout. I’ve never ridden the Whyte or a Ragley.
For the sort of riding you’re planning to do and your height is would be inclined to lean towards a 29er rather than 27.5 (although personally I prefer 27.5”).
The Nukeproof Scout frame is pretty aggressive and the back end of it is a bit harsh so for long rides on the moors it wouldn’t be up there for me.
The Sentier 27.5 is ok on long ish rides, but again it’s not exactly forgiving. I mostly use mine for rides where I’m linking bridleways by roads, or playing about on short mellow trail centre rides and pump tracks. Everything else I use my full suss bike for. Maybe consider the Sentier 29er over the 27.5.
If you can get a more forgiving steel frame within your budget I’d look at that - or if not other 29ers. The Bird Zero 29er is meant to be a lot of fun.
That said - if the Whyte is a plus bike that should goce a bit more comfort on longer rides and they’re meant to ride well / have good geometry.
With Ragley you might be better looking at the blue pig as that’s 4130
Chromo so might have a bit more
flex for added comfort.
I'd be having a look at the On One (Planet X) Big Dog GX 29er - seems like a great bike for sub-£1k.
To add, with forks Pike > Bomber Z2 > Sektor