The Bossnut has gone, decision made I can now spring for a replacement.
The nail in the coffin was the shock sticking down, and the slightly increased cost of maintenance has pretty much put me off getting another full suss.
So, I have £900 burning a hole in my pocket; what should I buy. I'm also a BC member so can get 10% off halfords and CRC.
Shortlist so far is -
Vitus Sentier VRS - Currently £900 (£820 with discount)
Good groupset, reach is a bit short unless I restrict myself to a 100mm dropper.
Ragley Marley - would have to be the 2, so good frame slightly ropey spec, I'd want to upgrade the Forks and groupset but then would be over budget.
Diamondback Heist 3+ £950 from an LBS less online
Good spec but from reviews reach is super short and no option to size up, seat tube is waaaaay too long on the Large
Boardman Team FS - Good local halfords would ally warranty fears, but spec isn't to my taste and I'm not sure the Team frame is worth upgrading. And then when the warranty runs out I'll still be skint.
I'm leaning heavily towards the Vitus, is there anything else I should be considering?
Literally my budget is less than £1000 Bossnut was paid for on a Balance transfer card so I cant add to it. In an ideal word I'd have a bottom spec Bird Zero TR but it's just a little bit too much. I've got decent bars stem and dropper in the garage so finishing kit isn't a massive issue
Some good options there.
Also https://www.alpkit.com/sonder/sonder-transmitter
Might be worth a call to Bird - they might have some parts bin specials
I just picked up a 2010 Specialized FSR XC Pro, only ever been used for three months so looks like it left showroom yesterday bar one or two minor marks, Reba's, RP23, XT/SLX, Juicy 5's, Roval Wheels etc - £350. 8)
One of these:
[img] 
[/img]
For a budget a well looked after second hand bike can offer amazeballs value, especially for £1k.
For new - look at the Pinnacle range too, could you stretch to a Sonder Transmitter?
On-One Parkwood. Either 27.5 or 29.
[url= http://www.startfitness.co.uk/forme-winscar-29-xt-hardtail-mtb-black-for48.html ]This is a lot of bike for the money..[/url]
29" Alloy Hardtail, XT/SLX,Rebas for £699!
Pinnacle Ramin 3 plus? [url= https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-ramin-3-plus-2017-mountain-bike-EV264163 ]link[/url]
edit - or the iroko 1
I nearly bought a transmitter on Sunday, but the show 10% off code ended earlier in the day.
I sent them an email and asked politely if I could have the discount but they very politely told me to do one. So now they're very slightly out of budget, and a very small about out of my good books.
Also, I'm dubious of plus bikes now, no cheap tyres, and the talk of the whole standard being written off concerns me.
Edit - Also, bike style wise the Bossnut was exactly what I was looking for so an XC hardtail wouldn't work for me. Nice though that Forme Joey.
The reach on the large sentier is 452mm. The bird zero, which is really long is 472. The ragley, which you don't mention the reach, is 450? So not sure why that is an issue for the Vitus?
The spec on the ragley is decent, so long as you are happy with the Suntour forks (which I have used before and found to be as good as budget rockshox).
You haven't said what you want the bike for, riding wise, but if it's general riding and you want low maintenance i'd go for one of the above.
If you are already planning upgrades it's a bit of a false economy buying a basic model and then building up - if you can afford to (big if I appreciate) then it's worth saving and buying the next build up usually as the extra cost is so much less than buying new parts yourself.
I'd go used with that budget. There are always bargains to be had on here, Pinkbike and eBay if you're patient enough. That, or look for reduced 2016 models.
The reach on the large sentier is 452mm. The bird zero, which is really long is 472. The ragley, which you don't mention the reach, is 450? So not sure why that is an issue for the Vitus?
I'd be on a medium for the seat tube length ideally. 418 vs 430 Vitus to Ragley. Bossnut is 433 and fine, but rode a large Fatty Trail which was much longer and fun too.
Riding style wise, I've got Cannock Chase in my back garden so the Donkey in the winter, Stile cop and the rest of the forest in the summer. Short fast rides up to 2.5 hours with trips to the scottish and welsh trail centres early morning on family holidays.
I imagine you could build something pretty nice with second hand frame, forks and wheels and a new groupset?
PLEASE GET THE FERRARI 😯
I'd seen that Bob - too small unfortunately, there is a 18" ex demo one, but the reach on that is shorter than the Vitus.
I'm starting to think the Vitus isn't looking too bad after all.
My eyes!!
That ferrari is Gopping. I've upped the budget and bought two.
That Vitus looks spot on!
Bizango with a nice wheel upgrade? 15% off Halfords with Toyota membership for under £15.
Right. That's it.
Desicion made, I'm getting the Vitus. Unless someone can convince me otherwise, which isn't hard 😆
Next question, do I buy a shim and use my external KS eten or sell that and get something stealth.
I'd go for the sentier vrs. It's even got 0% Paypal credit.
I don't even need one and I'm tempted 🙂
Whispers - Get the Ferrari - you know you want to 😉
n0b0dy0ftheg0at - Member
Bizango with a nice wheel upgrade? 15% off Halfords with Toyota membership for under £15.
Almost ironically, the Bossnut replaced a Bizango that I had a couple of completely trouble free years from. It was a toss up whether to upgrade that or get the Bossnut. Probably should have upgraded it instead. Not quite playful enough, but a bloody good bike. I've handed it on to the wife so can still use it, but if that was my main bike we couldn't ride together on the very very odd occasion that we have.
Also she would kill me if I just bought another bike the same after all the moaning I've done over the last 6-8 months
Just run with what you've got, otherwise it's definitely going to be more money.Next question, do I buy a shim and use my external KS eten or sell that and get something stealth.
The vitus is so cheap I've got £80 spare + whatever I could get for the eTen
I've got 2 NW rings and a Sunrace cassette surplus too that will be going in the classifieds.
How do droppers play with shims? Heard mixed reports
From leftfield, if youre a medium....
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/DBCL000604/on-one-dee-dar---medium---matt-black---sram-x5
CRC say they're getting the Brand X in the correct size on march 10th
Should have enough for one of those, mine works great 🙂
Ooh. I can wait til the 10th happy days.
the talk of the whole standard being written off concerns me.
Now [b]there's[/b] an interesting comment. Where did you hear that?
(Not that I'd be buying a 650B+ bike anyway because they're meant to be shite in mud and I rarely get to ride in anything else)
There was an article on bikeradar about the death on b+ and there have been a fair few grumbles on here and other forums about the tyres not being up to the job.
It might get better, but equally it might not, so I'm wary of putting my money into b+ at the moment.
I suspect it probably isn't going far, and anyway don't all 650b+ frames take 29er wheels?
Bang on the money and in either 29 or 27.5 flavours?:
Radon ZR Team NX1 (bike-discount.de)
Frame ZR TEAM 27.5 | ZR TEAM 29
Colour black/grey/neon yellow
Headset FSA No.10
Fork Rock Shox Reba, RL, R, taper
Travel 100mm
Brakes Magura MT2; Magura Storm 180/160mm, 6-bolt
Stem LEVEL NINE Race, 31.8mm, 6°, 75/90/90 mm
Handlebar LEVEL NINE Race Riser, 31.8 x 720 mm, 9°
Grips RADON performance grips
Saddle Selle Italia X1
Seatpost LEVEL NINE Race 30.9 x 350 mm
Crankset SRAM NX1,30T., 175mm
Bottom Bracket SRAM GXP
Rear Derailleur SRAM NX
Gear Shifters SRAM NX, 11-speed
Cassette SRAM PG-1130, 11-42
Chain SRAM PC-1110
Tyres Schwalbe Nobby Nic, PerL, 27.5" x 2.25"
Wheelset Mavic Crossride FTS-X
Pedals not included
Weight ab 11.70 kg
[img] 
[/img]
Saw you replaced a Bizango with the Bossnut, another one might upset the missus! 😆
Have you seen the Boardman Team 29er for £650 before 15% Toyota discount (and maybe your employer allows you to buy vouchers that are accpted at Halfords at ~10% discount)?
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/boardman-mountain-bike-team-29er
It's received a 5-star rating today at Bikeradar.
How about fatbikes? You said you like the loaned Fatty recently, but IIRC, you found it perhaps one size too large.
If you're an x-lge Swinnerton have a few Longitudes for £780 free delivery
^ Is it me or does that Radon have seat and head tubes parallel?
5'10 so no go on the longitudes
That radon looks proper racy, wouldn't fancy it as an only bike.
Fatbikes are still an option, but would want a bluto, and the cost of replacement parts (wheels and tyres mainly) makes me edgy, a normal 650b HT should be cheap enough to maintain I reckon.
I'm not going rigid, there'd be no point in me going mountain biking.
Can't order the new bike until the 4th (need the refund and the new bike on the same Credit card month), so still got 2 days to change my mind.
I had a radon with that frame, cracking spec but the frame is poor, super harsh ride all round. I ended up buying a carbon frame and swapping the parts over
Find the extra £100 and buy this sharpish...
http://www.bikescene.co.uk/Orange-P7-S-10900-125-0.html
Rah, like that. Like that a lot.
That Boardman is a bit meh, but also ridiculous value and a bit tempting.
I have the Boardman 29er HT. It's great value and a very good bike, but I think you want something a bit less XC orientated.
Not often you can say 'Orange cycles' and 'good value' in the same sentence,..nice find. i'd hurry up and buy that prawny before I do 😉
Yep, it won't last long now it's been posted on here.
Can't do anything for 2 days.
Gyah! Always wanted an Orange hardtail since the Dave Hemming days
Phone them up and see if a deposit will secure that Orange before it's gone.
Get someone to buy it for you.
Where there's a will there's a way.
Gonna call in the morning.
I tried to order online but it asks you to call anyway.
My Whyte T129 £750 fitted with reverb and in great condition , size M.
@geologists can you send me pics (of the bike)? Email in profile.
Also what year and spec? Wasn't looking for a FS 29er but will give it some thought if that P7 has gone.
Transition Trans-am on Merlin?
Transition Trans-am on Merlin?
I nearly bought a Trans Am instead of the El Mar. There's a cherry red one locally that looks lovely.
No connection to the seller, but there's a nice transition in classified for £700
Transitions are all gone in my size.
Found a nice Whyte 901 on pinkbike too for £650.
Hi Prawny, sent an email ref the Whyte
I'm the one selling the Trans am in the classifieds. If you want any further details or to discuss price let me know 😉
Find the extra £100 and buy this sharpish...
http://www.bikescene.co.uk/Orange-P7-S-10900-125-0.html
Was eying up the large as bike2work has just started up again. I had been checking the site all week as I am back in work this morning so could order. Checked last night and the large had gone. 😥
Got to be that Orange P7. Massive bargain and the most desirable bike by far on this thread!
That P7 looks great and is a decent price for sure, have they even changed the frame for 2017? I notice [url= http://www.bikescene.co.uk/Orange-Crush-AM-8626-0-4.html ]this[/url] too which is a pretty good buy with a reverb.
Yeah spotted the Crush last night too.
My only concern with getting an Orange is that the chances of it getting nicked are higher than the Vitus.
I've been happy leaving other bikes locked up outside when we've been on self catering holidays in places without bike storage, but I'd be wary of letting that out of my sight
Just bought P7 best thread ever on STW!
Did you? I've tried to put a deposit on it but can't phone yet.
Marin - Member
Just bought P7 best thread ever on STW!
Greg I assume? You bastard 😆
Who are you prawny? I'm made up wanted one for ages but always thought bit dear and I'm an Orange fan.
As in who are you do I know you in the real world.
No don't think so, they said at the shop that someone called Greg had bought it 10 minutes earlier.
My names Lorne pleased to make your acquaintance, you saved me about £200 and a roasting from the Mrs
😆
Haha. Yep expensive tea break for me today.
Yeah a really nice bike, i think it's better off you having. It than me. I might buy a frame only and whack the stuff off whatever bike I do get in a couple of years.
Ta bud. Hope it fits me. Got to sell me On One Inbred now bring cost down a bit. Have fun whatever you're peddling.
It's arrived!
[URL= http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww275/prawny_photos/E7E18CC7-9577-4E2D-B36F-57AB1619CF47.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww275/prawny_photos/E7E18CC7-9577-4E2D-B36F-57AB1619CF47.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
Took it for a quick ride over the Chase this morning. Went for a recommended by CRC 17" in the end, it felt a bit short on the road but was hilarious on the Chase, never felt so in control whilst sliding. In fact it's the first bike I've been able to drift at all
Brand X dropper is loads better than the eten even if fitting it was a pain in the arse, Forks are the best I've had on a hardtail too and have made a bit of difference to the overall comfort.
Quite pleased so far. Just need to set it up tubeless this weekend.
Looks nice, and will hopefully be a more pleasurable ownership experience than the Bossnut.
What cranks does it have? I found the Brand X dropper was a pain to fit as well, but seems to work well. Mine now has slight rotational play after about 200 miles though.
I can't imagine it could be much worse! It's not as fast as the Bossnut, but that's ok I'm not racing.
It's a Raceface Aeffect crank, seems decent but thinking about a bash guard to protect the ring, I reckon it'll bend quite easily
I like the look of the direct mount chainring. I use a 77 designs bash guard that mounts on the two lowest iscg mounts.
That's the sort of thing I want, there's a black spire charger on CRC for £28, that's about as cheap as I've seen.
