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Afternoon,
I’m new to the forum and looking for a little advice as it’s been over 10years since I last got on a bike (without an engine). Things have changed a lot since...
I’m looking to get back to it just for a little fun for starters. I’ve set a budget of ~£600.
The type of riding to start off with will likely be your easy/intermediate level trails. If I decide to go further I’ll be expecting to either upgrade or replace the bike but don’t initially want to go crazy.
The 2 bikes I’m looking at are the Cube Aim SL and the Whyte 603.
And
I’m open to any other suggestions from the experts, I understand sometimes a little stretch in budget can get a lot better spec so I’m open to others, within reason of course 🙂
TIA
This is a better bike for the money, https://www.wiggle.co.uk/vitus-nucleus-29-vrs-mountain-bike-2021
The Whyte or the Vitus. Cubes are really horrible things. Geometry is more important than bang for buck.
Personally Id buy the Whyte. Looks nicer 🙂
They are both budget bikes with budget kit. Small difference for me is the slightly longer travel fork on the Whyte and I dont fancy the triple set on the Cube. Oh, those white wall tyres will look crap when muddy.
Also the Whyte has a larger diameter seat post, so you could fit an Uppy-downy. Which for a lot of riders is an essential item. I wouldn't ride off road without one.
Actually, that Vitus is better - get that one.
Thank you all, appreciate the advice.
Typically the Vitus (seems all models not just that one) is out of stock at both Wiggle & Chain reaction.
I will give them a call tomorrow to see what lead times look like.
Will the head angle at 66.5 be ok for flat rides with less weight above the front wheel due to being further in front?
It’s probably not what you want to hear, but this for another £99.00 is incredibly good value with a tidy slack head angle and a 1 x 12 drive
They also do interest free credit over 10 months and they are in stock
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXJFSX/planet-x-jack-flash-29er-sram-sx-mountain-bike
Thanks Monty, I don’t mind stretching the budget if it makes sense to do so. You get what you pay for but of course there has to be a line given its planned usage.
Vitus Nucleus is the best bike in this price range - they are about the only company getting an air fork rather than budget coil on for the price. Not been in stock since March though.
That Jumping Jack Flash probably looks like the next best value -
With an air fork and 1x12 drivetrain. Probably decent geometry too. Can’t see anything else in stock that gets close (the Calibre Line 10 is decent as is the Voodoo Bizango but I think they’re both out of stock).
After that the Whyte looks ok as does the Marin Bobcat Trail. I’d swerve that Cube - it’s pretty xc and got a triple drivetrain on it.
My kid's Whyte 603 looks brilliant, I'd love to have one myself. Only downsides are that it's 2x and QR front and rear. And the coil fork, only because it's less tuneable.
The build is solid and slack, as well as wonderful springy steel
Massively appreciate it.
I’ll speak to both in the morning ref the Vitus before I do anything, but if it’s been out since March as Joe said it doesn’t sound promising.
I think I’d get that jumping jack flash if they have stock. The fork isn’t amazing but it’s better than all the Suntour coil options on the others. If you really fancy messing up the budget the On-One Scandal was £999 last time I looked with a Rockshox 35 and mostly GX (other than a downgraded cassette) I believe
Both medium frames are currently out of stock on the Jack Flash - the burnt is due back in on the 7th Dec so not drastic. Gives me a chance to ask about the Vitus tomorrow.
The on-one scandal has now gone up to £1,199 which I’m guessing is it’s original price? Sticky one here is I’ve been offered a ridden once Orange crush comp for the same price... which I’m trying not to bite at but does look tempting.
If the vitus is not going to be available for a while, and the Jack flash having a 12-15day build time on top of the week delay on the frame... would the Whyte do the job?
If not, I’ll have to hang fire and stop being impatient!!
The Whyte would do the job but the fork isn’t great and the gears are worse.
So I’ve decided to stretch the budget a little further as stock in my price range was horrific, and second hand market is steep at the moment as a knock on.
Plus point is the on-one scandal is back on offer at £999. (Wasn’t when I checked earlier in the week).
What would be the better bike out of this and the Orange Crush Comp? I’ve got an offer on a comp at £1,150 so similar money.
Sorry for the switch up but I was getting to £700-£800 bikes which looked like a bit of a strange place to be - very 50/50 component wise.
Thanks