[Closed] Decisions, decisions: £1500 trail bikes

YT Industries Wicked £1360

I'd buy used personally but if not, the YT is the best value bike there.
Where's the obligatory canyon?

That YT Wicked looks great!

Where's the obligatory canyon?

Third one in the list!

I was going to say Canyon, but looking at the YT in more depth it would be my choice, some good kit on there from the off and weight is a little less than the Canyon (i know i know quoted weights are not always right).

Doh!

Trance are good all round bikes and both descend and climb well, Zesty is very good (our guide in Les Gets had a 514) but you are at difficult price point as 314 is around £2k. Cube AMS 150 Pro is pushing budget at £1800.

I'd take the YT too, though maybe wait for the 2012 model...

[url= http://www.yt-industries.com/en/bikes-2012/wicked-150/ ]http://www.yt-industries.com/en/bikes-2012/wicked-150/[/url]

Might be a tad over budget, but it's great spending other people's money.

Although the zesty and a nice set of wheels would be a worthy choice too.

Its all well and good buying from spec, but if it either doesn't have the right 'ride' and/or you don't get on with it (or the dimensions) its a 'slight' waste of money...

Far better to demo some bikes and find one you like riding.

Based on experience..., both my S-Works Enduro and Fazer 1000 (motorcycle) had great reviews and felt fine on short tests, but just didn't do it for me.

For what it's worth, the Rose Granite Chief got an awful review in MBUK a few months back. the main problem being that the rear suspension is all over the place.

Wicked certainly has the best spec/price, my only worry is that the largest size works out as not quite a 19" frame, and they don't even seem to have it available at the moment. At 6'3", 36" inside leg, that's a bit of a problem. I also really don't like the colour scheme, but that's pretty minor.

The Vitus has a pretty similar spec, and maybe slightly better geo than the wicked, but it's a bit more money and completely unreviewed, which makes me a bit nervous. Buying it would be completely on Brants reputation, plus very good reviews of recent Vitus hard tails.

At that price point you can get a great spec list but as above it might not be a great ride. Why not something very well regarded like a spesh pitch. The other advantage of going mainstream is it will have a very strong resale price.

i'd buy either the commencal or lappiere, both are proven designs, with good back up.

I bought a 2011 Canyon AM6 but if buying a Canyon now I'd want to save a bit more cash and get the AM7. Looking at the specs I'd probably pick the Wicked but that's no good if it doesn't fit you.

[i]At 6'3", 36" inside leg, that's a bit of a problem.[/i]

Ah, now this was probably a bit of info that would've been useful...

I'm your build and run a 20" HT, and found that 'Large' wasn't quite large enough on many FS's - a riding buddy is the same build and has gone for an XL.

At 6'3", 36" inside leg, that's a bit of a problem.

I'm 6'2" and I've got the large - the seat tube is more than long enough for me with a 350mm seatpost, also it has a pretty long top tube which is nice for longer rides. I wasn't too sold on the frame graphics either, but they've grown on me - I may get it resprayed at some point in the future though.

The specs on that wicked are unreal for the money. Rock shox revs rlt dual positions are £800 forks!

If I were choosing from just that list, it would be the Giant Trance.

But that's because I know I like the feel of dual-link suspension and don't fully get on with 4-bars (although that was from a few years ago).

Do you actually know what you want for sure? You've got bikes from 120mm up to 150mm bikes on that list in a wide spectrum of intended uses. The Trance is going to be pretty light for the Alps unless you're going specifically for XC riding there, but probably the best for 'all round UK riding'.

The YT and the Canyon, while impressive bargains are quite 'big' for just general trail riding in the UK, while they'll be barn stormers when you hit the Alps, assuming you're going to be riding own more than up...

Why not look at the Canyon Nerve XC and hire a bike for the Alps?

But that's because I know I like the feel of dual-link suspension and don't fully get on with 4-bars (although that was from a few years ago).

Dual link suspension is a four bar.

Canyon, or esty and upgrade what you can when it wears out, or initially and sell unused other bits.

But you'll get far better value second-hand. For a bit more (£2k) there was a pivot Mach 4 ex demo in the classified a few days ago, with warranty.....

I like the looks of the Canyon and 140mm travel isn't a great deal travel for UK riding.

Do you actually know what you want for sure? You've got bikes from 120mm up to 150mm bikes on that list in a wide spectrum of intended uses. The Trance is going to be pretty light for the Alps unless you're going specifically for XC riding there, but probably the best for 'all round UK riding'.

The YT and the Canyon, while impressive bargains are quite 'big' for just general trail riding in the UK, while they'll be barn stormers when you hit the Alps, assuming you're going to be riding own more than up...

Why not look at the Canyon Nerve XC and hire a bike for the Alps?

Yeah, I want a slacker angled 140/150mm bike, and I think that if I get one that pedals well and has platform/lockout it'll work for most things. I'm not planning on entering any XC races here, nor am I really planning on hitting the WC downhills in the Alps. The Trance is definitely a bit on the steep angled/short travelled side of the list, I've ridden one, and its a good, safe choice, but its not very exciting.

Here's one you may wish to look at if you don't mind the older model.

Kona Dawg Supreme 2009 £1600.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75056

Lots of travel and some nice components. There's 10% off just now as well, making it £1440.

140mm travel isn't a great deal travel for UK riding.

'Lots of people riding 140mm travel in the UK' and '140mm of travel not being a great deal for the UK' are different things 😉

(FWIW I quite often ride 140mm in the UK and own a Five :P)

Yeah, I want a slacker angled 140/150mm bike,

That's fair enough and clears things up, strike the Trance off your list 🙂

YT clearly liked the Zesty frame design enough to copy it!

Voodoo Zobop?

Kona Dawg Supreme 2009 £1600.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75056

Lots of travel and some nice components. There's 10% off just now as well, making it £1440.

Ive ridden a few Konas over the years and never been that keen on them, always found them pretty bouncy.

I'd take the YT too, though maybe wait for the 2012 model...

http://www.yt-industries.com/en/bikes-2012/wicked-150/

Hadn't realised I was still looking at the 2011. At a guess that means they wont be getting any more Large sizes in and the 2012 bike is a bit more expensive. Puts it more level with the Vitus 1 and Canyons spec wise.

iridebikes - Member
i'd buy either the commencal or lappiere, both are proven designs, with good back up.

POSTED 1 HOUR AGO # REPORT-POST

They're all decent bikes.

Might be easier to narrow your search down if you know what kind of rider you are (or aspire to be). Like going fast on rough stuff? Grab a bit of air now and then or happier with wheels on the ground? Value fitness over bike handling skills. Want to improve overall or just looking for something comfy you can cycle off-road and have an adventure on?

I like fast and flowing, like being able to get on the power out of corners. Wouldn't mind getting a bit better on steep and techy stuff, so looking for something that adds a bit of confidence on that sort of stuff. It has to be able to climb ok, but only so I can get to the next downhill without too much pain. Not too bothered about big jumps, but leaving the ground on the odd drop or jump in the trail is always fun.

Voodoo Zobop?

Did have a look at that, decent spec and a good price. Bit heavier than some of the others though, and biggest size is a 19". Reviews suggest it is a bit too downhill biased, and I can't find any information on the geometry either.

brant - Member

Dual link suspension is a four bar.

[img] http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSJw13K0UTC_-a7dfJesl2cLdTcYk9yvCu6TFB-c1Ite5F8gDDhxQ [/img]

Andorra's finest for me, if I was you. YT if I was me. 😀

Size wise, a friends Meta is a large and fitted me fine. Wouldn't want to go any bigger for down-the-way stuff. We're both over 6' 4". Deffo get a test ride on what ever you choose as IME bikes that fit me feel a little awkward when riding/throwing about.

Go on to bikeradar for a review of the Zobop.What about a GT Distortion 2 2011.Might suit your needs.

Y & T do bikes now?!??

Who knew? 😯

Dual link suspension is a four bar.

Anyone moved from Specialised to Lapierre?