[Closed] It's time...for a new bike

I have an Bird Aether 7 but not enough travel for you so Id recommend the bikes below

Airdrop edit V4
Bird AM9

Yea, I did looke at the Airdrop a while back. Look a nice package. Not too keen on the Birds, they look a bit messy, welds etc. I know that's a poor reason to not give one a look.....

In classic 'recommend what you own' style, a vote for a Jeffsy here.

Mines a 2019, 29, XXL size (I'm 6ft 3in) with a *cough* few upgrades...

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160mm mezzer pro up front
CC coil out back
Bar, brakes, drivetrain...

Only issues I've had, have been the BB - came with a 30mm crank E13 BB, the solid oil CC replacement lasted a bit longer, and it's now awaiting me to fit a Hope PF41 BB with a 24mm Shimano crank set. I think the current ones come with dub cranks so should be more reliable.

It was the most agile 29er I tried, and it's still a fantastic machine. I only really need a 200mm dropper for it.

That Jeffsy looks gorgeous! Would love to get a better look at one. That's the issue with a direct brand. They do have a good spec in stock in both XL and XXL.

I was lucky to get to one of their demo days at FOD.

If you're anywhere near Kent you're more than welcome to have a look, no crank/BB fitted at the moment though 😁

YT also have their shop in Surrey which they do demos from.

I know you were talking about this the other day, but I didn't think you'd actually do it 😀

My pal was looking for a single do-it-all bike last year and ended up getting the Stumpy Evo - like Andy's got. Makes a lot of sense as they can go very slack but are still very versatile.

Bit Marmite looks-wise though.

I know you were talking about this the other day, but I didn’t think you’d actually do it

Yea, I do actually really like the Stumpy Evo, but can't find one anywhere in stock.

I'm in no great rush but I've commited myself now!

for a modern enduro bike, then i would be all over the Trek Slash.

My jeffsy is pretty much an Enduro-light bike, 150/160 travel, coil and 37mm stanchion forks but still nice enough to pedal all day.

Depends how much travel you want but a 150mm travel modern 29er is so capable these days it's all most will need. It's overkill for most of my local stuff but perfect for the several weeks of the year I spend in the lakes/peaks/Scotland etc.

I was very restrained and didn't pull the trigger on one of those rigid On One Whippets that were in the PX Jan sale for £900 until last weekend.

Recommend what you own, Cotic.

Mine's a stretched Flaremax but I'd suggest the Rocketmax in L/XL - demo to see which.

I went from a giant reign for 10 years, to orange segment for 2.

I've been on a Geometron G13 for 4 years and counting now 🙂

I couldn't afford a Geometron new. With a load of waiting it came up second hand.

If you decide you want a particular bike, it might be worth waiting for the one you want rather than settling.

Depends how much travel you want but a 150mm travel modern 29er is so capable these days it’s all most will need. It’s overkill for most of my local stuff but perfect for the several weeks of the year I spend in the lakes/peaks/Scotland etc.

Sounds just about what I'm after. Jack of all trades, master of none. And to add to that, I'm a distinctly average rider. I won't get anywhere near it's limitations.

as geometry has improved and wheels got bigger the need for 150+mm of travel is really redundant my 120/100 is faster than my old 160 Spesh enduro 650b or my 0ld 200mm travel 26" DH bikes.

Cotic, and perhaps the Stumpy are a little out of my price range. £3.5k is about my limit, maybe a tad more. Absolutely no idea what to sell the Reign for though.

Privateer 141 ?

Vitus Sommet sounds decent from the reviews and superb VFM. They come into stock every so often.

An Escarpe CRX would be a cracking bike, fox factory suspension on a carbon frame for £3500 is amazing.

I had the previous alloy Escarpe before my Jeffsy.

I rode a large Jeffsy 29 (current model) for a few years and really liked it. I had a Fox 38 on the front and a coil shock and it did everything I waned it to do really well. Great bike and great value (well not so much once I had upgraded all the parts but that was unnecessary). I had a 650B Capra before that and the Jeffsy outperformed it pretty much everywhere.

I am 5 ft 10 and found the reach and other angles just right. At your height you could perhaps go XL.

I am now on a large Deviate Highlander and its even better - primarily at descending. Its the 150mm version with a 170mm fork but that's perfect for where I live and what I typically ride.

Jeffsy was my first 29er and I wouldn't go back now.

I'm not really into the aesthetics of the Bird bikes (or red parts), but a riding buddy has an AM9 in the raw alu colour with red Lyriks and coil shock and it looks great.

Shame you're a bit tall for the lovely looking Cotic RocketMax on their outlet page - it's still longer reach then your Giant

An Escarpe CRX would be a cracking bike, fox factory suspension on a carbon frame for £3500 is amazing.

Yea, that's amazing value. Didn't think of Vitus. I know someone who works for CRC at home, will pick their brains on current lead times.

Lemme know if you want to try a large Occam.

(Timperley)
( where I live rather than where you'd try it, obvs)

I typed out a long reply and it’s gone without posting 🤦‍♂️

Essentially I like my recently bought Transition Sentinel alloy. Custom bits - mixture of what I had plus a few purchases. It’s a lot more playful than I thought a 150mm travel 29er would be. Pops and manuals the front up easily and jumps off stuff well. Would recommend.

Other than that I think:

Bird AM9
YT Jeffsy
Canyon Spectral
Trek Remedy

All fall into the long travel trail / enduro lite sort of category.

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Orbea Occam? Seem to be able to get stock at the moment. Nice looking bike and fits the type you are looking for on the nose.

Starling Murmur, trail version.

https://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?product_id=10933&category_id=402

Recommend your own bike time as ever.😉

Sonder Evol 29.

I know the Ripmo AF is meant to be good -
I considered it - but couldn’t get my head round what it looks like.

https://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?product_id=10933&category_id=402/blockquote >

 

Thanks for all the replies so far, lots to think about.

And lots of bikes I hadn’t thought of. I think the greatest challenge will be getting rid of my Reign.

My contact at CRC tells me the most Vitus bikes are still 12+ weeks away so that likely rules that out.

I could be tempted by your old Reign depending on your location and price. PM me if you make a decision.

I think the greatest challenge will be getting rid of my Reign.

Stealth adds normally work pretty well 😉

@TheBrick sent you a PM. Best get some fresh photos prepared.

When I was looking for a bike at the end of 2019, one of the things I wanted aesthetically, was a straight line from top tube, through the seat stays but I'm also a value man, so my head mostly rules my heart... I ended up buying a Bird Aether 7 because no matter how hard I looked, the spec on everything else was either full or dotted with parts I would have to upgrade.

So I compromised on the looks and I've learned to love it. In raw aluminium with mainly black parts and little red touches it, it makes me want to ride every time I walk past it 🙂

Plus, as I'm sure you know, they really are a great company to deal with.

And 150/130 of quality suspension, even with training wheels (I'm a short arse) has been plenty, even for Dyfi Bike Park.

I've limited time on it due to lockdowns, but with a similar brief I went for a Ripmo AF, and I really like it.
I've ridden it back to back with a buddy's AM9 and it feels a bit more poppy and nimble, but they were set up very differently. Also liked it a bit more than a similarly sized Jeffsy.
It was between that and a Sentinel for me, but the availability and relative cost of the Sentinel were too much of an issue for me. Also looked at a Privateer 161 but it seemed a bit too full on race for me.

I'm not besotted with the look of the AF, but it's definitely grown on me, and I still think it's relatively better looking than a Bird 😀 (I've got one of those as a shorter travel bike, and I love how it rides though!)

I just got a transition sentinel as my my main all round bike. It is amazing! Been on a cotic rocketmax and a commencal meta am recently. The sentinel just does it all betterer!
I guess the spec won’t be amazing compared to direct sales models though.
I’ve a friend on a bird am9, I’m not a fan of the look of the bike but it definitely rides real good

Thanks for replies, again.

I think Transition are out of my price range, much like the higher end brands, their base models are poorly specced, despite the excellent frames.

My benchmark isn't that high, an old Pike RC from 2016, a CC DB Inline coil rear, Stans flow rims, and SLX 4 pots, are what I have on the Reign.

I dare say you'll struggle to beat a giant for value for money and a great suspension design, if you have the reign, then maybe the Trance X is a good bet, basically a burlier trance, which come in a few models, geometry wise, maybe not as much reach as you're after though, but you'd probably need to get down a dealer to get that feel for it.

What is your budget and preferences though, is it a new buy or have you a budget to buy second hand, there's a few decent mid range bikes that are pretty much alike to the bigger high end ones, brands like Norco, Cube, etc do well built ranges that have good VFM as well.

Budget is around £3.5k, give or take a few hundred quid if I think it's worth it. Looked at the Trance again, not sure I could stretch to a decent spec Trance X. Going to try and get to a few shops over the coming weeks and try what is out there.

Recommend what you own, Cotic.

Jeht. 140mm rear/150mm front

Cheapest option on Cotic website is £3,350 (for a uk made frame)...

@stcolin

I think Transition are out of my price range, much like the higher end brands, their base models are poorly specced, despite the excellent frames.

My benchmark isn’t that high, an old Pike RC from 2016, a CC DB Inline coil rear, Stans flow rims, and SLX 4 pots, are what I have on the Reign.

The alloy sentinel frame with a float x shock is £1900 if you can find one. If you can pick up a fork for £500, get a deal on some wheels and piece together a groupset it might be do-able for £3500 I reckon.

I built a full cc spec Santa Cruz 5010 for a mate in late 2020 for about £4200 I think it was. Pike Ultimates / dt swiss wheels / slx 4 pots / carbon bars / brand x dropper / Maxxis tyres / slx and Xt mix of drivetrain etc.

The only problem parts at the moment really are drivetrains. Got to mix and match where has stock.

Even wheels are do-able - you can pickup pretty decent Bitex hubs for not too much money - paired with DT XM481s and ACI spokes that’s a pretty decent wheelset.

If you went with a Bird AM9 that probably takes about £400 off the cost of the frame / shock I’d imagine - so more budget for other stuff and still a very capable frame. Just a bit less pretty. But they do look good with a RS Super deluxe ultimate with a red spring on it + pike ultimates in red.

Edit - mind you - the Sentinel alloy for £3.5k has better spec than I thought. 36 Rhythm isn’t bad, code r brakes, stans/novatec wheelset, oneup dropper, mostly decent enough branded finishing kit. NX is the compromise there - but the cranks are fine and so is the cassette - just the rear mech isn’t quite as durable as it could be.

If you have some time with bit of careful shopping (forks especially) and using sale / good s/h parts a good build for £3.5k is achievable as joebristol states - group set is the biggest challenge at the moment.

I posted in another thread that in early 2020 I built my SC Bronson (used a new Carbon C frame which I sourced from a dealer for approx £2.3K inc invisiframe, pedals and headset) for a touch over £4K.  That included Lyrik Ultimates (s/h but vgc and factoring in a service cost), new DT Swiss XM1501 wheelset (OEM colour at 60% discount), GX, Codes, dropper and Burgtec finishing kit.

I think with the shortage of drive train parts, I'd rather not have the headache of waiting on parts for potentially months. I'll concentrate on full builds for now. Thanks for the train of thought though.

Trance X is a good shout, 140 rear 150 front with fox 36 forks. A bit burly, especially the wheels but pretty well specced .Flip chip thingy gives geometry options for downhill or cross country. Geometry not that radical but reasonably modern. I like mine but can feel a bit overbiked on my local rides.

Have you looked at the Intense Primer?

Just got a Privateer 141, ticks all the boxes. Great spec for the money, Not the lightest but you dont feel it when peddling, Only ridden it twice but felt mint on the steep stuff.

That's very nice. Just been over to the Commencal site. Are they direct only? The Meta AM looks really nice, geometry looks spot on too.

Bird AM9 is always the answer.

I quite like the look of the Privateer 141 but couldn’t get one when I was looking. I’d heard lots of people had been let down by the company on promises and stuff.

If they’ve got stock though they seem worth a look. The frame looks very similar to the Sentinel alloy to be fair.

That’s very nice. Just been over to the Commencal site. Are they direct only? The Meta AM looks really nice, geometry looks spot on too.

A mate has the meta tr and it’s a really nice looking thing in a raw polished kind of finish. He says it’s quite a heavy thing though - but the geometry etc is good.

Direct only yes - maybe check what the VAT / Duty situation is with them.

I feel like it's already been said, but you should try a large Bird AM9. You'll get a lovely spec for that budget. 🙂

Have a look through the Bird Cycleworks Owners Facebook page, then arrange a demo. If their isn't a demo centre local to you, then ask on FB & chances are someone will let you try one.

Do intense even have a UK distributor these days, would be worried buying a brand that doesn't appear to have an easy warranty or spares solution!

Forgot about Commencal, they are very nice in the flesh, would definitely have had one, but as you've probably found, also hard to get in the UK easily.

I feel like it’s already been said, but you should try a large Bird AM9. You’ll get a lovely spec for that budget. 🙂

Have a look through the Bird Cycleworks Owners Facebook page, then arrange a demo. If their isn’t a demo centre local to you, then ask on FB & chances are someone will let you try one.

Just tried to build an AM9. They don't have stock of many components with no due dates. Only a domain fork and basic shock. I could pick those, but I know I would end up upgrading.

Just tried to build an AM9. They don’t have stock of many components with no due dates. Only a domain fork and basic shock. I could pick those, but I know I would end up upgrading.

You sure? I just tried it on my phone and they showed lyriks, super deluxe coil, shimano 12 speed etc all in stock when I clicked on the shimano 12 speed builds.

I've been following this thread as I'm in the same situation. Decided at lunch to get a SC Hightower alloy frame I'd seen in the sales and build that up how I wanted. Only it's been sold during my deliberations & can't find another. Typical.

However, I've just looked on the Privateer website and I think I'm in love...

So………

That’s the Reign gone. This is much harder than I thought. Have visited a few shops, and I’m still none the wiser.

Keep looking at the YT Jeffsy, but not sure on the direct sales model.

Threw my leg over a Forbidden Druid. Oh my. But way too expensive.

Starting to crunch some geometry numbers. Seems that even from 2016, things have moved on.

One of the numbers I keep getting drawn too is seat tube length. On my Reign it was never listed on the geometry spec, but measured by hand was about 490mm. However, I did run my dropper (150mm) about 40-50mm out of the seat post as I have very long legs. The Reign had a bb drop of 0mm. 29ers seem to have a bb drop of around 30-40mm, I assume this is to do with the larger wheels.

I like the look of the Reactor but this has a seat tube length of 508mm, but a bb drop of 33mm. Reach quite a bit longer at 514mm, compared to 458mm on the Reign. Would this make me feel more perched on top of the XL reactor? I tried a couple of 29er bikes over the weekend in Large, and all felt similar to my current Reign even though they were all longer by 30mm or so. I assume this is to do with seat tube angle. Old Reign was 73deg, seems that 76-77deg is the norm now.

Basically I want something a bit longer but also I want to feel like I'm in the bike rather than on top of it. The joys of being lanky!

For your budget and geo requirements I would highly recommend a Privateer. Rough round the edges compared to a Santa Cruz, but they ride extremely well and the value is very hard to beat. My other half has just bought a Mega 297. Lovely bike and if I'd had the budget (and I could have got one) I would probably have gone that way, but it was almost double my 161.

Yea, the 141 looks really nice. 3 months delivery currently. I have a couple of trips planned before then so would like to have something before then.

Canyon Spectral is on the list too, but again, April delivery.

I do keep hovering over the buy button on the Jeffsy Core 3. I'm also not 100% on carbon.

Basically I want something a bit longer but also I want to feel like I’m in the bike rather than on top of it. The joys of being lanky!

I'm equally lanky (+35" inseam) and for us a steeper seat angle is a real benefit because of how high we have to run the saddle.

Also with the new geo it's worth sliding the saddle well forward so when you sit on the bike you can understand how it feels to pedal, and then when you stand you also can feel how the reach is.

IMO the first bike I've ever ridden that fitted properly was a Cotic when they went to their LLS geo. I tried both the L & XL, and Sam let me adjust and play with both. In the end I bought the L as I found the XL just too long when climbing.

I've still the bike, and love it but I have ridden the newest generation version and found that with the steeper seat angle I'd buy the XL.

They've got 2 years 0% on 🙂

Large Sentinel 2022 alloy here in stock - not sure if you need large or xl:

https://www.sortedracegear.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/transition-sentinel-alloy-nx-mountain-bike-2022-cascade-blue__46761?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=01.22.11.4234&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq5Wt87Ht9QIVBxkGAB0fpwAoEAQYASABEgIuWfD_BwE

Kit on it isn’t bad for a premium ish brand - not going to be quite as good as direct sales (e.g YT) but the frame is good, the fork chassis is good, the brakes are good and the wheels aren’t bad. Replace the NX mech with one from higher up the range when you break it but other than that it’ll be decent out the box.

Cotic is getting a lot of mentions. Maybe a bit too expensive for me, even builds with Deore on the Jeht and RocketMAX are over £4k. I want to stay away from finance if I can, although 0% is tempting.

Sentinel looks good. I tried a large Spire which I know is 27.5, but it felt the same size as my Reign, so would go XL. NX is gash, I have it on my hardtail and it's really clunky and noisy. I know that's an easy fix.

How about a Trek Slash 8? Looks good, gets great write ups...

The current Spire is 29er and is their biggest Enduro bike - a step higher than the Sentinel.

Patrol is longer travel than the Sentinel and more of a park bike - think they come as a mullet - I’ve heard they’re hard work pedalling for whatever reason.

I’ve only had a quick go on an NX based bike and it was ok I guess - I’ve got XT 12 speed on one bike and gx eagle 12 speed on the other. Gx has a lighter action which I like but actually I can’t get excited either way tbh.

Heard that deore mechs are a bit crap too - someone who rides regularly says the clutch bus terrible on the know he’s got and will be going back to xt shortly. Slx seems decent though - other than perhaps the jockey wheel bushings not being too clever.

Ah, it was a Scout, sorry.

160/150mm is my limit really. If the NP Mega was 10mm shorter travel front and rear, that would be top of the list.

I've ran SLX for years with little issues.

Definitely don't think the Patrol would be considered a "park bike". It's a very close rival to an SC Bronson and is billed very much as a do everything burly trail bike. Tremendous value also.

Orbea Occam M30 worth a look. Trek fuel ex, one in the classifieds at a decent price.

Geometry on the Occam looks pretty old school, and not sold on the looks.

I didn't think this would be so difficult!

The 2022 patrol has a 63 degree headangle in low and has to use 165mm cranks to avoid too many pedal strikes according to reviews - also rated for triple clamps I believe.

Most of the ones on Pinkbike are on triple clamps or Zebs / 38s and with huge coil shocks and DH casing tyres on them. It’s not the full on enduro bike (Spire) and the Sentinel is probably the long travel ish trail bike. The patrol is longer travel again and mullet - I’d think it was more fun park bike personally - I wouldn’t want to be pedalling it on all dayers.

Yea, it's too much bike for me.

The Sentinel is a nice frame, but for £3.5k I don't think the spec is great value. NX at that price on an alloy frame is a sin.

Spectral AL 29 looking a likely candidate now, delivery end of March.

Spectral always looks a nice bike - if the price stacks up after import duty / VAT then I don’t think you can go too wrong with that.

I forget now if you looked at the Sonder Evol as there’s normally quite good kit on those. No prestige brand premium to pay - I guess similar to Bird.

Spectral 29 AL 6 is £3k inc all taxes, then shipping of £40 on top.

If that’s inclusive of duty then it seems a really good deal.

That canyon looks decent, just comparing to the jeffsy and bar the obvious carbon frame the specs are fairly similar.

I will say the threaded BB on the canyon might be the deciding factor, I'm soon to be on my third bottom bracket on my jeffsy since Oct 2019, and 1300km. Make of that what you will 🤣

Yea, I'll be coming from Pressfit, I feel the pain!

I may have placed an order....

Been following this thread also after having all my mtbs stolen inc my Spec enduro carbon. I've just placed an order via cyclescheme for a Trek Slash 8 2022, looks brill 🙂

I've got good trails near me (Innerliethen- Golfie and DH runs) with steep tech, so looking for a capable bike to mop up when my skillset runs out)

Let us know what you end up going for.

I've been in a similar boat and became kinda obsessed with the banshee titan as a mullet. Then I saw the meta am29 and that also tickled my fancy.

Interested in seeing how your purchase goes. Curious about fees etc.

when my skillset runs out

Well if that was my method I’d need a full on DH bike.

I’ve ordered a Spectral AL, due end of March. I just can’t look passed the spec for the money, and couldn’t quite justify the extra £800 for a carbon frame on the Jeffsy. Specs are broadly similar. Not sure I will get on with the Code R brakes, those might go and replaced with Shimano.