[Closed] Looking for a New Bike - Any Advice Appreciated

**** me! 4 grand for a hardtail!? You could get a very good hardtail for a lot less than that mate. Spend 1500 and save the rest would be my advice.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-reaction-c-62-eagle-29-hardtail-bike-2018/rp-prod164809

9.7kg, Sram 12 speed eagle and £1800  save yourself a fortune. Cube frames come up a little small so a 19" should be a good fit.

I would totally agree the most expensive bike comes in at 3200 and other 2500 although still slightly more than I planned to spend.  What Bike do you have in mind for 1500?

Thanks

Thanks I will try and view one of these never really looked at product but am aware people have been shouting about these.

I'd have a look at Canyon, they'll have some suitable bike with a decent spec that's good value for money.

Thanks Andy any models you can suggest they have a big choice.

2019 Clockwork Evo 129S looks like a good frame with a nice spec. for just under £1700

https://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?product_id=8360&10820=51551&10897=51855&10822=51556&10823=51561

Or grab this years at a lower but still decent spec for around £1300...?

I will never buy another new bike off the peg as I like to build them myself. Iiwy I'd buy a new Solaris frame and spec it up with 2nd hand bits. If I could afford it I'd likely buy new forks and wheels though.

https://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBTIFLGXEAGLE/titus-fireline-evo-sram-gx-eagle-mountain-bike

A great light bike and being Ti its more comfortable than many carbon/aluminium hardtails.

Get a steel hardtail

Hi Dante Looks nice but really want to stay with Carbon.

Jekkyl I would love to have the skill set to build my own bike unfortunately I dont so far easier for me to buy.

Pedalon has the RC900 Pro for £3k but only large, so maybe too big.

Why do you think building a bike is hard? You can screw in bolts right. Honestly, it's a piece of piss!

Going to go against the grain and say, if you have the money, buy the bike you really want and don't just "settle".

I'd love to have a nice Scale to go along with my Spark.

I know you say that you're not keen on full suspension, but if you're a Scott fan, have a look at the Spark. All my bikes have been 150mm travel things before I got the Scott, but the Spark feels so much more rapid everywhere.

I can cope with the challenge on more tricky downhill sections, because the flat, undulating and uphill sections of trail are a lot more fun!

Saying that, I do have a Cube Reaction GTC which nice and light. Compliments the Spark very well.

Reggie nice find size unfortunately to big thanks.

John I certainly will have a look at the spark any suggestions on model they have a magnificent choice -Thanks

Hi Concrete I am not a fan of Orange Hard Tails had a crush years ago and did not enjoy experience - Thanks

Jekkyl I am sure I can but would prefer to pay a professional to do it just as I would a car.

Thank you all

I am not a fan of Orange Hard Tails had a crush years ago and did not enjoy experience – Thanks

I am not a fan of Scott, I tried a Sawtooth years ago and did not enjoy the experience.

I (partially) jest.  I have ridden a Sawtooth, and didn't like it, but it doesn't mean I will never look at or buy a Scott.  I've ridden an awful lot of hardtails over the years.  My favourites have been the Kinesis Maxlight, the Rocky Mountain Vertex (both Easton Taperwall), the Cannondale CAAD series circa 2k, and the (2008) Orange P7.  Also had a go on a Scandal once and liked that very much.  I realise these are old bikes, but that's not the point I'm trying to make.

I guess the point I'm (clumsily) trying to make is that it isn't always about the brand.  And even if it was, you may like one model made by Brand A but not another.

As you seem to have done, my usual way to narrow down a bike choice is to:

- identify your preferred:

- Riding style/discipline (seems XC?)

- Frame geometry*

- Frame material (if choosy)

- Wheel size?

- Fork type?

- Shimano or Sram?

- *Special considerations? (ie internal cable routing, seatube width (dropper post choice?), aesthetics/colour/finish, repairable (?), warranty, brand loyalty, etc

Once you've narrowed that lot down then (list here) compare models that fit your above criteria.

Other options:

- Approach dealer/demo day, test ride anything that takes your fancy and buy if it makes you grin

- Browse, see bling, buy blind or based on reviews

Orbea Alma ? I think orbea are making some of the best looking bikes around at the moment . Plus the alma is on the myO page so you can waste hours changing colours and spec 🙂

Thanks Malvern

Only reason for Scott was due to treatment with issue I had on bike twice even when out of warranty,  maybe not a good thing but I am stickler for service which has always stuck with me.

Your advice was awesome and just what i needed really, going to dealers today to try the Scales.

Frame Material - Carbon ( I not very large framed and any weight saves benefits me greatly)

Wheel Size - Prefer 29 but there are some excellent options on 27.5

Fork Type - I am not that fussed they all seem to be good although I do like the Fox with kashima Coating

Groupset - Always been an XTR & XT fan but have used a few bikes with Sram Single Crank and love it,  although I would not have a problem with either

Special Considerations - No Dropper, No Concern with color, Dealer to setup wheels for tubeless running if possible

I am looking at 2017 - 2018 Bikes which have decent discount from the right dealer and possible cashback from topcashback.

@Super Scale 20

Sorry I've only just seen your question.  There are indeed lots of different models of the Spark! I settled on the Spark RC 900 Team as it looked like the best balance of spec/price.

It depends on what you want though really. They cater for pretty much every budget in the model range, also 27.5/29er and 100mm/120mm travel.

I'm considering changing the fox 32 SC for a 120mm fox 34SC next year though.  I love how light/poppy and fast the bike feels, but I think the slightly beefier fork would suit my size more.

If you're a featherweight, the 32 SC will be fine as my missus has one on her Top Fuel (coming from a 150mm Ohlins-equipped Juliana).

Canyon Exceed Carbon starts from around 1.4 k? 11 kg and below.

Think the Canyon Exceed pricing is crazy good right now.

https://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/hardtail/canyon-exceed-cf

(test of 2.6 k / 10 kg model)

Or

Radon Jealous? But think the Carbon versions are well above 2 k ?

Update

Wonderful winter morning but no bike -  I finally had a chance to view the Scott Scale World Cup 2018 unfortunately I did not get a chance to ride but dealer did build up for me as was still boxed.  Bike felt so light and manageable and frame size was spot on (Medium). Now I prefer the spec of the Scale RC 700 Ultimate and cost is really good but 27.5 and not enough clearance to upgrade to 29 which is my preferred wheel option.

andreasrhoen - The Radon looks wonderful and kit not to bad either due to not knowing the brand, As with any product I would always like to view first or at least similar so will keep this off list as unable to find in UK.  The Canyon Exceed is another great bike but for similar spec the spend would be a lot higher than the Scott and they dont seem to have much deals at the moment.  I really appreciate your feedback and loving the Radon.

Hopefully I should find a Spark 900 to view next week,  I looking forward to having this resolved soon dying to go for a ride.

Thanks All

Radon:

Direct sales brand like Canyon. But much smaller than Canyon.

As far as I know you order the bikes via bike-discount.de

Example:

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/radon-jealous-7.0-713589?currency=3&delivery_country=190

Jealous 7.0 , bit below 2 k GBP. Bit over 10 kg.

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/radon-jealous-8.0-713601

Jealous 8.0 , around 2.5 GBP. 1 x 12 GX, bit over 9.0 kg, but only in frame size 22" in stock

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/radon-jealous-9.0-713613

Jealous 9.0 , nearly 3 GBP.  High end version, in all frame sizes in stock

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/radon-jealous-10.0-713629

Jealous 10.0 , nearly 4 GBP. The racing machine, using the "super-lite" frame? 850 g frame? UNDER 9 kg. nearly all sizes in stock

I'am not an XC racer. And no idea how they support customers in UK ( bike-discount.de is an very good shop. They are helpful on the phone as well).

The Jealous competes with the Exceed. The Exceed is lower priced and "more around".

Radon bikes which I know: the SWOOP. Swoop 170 and Swoop 200. Excellent machines. The Jealous Carbon bikes appear to be a bit expensive - the Swoop is crazy bang for the buck. (but you are not looking for a Swoop...)

andreasrhoen

Thanks for the Radon info they make some beautiful bikes the 10 would be the machine for me but certainly over budget and I am not sure I would use bike to its full potential.

Great.

There are always some "dream bikes" around which are way over budget. XC racing bike under 9 kg ... crazy!

I stick with my low budget bikes (trail / all mountain) as well. None of them over 1.5 k - but constantly changing stuff and upgrading. That's fun as well...

Don't do any "races" so.

Have fun!

I am certainly seeing that and some of the prices all i can say is wow, they literally charge what they want.

The Worldcup I have been looking unfortunately is now gone and the nearest supplier with stock is about £900 difference that is right in Radon 10 territory (over my budget).  This may be a blessing in disguise as the bike I really like is the RC 700 Ultimate which has some fantastic kit, same frame 2017-2018 (Scott RC frame no change) but is 27.5 - spec is below.  I can confess I have not ridden a 27.5 and have not had chance to see Spark yet but think I may pull trigger today if I get chance to view the Spark.

Spec RC 700 Ultimate 2017

Fork: FOX 32 SC Float Factory Air / Kashima FIT4 3-Modes with low speed adj. / Kabolt 15x110mm axle Tapered steerer / Lockout / Reb. Adj. 100mm travel

Headset: Syncros FL1.5 Rear Derailleur: Sram XX1 / Eagle 12 Speed Front Derailleur: SCOTT Chainguide

Shifters: Sram XX1 TriggerBrakes: Sram Level Ultimate Disc 180/F and 160/Rmm Centerline CLX Rotor

Crankset: Sram XX1 Eagle GXP Boost PF Carbon crankarm BB-Set: Sram GXP PF integrated / shell Handlebar: Syncros FL1.0 SL Carbon T-Bar Syncros Pro lock-on grips H'stem: Syncros / 700 Series: FL1.5 +6° / Seatpost: Syncros FL1.0 Carbon Seat: Syncros XR1.0 SL / Carbon rails Hubs: Front: Syncros XR1.5 CL /made by DT Swiss Rear: Syncros XR1.5 CL / Boost 148x12mm RWS w/Removable Lever made by DT Swiss

Chain: Sram PCXX1 Eagle Cassette: Sram XX1 / XG1299 / 10-50 T

Spokes: DT Swiss Aero Comp Rims: Syncros XR1.5 / 28H / Tubeless ready

Tires: Schwalbe Rocket Ron EVO / 2.25 127EPI Kevlar Bead / Tubeless Easy PaceStar compound / Schwalbe EVO Tubes

Does anyone know I good bikeshop near Kent (Maidstone) that may have Scott Spark in stock - Thanks

Just as an additional option:

The Jealous 890 gram frame is available for 830 GBP right now (down from around 1.4 k):

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/radon-jealous-1x-frameset-626376?currency=3&delivery_country=190

or, different color, more frame sizes:

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/radon-jealous-1x-frameset-626717

Personally would never spend that much money for a frame.

But: from now on to March there will be tons of "blow out sales" for good parts. Means if you have parts which you can swap and if you have the skills and tools...- you might be able to assemble a 4 k bike for ... under 2 k?

O.k. ... if you are lucky...

(don't have a Radon bike, don't have a Jealous...)

Just wanted to thank you all for your assistance I pulled the trigger last night and purchased the Scott Scale RC 700 Ultimate Hardtail Mountain Bike (2017,  I thought the kit was phenomenal for the money in all just under £2500

I am going to try and collect on Monday about 130 miles round trip but will most probably ride locally where collecting pending weather holds up.  Unfortunately you all shall be getting some more information requests about all sorts of products so will apologise in advance.

Only regrets I did not get the chance to try Spark which has some awesome reviews but I am sure getting back out in the hills I will have plenty of opportunity.

All the best - The Scale is back