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Due to an underspend on some house renovations I was given a nice surprise the other day "If I have done my sums correctly this means you can buy that new bike" Happy days, but now the pain/pleasure of choosing begins.
I thought I had it nailed down to 3 maybe 4, not falling into the trap of naming brands as everyone loves their own bike 🙂 but I have some questions:
1. The current No.1 in my top 4 I just noticed was a model brought out in 2017. The bike it will be replacing is from 2012 and when I demoed the 2018 version of my 2012 bike the difference was unbelievable. Buying a brand new 2017 model, is this wise? Will the next version be out soon and so much better/different?
2. No.2 in my top 4 I demoed a few weeks ago, it was just so smooth over roots and rocks in comparison to the current full suss I own with pretty much the same travel. Is this smoothness down to purely improvements in suspension from 2012-2019, a move from 26 to 27.5, bike geometry (longer and slacker), or a combination of all 3? I guess what I am getting at here is if I stick new suspension on my existing frame will I see the same difference?
3. Pedal strike, I haven't really suffered from this before but had it quite often on the demo bike. I think the main reason is that I am a bit unfit and unskilled so don't carry much speed into turns, this results in needing to pedal when others would be rolling nicely. Is pedal strike a common thing in the modern geo frames so I just need to improve me riding technique?
4. Final one if you even got this far, demoing bikes, what a chuffing nightmare it is in the south. Shops want cash that is only refunded on a purchase, demo days are few and far between, what do you guys do?
Thanks in advance for helping me part with money
1) There will always be something newer out in a few months whatever you buy. Don't sweat this one. If the bike works for you, buy it.
2) All 3 probably. I wouldn't spend the money on improving your old bike.
3) You'll notice it more, then adjust to it. When I first got a modern geo bike it used to happen all the time - it happens a lot less now, and nothing has changed except my riding.
4) Dunno. I got a Jeffsy without trying it. 😐
Putting new suspension on your current frame won’t result in the same ride so I’d rule that out.
Geometry is probably the biggest advance and wheel size does make some difference (although 29er compared to 26 is more of a difference than to 27.5).
Suspension designs have come on with some brands, but with Horst link 4 bars it’s just tweaking more than huge innovation. Rear shocks have improved too.
Without knowing what you ride and what you’ve test ridden it’s hard to really opine.
In terms of test rides if you go to Swinley you can test a few brands there - Bird don’t charge much for a days demo and I think you can test Whyte there as well. Both will give you a flavour of various travel and geometry options.
Depending on where you are in the South, I think Leisure Lakes do demos at Flyup 417 in cheltenham too - and they do loads of brands - Orange / Cube / Santa Cruz / Whyte etc. They charge more for a demo though I think.
Ah, another over-thinker, always nice to have company.
1) Who knows, mainstream stuff tends to have a new model each year, even if it's just new stickers. I wouldn't worry, new models rarely affect the performance of the old ones - Apple don't make bikes yet.
2) All 3 probably, it's easy to be cynical, but bikes do get better over time. Unfortunately development of anything 26" specific ended about 2013, you'll feel the benefit of a fork service and shock upgrade, but it's a bit like putting lipstick on a pig at this stage, sorry.
3) I've got more pedal clearance on my 2019 bike than I had on my 2015 which was better than my 2011 so I wouldn't think that, but with my Bird I do notice that it's very active/plush rear means it will strike fairly easily in descent mode, it more to do with the lean angles it can pull off I think.
4) I live in Wales, I've got Afan to the West, BPW to the North and Cwmcarn and FOD to the East and most bike shops in Cardiff have a couple of Demos on fleet. The only bike I've ever Demo'd is my current one ha ha.
Thanks Orange, thanks Joe. (edit:Thanks P-Jay) OK here goes, I don't want to start a "ive got a ????? bike and it's great" thread so hold off 🙂 Current full suss is an original Cotic Rocket
1. Bird Aeris 145 (this is the 2017 model mentioned) Will demo at Swinley
2. Cotic Rocket 27.5 (Demoed at QECP the pedal strike scenario)
3. Pivot Mach 6
4. Stanton Switch9er FS
Buy the Bird. 😉
Not biting P-Jay 🙂
Good for you.
They’re mint though, I adore mine. 😉
Frankly - that's a list of 4 very fine bikes. Not sure you'd go far wrong with any of them. But like P-Jay it's great to see someone analysing things to death before deciding because it makes me feel a bit better. P-Jay also makes a good point about pedal strikes and plush rear ends (fnar fnar) too...
Pedal strikes are going to be a factor as BBs have gotten lower, but you will adjust and modify your riding very quickly to avoid them. 5mm off crank length can make a big difference too
The 2020 models will probably be out before i have made a decision. We could form a boy band called The Procrastinators - 'I would ask 100 questions before I made one single choice' (add proclaimers tune)
I have just noticed that Cotic have a demo day at FlyUp later this month, might pop up there and see what else I can demo from Leisure Lakes at the same time
I just switched to a new, modern geo, low bb, 29er after years on a 26". It´s a world of difference, both uphill and down are so much better. I can ride stuff now that I physically couldn´t before...but the pedal strikes are becoming a thing.
I´m using a sram gx eagle setup, and it´s nice, no problems, apart from the 175mm cranks. I´ve ripped the ends to pieces in just a few rides so now I´m looking for 165mm or even 160mm replacements.
If you´re getting a new bike, bear this in mind, and if you can fit them, get shorter cranks.
Thanks Sunrider, didn't realise cranks went that small, I will look into it. What did you go for? Not that it will influence me in any way obviously, just interested................
The new 2020 Trek remedys and EXes will be out in the next few weeks also they are scrapping 27.5" going 29ers on there full susses both will come with more travel than this year.
Alpkit/Sonder are on their way to opening a store in Guildford if you fancy a look at/ leg over the Evol.
The GX Eagle are available in 165mm. I´m just going to give mine another few weeks to see if I adapt to the bb height. And I´m not even in the extra low setting.
I went for an Evil Wreckoning LB with coil shock, love it so far, it has that magic carpet thing happening on long descents.
The Pivot Mach 3 looks good imo.
To add, the list of bikes all sound good really.
Bird don’t launch new bikes in model years like other manufacturers -
Although they’ve just launched the AM160 Aeris which is an update to the 145LT. The only changes are more rear tyre clearance (although I’ve run a 2.4wr dhr2 on mine on 30mm rims with plenty of clearance so for me it doesn’t need more), a slightly different dropout design and better rear mech routing. So I think you’re safe there won’t release something that makes it obsolete. Heir geometry is already longer / slacker than most other brands.
I can’t say I get many pedal strikes - but he bike came with 170mm cranks as standard.
There are some cheap Trek Remedy’s around at the moment if you look - a couple of lads I go riding with have picked one up with Lyriks / GX Eagle for not much over £2k. Less long and slack than longshot Cotic geometry / Bird Geometry but might be a little more nimble and easier to manual etc.
The Sonder Evol is getting ok reviews but it’s shorter and steeper than most of the bikes mentioned - it’s more trail than enduro. That might actually work better for you though depending on what you ride.
Go get a demo at Stanton. The Switch9er is an incredibly capable bike.
Have you considered an e-bike?
Thanks for all the responses, food for thought and all helping me get to where I need to be.
Trek is a brand I didn't consider and have now taken a look and it's certainly made me pop a Remedy on the list.
E-Bike I did consider briefly but I am rubbish at remembering to charge stuff up and really good at finding excuses not to go out when it's wet. These two combined would make me a nightmare
Stanton I have been looking for reviews and only really found one, also I have had a first gen bike before and suffered with some annoying teething problems so I might avoid this one for now.
Sonder Evol is out as I have a 29er Ti Hardtail which is spot on for standard trail stuff, I am looking for more AM/Enduro (magic carpet feel as someone said previously)
Booked in for the Cotic Demo at Fly Up where I will try the Rocket and Flare, and hope that I can get a Pivot demo at Swinley along with the Bird