You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I’ve been very happy with my Whyte T130rs in the 6 years I’ve had it. Just lately though my thoughts have turned to getting something else - not even why TBH. I think it started whilst in Morzine a few weeks ago…def felt like I wanted something with more travel, longer and more modern geometry. It was mostly fine but felt out of its depth a few times - to be expected out there I guess. I slung my leg over a Commencal Clash mullet briefly and it ‘right’. If I don’t do anything I’ll be fine with that - the problem is the seed has been planted and it’s rattling round in my head! I’ve missed a few killer deals lately - namely the CRC deals on the carbon Mega frame for £500 and the full alloy bike for £1700. I’m not sure if a 170mm travel bike is too much…I don’t really do ‘air’ but these bikes are quite capable of pedaling uphill efficiently these days - currently 150mm Pikes with 130mm at the back. Whilst riding with mates yesterday the general consensus was that I should get a new bike and that 650b is dead anyway - 29 is more futureproof…I’d be happy with going mullet though. FWIW I’m 6’. Trying to do it on the cheap as much as poss…buying a 29 frame the least likely option as I’d have to get new wheels and forks but wouldn’t rule out a 29 if was right and a great deal. So what do I do? Anyone else been in a similar scenario where your current bike is fine but inevitably you get to a point where a new bike is gonna happen?
I did and it was a T130 that I replaced too. I’d decided to upgrade my fork with a new airshaft to 140mm and damper and fit an angleset headset to modernise it a bit but before I even rode it like that had thoughts of a new frame.
And once the seed is planted there’s no fighting it 😁
Because I had a nice new set of wheels and a newly upgraded fork (which I then upped again to 150mm) I went for a frame and rebuilt it and stuck with 27.5.
It’s a Bird Aether 7 and I love it, I bought it as a barely used frame so I still get that new bike feeling.
I think my next bike will have to be a 29er and probably more travel but it held its own in the Swiss Alps last week and felt a lot better than the Whyte.
I went from a 150mm front / 130mm rear Bird Aether 7 to a Transition Sentinel 2022 alloy (160mm front / 155mm rear - with a cascade link).
There’s not that much disadvantage to more travel in terms of pedalling and I found the move from 27.5 to 29 fine. Didn’t really find it any harder to get into corners and the even slacker head angle is fantastic in steep tech.
The main advantage is at bike parks like Antur Stiniog / Dyfi / BPW where I found the Aether was capable but just beat me up more. The sentinel is still happy to pop and play off stuff but it’s amazing what you can get away with. Makes you giggle sometimes when you’ve realised what you’ve just done.
Once you have that idea in your mind it’s difficult to get rid of…..that new Bird Aeris AM looks intriguing. Light and decent travel and would assume decent geometry….
I went from a 140/130 to 160/150 and there's been no downside in terms of climbing but I'm not sure that's anything to do with the travel and more to do with the suspension design. The new bike is a Ibis ripmo af and the bike pedals really well with the DW link and the extra travel does make a difference on the downs .
I change bikes about every 4 years and it always feels like there's been a significant enough change in bikes to make it worthwhile. If you can afford it go for it .
the whyte was a great trail bike, but 29ers are just better at rolling,
friend upgraded to an sb150 and hasnt looked back. far heavier but he pedals well uphill. I've just changed from a trail 150/140 to a trek slash 170/160 and again it pedals as well uphill even for the extra kg's.
go demo some.
i loved my cotic soul mk2 a few years ago, but its old tech and riding with friends on 29ers it took so much effort, to keep up and then to ride at speed.
This thread seems to favour the longer is better idea which is interesting as I've been debating a 130mm rear Vs 145 rear and up until recently, discounted the 160 rear.
According to this, I should just go 160.
What kind of riding you gonna be doing most of the time?
A mid-travel 29er might be perfect for you.
Even if you missed the CRC bargain boat, secondhand prices are lower than they've been for years now.
This thread seems to favour the longer is better idea which is interesting as I’ve been debating a 130mm rear Vs 145 rear and up until recently, discounted the 160 rear.
According to this, I should just go 160.
I was chatting with a pal about this the other day.
I'm going to be settling on two MTBs:
120mm rear with 130mm front
160/180mm rear with 180mm front
If I could only have one MTB it would probably be 140/150mm rear and 160mm front.
Anyone else been in a similar scenario where your current bike is fine but inevitably you get to a point where a new bike is gonna happen?
Most months....
In the same boat here. Nothing wrong with my Orange Four, had it for 7 years and still think it's a great bike, but...
I've been looking for a while and dithered over a few new bike deals (Stage Evo top spec in a summer sale on the Orange website, still kicking myself for not getting it). I'm convinced I want a 29er, but what to do with the Four? Not worth much s/h, would need to make some space to keep it.
My current shortlist is:
Orange Stage Evo
Pace RC529 (wrong colours or I'd have one!)
Pace RC295
Stanton Sherpa
Trek Fuel ex
Orbea Rise
Absolutely no rhyme or reason why it's such a varied list, other than 'new bike' and depending on the day of the week dictates which one is at the top...
Oh, or put a deposit on a new Cotic Solaris
Stage Evo top spec in a summer sale on the Orange website, still kicking myself for not getting it
Just got one, bloody love it.
Maybe get a used one, they are coming up cheap now.
Most months….
And often not even that long 😜
If I could only have one MTB it would probably be 140/150mm rear and 160mm front.
That's exactly where I ended up at. A decent compromise IMV.
OP I was in a similar position to you last year. On a perfectly decent 5 year old trail bike (29er Jeffsy) but it was starting to show it's age, was a bit too small for me, and my riding had moved on since I bought it - more time in bike parks.
After spending a few months last year creak chasing, I bit the bullet and upgraded to a Stumpjumper Evo. Better sizing for me, and a bit bigger travel. It's not been trouble free, but now that I've got it dialled in I'm delighted with it.
They're only expensive if you don't use them.
Go for it, you won't regret it.
They’re only expensive if you don’t use them.
Words to live by 😀
OP here - thanks for the replies.
I think a mullet 160 front/150 back is prob where I’d like to be TBH. Not sure I want or need to go full 29 right now - I think a mullet with obvs more modern geo will give the angles and feel I’m looking for - never really needed more travel but if it’s efficient with no real drawbacks I’ll take it. I’m not desperate to buy so will keep an eye out in case something pops up - shout if anything fits the bill!
My typical riding is the funner parts of Leicestershire on Wednesdays with forays into the Peak, Welsh trail centres (less so these days), did Snowdon down the Ranger in April, Lakes such as the Bash, Helvellyn, Ullock Pike (did Grisedale and Whiteless Pikes years ago on a tiny 26” wheel Meta before they got really good), Golfie/Glentress a few times, Stiniog uplift, BPW, and Morzine which was a bit of a one-off.