You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I have recently got into mountain biking again after many years absence and am currently cycling a Specialized Rockhopper Hardtail 29er with mostly Deore level components and a triple chainring. This has mostly been doing the job but I fancy something a bit better.
Id like to make use of the cycle to work scheme which will save me a huge chunk of cash and stagger the payments a little. I am then happy to spend money on top of this to get something slightly better or to upgrade components to the sum of around £300-500 if needed.
Simply put, I will mostly be doing a mixture of singletrack and downhill sections. It won't be used on the road aside from the odd cycle to get to the destination.
I am looking for any advice re current bike, potential bikes, sizing ( 27.5 vs 29 )
My current MTB is pictured below.
[url= https://s27.postimg.org/5ss8j4in3/20170823_222030218_i_OS.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= https://s27.postimg.org/kkwyagokf/20170823_222127246_i_OS.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= https://s27.postimg.org/vls3fhgtb/20170823_222135902_i_OS.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= https://s27.postimg.org/dk8yhomsf/20170823_222152738_i_OS.jp g" target="_blank">
Some fantastic deals to be had on Giant Anthem 3 at the moment. Lots of bike for your money and you could get a better price by looking around at bit. I would be buying this:
https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/mtb/dude/
Dude8 is reduced to £1519, 12.1Kg for a carbon frame/fork and wheels that don't have the gravity pull of three planets is insane, over 4Kg lighter than the default Wazoo.
If you want a large, I'd be looking at this;
2017 Marin Nail Trail 7 at Rutland Cycling. Was £1,600 and now £999 and very well specced. Choice of 29 or 27.5 depending on size availability.
Edit - that's if you want a hardtail again, but you don't say a preference.
If you can fit into a medium this Scott genius full suss is a bargain, will run 27.5+ or 29er wheels
Plus they always have discount codes going , apart from right now, doh. But wait a day or two and one will be valid. Either save10 bike10 or flash10
+1 on the Marin, that's what I got.
Loving how quick it is, rear tyre is sh*te in mud or slippery, it's as comfy as old steel HT now tyres are at lower pressure. Fork is superb - noticeably stiffer and plusher than old Fox. Dropper is new to me and I keep forgetting to use it. For the money, not a lot comes close...
I bought one of [url= https://www.cyclesurgery.com/p/orbea-orbea-loki-27-h10-2017-Q1211115.3499.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIt776lsXv1QIVSzaBCh3QIgYdEAQYASABEgKwOPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds ]these Orbea Loki's[/url]from the Cycle Surgery sale. They were on at £999 but there was a code that brought the delivered price down to £950. It was an absolute steal at that price point. The Fox fork it comes with is selling for 850 quid!
Boom! 😀
I need a large or XL. But have no preference over full suss or hard tail. I never have actually been on a full suspension.
That fat tyres bike looks interesting, but no suspension and how would something like that cycle?
That Orbea Loki looks decent, sadly the price is now £1200
This bike linked above looks very well specified for the price.
Does anyone have any further bikes I should take a look at?
Cailibre bossnut is very well regarded for £1k.
Genesis tarn can be picked up for around £709, gives you enough cash to but a yari or suchlike (base model comes rigid).
Calibre Bossnut.
Was in Go Outdoors the other day buying base layers and had a look at one, about the only thing I'd want to do is change the tyres when I got it home but that's a personal preference thing...in standard trim it looked great, good angles, no silly long stem or narrow bars, solid looking build etc....and at just £999 it had me eyeing up my HT when I got home wondering how much I'd get for it and whether I need two FS bikes.
Bossnuts are good, I had the old one and the QC was shocking but the new one seems better, wish I'd waited for the frame swap now.
Whilst bossnut seems quite nice, it does seem quite heavy at 14.5kg and only Deore level components. Anything of around SLX level which may be a bit lighter?
I am happy to spend beyond the £1000 that cyclescheme allows if it gets me a big upgrade.
If you want to use the Cycle to Work scheme look at Cube
http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/4054571058577.html?___SID=U
Looks fantastic and get great reviews.
Evans cycles also do the Cycle to Work scheme and have this Kona on sale, in Large , in budget
https://www.evanscycles.com/kona-precept-150-2016-mountain-bike-EV313500
A friend of mine recently purchased Specialized Chisel Comp (£1300). I'm jealous now. 8)
I went to the bike show at NEC today, lots of expensive bikes. Got to try out Calibre Bosnutt the XL 21.5" was a good fit, but the lack of lockout in the rear shocks is a real disappointment.
Would you use lockout a lot? Genuinely, obviously an issue to you but even if I had the feature I wouldn't bother personally.
Vitus hardtail at crc currently down to £1299 with full xt kit, 10% off if use bc discount too
What about a Calibre Beastnut ?
For a full suss, the Boardman pro is hard to beat spec wise for £1500 - Pikes, monarch shock, SRAM GX drive train and guide brakes.
My suggestion is the same as rude dog - Boardman Pro FS. As said above, a good trail bike, and for the price is it unbelievable it has Pikes on it. Also good spec with 1x11 GX and Sram guide brakes.
The boardman pro looks like a great bike for the cash, it is likely the route I will go down. Especially factoring in the 10% discount from cycling uk.
Can get a full 1X11 Shimano XT groupset for £350 including disks this weekend. It is tempting to build up a fresh bike from bits, but I guess once I have done my £1500 budget will result in a worse bike?
Building individually from parts can cost more than you think. Decent full suspension frame can cost the best part of £1k with a shock unless you go 2nd hand. Haven't looked recently but Pikes used to cost about £500 if you really shopped round. Add the cost of your groupset and say £200 for wheels and you're way over already and still need tyres / BB / headset / seatpost / bars / stem etc.
In the OPs position I’d be hoping Calibre make another Beastnut for 2018 (OP bike years typically run Sept to Sept so we’re in 2018 now oddly).
Same frame as the bossnut but higher spec parts and a dropper for £1300
some genuinely good bikes out there now for £1500:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-stereo-120-hpa-race-27-5-suspension-bike-2017/rp-prod154564
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ragley-piglet-hardtail-bike-2017/rp-prod145980
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-sentier-vrx-hardtail-bike-xt-1x11-2017/rp-prod146562
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/nukeproof-scout-275-comp-bike-2017/rp-prod146002
The nukeproof is a good buy, and would be a good all rounder, as would the Vitus. The cube isn't a bad bike as well. If you have £1500 to spend, then spend that, the bike you'll likely get will be a lot better than a £1k one.
I know people have mentioned the bossnut, but you would soon be looking to replace the forks etc.
I spoke to Calibre at the Bike Show recently in Birmingham. They said a higher spec fully released beastnut is due out next year.
Ultimately I went with the boardman pro FS. Paid £1000 cycle to work then paid extra for the balance. Sadly they wouldn't do the full cycling UK discount but they did it for a touch over £1400 in the end.
Had a couple of short rides, put a longer stem on since it was still on the small side and some decent pedals and now it's riding ok.
I suspect a dropper post and some better wheels down the line. But much better than the 29er I had for size and general riding.
Cheers for the help and suggestions guys!
[url= https://s1.postimg.org/7fo0gtq063/A7_E772_F9-4_D43-440_B-_A0_FD-3_C2861_C2_ABA7.jp g" target="_blank">
another go to suggestion. . .Bird zero?
Bird Zero, defo.
edit - too late! 😆