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NB: I've tried searching the forum but it comes up with completely unrelated topics for me
I originally had a Calibre bossnut which was fantastic all round as an intro into riding. I've since bought a Trek Slash 9.8 for downhill and enduro days. I also use it on XC loops where there is a few interesting features and optional blacks.
I've got an Allez road bike, which has been good but I've just fallen out of love with road riding (pot holes, poor road conditions, bad driving etc).
I've toyed with thr idea of a XC bike for trail riding without anything too challenging, more to get thr riding miles in, keep fit, and use for general getting about.
I've looked online, things like the XCaliber and On One Whippet... but wondered if anyone had experience with a reasonable price for reasonable spec hard tail/XC?
Sonder Dial review from this summer
https://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/sonder-dial-gx-eagle-review/
This popped up yesterday, it's an ~80mm stem and a gnats ball hair from being a silhouette of the current Scalpel HT (at a fraction of the price.
https://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/voodoo-bizango-carbon-2023/
This Vitus Rapide is very good and in stock, there are lower and higher spec models:
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/vitus-rapide-29-vr-mountain-bike
Sonder Dial or Frontier.
There isn't much between them.
Frontier is 1degree slacker but has a longer head tube, longer chain stays and wheelbase but shorter reach and stack. It also has more mounting points.
I had an x caliber 8 which was under a grand but the fork was very basic. It was ‘fine’. Frame, fork and wheels are sat unused now…
The Canyon Grand Canyon can be had for around £1,500ish with a Fox 34 fork and decent Shimano 12 speed kit. They do cheaper models too. 67.5 degree head angle, 60mm stem stock so not overly twitchy or steep for trail riding.
Second hand you could probably pick up a nice Giant Anthem full sus for around a grand. That's how much I sold mine for with DT Swiss XM1501 wheels, full XT 11 Speed, Fox Performance Elite suspension front and back etc. They are exceedingly capable bikes on the usual trail centre red style routes, and obviously extremely fast for general XC.
This Vitus Rapide is very good and in stock
The max chainring size of 32T might be limiting. There are multiple conflicting answers from CRC/Wiggle staff on various models on both websites. I had confirmation from Vitus directly that the max is 32T for both frame materials.
Orbea Alma might be of interest. A dealer was selling their last H20 from stock on eBay the other day, stock seemed thin other than that.
Another vote for the Sonder Dial.
MrsF bought one this summer. Hers is full XT with 4 piston brakes, a Reverb post, and a 100mm Reba RL fork, and was about £1900. It's a really nice frame and everything's well-thought out. Spec is great for the money. All the own brand components (saddle, grips, bars, stem) seem really good, even the wheels, though they are maybe a bit heavy for her (about 2kg i think). It's been very good so far, she finds it comfy and confidence-inspiring.
I think STW's review was incorrect in saying that the SID Ultimate was meant to be on the £1699 GX bike. It works out at closer to £2100 with that fork and groupset, but without a dropper.
I'd consider an X-Calibre, the frames look nice, although they mostly come with a Judy. So many bikes at 1500-200 come with Judys. Mine (on my Chisel) was absolutely awful and 2200g for a 100mm xc fork is ridiculous. Not sure how much better the Recon is. For me, a Reba would be the minimum.
I went with the Specialized Chisel which was only OK until I swapped (very heavy) wheels and (Judy) fork and a few other bits. Now it's about 10.5kg, with big (XC) tyres and big bars. Fast light and a lot of fun, even on rough, steep, technical stuff that a little hardtail ought to struggle with. Not sure whether the end result still qualifies as reasonably priced though...
That Bizango Carbon Pro looks excellent. Prolly got super heavy wheels, but the frame and fork will be solid.
I've got a Chisel and love it but would not say they were valued for money, even more so since the £200 increase. I would recommend getting a frame and building one up though.
Sigma Sports iirc are still doing the carbon Trek Pro Caliber for £1500.
What would it be able to do that the Slash can't? Complete an xc hour long route 3-4 mins quicker? Hmmmm I get wanting new things, but what would it really bring?
weeksy
What would it be able to do that the Slash can’t? Complete an xc hour long route 3-4 mins quicker? Hmmmm I get wanting new things, but what would it really bring?
Didn't you just buy eight or nine DH bikes to compliment your perfectly good enduro bike?
Almost,
I think it was 10.
The Fuel ex9.8 isn't an enduro, I still need a Slash for that.
I really like my Whippet
Only one size but carbon, fox and 12 speed slx
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/16185424/polygon-syncline-c5-29-mountain-bike-16185424
Everyone should own aWhippet.
I’ve just bought the polygon synline c5 from go outdoors great value at £1079 there’s 2 more bikes in the range that are even cheaper.
2nd set of wheels, biased more towards xc.
During lockdown I swapped the wheels off my xc bike onto my enduro bike, not a lot of difference round the local 20 mile loop!!
Blimey - that Polygon looks like a bargain!
Does seem rather a good price. Guessing the wheels would be a big weak point as at £1000 for even a cookie cutter carbon frame with Fox forks, some SLX etc,. something has to be