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Haven't bought or even ridden a MTB in about 9 years but I feel the need to scratch the itch. Things appear to have changed since I use to bimble about on my On One Scandal. I've no idea what sort of bike I want or need so help me out if you can.
The riding I intend on doing is probably only a couple of steps up from gravel type stuff with the odd blast round Cwmcarn when I fancy something a bit more aggressive. I prefer going as fast as I can uphill rather than down. I'm thinking something at the XC end of the market rather than enduro so probably a 29" wheeler and 120mm travel I'm thinking might be suitable.
I don't want anything by Giant or Specialized or anything that weighs north of 27lbs. Budget is probably up to about £3.5k.
Any help appreciated.
A few hundred above budget but this
Hardtail?
I like the look of the Scott but maybe slightly too much above my budget. I'd certainly consider a hardtail.
This seems something of a bargain if a large will suit
For that kind of money I’d be sticking both a used XC MTB and a gravel or monstercross in the shed. Or vice versa. Then sell them both and buy a better version of the one you enjoyed riding most?
Frexample, after similarly being off riding for years (through health), I (by luck more than design) found that I enjoyed climbing more on a 27.5lb Genesis Vagabond (rigid 29er monstercross thing) than I did on my 27lb Cannondale CAAD3 hardtail MTB (previous favourite climber).
Ultimately, I traded the monstercross in for something more boring (but predictably MTB) yet the drop-bar light-XC bug bit me. If you like rock gardens forget it. But fireroads, long paths, fast-rolling singletrack - I found that drop bars with 2 inch tyres is an utter hoot,fun and motivating. YMMV. Though I probably wouldn't make the jump spending that much without riding a demo/borrowing/hiring first.
My first adult bike pre-MTB era was a light steel road bike and I used to fit cyclocross tyres to get through woodlands etc)
The recent experience of a better drop-bar offroad has left me thinking that once I get fitter and lighter and richer then there is most likely a place for another adventure/gravel/monster/thing, ie maybe a Bombtrack Hook EXT, Genesis Fugio, maybe even a Space Chicken I don’t what will be around in a few years. Being sensible, getting closer to 60yrs old I’ll need to begin to think about what style of offroading is best to serve me in the future
Whyte s150 and a trip away
I looked at a Whyte 120 and that weighed more than I do so I'm guessing the 150 weighs even more. For that reason, I'm out.
I'll go and research Bombtrack as I've never heard of them before.
Thanks for the advice so far everyone.
Well under budget and i reckon it will climb like an e bike. Canyon make excellent xc bikes as it is v popular in Germany.
Just over 25lbs in weight.
Recommend what you have time...
Fabulous bike, will be well south of 27lbs. Well, slightly south at that spec level. Still light though.
Canyon Exceed CF SL 7.0
Light carbon frame, SID with remote lockout, light carbon wheels (Reynolds), 12spd Eagle 34/10-50. Decent XC tyres (Aspen/ Rekon). 22.5 lbs.
£2.5K
Why not try a new On One Scandal?
Much has changed in 9 years.