Spec me my new bike ...

Current frontrunners are the new Bird Aeris AM

Username doesn't check out.

Perhaps it’s an ironic username?

I smell beautiful by the way.

Buy the cheap Santa Cruz 5010 and keep £1000 for a trip away to Finale 🙂

Or the Epic Evo.

I’m a relatively mincy and light-ish rider, so don’t need heavy duty gear.

Does not compute with:

Lyric/Fox 36/Helm Mk 2 forks …

Hah! Classic STW response ... 2 replies about my username, 2 replies giving me a different answer to the question I asked! 😆

My username can't be changed. It was set up when I did only have a HT, and naively thought that's all I'd ever ride ... (I do still have, and regularly ride a HT, and starting to build another!)

Re the 5010 / Epic Evo ... I've already done quite a lot of thinking and deliberating about what kind of bike I want ... so can we take this as the starting point for discussion? I might mince, and I don't hit things hard or especially fast. But I do want something that'll allow me to do the odd Enduro (albeit bottom 10% of times), ride (mince) steep natural tech in the Lakes, all-day rides in the Peaks, winch & plummet stuff in various spots in Yorkshire etc. So, a light, trail/AM build, 150/160 travel, aiming for 13/14kg. No need for double-down/DH casing tyres, no need for heavy-duty wheels ...

Lyric/Fox 36/Helm Mk 2 forks …

So, yeah - I see your point, but a Pike/Fox 34 tops out at 140mm these days.

I have considered a more DC bike, or a Trail bike, I've discounted the former as whilst it would likely be enough for a lot of my riding, doesn't give that extra capability for when I want it, or allow me to grow in terms of my ability/confidence to ride more challenging stuff. And, have considered eg the new Smuggler (or 5010), but as it weighs 14kg already, why not go a bit bigger if I can build it at around the same weight?

So ... back on topic ... anyone tried these eBay Shimano groupsets ... are they genuine, or knock-off?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125207385501?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=qWgQP09DT1-&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=0Q6gIDf5R_i&var=427156834796&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

OK, using the logic above... i'd do the tradition of STW and say "Trek Fuel EX 9.8" which is light like you want and 150mm travel 🙂

Your problem is going to be building/speccing a bike for your budget at that weight though, even with slightly lighter tyres, getting to 13kg isn't an easy ask these days.

To be fair you did ask a question that is probably covered by a heap of PSA threads over the last week…

Merlin have xt12 speed cassette/shifter/mech at decent prices currently. I'd go for slx crank as it's much cheaper but the xt is barely any lighter.

If you're trying to keep cost down then I'd go for slx shifter and mech as they perform brilliantly with little additional weight.

The new Cotic Jeht in red is a good looking bike that would fit your needs and Cotic can build it to your spec , Starling are pretty good with custom builds too .I would imagine the Bird would build up lighter what with it being carbon but maybe not enough for it to be a deal breaker.
I saw a mk 2 forbidden druid the other day and thought it looked amazing, no idea how the high pivot thing actually feels to ride but it looks cool , 🙂 might be hard to build up with a high spec for 5k though .
Stumpy Evo seems to get consistently good reviews and might suit if the full build is to your taste .

My ripmo Af came with Deore and it's been absolutely trouble free . If I was building up a bike from scratch I'd definitely go for a cheaper Shimano drivetrain and spend the savings on wheels or suspension.

Fork:

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/p/rockshox-lyrik-select-rc-debonair-boost-fork

Bird usually have some cracking prices on components - it would be worth perusing what they have and then filling in the remaining gaps if you want something unusual or specific.

Hah! Classic STW response … 2 replies about my username, 2 replies giving me a different answer to the question I asked! 😆

So … back on topic … anyone tried these eBay Shimano groupsets … are they genuine, or knock-off?

Not sure why you're giving people grief for their input on a thread titled

Spec me my new bike

You should have titled it

help me find a cheap groupset

If that was all you wanted to know.
Then few people would have opened it and even fewer replied

PS, buy an Occam. It's just what you need ( as long as it stays dry)

A riding mate / LBS was offering Deviate Highlander 2's with Fox 36, Float X, Hope Pro5s, SLX 1x12 and OneUp finishing kit for <£5k earlier this month, if that's of interest? (Deviate dealer).

My recent build:

Bird Aether 9C (just over a grand for frame, shock, headset, seat clamp)

Bomber forks (£150 ish from CRC ebay shop)

Sram wheels (£200 ish with tyres and cassette from CRC ebay shop)

GX drivetrain

Tech 4 E4 brakes with uberbike rotors

Brand-X dropper, carbon raceface bars, saddle off my old bike as it's the right shape

All in, under £3k. Might give some idea on what you need to spend... Expect another grand for the frame, new forks are going to be another 300-400 on top of what I paid. Maybe some nicer wheels would add another 200-300.

Even at 5k, you'll need to do some scrimping to hit the budget.

I guess I’m looking at XT-level (or SRAM equivalent) at least for drivetrain, possibly brakes (are Hopes, or something else worth considering?)

SRAM equivalent is probs GX, you can mix and match the eagle groupsets to higher/lower spec if you want, but honestly, it works, is very durable, is relatively cheap and is v easy to live with. I used to be Mr Shimano but these days I'd head straight to SRAM. If you can be bothered to hunt around for parts, there are some bargains to be found, I know Airdrop (makers of the Edit) are selling off cheap brakes and groupsets 

I'd be looking at a Cotic Jeht either as a whole build or to keep the price down a frame only then s/hand bits to build it up

Well I'm just gonna answer with how I'd spec up a new bike (with a view to your brief)...

Wheels = Hope hubs & DT EX471 rear, XM481 front rims.

Brakes = Deore 6120 four pots with 203mm rotors

Chainset = SLX

Gears = This is your preference, I like Shimano 11sp but you'll probably want 12sp

Dropper = Brand X if you don;'t have particularly short legs, OneUp if you do (like me). Bontrager Line Elite trigger.

Tyres = Massively down to preference. Maybe Michelin Wild Enduro rear and Spesh Hillbilly front for starters.

Also - Buy parts individually, groupsets deals aren't such a thing these days.

Having spent Sunday afternoon riding/wading/dragging myself and bike through some proper wet rivers of mud and debris, I reckon you should be seriously considering AXS as that just kept working despite dragging half a forest from the rear mech. Didn't stop once...it is absolutely brilliant in terms of operation (the price isn't that good, but 'deals' can be had - actually, I'm pretty sure Bird have AXS as an option on a complete build - I specced up a new Aether 7 for myself last week but thankfully it came in about £1500 more than I was hoping, so it got binned - but it wasn't the groupset that pushed the price up, just everything was a bit more than I was hoping for as I'd only gone to look at the frame cost (thinking I'd transfer all my stuff across, then got stuck in the complete bike build rabbit hole).

I know it's not what you asked, but this bike does exactly what you want at a great price:

https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/bikes/full-suspension-mountain-bikes/orbea-occam-m10-lt-mountain-bike-202223-lt-infinity-green__372392?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=N26318LS

And here's a nice cheap fork for you, though you'll have to look into the import situation yrself. I've got work to do 😀

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/rockshox-lyrik-select-charger-3-rc2-150mm-29-debonair-boost

Tyres = Massively down to preference. Maybe Michelin Wild Enduro rear and Spesh Hillbilly front for starters.

If starting from scratch (well always) at least spec same brand tyres, have some self respect man!

2x replacements for the Pace RC295 due out imminently, no doubt carbon, trail/AMish with some updated geo and good prices... might be tempting to wait for that... That bird Carbon AM does look good but at 160mm travel not sure it really fits what your looking for...!?

Here's an even cheaper for for you OP, from good, reliable old Merlin...
Fox 36 Rhythm

I'd be tempted to buy that right now if you're definitely building up a bike.

If starting from scratch (well always) at least spec same brand tyres, have some self respect man!

Can't see 'em when you;re riding    😛

2x replacements for the Pace RC295 due out imminently, no doubt carbon, trail/AMish with some updated geo and good prices…

@snotrag ... source/more info?

Thanks everyone, some great suggestions ^^^^

I'm working at the moment, so clearly don't have time to update my spreadsheet on the other computer screen! 🤫

@hardtailonly source is Sophie at Pace - She wouldnt give me anymore, other than that they were aware the Geo on the RC295 has left them behind competitors, they have worked on it, and they have 2x new FS bikes coming very soon.

They even have a page on their webiste titled https://pacecycles.com/pages/ rc295-new-v2 but theres no new content... a little slip up by the web guy perhaps, but understandable for a small setup!

Its a little frustrating as I have a potnetial buy (something very rare/hard to come by) sat in my LBS waiting for me decide yes/no, im really tempted but dont want to kick myself if Pace release something right up my street the day after I commit elsewhere. The RC295 was something I really wanted but the daft giant seat tube meant I couldnt.

sorry for OT!

I get the Pace emails having bought a 627 and they've been hinting at a bunch of new bikes landing very soon.

Some deals on the 627 too as they've binned 650b.

I'd love another Pace but I'm not wanting carbon or 29er...however, will take a nosey at the new stuff when it is announced.

Green Lyrik Ultimates at TFTuned this week only for £641 seems a decent buy..

What’s the other frame you can source locally? Deviate or something?

I like the sound of that Bird AM - 160mm travel but possible to build down to 30lbs with fancy kit.

I think I’d go for a Lyrik Ultimate as the fork - it’s decent in peformsnce and lighter than the Fox 36.

I think the Bird frameset comes with the top end super deluxe so that’s suspension sorted.

Brakes I’d go for Sram RSC with 220/200mm rotors. I’m not heavy but the 220mm rotor definitely works better for me. CRC had some cheap deals on these recently.

Wheels I’d get custom ones - EX511 rear rim / XM481 front. Hope or DT 350 rear hub / Bitex front (only £50 and front hubs are very simple things).

Tyres I’d go Kryptotal enduro / soft front and Xynotal enduro / soft rear based on recent experiences. Tweeks via eBay were the cheapest I found for the Kryptotal at the moment.

Groupset I reckon the slx shifter is worse than the xt one - my xt broke and I cheated out on an slx and the shifter has never been as good. It has an easier push to change gear but I’m not convinced. <br /><br />

xt rear mech - the slx one has bushes that don’t last well.

Slx cassette is usually a chunk cheaper than xt and you have more steel cogs (durability) so I’d go slx there.

Cranks…..personally I like sram carbon ones so I’d get a descendant carbon crankset with the nice alloy x sync 2 ring on it.

Wheels Manufacturing Dub bb lasts way longer than sram ones.

Sram chain - xo1 or xx1.

Oneup post gets the most drop in any given space plus isn’t too pricey.

Then whatever other finishing kit floats your boat.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions, plenty for me to go at, and some options I'd not come across before in terms of deals.

Just wanted to ask opinions again (think it got a bit lost earlier in the thread) about cheap Chinese Shimano groupsets, eg :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125207385501?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=qWgQP09DT1-&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=0Q6gIDf5R_i&var=427156834796&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
/p>

Are these legit, or knock-off? Not sure I'd be able to get the individual components for that kind of price, so seems tempting ... but is it just 'tempting fate?