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My bike of the last 11 years (a Gary Fisher Cake) has just given up with cracks in the seatpost and rear triangle. So now I'm bikeless with summer just ahead and a seeming dearth of new bikes to buy anywhere, even the big European mail order brands seem to have no stock (I am based in Stockholm so shipments no problem). Having been out of touch with developments in the bike industry for the last decade isn't making it easier... help!
So I am looking at local classifieds, and there is a Scott Ransom 920 from 2019 on sale for what works out to just under 2300 pounds. Now I am no XC whippet, but given that Stockholm region is short sharp ups and downs, with lots of rocks and roots but not many long descents I am wondering if this would be too much bike for me?
Anybody own one and care to comment? Or suggestions for something else that could get me back on a bike reasonably quickly? I'm happy to buy new if I can just find something, probably up to around 4k - 5k GBP. Looking for a full suspension 'trail' bike.
I would say maybe look at something a bit lighter and more trail orientated. Shorter travel 29era have become very capable these days without losing climbing ability, a 130/140mm slackish 29er will do most things pretty well without any major compromises. Trek fuel or a Stumpjumper not very exciting but they do the job well, maybe something a bit more interesting like a Privateer 141.
I've run couple of ransoms over the last few seasons. 900 tuned which was bonkers light and remarkably pedallable for a 170mm race-able Enduro bike.
Then I had a 910, also build lighter than stock but it wasn't the tuned version and I absolutely had sellers regret. This year I have a 930 coming that I will build as a mini DH bike so I can ride the park with the kids and be less precious a out crashing an $8-10k bike
For that 920, a wheelset upgrade would be a good thing. Drop some rotating weight. Fortunately the 2019 920 still has the fox nude with 120mm climb/trail mode so it's way more than a winch and plummet bike as you genuinely can pedal up to the top convincingly well. I would even local xc race my Ransom tuned on occasion as it was only 30lbs
The thing about long travel 29ers is that they carry sooo much speed that I personally have no idea how to tame that momentum into the corners so I ended up scrubbing more speed then on a shorter travel bike. I'm sure that's the same across the board and not Ransom specific.
It looks like a lot of bike, but also not a lot of money, especially just now. I think there's probably a limit to how badly you can regret it.
Well, I really don't feel like waiting several months to get back into the woods, so I'm focusing on what is in stock / for sale locally.
2 options I could look at this weekend...
The 2nd hand 2019 Ransom 920 for around 2300 pounds.
A new 2021 Trek Fuel EX7 for around 2800 pounds.
I'm thinking the Fuel might be the more sensible option...
The ransom sounds quite a good deal. Nothing worse than being bike less so go for it. You'll always be able to sell it on if you don't get on with it, but I reckon you love it.
Fuel is a fantastic bike, that would be my choice.
How much to post a lightly ridden Scott Spark 710+ to Sweden? 😉
Well, thanks for the advice everybody. In the end I went for the Trek Fuel, felt like a good fit (at least as much as I could tell zipping around the carpark outside the bike shop).
Looking forward to taking it out for the first time after work tomorrow...
Enjoy, Fuel EX is a great platform. I have an older model and I rarely feel under biked