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Tried three bikes at the weekend,
Orbea Rallon, Whyte G150S and Specialized Enduro. All 3 do what I want, all three are really good bikes and I enjoyed riding all of them, money (luckily for me) isn't an issue really, so don't need to particularly cut my cloth accordingly. I was hoping that one of them would stand out, and make it easy, but TBH I'd be happy with any of them. There are pros and cons for each obviously, but any input from owners or horror/ happy customer stories would be welcome.
Rallon custom colour scheme make it yours. I wobble about on a rallon it’s way more bike than my skill and bravery level require but it does make me push my limits more. It’s also a hoot to ride.
Allow prejudice to help with this...
Rallon lets you choose colours. Do not go down this route if you are colourblind.
Specialized will have some evil proprietary part that seeds built-in obsolescence
Whyte... er... comes from a shop.
Orbea and get a custom paint job for free.
Try a Rocket instead?
Or go with the Rallon and get the most horrific custom paint job, then you'll never be able to sell it and so will have to keep it, negating the need for new bike stress in the future.
Rallon or Enduro would be my choice there, dont think much of Whyte after buddy had some issues.
To start throwing the spanner game, have you looked at the new stumpjumper evo 29 or the Transition Sentinel? I saw a SJ evo in a shop yesterday and christ it looked good!
Don't throw any spanners in the works! I purposefully avoided having a go on any Transitions when it became clear that actually riding the bikes wasn't going to make the choice any clearer!
I have a 2017 Enduro and rode a Sentinel recently in a car park only, but from that test it has turned my head enough for me to want to demo one when I need to replace the Enduro. The head turner was how direct the pedaling felt, the enduro doesnt bob but isnt the quickest in a sprint, the sentinel felt as direct as a road bike to me...but in a car park so no trail test...
Don't think you will fine anything that will 'stand out'. They're all much of a muchness really....all bikes have settled on similar geometry, narrowed down to a small handful of fundamental suspension designs, so they're bound to all ride very similarly within similar bike categories. Price is no indication of how well the bike will ride relative to others at different price points. You're just as well choosing on the basis of what you prefer aesthetically, or by brand preference, or what's the best financial deal you can cut...or even toss a coin. It doesn't matter out on the trail.
Have any got funny parts like push fit BB. Which one is lightest? Best resale value? Spec you prefer?
Actialky just get a Santa Cruz.
If none of those 3 particularly stood out, then maybe none of them are ‘The One’ for you. Do you know what traits are most important to you in the bike?
It's not that any of them "stood out" in fact it's the reverse if anything, they were all pretty good. I think it really will come done to (as some have said) proprietary parts. Take the enduro, it was great fun for a 30mun test ride, but could I live with a wu post and ohlins suspension? And the Whyte is a great bike, but it does have a prettt "strong" look. May as well buy an Orbea
I'd get the Orbea from those three on pretty much the same grounds as you've said - and it'll likely hold its value best.
We're nit allowed to mention other bikes then? OK, I won't suggest demo-ing the Orange Stage 6 and Cotic Rocketmax.
Personally, I'd rule out the Specialied for having the two items you've mentioned - everynne I know that has had Ohlins it on their specialized has had problems with it, both the forks and the air shocks (the one coil shock I know if has been fine) - and that was before the current recall. And that weird dropper post - just no.
That would leave the chice between the Orbea and the Whyte, and that's not even close for me, the Orbea is a fanstastic frame.
Cha****ng, arrghh, I don't need any more choice!!
We’re not allowed to mention other bikes then? OK, I won’t suggest demo-ing the Orange Stage 6 and Cotic Rocketmax.
Oh, if it's not permitted, then I won't suggest the Ibis Ripmo or new Yeti SB150 either.
Cha****ng, arrghh, I don’t need any more choice!!
Just mentioned them because they are two bikes with real character, the Orange being very lively and exceptionally fast uphill and on the flat (for a long-travel bike). Not ridden the new 29er Rocket but their other FS bikes have pedaled better than you;d expect while being very comfy and composed descending.
Also, both have long chainstays - which is another major point of difference to the others on your list. Worth trying just to see how you like the geometry. I thought I'd stick with short stays but totally changed my mind when I tried the Mega 290 (which I wouldn't actually recommend).
If that's the genre of bike you're looking at I definitely won't suggest a Bird Aeris, where you get to spec it exactly as you like and get a lifetime frame warranty. It also definitely won't ride as well as a Whyte or Spesh, or.. well, you get the idea.. 😉
Not ridden any of those but I know Whyte warrenty support is very good if that helps.
Orbea. Easy choice.
Slash? Or pivot firebird if you want more bike
I rode the specialized n liked it a lot though
To be honest, if money isn't an issue, you've done well to narrow it down to three!
If you're not looking at more "exotic" bikes, I'd probably have the Orbea just for the customization.
Pivot all the way!