[Closed] What frame do i want ? MTB, 27.5, 150-170mm etc

Transition Sentinel?

Can't say i've ever really looked at Transition since the old days... certainly will take a peek though. Cheers.

revel rascal, forbidden druid,deviate highlander,  ibis ripmo.  Most 50 year olds get a Santa Cruz 🙂  I would most certainly get a 29er, a trail bike with enduro intentions....  When is your birthday...?  as everything is sold out....

in saying that, i do XC on my banshee titan, albeit slower.

Geo is king, what geo do you want?

Shouldn't you be getting an ebike at your age 😁

You could go right on trend.... run the stumpy mullet with 165mm cranks? You’d sort the low BB issue with that.

I’m running my stumpy mullet when the trails get dry/faster and have 165mm cranks too.

Almost eliminated pedal strikes for me.
(Different stumpy/set-up however)

Titanium hardtail.

If you are looking for something special for that big birthday maybe look at something a bit different like a Starling
https://www.starlingcycles.com/2020-starling-cycles-murmur-29/

You want less of a Mondeo so you choose a Stumpy? That's even more Mondeo like than a G160, regardless of how much carbon they throw on and how much they charge. If you want boutique, as RichMTB says, definitely look at the Sentinel. I'd argue it's even better all round than the G160 and the detailing and support is excellent too. Lifetime warranty on the frame, they look incredible and the ride is awesome too.

Yes it's a 29er, but aside from convenience of just swapping parts over, I see no reason not to go 29 these days. If you just swap parts over from the G160, it won't feel all that different and you'll end up in the same position before long, as all the parts are worn/used already. Case in point, a mate bought a new frame and transferred parts over to it that were 3/4 years old and he's over the "new" bike thing already and hardly ridden over winter. I got my Spur around the same time and am still fully loving it on every ride. There's to be said for a new bike, being completely new and not just a new frame, especially if it's for a special occasion. Go balls to the wall!

Follow the European bike project on Instagram for a bit, if nothing on there takes your fancy, you are dead inside.

29er ain't happening, i've had many and i prefer 27.5. Admittedly i've not tried any 'recent' 29ers, but i simply like 27.5 so it will only be a 27.5.

It won't be a mullet either.

The XC aspect isn't important, all bikes do XC, whereas all bikes don't 'do' enduro, not at my level anyway. Since buying the G-160 about 15 months ago my riding has come on lots and a lot of that is down to the bike being better at the harder stuff, i understand that Brendog could get the T-130 down anything, but i'm not him. So having a bike that's better at techie stuff, well, it helps me.

Birthday isn't until Oct, but i class anything in my birth year as being acceptable for birthday purchase 🙂

I'd throw a Mojo4 into the mix. My Mojo 3 was probably my fav bike ever and the four looks better in every way. 140/130 which makes it a great UK trail bike. If you want something a bit more burly then it's got to be a SC 5010 I guess.

This is a great comparision of the two:

There's not too many 'new' 27.5 trail bikes. A mate just bought a limited edition Airdrop V3 in raw which looks awesome.

There’s not too many ‘new’ 27.5 trail bikes. A mate just bought a limited edition Airdrop V3 in raw which looks awesome

You're right there. I was doing a quick google of 'best enduro bikes' and every single one is a 29er. So maybe i'm limiting my options and thoughts way too much, but i really am not keen on how 29ers handle.

Budget?

Is there anything about the G-160 you like/don't like?

Probably a good idea look the now as you will probably have to wait till October to get a frame lol

Consider a transition scout or patrol?

Old Stumpy Evo was a mess of a bike. Weird leverage, weird sizing, BB on the floor, etc. New Stumpy Evo, if you believe what you read, one of the best bikes on the market.

As much as the new Sentinel looks nice, couldn't buy a Transition - premium pricing with budget service. Both of mine fell apart, 2 others in my riding group broke them & were left for months with no spare parts available (and this was before CoVid was even a thing).

I'd say Druid, Highlander, Ripmo, something along those lines. Or go fully Alfa & pick an Ancilotti. They are all 29", but that's because 29" is betterer 😉

Budget?

Is there anything about the G-160 you like/don’t like?

Something starting with a 3.

Nothing at all. In some ways i'd like it to be a bit more 'poppy' but in all honesty i think that's down to my lack of ability more than anything.

As i'm sitting typing my thoughts lead more to 'why the heck would you not stick with the G-160' as i actually can't fault it. LOL.

MAybe spend £400-500 and throw some shiny wheels at it instead.

I'm very happy with my 50th birthday present

Revel Rail

if you are happy with the bike then i would spend the money on a holiday. take the lad to Finale or something . 29ers rule Weeksy, i really would reconsider

We're already planning Morzine for Aug/Sept. But holidays have to integrate in with Mrs Weeksy too who has no interest in MTBing at all.

finale for definite then:)

“ As i’m sitting typing my thoughts lead more to ‘why the heck would you not stick with the G-160’ as i actually can’t fault it. LOL.”

Yes, this.

Sometimes you just want a new bike.

Bronson?

Indeed Superficial. This may be one of those times yes...

But i've got to self-justify it in some ways too. This may all change after a phone call i've just had about my lads Ohlins shock anyway.

Gorilla Gravity? But different, can be set up in multitude of different travel options.

https://ridegg.com/products/shreddogg?option=Renegade

As i’m sitting typing my thoughts lead more to ‘why the heck would you not stick with the G-160’ as i actually can’t fault it.

This is why I haven't replaced my 4 year old transition patrol.

Santacruz nomad in oxblood has me drooling.

At some point I've promised myself that i will own a Santa Cruz something or other, just for the giggles really.

I like the look of the Transition Patrol, but I've also heard reports of not great build quality (I don't know how much of that is internet-rubbish though)

How about Pole? or Geometron? for the whole "Mad, made in a shed, crazy expensive" experience?

I like the look of the newest Transition Scout in carbon - probably in a similar sort of place to the Santa Cruz Bronson. Sat just below full ‘enduro’ - more longer travel trail bikes. If you want more travel then the Patrol and Nomad are there’re respectively - but do you really want to be pedalling something that burly around xc type rides? Guess you need to be clear on what you’re after.

For more boutique then you could look at Evil - they seem to have sorted themselves out on warranty / service the last few years. I’d avoid Yeti though - that switch infinity thing seems to need quite a lot of tlc and you hear about quite a few frame failures.

Don't get the "issues" people report with Transition, my LBS say they've not had any warranties with the frames themselves, only a few Novatec hubs that got a bit torn up and some NX cassettes that were a known issue from other brands too. All the guys there ride Transitions, and some basically ride their Patrols/Scouts like DH bikes and have had zero issues. Patrol is due an update some time, but the Sentinel and Scout are both great bikes. I love my Spur, but it's definitely more XC than the OP wants

Peak STW when the first post is recommending a 29er when the OP specifically asked for 27.5.

Don’t get me wrong i LOVE the G-160

Seems like you already know the answer!

@tetrode i read it as 'do i want a 27.5,' not 'I only want a 27.5'.

30 posts in and no-one has mentioned Cotic Rocket, would fit most of your criteria apart from carbon

The 2021 scout is not a bad shout at 140mm, but I think a new patrol might be coming soon, seeing as scout and sentinel have 2021 models but I can't find any reference to 2021 patrol.

30 posts in and no-one has mentioned Cotic Rocket, would fit most of your criteria apart from carbon

APart from Geometron, i can't think of an uglier bike. Well i can... but the Cotic isn't pretty at all IMO.

SC 5010 or Nomad? My v4 was an amazing bike. It's for sale incidentally...
Revel Rail
Yeti SB140

Or more leftfield

Starling Swoop
BTR Pinner (long waiting list though)

Gorilla Gravity Megatrail?

Or Starling Swoop?

Pivot switchblade or firebird (love my firebird)

Unless most of your riding is uplift and / or huge features I'd struggle to justify buying a Nomad over a Bronson (if you went for a SC 27.5).

The V2 Bronson I had was fine in Morzine (riding everything but the more super gnar blacks) and the V3 I now have blows it away, and the reality is the new 5010 is probably a more suitable bike for 50% of the riding I do.  Personally I think the lower linkage design works brilliantly.

All being said I'm not sure what SC have in store for the Bronson, whether they will tweak slightly like the Nomad or go mullet.  Colours for this year are the same as last year which is unusual for SC, glad I managed to get a Primer Grey one.

Revel and Propain also look nice.

I bought the alloy version of the evo in 29er from Leisure Lakes 6 months ago. Was also unsure due to the low bb and some mixed feedback on here. A couple of the guys in there had built them up as they were cheap and were really positive about them.

Compared to my 16 Stumpjumper it is much more stable at speed, descends with more confidence and is much better in cornering, fells more flickable and less effort to push into corners.

Climbing is as good as the old and more comfortable due to the steeper seat angle putting me in a better position and the longer reach giving more room.

Using it for everything from 55km rides on bridle way, tow paths, old railway line to just messing on the downhills in the local woods.

Not had any issue with pedal strikes, though I am running it 10mm longer travel forks and it is in the high setting on the rear.

Couldn’t convince myself to get the carbon as it was more than double the price, though I do fancy trying a coil shock!

Chris

I’d stay clear of Starling, a mates got one that cracked and the response was not great, he’s just got it back and now the paint is falling off (again).

the Alloy version is an absolute bargain at £1299 but only in 29er which brings a whole level of complexity as i'd need new wheels and forks, along with a new seatpost, i may as well just buy a new bike in that case. Plus my desire not to go to 29er as well of course.

I would seriously look at the Revel Rail - 27.5, 165mm travel, very poppy, pedals well, looks amazing, and actually available. There are even some demos to be had.

I'm coming off of a T130 and it is better at everything.

Another suggestion for the transition scout. Can be run 150 or 140 rear.

I also have a patrol but the scout is more fun most of the time on local trails, unsure
if I'dd ride it at places like dyfi bike park though.

the Alloy version is an absolute bargain at £1299 but only in 29er which brings a whole level of complexity as i’d need new wheels and forks, along with a new seatpost, i may as well just buy a new bike in that case. Plus my desire not to go to 29er as well of course.

Was more trying to give an opinion on the evo overall, didn’t know they no longer had 27.5 in stock. I managed to get another 100 off in store and they added a use seat post shim to save cost of a new post. Though it was the 4th bike I’d bought from them and didn’t take finance.

Alloy not carbon but boutique and not common on the trails - Banshee? Rune or Spitfire would fit the bill nicely.

I'm not completely against alloy over carbon, the carbon is more of a nicety than a full on requirement.

Plenty of things to look into though guys, cheers.

It's horrible sitting waiting for things to arrive. I'm sure i'll be back in love with the G-160 when the Cane Creek arrives tomorrow 😀

Similar thoughts here except I was already on a Santa Cruz (albeit an alloy Heckler 27.5) was thinking Bronson v2 CC would be enough of a change without been too radical but having trouble finding one at the right price.

A carbon Nukeproof Reactor 27.5 came up, modern geo, and it sure has built a nice bike that rides great but I'm ever so slightly upset that it's heavier that my similar spec alloy Heckler... So maybe I should have stuck with a Bronson but would probably have to go v3 now having got used to the long low slack(er) geo.