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I know it’s a low budget but looking for a HT for some light trail riding and maybe a bit of XC.
Was thinking maybe something like a Fathom or a Scandal?
Don’t mind looking 2nd hand.
Any suggestions welcome.
On one whippet if you want a lighter bike, more XC, but I often loop round my local trails (Stanmer park) on mine. Not the most confidence inspiring going downhill, but I love mine.
My friend has just bought a Scandal GX, he got it on the £1000 deal and personally think it would be difficult to best at that price point. I was expecting it to be heavy, but it weighs 30lb, so reasonable for a cheap trail bike.
I’ve built up a Scandal from one of the cheap eBay frames - have to say it’s ace. Geo spot on for all-round use, relatively light. Recommended.
I'll be putting a large Scandal with Brand X dropper up for sale soon if that's any help? Was going to wait til I had all the parts for a new build but could sell earlier.
I’d probably be looking at a Vitus Sentier VR 29 if you can find one in stock. £1199 and it comes with Shimano deore 12 speed with a decent range cassette (11-51), has a decent Bimber Z2 forks, proper tyres in a reasonable compound, ok brakes, ok spec on the various ancillary bits etc. Geometry is pretty good etc.
Leaves you a few hundred quid for decent pedals / shoes / helmet 👌
Can find the VR 27 in stock. Looks decent if I decide on the smaller wheels. What’s the sizing like on these? I’m just over 5ft 10 so bang in between sizes I think!
I’m 5’9 and was riding a medium when I had one a couple of years ago - but that was my play bike (also have a bigger full suss). At the time I remember thinking if it were my only bike I’d consider sizing up - but the large has a massively long seat tube which is a bit annoying.
So it probably depends on your build - if you’re long of leg then perhaps go large - but if you don’t have long legs then I think that seat tube on the large would restrict the length of dropper you can run.
I picked up an Orbea Laufey for £1700 and it's been great - definitely more trail than XC, IMO, but a lot of fun.
The H30 version with a lower spec fork and other bits is £1350, assuming you can find one in your size...
You could also look at a Sonder transmitter - I’d probably stretch the budget to £1500 for deore or NX rather than the SX one with cheaper forks and slightly flaky drivetrain.
I picked up an Orbea Laufey for £1700 and it’s been great – definitely more trail than XC, IMO, but a lot of fun.
The H30 version with a lower spec fork and other bits is £1350, assuming you can find one in your size…
I have a Laufey H10 on order from Epic Cycles, having paid a 25% deposit a few weeks ago; they're anticipating delivery end of September for delivery beginning of October; their 'everyday low price' was less than RRP - which I was astounded at in these times!
I've got a large 27vr. I'm 5'10 with short legs and it's good in reach but standover and saddle height are a bit high. Tyres are pretty draggy for xc but I'm pretty happy with it overall.
At its price a Scandal would be hard to beat, and 10 months interest free.
Calibre Line 29 if you can find one. They’re about £900 so you’ll have money for a longer dropper and lighter wheels if you want.
Sent you a text in case of interest.
Bought a sentier vr 29 a couple of months ago. The virus website tells you expected delivery dates, and you can set up a notification on CRC.
Pretty sure it is 11 speed Deore, not 12 speed.
I am 5ft11 and on a large. Fit is fine for me and reach is similar to my old large bossnut.
I haven’t ridden a lot of bikes but I am really enjoying it. I prefer hard tails for the riding I do mostly though.
Niggles: grips are uncomfortable. Cables need shortening. And whilst the brakes are good enough. They are resin pads and rotors. I will probably upgrade the pads and rotors to get more bite.
Couple of nice touches. Bike came with tubeless valves, plastic pedals, pedal spanner and a multi tool.
Overall I am happy with my purchase.
on Vitus sizing - 5' 10'' just got the Full Suss Mythique size Large, seems to work well.
https://alpkit.com/products/sonder-dial-nx-eagle Would be a good shout. Transmitter is excellent but this is more XC focussed and seems to fit your bill
+1 for Orbea Laufey