[Closed] What would you replace my Bronson with?

What's wrong with it? Not being facetious, just wondering what you wish was different/better.

Yep why spend when you have it, 5 year warranty and all that

Nothing. Keep it.
Seriously, been down the "Ooh, need to save cash so will sell off my bikes" scenario several times.
Inevitably always end up giving someone else a bargain. ?
Keep it. Cracking bikes.
Not an owner, mate has one though.
(Five owner here, Bronson not my cup of tea, but you'll miss it, unless your spending a heap more cash).

I'm like that OP..there's nothing wrong with the ride you simply want a change. I had a Solo and wanted something more aggro so went with a spitfire and love it, but still look around..I would look at the Mojo HD3 mate, love em. Also, the new breed of aggro 29ers need a look, I've just bought one and love that too

Depending on budget, the nomad is as most say a hooligan on the downs and if you
have the legs and gears as i proved to a few riding buddies on exmoor last summer
climbs pretty well.
Rocky mountain altitude, this years in that aubergine paint job looks great, have recently
brought the thunderbolt, ride nine chip adjustment and grease ports on the pivots make
it a great bike for uk conditions.
The new turner rfx, having ridden 5spots and a new burner they are great bikes to 😀
As mountain bikers we are so lucky to have such a great choice of so many great bikes.

Nothing wrong with it just fancy a change. Looked a few months ago but nothing was markedly better so I didn't bother swapping. Descending is much more important than climbing to me so although hd3 is good I've heard it sacrifices descending a little on its pedalling platform.where did you purchase your Rocky Mountain from?

In the great tradition of recommending what you ride, how about an Evil? If you're sticking with 650b wheels then the Insurgent is an incredible bike, or if you fancy a go on a 29er then well... You've probably read some of the (justified) hype surrounding the Following! Don't know how tall you are, but my Large (I'm 5ft10) is officially a demo bike (from memory you're not too far from me anyway) if you fancied a go, but they do go all the way down to a small sized frame for those 5ft6 or below.

I've Also read the negatives which put me off the insurgent that I've read fantastic reports about. Defo wanna stick with 650b so wild be the insurgent. I wonder who nearby stocks demos of them. I guess if it rode so amazingly it may be worth the risk (don't wanna start another yay or nay for evil bikes and warranty, just stating what puts me off buying one)

I have gone from Bronson to bronson v2
Very happy.

I'd give my right arm for a Bronson.
A little bit jealous as I've had the same bike for seven years and can't afford to replace it.
Keep it till it dies.

Blazing Bikes had an Insurgent demo bike about a month ago, I bought a Following of them after a demo, very helpful chaps in the shop.

http://www.blazingbikes.co.uk/full-suspension-mountain-bikes

I keep looking and keep being drawn to the Bronson 2.

We'll see though, my original bronson is still a very good bike (I'm sure some critics will disagree as always on here).

Turner RFX v4, since you said the descents are the priority.

You have to be barking mad to buy an Evil before it's gone through its paying-customer-beta-test, no matter how well it rides. Give it a year.

I'd go for a New Bronson, my mate just has and he's happy.

How about a Yeti SB6C?

Early/mythical rear triangle problems seem to have gone away.

Nicolai/Cotic/Transition

Ibis Mojo HD3 (stick an angleset on to drop a degree off the head angle, to make it more planted on the descents)
Giant Trance or Reign Advanced
Transition Patrol
Specialized Enduro 650b
Norco Range or Sight
Pivot Mach 6

How about a Yeti SB6C?

Early/mythical rear triangle problems seem to have gone away.

Get one of them & the Insurgent.

Then it could be an IRL battle of which catastrophically fails first, and which manufacturer hangs you out to dry quickest 🙂

mboy - Member
In the great tradition of recommending what you [s]ride[/s] sell

i would agree with rickon, another vote for the Pivot Mach 6C. I am a Mach 5.7C rider and have demo'd a 6 and loved it (spread the pivot love!) it goes up as well as it comes down, the DW platform is stable enough that you dont need to piss about with lockouts and CTD etc i just leave my 5.7 in full open all the time.

i would also look at the Knolly warden

http://forums.mtbr.com/evil-bikes/evil-insurgent-booyah-988996.html

Seems the insurgent is worth the hype?! Don't think the following has had the same issues as earlier bikes for longevity has it?

What size frame are you looking for Golfchick. I am selling a medium spitfire.

It has 26" dropouts but these can be changed for about £40 to 650b.

If you have any questions then drop me a line 🙂

The other thing to bear in mind is... If you're an averagely proportioned lady, you'll want a shorter ETT and reach, but a good stack and seattube.

The V1 Bronson had that, as it was a Santa Cruz. Pivot offer this too, as do Specialized and Ibis. Transition are pretty long, as are Giant.

The new breed of long bikes may not fit you that well, if you have longer legs and shorter body.

Northwind - Member
You have to be barking mad to buy an Evil before it's gone through its paying-customer-beta-test, no matter how well it rides. Give it a year.

I'm sorry Northwind but that's completely inappropriate. If the OP waits a year Evil won't have any replacement frames for the inevitable warranty claim. Best get in quick 😛

S Works Enduro 650b, Abigales loving hers.

[img] [/img]

Got a garage full of stuff so ordered a frame set for me, should be here on Tuesday

[img] http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/Specialized/121783?$Display$ [/img]

New carbon patrol about the only bike turning my head atm...

The other thing to bear in mind is... If you're an averagely proportioned lady, you'll want a shorter ETT and reach, but a good stack and seattube.

Not true at all. If you're an averagely proportioned lady you'll have exactly the same height to limb length ratio as an averagely proportioned man of the same genetic heritage (northern europeans have shorter limbs for their height than africans).

I don't know where the oft-repeated 'women have longer legs and shorter torsos than men' mantra came from but it's complete rubbish.

I'd keep the frame and spend the money on blinging it out if it's not already. Top of the range suspension (I prefer bos F+R) and carbon wheels for example.

The new bronson isn't different enough imo to justify the change, stick an angleset in to slacken it out and the geometry is very similar providing your happy with the length.

Just about the only bikes I'd take over a bronson would be a SB6C or Insurgent, though as above neither of those have the best of repuations. The Mondraker Dune Carbon sure looks good as well though 😳

I don't know where the oft-repeated 'women have longer legs and shorter torsos than men' mantra came from but it's complete rubbish.

Personal experience. Maybe I just go for girls with long legs and short bodies.

Funny that WSD bikes have short ETTs and reaches.

I'd through a leg over a Pivot Mach 6, had mine year and half and it's an superb bike. I'd also defo look at a Turner RFX and the HD3. I'm a DW fan. If not already obvious...

Golfchick - in the same place as you. Got a bronson v1 and a 2015 5010. OH has a newmad, it climbs fantastically well and he's running a forks and shock with no lockout options (fox X2 and 36 rc2).

Only thing that keeps catching my eye is a Mojo but hear very conflicting stories about them. OH talking about buying a bronson v2 frame so might be tempted by that.

Santa brought me new forks for my Bronson (36 rc2) which have made me really love it again and helped me push myself to get out riding stuff that I really struggled with before.

Sorry not really helping your dilemma but a kindred spirit here.

.....whoever said long legs/short torso doesn't exist should be careful of mass generalisations. I ride a medium frame, 5'8" with 33" inside leg. Guys of same height tend to have a 30" inside leg. I don't look odd next to other women. Guess we're all different. It does make buying bikes rather interesting though.

.....whoever said long legs/short torso doesn't exist should be careful of mass generalisations. I ride a medium frame, 5'8" with 33" inside leg. Guys of same height tend to have a 30" inside leg. I don't look odd next to other women. Guess we're all different. It does make buying bikes rather interesting thoug

I didn't say that. I said that AVERAGE women have exactly the same proportions as AVERAGE men. And the same proportion of women have long legs and short torsos as the proportion of men who have long legs and short torsos and vice versa. There's a big variation but it varies the same for men and women.

I was sceptical of the claim that on average women have shorter torsos for their height than men when I first read it because it's totally at odds with the rest of the animal kingdom - generally female mammals have longer torsos because they get pregnant and males don't.

So I did some investigating and found a scientific paper on anatomy which showed that men and women have the same distribution of limb length vs height but that people of african origin have longer limbs than europeans - which tallies with the european longer torso, pale skin, longer thinner nose adaptations for colder weather and less sunlight. I've posted the link on here before.

I'd love to see some evidence from manufacturers who make shorter reach 'women specific geometry' bikes to support their design decisions.

Dunno where you ride Golfchick, but the Canyon Spectral looks pretty spot-on to me if you can live with 140mm travel. Also seems to be great value.

That new Airdrop Edit has 150mm travel and even longer geometry IIRC. New Meta seems like a decent all-rounder too.

Bronson is already specced to the nines, the seatpost needs a service, as does the CC inline and the forks have a gouge on them that although TFtuned says wont effect their performance I'm not happy with. Have ridden the 650B nomad in tropical colours so not this years and it was really nice and plush although I did find it tended to flatten out everything and the trail was noticeably less fun and challenging as the nomad was just destroying it.

Tempted by pivot mach 6, specialised, knolly warden carbon, turner rfx, maybe a yeti sb6c. Just a sham one shop wont have the all to demo in one place, I'll have to narrow it down more to not pay £50 all over the place!

pivot mach 6, specialised, knolly warden carbon, turner rfx, maybe a yeti sb6c

Enduro, SB6C and Knolly are all going to be more like the Nomad in terms of their trail flattening abilities - or even moreso. I believe this year's Nomad is the same as last year's bar the colours.

I guess the way I'd look at it is do I want the bike to be longer or slacker or lower or more travel or more efficient or steeper seat angle or what? But I'm very analytical like that...

Chuefgrooveguru - sorry was just at the wind up. I agree with you (mostly) about the need or not for women specific bikes. I can't get on with a women specific MTB but I am about to buy a women specific road bike (I think). I'd probably get on OK with a unisex one but I have a XC bike that is unisex and wee bit long in the top tube despite fitting perfectly everywhere else so it really does depend on the bike.

Golf chick - once or twice a year there is a massive demo at Glentress. Last year there were about 7 different manufacturers there. Alpine bikes organise it. You pay once at the bike shop and get a band for the day. Then you get to ride the bike around a specific loop of trails and come back to get the next one. They don't always make you stick to the specific loop though if you can convince the demo guys that you're serious about the bike.

Not trying to keep pushing the Mach 6 (well, I am really) but I got a demo bike for a whole weekend from the importers via the bike shop for no charge. My mate has a SB5C and is love with it and he's been through just about ever bike available, so a SB6C worth a look.

The new Bronson.

Due to the rear hub on both the new bronson and the pivot Mach 6 they're both not in the running now. I don't want to have to buy another Chris King hub and get the Derby rims relaced yet again!

Evil: No for the obvious reasons
Yeti: I'd have to be convinced that those extra shocks in the frame aren't going to be an issue, they look like a nice place for mud and grit to gather.

Yeti: I'd have to be convinced that those extra shocks in the frame aren't going to be an issue, they look like a nice place for mud and grit to gather.

They're not shocks. And they'll doubtless be far more reliable than the previous eccentric bearing!

They're not shocks. And they'll doubtless be far more reliable than the previous eccentric bearing!

This +1

I had an SB5C, and have now moved onto a '45C (the big-wheeled brother of the SB5C) and have never had nay probs with my switch infinity system.
Yes, mud will collect in around the link, but that's really not a problem as the seals on the unit just push it out of the way.
I've given it a right hammering, and it copes with it admirably.

[img] ?oh=f35984216d22c06a6d1e9dc51a5c77d4&oe=571BB3EC[/img]

To the OP, the SB5C would be well worth a look. It's much more capable than its 127mm travel suggests, and paired with a 150mm fork will pretty much do anything. It's also 142x12, so you won't have to change your hub 🙂

the 140mm travel does put me off a little but may give it a try if it perhaps feels like more.

Tempted by pivot mach 6, specialised, knolly warden carbon, turner rfx, maybe a yeti sb6c. Just a sham one shop wont have the all to demo in one place, I'll have to narrow it down more to not pay £50 all over the place!

Trying not to be smart, but instead of viewing it as wasting spending £50 on a demo, view it as going somewhere new to ride and trying something new.

That's still what £250 on finding the bike that YOU like riding the best. Before your dumping a load of £££ on, internet experts can help but there's nothing better than throwing your leg over one.

ps rocket?

To be fair, I had 140mm on mine and it was enough for me. I raced quite a few local enduros (down here in the south-west) and took it all over Europe riding some pretty hairy stuff, and I found it never felt out of its depth.

It will take up to a 160mm fork, although I reckon that would be too much.

See if you can get a demo on one. You'll be pleasantly surprised 🙂

I'd be all over the new Turner RFX in your position.
That being said, I have to put in a positive word for Evil. Only had mine a year, and it was second hand but it rides superbly, and the bearings seem to be holding up well - I stripped it down last week and put it all back together again with the same bearings as they were all fine.
As for Evils legendary poor customer service, well I enquired about buying a replacement H link as the one that's on it has suffered a bit of cable rub before I got it, and they couldn't have been more helpful, sending me a set FOC together with bolts.
A friend has an Evil following and regularly wins Enduro and DH races on it. He also has had no problems.

I've got an Evil Insurgent in small and I love it- it is the most fun bike I've ever ridden- confidence inspiring, playful, really good on tight, steep stuff and when you want to just let it go it feels so stable. It climbs pretty well too- limiting factor is me! I don't know if it would work GolfChick but you'd be welcome to try it.

Where abouts are you based? Miiiiles away I bet

Peak District.........

Yeah a fair distance really but not hideous, I'm in the West Midlands.

The 2016 SB5c is now 148 rear hub, you might be lucky and still find a 2015.

Just swapping my Bronson out for a Strive

One more thought - I've heard good things about the new Nuke proof Mega.

The 2016 SB5c is now 148 rear hub, you might be lucky and still find a 2015.

No. No it's not. The 6C, yes, but not the 5.
http://www.yeticycles.com/bikes/sb5c

How about something different. Go back to basics with a nicely sorted hard tail with a downhill bias. Maybe something like a Last Fastforward. You could pick up a fairly cheap frame (compared to FS), swap the parts over, and mothball the Bronson for a bit.

have you considered a custom carbon frame, built to your requirements?
size ,travel, bbkt, standover, HA can all be made to suit, even the suspension system can be tuned depending on the ride you want.

I've got a Bronson V1 which I still love riding but have an itch to change. I'm going to hold on and see what the new Tallboy LTc is like when it appears - suspect it will be boost rear end so could run as 27.5+ or 29. If it follows the current trend of being longer and slacker, it could be a real weapon.

mrblobby I already have a hardtail (stanton switchback) that I'm very happy with for my winter riding but definitely looking for a full suss for the rest of my riding.

thanks Pinetree, getting my bikes mixed up 😳

Evening. When you say moneys getting simpler do you mean you need to cash in/clear any finance and get a cheaper frame?

Otherwise why? And that's coming from me.

Otherwise get a Meta AM V4. 8)