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Keep hovering over a new FS bike and both of these are on my radar at the moment
Anyone ridden both?
2024 Stumpjumper Evo Expert
Frame FACT 11m carbon chassis and rear-end, asymmetrical design, 29/27.5" Trail Geometry, SWAT™ Door integration
Fork FOX FLOAT 36 Performance Elite, GRIP2 damper
Stem Alloy Trail Stem, 35mm bar bore
Crankset SRAM GX Eagle, with Aluminum Guards
Shift levers SRAM AXS POD Controller
Brakes SRAM Code Silver Stealth, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc
Seatpost OneUp, Dropper Post-V2, MMX lever, 34.9
Used Santa Cruz Megatower with mostly new stuff
Frame - NEW 2024 Santa Cruz Megatower C, NEW Headset
Shock - NEW 2025 Rock Shox Vivid Ultimate HBO, 165mm Travel, NEW 450lbs Spring
Fork - Rock Shox ZEB Ultimate CH2.1 Debonair - 170mm Travel, freshly serviced
Wheelset - Reserve HD30 SL Carbon Rims laced to DT Swiss 370 Hubs, NEW Enduro Bearings F&R
Drivetrain - Sram GX AXS 12sp Wireless Mech & Shifter, NEW Sram XX1 Eagle Rainbow Chain & Sram GX 10-52t Cassette
Crankset - NEW Sram X01 Lunar Carbon 165mm DUB, NEW Sram X01 Chainring & NEW Sram DUB BB
Brakes - Sram Code RSC 4-Pot (NEW Pads), NEW Sram HS2 220/200mm Rotors
Cockpit - NEW Burgtec Ride High Josh Bryceland 38mm Bar, NEW Burgtec Enduro Mk3 35mm Stem, NEW Burgtec Josh Bryceland Signature Super-Soft Lock-on Grips
Seatpost - Rock Shox Reverb C1 175mm, 1X Lever, Freshly Rebuilt
Saddle - NEW Burgtec ‘The Cloud’
Tyres - NEW Maxxis High Roller 2 3C 2.5WT F & R, Reserve Philmore Valves & Fresh Sealant
They're different categories of bike, really - so what are you after? Trail bike or enduro-y bike?
I can't see a bad component on either, tbh, you're on a lovely bike either way
Buy four Bossnut’s at £999 and give three away?
I spotted this earlier:
And I'd add in a guitar, a 4 string tenor banjo, a spotting scope, and of course a bunch of roses. I should have change left.
What kind of riding do you do?
I feel like the Evo is similar in intention to my Transition Sentinel - it’s an all mountain sort of bike. Long travel trail / enduro lite. The Megatower is a bit more of a bruiser - especially with that big heavy fork on there.
Both seem well specced and are decent - but you probably need to think about what you’re really after and what you ride most.
They’re different categories of bike, really – so what are you after? Trail bike or enduro-y bike?
10mm difference up front, 15mm out back unsagged
Other than the Megatower being 29 all round and the Spesh being Mullet, there is very little difference in the geo numbers. They aren't that different tbh. Maybe a Hightower would be a better comparison to the Spesh, but I prefer the Mega. On that note, I don't want a Spesh Enduro, so maybe I am leaning a bit more to the trailsy side
I'd have thought the Hightower is more comparable to a Stumpy Evo than the Megatower. Both good bikes but the SC edges it for me personally on the spec.
The Stumpy would suit my needs better, and I actually bought a used frame to build up - then realised the seatpost insertion was a deal breaker for me.
So that may be worth checking.
keep an eye on the sales you should be able to get a new discounted Santa Cruz for that money.
You get all of the warranty/bearings etc being the first owner
i wouldn't get the stumpy as it doesn't support non-wireless drivetrains. Stupid decision.
The yoke linkage connection to the rear shock would put me off the Stumpy.
I can't recommend what I ride as you can't get them anymore......
But if I was buying new I'd possibly push the budget and go for the Atherton S150.3
Or possibly one of Birds offerings - like the AM etc.
I've had a current generation MT, I have a mate with a Stumpy Evo Expert. Both very nice bikes, the MT is definitely on the bigger / gravity end than the Stumpy which will be a better singletrack ripper given it's lighter weight. The MT is surprisingly easy to live with for a big bike, it climbs well and is OK on flatter rides, but if you mostly ride trail centres or lots of natural singletrack you'll be over biked. If you are more gravity oriented then it's a good choice (my Mk2 went to fund my Kenevo SL, I now own a Mk1 MT for uplift trips). The MT is really well built, easy to live with and work on and the parts on the one linked are top notch.
In terms of the Stumpy budget for a new bar, the stock Specialized bar is a horrible shape. Also the Roval rims seem to ding easily (though I did get a warranty on mine without any issues - Roval have a 2 year no quibble replacement scheme for the original owner) - mine are releageted to spares now (replaced with Reserve alu wheels).
i wouldn’t get the stumpy as it doesn’t support non-wireless drivetrains. Stupid decision.
It's the outgoing model, which does take cables.
Get something from the boys at Sussed mate
https://www.sussedbicycles.co.uk//blockquote >
Right click on the Megatower pic anda) that's where it's from
b) now sold
On that note, I don’t want a Spesh Enduro, so maybe I am leaning a bit more to the trailsy side
I'd agree / err on the trail bike side. Contrary to popular opinion I think you can ride an XC bike down an enduro track and have fun even if you don't trouble the Strava leaderboard, but riding an Enduro bike on an XC loop is pretty miserable. Even if defining the stumpy as a trail bike feels a bit dubious.
now sold
Bugger, was available when I created this post
Nothing against that outfit, but why pay a dealer margin for a secondhand bike when prices are so low anyway? I'm sure OP knows enough to source something himself.
How about this one?
I have an Aeris 9, it's really good but it's a proper enduro bike - bit rubbish for easier/undulating trails.
I've bought cheap hack bikes unseen but £4k without a test ride? No way. Have a go on them and decide.
If you ring oscar and have a chat he can source you a bike that you want/spec your want
10mm difference up front, 15mm out back unsagged
And the Stumpy is only 10/15/20mm more than some XC bikes, so travel is just a small part of the picture.
That generation stumpy was close to being the ideal bike for me. Light enough to be a trail bike, great geometry & adjustability, but let down by its ability to eat shocks for fun, the paper thin down tube, its habit for lower pivot bearings & poor (IMO) suspension kinematics (too small a shock for the travel & very low levels of progression).
The Megatower is a big, bruiser of a bike. On fast rough stuff I would have it all day long over the Stumpy. A fairer comparison would be the Hightower.
For 4k though, I wouldn’t have either. I’d be hunting for something lovely that was second hand.
Nothing against that outfit, but why pay a dealer margin for a secondhand bike when prices are so low anyway?
That Megatower is virtually brand new.
Sussed bikes are actually quite reasonable when you look at the kit they put on and it's not going to need servicing any time soon
If I was choosing, and it was to be my main/only bike… I’d take the Stumpy. If it was to be a big mountain bike, and I also had a hardtail or trail full sus… the SantaCruz frame, but a different build. But I’d buy a metal bike anyway. Always.
Brand new megatower for the win - itll be a little bit heavier on the climbs but so much more capable in the steep and rough. You ll get a warranty with this from mtbmonster for 5K...........
https://mtbmonster.com/sale-santa-cruz-megatower-cc-kit-x0-axs-purple/
I’d be inclined (if that megtower is sold and you’re more on the trailsy side of things with one of these options:
Sentinel
Hightower:
https://www.biketart.com/products/santa-cruz-hightower-carbon-c-2024?variant=42570687348915
Also the Bird Aeris AM is interesting - although there is a lot of stuff out of stock for build kits. A Lyrik ultimate would be my first choice fork for an AM type of build. I’d probably go Shimano mechanical with sram brakes personally - not a fan of electric shifting on mtb.
Some big discounts at stif on new bikes. Might be able option there?
Hightower:
Santa Cruz Hightower Carbon C 2024
I've gone off Transition due to the ridiculously low stack height and the spec on that Hightower is woeful compared to the bikes I'm looking at tbh
Brand new megatower for the win
That's decent though for the money
Any of those previous generation Trek Slash left cheap?
That's a brilliant all rounder if the seat post insertion suits you.
Maybe it’s just me looking at the wrong bikes - but medium vs medium the Sentinel v2 carbon and the Megatower are only 5mm different on the stack height. Stumpie Evo is a bit taller though 622 vs 627 vs 635. Only 13mm in it which is nothing really with spacers or a taller handlebar.
On reflection that might be the incorrect size Stumpie - the S3 has a stack of 626 and reach of 448. So I’m not really sure where stack height comes into it.
As a left field choice https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/bikes/mountain-bikes/scott-genius-st-900-tuned-full-suspension-mountain-bike-2024-in-blackgreen__45354
^^ killer 30lb carbon everything bike that'll be quicker up, down, left and right than most other enduro raceable trail bikes.
You could probably XC race it to and it'll certainly be happy on all day rides
2024 clearance in carry over 2025 colors.. whats not to like!
Heavily discounted Bold (under 3k) very similar to the Scott Genius posted above but with a bit less travel.
I would've suggested that Linkin 135, but I'm trying to figure out getting a medium shipped out to Canada so protecting the medium inventory 😉
I went from Megatower to Stumpy Evo.
Megatower is more of a bruiser, I never really got along with it. Stumpy is noticeably more lively but still plenty capable in the rough stuff.
Others love the Megatower but the Stumpy is the clear winner in my eyes.
New, half price Hightower with GX AXS for £3,449 at Stif? (and the rest on C+H)
https://www.stifmtb.com/products/santa-cruz-hightower-carbon-c-gx-axs-ngt-kit?variant=41094173491311
Bold Linkin seems to be the worst colour imaginable IMO.
There is very little between the Hightower and megatower in weight and riding. The stumpy will be lighter just .. but for the money and spec the Genius is stunning .
Maybe it’s just me looking at the wrong bikes – but medium vs medium the Sentinel v2 carbon and the Megatower are only 5mm different on the stack height. Stumpie Evo is a bit taller though 622 vs 627 vs 635. Only 13mm in it which is nothing really with spacers or a taller handlebar.
Good point - it was a previous look at a Spire that led me to believe there was a very low stack - I'd not really compared these. Maybe verything is low these days
That Genius for the money is outstanding. Maybe it's just me that finds the look a little challenging though
I'll not be buying a Trek, Bold, or Bird - not keen on any of them
Another one is this '22 Bronson for less money. Yes, I know it's not a trail bike
If I didn't already have a carbon Raze, I'd definitely be looking at this Mondraker Foxy for £3.7k
https://www.freeborn.co.uk/mondraker-foxy-carbon-rr-2023-trail-bike
It sounds like you want a Santa Cruz with a bling spec - I’d just buy one of those in that case. The frame quality and hardware is very good on them and they work / have good warranty support if it’s new.
The Genius has a great spec for the money but the headset routing / hidden shock etc would put me off tbh.
“Another one is this ’22 Bronson for less money. Yes, I know it’s not a trail bike”
If it’s not a trail bike, what is it?
I reckon the Bronson is also in that long travel trail / enduro light sort of area with the Stumpie Evo, Sentinel, Ripmo etc etc
If it’s not a trail bike, what is it?
Pinkbike recently asked exactly that. All Mountain whatever that is.
The bronson I demoed on tamer trails seemed slower than my v1 megatower and my v2 to that end . It felt sluggish un weighted and un impressive . The sentinal and hightower are much better all rounders.
Stif have brand new Hightowers and Bronsons for 50% off... can get an XO AXS build for less than 4 grand with a full warranty...
https://www.stifmtb.com/products/santa-cruz-hightower-carbon-cc-xo-axs-kit
https://www.stifmtb.com/products/santa-cruz-bronson-carbon-cc-xo-axs-kit
Those SCs look amazing vfm. Assuming you're not an Audi driving dentist, Orange have some closeout models on their website which I think have an additional 20% off with a code too.
Left field choice - Saracen have 15% off the Aerial 30 - Elite Spec then under £3.5k.
My wife just got a specialized status 2, you'd have plenty of change and it's a great bike.
Think the saracen is a great shout, and decent review on here a month or so ago.
I'd also look at the sonder evol. You'd get dream kit for that budget.
Wish them all the best, and nothing personal, but that second hand dealer offers on the first page, seem really keenly priced. I get the margins selling second hand are tight if a business and they look immaculate and great spec, but regardless of that, most value second hand is the age and model of the frame (in my opinion) and their prices compared to random Facebook marketplace or pinkbike seems optimistic
Rocky mountain?
Megatower 4k at leisure lakes…
That's a pretty good answer to the OP's brief TBF.
Nicely judged spec. Just get some inserts in them RF rims, the ones I had were a touch fragile.
Really Cant get passed the Atherton s150 for just above your budget
Or one of many oranges in the sale
I really do like to support brittish where I can and to see a small yorkshire business struggling is heartbreaking so I'd put my money there.
Yes there questionable ugly yes there's better performing bikes out there but just like my terrier ,he's an absolute flute 90% of the time but I wouldn't swap him for any other dog.