[Closed] Which full suspension bike?

So, do you think you need a good 'do it all' 140mm travel bike which descends and climbs well?

I'd be looking at the Lapierre Zesty - lots of different models to suit a range of budgets

I had one for 12 months and thought it was great

I reckon that i'm about to get shot down by the STW massive....

So, do you think you need a good 'do it all' 140mm travel bike which descends and climbs well?

I'd be looking at the Lapierre Zesty - lots of different models to suit a range of budgets

I had one for 12 months and thought it was great

I reckon that i'm about to get shot down by the STW massive....

Transition covert

Cheers boltonjon I have been looking at the zesty.

I agree with boltonjon, the zesty for doing everything, I've had 2 in past they are great. New ones have an even more agressive geometry so would suit your list of uses above.

Lots of very good bikes out there though...

Stumpy Evo, Yeti Asr5 or SB66, SC Blur Tr....all top drawer 140-150mm forked bikes.

suppose it depends largely on your budget.

you looked at the norco's in evans??
or the canyons??

Me I'd be looking at a Turner I think if I was buying new again, current 3 bikes I built myself and have found that the cheapest way to get the setup you want.

Banks was half right, a Transition Bandit.

Dan45a the little list you have made looks abit like the one I have just didn't want to put a list on here as mine has about 20+ bikes on it

Hainman yeh I like the canyon nerve al+ and the strive

lancslad - Sound like you've got it covered. Just get out and try as many as you can and see what feels good...oh and also what looks good as that always helps 🙂

thought of any 650b or 29ers? My mate has just got a new 650b cube Stereo...it so quick up and down...
http://www.cube.eu/en/full/allmountain/stereo-super-hpc-160-race/

Just don't like the look of 29ers maybe a 650b. What travel do you think 140mm - 160mm? What do people think about secondhand? I got my blue pig second hand (mint condition custom build £1600) I paid £680 for it. Just abit more concerned about a full sus second hand with all the extra parts

I like the look of that cube dan45a

lancslad - i'm in a similar position to you...so far my shortlist consists of commencal meta am, trek remedy, lapierre spicy, spec enduro evo....i did consider the titus el guapo...but there seems to be a major issue with bb height which hasnt been resolved so i'm steering clear of that one....choices, choices, choices...

GT LTS 5000.

DrP

EDIT; with bear trap pedals and Girvin Flex stem.

When i first built my Blue pig, it felt just right. This week I have swapped everything over from my Blue pig to an Orange 5, and it feels just right. 😀

lancslad what size are you. I've got a medium Blur LT frame i'm getting rid of.

I'm 5ft 9 mate

Gonzy sounds just like my list, I've got trek remedy, lapierre spicy, zesty, spec enduro, stumpjumper fsr, canyon nerve al+ , strive, orange 5, alpine 160, yeti sb66, 575, Santa Cruz heckler, nomad, kona process, cadabra, mondraker foxy, dune that's about it so far

[IMG] [/IMG]

It looks like this when its built up. Its currently in two halves as I'm replacing the frame bearings before I sell it

the problem, as always, is that there are very few really bad bikes on the market now.
+1 for try as many as you can, one of them will suit you better than the rest.

Nice richmtb how much u thinking of selling it for?

I was making a similar decision a couple of months ago. Dunno your budget, but I had 2-2.5k to spend. It was between a Zesty or Norco Sight 2 for me, until I found a reduced price 2012 Yeti ASR-5 with Enduro build, and went for that instead. It is ace.

Looking to save up as much as possible but prob no more than £2500

if only my budget would allow me to consider a yeti..... 😯

Mine can't really but if I keep saving and wait maybe it will

Actually, based on recent reviews, a slingshot bike will suit your needs...
[img] [/img]

DrP

EDIT: But with Beartraps and a girvin flex stem though....

If you want 650b look at the norco sight killer b or the norco range killer b. also if you looking for a s/m Evans have a good deal on the BMC Trailfox TF02 2011 it's amazing really light and cheap. It's labeled as a small but measures up a 17" frame. The BMC climbs better than my genesis core and is amazing on the descents.

If you're keeping the Blue Pig anyway, which is probably just about perfect for most of the places you listed, I'd suggest you stick with that for all the trail centres and consider going bigger than a 140 FS for Antur and the Alps.
Patriot?

Get a frame start building

http://www.jensonusa.com/Mountain-Bike-frames/Yeti-AS-R-Carbon-Frame-2012

I would seriously look at the Helius CC frames that are for sale on the classifieds at the moment - steve_b77 has one for sale and there is another one - both medium I think.

A very versatile bike - adjustable rear travel - 88-129mm (this can vary according to which shock is fitted). It will happily take a 100-140mm fork.

If you like a slacker bike just drop the rear travel and it will lower the BB and slacken the head angle.

Looking at where you'll ride it, and the fact you're looking at second hand, it's hard not to recommend checking out an Orange Five or Alpine, depending on how often it'll really hit the big mountains.

Nice richmtb how much u thinking of selling it for?

I'd be happy with £350 for it.

I'll have the frame built back up this weekend so I can send you some more up to date pics if you are interested

OP - if you're NW based (which based on your riding areas it looks like you are), call up Leisure Lakes and get a couple of bike booked on their demo day this Sunday at Marple.

I've booekd a Yet sb-66c I can't afford 😀 but they've got a lot of others (Santa Cruz, Scott, Specialized etc)

That's both an impossible, or easy question to answer.

Pretty much all full sus bikes will be fine for what you want, choosing one however is bery much a personal decision that we can't help with.

With no budget or idea of what you like in a bike it's not possibel for anyone to recommend anything other than bikes they've owned/ridden.

The thing to do is to ride loads of different bikes and decide which ones you like the best.

[IMG] [/IMG]

Trance mate... Try one

My budget will be about £2000-£2500 I think. I was thinking of a 160mm+ travel for the alps and antur stiniog and just using my blue pig at the trail centres.

have you tried Ride On?

No mate

160mm is a lot of bike to lug around when your not in the Alps

I had a week in Morzzine in the summer on a 140mm bike and could keep up with pals on 160mm bikes 95% of the time

I'd thoroughly recommend testing both before stumping up your £2.5K

If I'm getting a 140mm full sus is there any point me keeping the blue pig.

A 140mm or 150mm bike that can take a beefy fork could be what you need.

Perhaps a Nerve AL+, with a spare Lyrik, Fox 36 or Marz 55.

I was thinking of a 160mm+ travel for the alps and antur stiniog and just using my blue pig at the trail centres.

That's what I'd have thought too. 140mm FS won't be that dissimilar in capability to what you've got. Try a few 160mm-180mm bikes and see what you think.
Got any mates' bikes that you can borrow for a day?

I haven't any mates with FS of 160mm+ anyone know anywhere in the nw you can hire or try out 160mm+ fs

If I'm getting a 140mm full sus is there any point me keeping the blue pig.

I didn't see any point, i now have the frame hung in my garage for sentimental reasons, sniff.

Check with all the major shops for any demo days.
I did a demo with Blazing Saddles in Hebden Bridge last year.
Bike Treks? Liesure Lakes?

A new low, quoting your own post....but looks like no one read it so here goes:

OP - if you're NW based (which based on your riding areas it looks like you are), call up Leisure Lakes and get a couple of bike booked on their demo day this Sunday at Marple.

I've booekd a Yet sb-66c I can't afford but they've got a lot of others (Santa Cruz, Scott, Specialized etc)

Sorry eightyeight, where can I find out more info on the demo day

eightyeight - Member
A new low, quoting your own post....but looks like no one read it so here goes:

OP - if you're NW based (which based on your riding areas it looks like you are), call up Leisure Lakes and get a couple of bike booked on their demo day this Sunday at Marple.
I've booekd a Yet sb-66c I can't afford but they've got a lot of others (Santa Cruz, Scott, Specialized etc)

Although it's the North West Mountain Bike Centre isn't it? I'm booked on a Tallboy LTc on the same day at the same place.

lancslad - Member
Sorry eightyeight, where can I find out more info on the demo day

Google North West Mountain Bike Centre and give them a call, they're a really friendly bunch and their demo days are usually a good craic

Can't make it Sunday, I've had a look it would have been a good day

I would factor in how much maintenance and reliability of the frame as well as how it rides.
I got feed up with all teh bearing changes on my old Stumpy (12-18mth bearing changes) and bought a single pivot SC Heckler. Keep it simples 🙂

Furious - quite right, apologies it is NWBC

I'll be there on the aforementioned Yeti, along with the Mrs (she'll be the one that looks like she's been dragged there), and two other mates. Say hello if you spot us

lancslad - sort of going back on my first post...If you can have the 2 bikes perhaps getting 160mm full sus (spicy/enduro type) will have you well covered for more techy UK trails plus easly handle bike holdiays and uplifts.

He's my 2 which has me well covered...almost... always room for more 😉

For trail centre bashing and loner rides I use my asr5...[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8210/8278558450_7aab7da82d.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8210/8278558450_7aab7da82d.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/80802903@N08/8278558450/ ]Yeti ASR5 Carbon[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/80802903@N08/ ]dan45a[/url], on Flickr

For the alps and uplift days I use this...rarely feels out of its depth, I used to use a full on DH bike but found I can do more with the alpine in more places.

[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8005/7494048404_48beeb94bf.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8005/7494048404_48beeb94bf.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/80802903@N08/7494048404/ ]IMG_0356[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/80802903@N08/ ]dan45a[/url], on Flickr

What happened to the Mojo dan45a ?

Very nice bikes mate

Been looking all day at bikes and really like the yeti sb66 jut don't think I will be able to afford one

I'd echo neninja's comment and look at the Helius CC's being sold on here at the minute. That red one that Steve b77 is selling is lovely. They're such a versatile bike. I love mine and with the remainder of a 5 year transferrable warranty it's a no brainer.

[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8142/7248725782_c76a339098_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8142/7248725782_c76a339098_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/bikesnthat/7248725782/ ]Untitled[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/bikesnthat/ ]redmancunian69[/url], on Flickr

If you're looking second hand, consider a patriot 66. You can run it with a 190mm shock (with the long shock shuttle) for 140mm rear travel and it is like an orange 5, or anything up to a 215mm shock which will give 178mm rear travel. So you can have a 140mm trail bike, then bang a longer coil shock on for alpine or uplift stuff. I love mine. Only disadvantage is the 27.2mm post for dropper options.

They seem to go for buttons, too, for what you get. Probably pick one up for 350-400 quid.

Here's what I mean about versatility - a big (110km!), clipped in alpine xc day around verbier (with a mate on a trek fuel - not really fair) - patriot with short shock and 150mm Z1.
[url= http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2521/3797887405_09a1c1c857.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2521/3797887405_09a1c1c857.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/sophandian/3797887405/ ]IMG_0660[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/sophandian/ ]Soph and Ian[/url], on Flickr
But the next day was a lift day around champery, same bike but with flats, a 66 and DHX5 coil.
[url= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3444/3798706830_2d6abe0ba2.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3444/3798706830_2d6abe0ba2.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/sophandian/3798706830/ ]IMG_0703_crop[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/sophandian/ ]Soph and Ian[/url], on Flickr

Phil I'm up end of April. I might have time for you to have a go on my stumpy(bike). But I've hit most things capably on the same fork you've got on your pig. Like someone said previous 160 is a lot to drag round. Have a look in leisure lakes in town as well they have a 650b cube in there that looks sweet! But def just keep trying them out. Took me six months to pick mine!

Cheers creedy mate, just fancy a full sus but don't really want to get rid of the pig it's a lot of fun.

Yes and I still want a go on that pig down the hope line at gisburn 🙂 honestly though there are so many bikes out there. Even when you get one you'll love it but at the back of your mind you'll be thinking you should have got a more expensive one, one with a bigger fork, one with a different colour, one with different brakes etc etc. you'll sit on one and know straight away. Then the question is where can I get it cheapest, second hand, finance warranty etc etc. it's the joy of this sport we love. Don't even get me started on tyres and rims!!

I bet Laura loves you. Lol

Just keeps threatening to send all the little boxes that turn up back! I did say I'd give up rugby and just bike but well my team needs me 🙂

I blame Andy anyway!!

Lol I don't play as much golf and don't go to football so I think I've given enough up. Plus I go with our John and Gareth sometimes and jo's brother matt as well so it's family time I say. Like you and andy. Plus Lois is obsessed with reading my magazines telling daddy to get a full sus either a lapierre or Santa Cruz she says

I would seriously look at the Helius CC

A very versatile bike - adjustable rear travel - 88-129mm (this can vary according to which shock is fitted). It will happily take a 100-140mm fork.

Mines a 2009 frame and the rear travel is 98-138mm

You're right - mines the same. Just having a senior moment and getting all the numbers muddled up.

98-108-120-138mm on the 4 settings.

Keep the hardtail if you're going to get a 140-160mm bike, because (I hope, and I doubt I'm in the minority for saying this) a bike of that travel and nature is WELL over kill if you ride mainly trail centres. If I go to a trail centre, myself and anyone I am with are on 100mm hardtails, and it's enough, having said that maybe a 120mm 29er full Sus would be quick.

I can't help thinking that if you bought a 140-160 26er.. it would be great for the alps yes, but as your main and most costly bike, would you not rather have a bike that is fun and fast every weekend?

Get something like a 120 if you ride trail centres, even if you don't like 29ers, get a 26er. Ride it all the time, have fun, be fast, then once a year a so if you go to the alps hire a big bike out there.

I think you'll be riding gisburn,lee quarry and whinlatter most lancs. 140 ideal to get most out of them. I do think your riding style changes to suit the bike as well. But as an all rounder I'm happy with the 140 set up and as I've said to you before the only time I wanted more was the downhilling at cwmcarn. But it still managed and was still great fun. I have the brain on the back of mine so it locks the back up for climbing and a lot of others have similar rear designs to help the climb and stop bob at the back. What do you really want? I bet you've already decided but just want to make sure. :). Like I said took me 6 months and still went for the first one I wanted!!

If money was not object it would be a Santa Cruz nomad or yeti sb66.

Yep yeti for me too.

Yep yeti for me too.

Cotic Rocket, just because I want one 🙁

The other big question do I keep the pig? sell the pig? To finance the full sus

Starting to get my list a bit shorter just need to demo some and like I said don't know what to do about the pig

Do what I did say your selling the pig but not until your sure you won't need it. Then somehow keep forgetting or the time isn't right or you need it for commuting blah blah. But if you really need the money or space then the decision made 🙂

Rode a tallboy Ltc on my regular trails this morning, awesome bike, paying my deposit later for mine

This is my new ride:

[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8232/8586125096_93a09aac8c.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8232/8586125096_93a09aac8c.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/88504879@N03/8586125096/ ]image[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/88504879@N03/ ]wobbliscott[/url], on Flickr

Who said 140mm all mountain 29ers don't look right?