What full suspension 140mm+ for £1700+ from this site?
Discussion
Insurance claim to replace my Boardman FS Comp. They've decided I have £1700 to spend (1500+200 allowance for my seat post) at ...
http://www.wheelies.co.uk/Catalogue.aspx?catid=37&... ('Long travel')
http://www.wheelies.co.uk/Catalogue.aspx?catid=3&a... ('Short travel - though both categories are a bit mixed up).
I've decided I want to move up to at least 140mm travel, but will consider 150mm/160mm.
I can spend more than the allowance if needed.
Riding will be cross country, trail, bits of dh, park trails and maybe even a bit of road riding - though plan is to get a cheap disc 29er hardtail for road at some point.
I was never convinced by FS for 'do it all' until I got the Boardman, so ideally looking for something that'll climb as well as that, but spending a bit more cash on longer travel, go down even better.
What would you recommend for the best combination of xc AND downhill ability?
The Zesty 214 is a good contender, though I'm told it's focused slightly more towards going down (I like the idea of making the most fun bits more fun - but I also want to get to the top with some energy left for the descent
). The Spicy 216/316 also gets a good write up, but while I like the idea of a proper bouncy bike going down, can see me having a better time overall on one that goes up better. If they still have them in stock (which seems unlikely from when I last asked them about other 2011 bikes) the Specialized FSR Comp 2011 might be a good choice - seems it's not quite as good going down as the zesty, but may make up on the XC side.
I've heard a lot of good things about the Giant Reign 2 too and would be willing to splash out the extra if the chassis design really does work.
http://www.wheelies.co.uk/Catalogue.aspx?catid=37&... ('Long travel')
http://www.wheelies.co.uk/Catalogue.aspx?catid=3&a... ('Short travel - though both categories are a bit mixed up).
I've decided I want to move up to at least 140mm travel, but will consider 150mm/160mm.
I can spend more than the allowance if needed.
Riding will be cross country, trail, bits of dh, park trails and maybe even a bit of road riding - though plan is to get a cheap disc 29er hardtail for road at some point.
I was never convinced by FS for 'do it all' until I got the Boardman, so ideally looking for something that'll climb as well as that, but spending a bit more cash on longer travel, go down even better.
What would you recommend for the best combination of xc AND downhill ability?
The Zesty 214 is a good contender, though I'm told it's focused slightly more towards going down (I like the idea of making the most fun bits more fun - but I also want to get to the top with some energy left for the descent
). The Spicy 216/316 also gets a good write up, but while I like the idea of a proper bouncy bike going down, can see me having a better time overall on one that goes up better. If they still have them in stock (which seems unlikely from when I last asked them about other 2011 bikes) the Specialized FSR Comp 2011 might be a good choice - seems it's not quite as good going down as the zesty, but may make up on the XC side.I've heard a lot of good things about the Giant Reign 2 too and would be willing to splash out the extra if the chassis design really does work.
The Zesty is perfectly capable going uphill, so I wouldn't worry about being knackered at the top. It's also a lot of fun coming back down. I test rode a 314 when looking for my last bike. When I got mine it was a choice between the Zesty, a Pivot Mach 5.7 (epic bike) and the eventual winner: Pronghorn PR6-LT. If the Pronghorn wasn't so perfect (for me) I'd have had a hard time choosing anything over the Zesty.
For UK riding I reckon a Zesty would be a perfect choice (if it fits you).
And that's coming from a Spicy owner. I chose Spicy over Zesty as I wanted something that'd handle a bit of DH and the Spicy's not disappointed. I've since bought a proper DH bike though hence if I was buying again I'd go for a Zesty...
And that's coming from a Spicy owner. I chose Spicy over Zesty as I wanted something that'd handle a bit of DH and the Spicy's not disappointed. I've since bought a proper DH bike though hence if I was buying again I'd go for a Zesty...
a11y_m said:
For UK riding I reckon a Zesty would be a perfect choice (if it fits you).
Now live in Yorkshire and there's some pretty decent downhill/more serious stuff fairly local compared to living in Berkshire before, but yes, do suspect the Spicy probably would be a bit too much overall.I believe Evans have some lapierre, but liverpool is the closest to try out a Giant unfortunately.
And of course can't tell as much as needed from a carpark ride either, really.
_g_ said:
Now live in Yorkshire and there's some pretty decent downhill/more serious stuff fairly local compared to living in Berkshire before, but yes, do suspect the Spicy probably would be a bit too much overall.
I believe Evans have some lapierre, but liverpool is the closest to try out a Giant unfortunately.
And of course can't tell as much as needed from a carpark ride either, really.
Let us know what you decide on, with pics obviously I believe Evans have some lapierre, but liverpool is the closest to try out a Giant unfortunately.
And of course can't tell as much as needed from a carpark ride either, really.
Will do .
Current favourite is the Reign 2 - a lot of positive stuff about the 'maestro' rear suspension and it seems may actually be better climbing than the zesty (though of course there's a lot of factors I'm sure - one person on one bike on one hill is going to be completely different to the next situation).
Two week wait for Giant UK to have stock however, so think I'll use that time frame to make up my mind.
.Current favourite is the Reign 2 - a lot of positive stuff about the 'maestro' rear suspension and it seems may actually be better climbing than the zesty (though of course there's a lot of factors I'm sure - one person on one bike on one hill is going to be completely different to the next situation).
Two week wait for Giant UK to have stock however, so think I'll use that time frame to make up my mind.
to be honest from the full sus bikes i have ridden, they have all climbed as well as each other when you get the right gearing and cadence bar one. the specilaised epic was truly incredible uphills, better than a steel hardtail on the climbs, the rear suspension just gave enough in restricted travel mode to really bite the surface and push you along.
if just if you sit there spinning a stupidly low gear you will increase the suspension bob, likewise if your pedal technique is good, you can climb on anything quite well. the real skill is out of the saddle over rocky terrain climbing which is as much about picking the best route as it is the bike underneath you.
anyway, climbing is a good chance to chat and bimble along discussing the trees and flowers [/mint sauce]
if just if you sit there spinning a stupidly low gear you will increase the suspension bob, likewise if your pedal technique is good, you can climb on anything quite well. the real skill is out of the saddle over rocky terrain climbing which is as much about picking the best route as it is the bike underneath you.
anyway, climbing is a good chance to chat and bimble along discussing the trees and flowers [/mint sauce]
Before I got the Boardman, I had a 'Banshee X' which was Halfords buying the design for an old stinky (when they were a bit less extreme) frame I believe and sticking in a 6' air shock and forks.
I wasn't too convinced by full suspension for cross country with that - so the newer more xc focused Boardman was a pleasant surprise.
General impression I've got is that once you start getting to 160mm and above you've got to be a bit more careful - or at least have to have more skill to make up for it.
And hell, it's always a race, even to the top of the hill... unless they're fitter than me, in which case, of course I'm not racing to the top, intentionally taking it easy :P.
I wasn't too convinced by full suspension for cross country with that - so the newer more xc focused Boardman was a pleasant surprise.
General impression I've got is that once you start getting to 160mm and above you've got to be a bit more careful - or at least have to have more skill to make up for it
.And hell, it's always a race, even to the top of the hill... unless they're fitter than me, in which case, of course I'm not racing to the top, intentionally taking it easy :P.
_g_ said:
And hell, it's always a race, even to the top of the hill... unless they're fitter than me, in which case, of course I'm not racing to the top, intentionally taking it easy :P.
If I am suffering and know I can't compete on the climb I will loudly announce "I'm taking things easy on this one" and proceed to get into my lowest gear and crawl up the hill as slowly as possible.
An update - turns out there's one Reign in all of the country in a shop and that's some way away.
Also, seems they may be out of Medium frames until the new year for the 2011 model.
So, if I go with it, do I wait or do I head back to the continental choice?.. will try making a few more calls tomorrow for a start.
Also, seems they may be out of Medium frames until the new year for the 2011 model.
So, if I go with it, do I wait or do I head back to the continental choice?.. will try making a few more calls tomorrow for a start.
After a lot of hassling, I got a settlment figure of £1311.
So, went for more than I really wanted to pay, but my snipe got it with £4 to spare...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewIte...
2008 has a very slightly different rear suspension design to the latest, no tapered head and no big axle at the front. Apparently a set of forks with a chunky axle and slightly more suspension travel is a worthy addition.
The fact that it's listed as a lb lighter than my boardman appealed.
Money's a bit tight at the moment, so this means the electric bike and hang glider I've just bought are mostly paid for out of this as well, rather than coughing up more on top to get a new bike.
So, went for more than I really wanted to pay, but my snipe got it with £4 to spare...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewIte...
2008 has a very slightly different rear suspension design to the latest, no tapered head and no big axle at the front. Apparently a set of forks with a chunky axle and slightly more suspension travel is a worthy addition.
The fact that it's listed as a lb lighter than my boardman appealed.
Money's a bit tight at the moment, so this means the electric bike and hang glider I've just bought are mostly paid for out of this as well, rather than coughing up more on top to get a new bike.
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