Some advice required
Discussion
Prior to learning to drive some 10years ago I was a keen mountain biker, lots of XC and technical stuff. However since being able to drive I have done very little aside from hiring a bike now and then, but I am looking to get back to it again. I always lusted after an Orange 5 and it would appear that they are still held in fairly high regard (depending who you ask of course and based on the current thread on here). I have come accross many 0% finance deals around which are quite appealing especially on the lowest spec 5 which im sure would be more than capable of dealing with anything I would be likely to throw at it being a newcomer again. But my real question would be alternatives, I like the look of the Specialized Enduro and there are some good looking secondhand ones around or even cheaper being the Boardman FS Team, which I have to confess I know nothing about but appears to have good reviews. Obviously this choice is very much cost related but I was curious as to opinions and options of these and anything else out there? Thanks in advance.
Giant Anthem.
They have an unbelieveable reputation as an ultra fast xc machine and can cope with prety much anything in the UK bar the downhill runs like Penmachno. if you previously rode technical stuff, you'll know its as much about riding style and picking the right line as it is having the right bike to under you.
as a bit of a leftfield suggestion, have a look at the Cotic Rocket (ok, i admit i do like Cotic bikes a lot!) but its had great reviews and would be ideal for what you want (and a little bit more!) though you might need deep pockets.
Specilaised seem to be hedging all their money on the 29ers taking off but i'm still not convinced that they
are the answer.
The Orange 5 is like marmite and I am a nutella man....
They have an unbelieveable reputation as an ultra fast xc machine and can cope with prety much anything in the UK bar the downhill runs like Penmachno. if you previously rode technical stuff, you'll know its as much about riding style and picking the right line as it is having the right bike to under you.
as a bit of a leftfield suggestion, have a look at the Cotic Rocket (ok, i admit i do like Cotic bikes a lot!) but its had great reviews and would be ideal for what you want (and a little bit more!) though you might need deep pockets.
Specilaised seem to be hedging all their money on the 29ers taking off but i'm still not convinced that they
are the answer.
The Orange 5 is like marmite and I am a nutella man....
jimmyVX said:
Im just looking for something really that is going to be suitable for some XC stuff as well as some more technical single track work. Something to cover as many bases as I can! I would be willing to stretch into a higher price range if I thought I would benefit from it?
find your local Giant dealer and ask them for a demo ride, its £25 per day iirc and you can take it wherever you want.... www.test-ride.co.uk i still think the Anthem is the first thing you should try and what is XC if it isnt technical singletrack stuff!?! 
Specialized Camber. Next years is 29 inch but there will still be some new 26 inch bikes around discounted. 120mm travel and weighs 26lbs so ok for xc as well as bike parks. Excellent bike. Both sons have Pitches, 160mm but heavier than the Camber. May be some used ones around, worth looking at.
pablo said:
They have an unbelieveable reputation as an ultra fast xc machine and can cope with prety much anything in the UK bar the downhill runs like Penmachno.
Not wanting to be a pedant, and to be slightly OT but Penmachno isn't a DH run, my hard tail GT handles the xc loop at Penmachno just fine.Now Antur Stiniog on the other hand... that's a DH playground...
Anyhow, back to topic, do you really need full suss? Really? It's nice and all, I ride both, but for real xc stuff I find full suss a bit sluggish...
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