Replace a 2007 stumpjumper fsr? Canyon?

[Gazzab]

Ok I fancy a new full suss to replace my old faithful 07 stumpjumper fsr elite. Need advice as I am lost!
I think a 650b would be good, I ride mainly white peak in the Peak District. So lots of long climbs with some technical stuff and some relatively rocky downhills. I don't want a massively long fork. Current bike is 109-120-140. Generally set to 120.
I quite like the canyon bikes. Great spec for the money. Bikes have changed a lot since 2007. XC, enduro etc...
I am 47, relatively fit etc but I'm not into heavy wheeled downhill madness...
Anyone got any suggestions? J e James are steering me toward whyte bikes. My decorator suggests canyon.
Latest stumpjumper looks quite enduro like. The treks look a safe bet.
Suspect my budget is 2 or 3 grand.

[Steamer]

I'll keep an eye on this too.

After a good few months of looking I think I've boiled my choice down to:

Canyon Spectral AL 6.0
£1699

http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html?...

or.. and its only because I love the colour (But can I justify the extra £400?!)

Canyon Spectral AL 7.0
http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html?...

Never had anything to do with Canyon - I've read a few posts about being extra careful on sizes, but other than that, only really heard good things... and they seem to be leaders in lightweight in class.

Didnt mean to derail the thread - but your riding and spec sound very similar to mine. I'd love to hear / see some alternatives though.

ETA: I had previously been seriously thinking about the YT Wicked - http://www.yt-industries.com/shop/en/Bikes/Trail/W...

But the 160mm shocks, 1 x 11 gearing and a touch more weight got me moved onto Canyon.

Edited by Steamer on Sunday 26th October 19:20

[Gazzab]

'My' decorator has a yt in carbon. Too enduro and down hill for me I think...

[Gazzab]

Just did a diy canyon measure for frame. I am just under 6ft and relatively broad etc - my stumpy is a large. Medium felt a little small. Anyway canyon suggests a small! My sons got a small adult bike and it is far too small. Can't be right...

[Steamer]

This is what I had heard re sizes on Canyons.

I found this guy's review quite interesting though, and the readers questions at the bottom asking about selecting the right size too.

http://forums.mtbr.com/27-5-650b/canyon-spectral-a...

[Gazzab]

I'm 180 tall and 81 seam. So I thought m rather than s but the thread leans toward l....
Think I'd go m. Need to find someone with an m and have a sit on it....

[Steamer]

Gazzab said:

I'm 180 tall and 81 seam. So I thought m rather than s but the thread leans toward l....
Think I'd go m. Need to find someone with an m and have a sit on it....

I came to the same conclusion.

Unless any very attractive alternatives come up in the next few months I'll be going for a medium.

This is the only draw back with YT and Canyon.

[Gazzab]

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/whyte-t-1...

Might try a whyte per above.

[Gazzab]

The giant store next to my office suggested this
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/giant-ant...
But it might be a bit safe and low spec.

[LasseV]

I would take Orange Five. It does climb well, goes downhill like a champ and it is a very good bike for longer trips too. It is a bike for active driver and it is a very fun steer. I think that frame is definetly better than in canyon and you can customize it way you want/can afford. I would take Pike upfront, rs monarch for back end, decent brakes, dropper post and off we go

[tjdixon911]

I went to the Canyon showroom earlier this year (was passing) - I tried the Spectral AL medium and large (2014 models), I am 6ft (ish) and found the medium a little cramped - I came away knowing I needed a large and that was the assistants initial recommendation for me - so a couple of weeks later, I went on the site all set to order a 2014 large only to discover the Longer 2015 bikes had been released, after a few comparisons, I opted for a 2015 spectral AL 7.0ex in Large - hoping I've done the right thing, the Med was still shorter than my current bike which I think is my limit (shortness wise) - will (hopefully) find out soon, was originally due for delivery this week but latest update is mid November!

[duff]

Ignore the Canyon sizing tool, it isn't very good! You need to compare like for like measurements of your current bike with the Canyons if possible - most important one is effective top tube. I would say you'd need a large, it's better to get a larger frame and put a very short stem on it if you need to reduce reach. Stand over is rarely a problem on modern bikes.

I like the Whyte too, they are very well rated and the spec is pretty good although I wouldn't get too hung up on spec.

[paulmon]

Watching this thread with interest as I am in exactly the same boat, same requirements, same age. I have 2008 Enduro SL and I am looking for something new. I'm finding it a lot harder to shortlist a mud bike than I would a road bike. So many variables to take into account.

[yellowjack]

If you can wait until Feb/Mar 2015, you can pre-order a new Bird Aeris...

http://www.birdmtb.com/bird-aeris-wins-its-first-t... (test winning review from What Mountain Bike mag)
http://shop.birdmtb.com/featured/aeris-pre-order-d...
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/see-those-... (Ben Pinnick is involved in this discussion, he's one of the three chaps who founded Bird)
http://dirtmountainbike.com/bike-reviews/exclusive... (scroll down the page for a geometry chart and build spec/price guide)

6 (I think) basic models, with multiple custom options on each build. Dropper post and tubeless set up standard on all but the cheapest Aeris. I've met all three of the founders now, and briefly ridden the bike. It's a proper quality item, and comes with a lifetime (transferable) warranty too, so they really do have confidence in their product. Prices from c£1600 to c£3000 dependent upon what you can afford, and what kind of riding you want to do on it. £850 to buy just the frame and shock, and build your own.

[jimmyVX]

I have got a Canyon Spectral AL 8.0. To be honest it has been brilliant all year and ive had no issues. The spec is superb and very lightweight.

I had good communication with Canyon throughout and no money taken until it was about to be shipped.

The only issue is the sizing. I couldnt find someone nearby who had one and ended up following the sizing tool. I am 6ft tall and 12months on I wish I had bought a large over the medium. I borrowed a Yeti recently it just felt a bit less cramped compared to mine, although I have got used to it.

If you are local to Shropshire you are welcome to try mine for size, or im at Cannock Chase quite regularly.

[Steamer]

jimmyVX said:

I have got a Canyon Spectral AL 8.0.... I am 6ft tall and 12months on I wish I had bought a large over the medium.....

Ummm that medium v's large issue really does sound like it falls around the 6ft tall rider mark.

At 5ft 10 / 5ft 11 Im coming from a 29er that I have felt is a bit too big and unwieldy for me (hence looking for a 27.5 this time), so I was thinking that a medium size Canyon might make a welcome change.. although I do now have a few concerns on the subject.

I'll keep the 29er for the long open rides, but was looking for something more agile for in the woods. Catching my toe on the front wheel of the 29er is becoming annoying when the going gets really twisty.

[jimmyVX]

Steamer said:

Ummm that medium v's large issue really does sound like it falls around the 6ft tall rider mark.

At 5ft 10 / 5ft 11 Im coming from a 29er that I have felt is a bit too big and unwieldy for me (hence looking for a 27.5 this time), so I was thinking that a medium size Canyon might make a welcome change.. although I do now have a few concerns on the subject.

I'll keep the 29er for the long open rides, but was looking for something more agile for in the woods. Catching my toe on the front wheel of the 29er is becoming annoying when the going gets really twisty.

Id have to agreed, I think this is probably the tipping point. I hadnt ridden for a long while before I bought this so I didnt have anything to compare it to, however it really is a great all rounder. My bike comes in at 13.1kg with pedals so its very lightweight and climbs very well.

Canyon do have a 30day returns policy and allow you to make a short, clean (road) ride before sending back so the sizing issue isnt as much of a gamble. You just may be without a bike for an even longer period.

[tuffer]

I am 6' - 6'1" and have a Medium Nerve, seems perfect. Also have a Aeroroad road bike in Large but that does feel a little tiny bit too big.