Alternative to Norco Fluid HT? Slack trail bike...

[Progressive]

Had a few mountain bikes growing up in my teens (DDG Shooter, Specialized P3 etc.). In fact I was rarely off the bike. Decided to re-kindle that love about eight years ago and purchased a mid-range Specialized Hardrock from my LBS. Simply didn’t feel the love any more and didn’t really stick with it. Got into road bikes instead and later cross bikes and have been quite content.


Doing some research recently I have sussed out, perhaps no surprise, that I what I had was relaxed geometry bikes and what I bought years later was more of an ‘old fashioned’ geometry XC bike.


So I set out to try again! Budget of £1,000. Looking for a slacker ‘trail bike’. Had my heart set on a Norco Fluid HT after reading all the good press. Unfortunately I can’t get one in mainland Europe (where I’m based). Distributors can’t get them. Traveling to UK to get one isn’t an option.


Now looking for an alternative. Canyon would be the easy option but I think the Grand Canyon would present me with the same problems. Maybe I should go for a full suss Canyon. Something else?


Realistically I don’t want to spend more than £1,500. I’ll be riding forest singletrack, plenty of climbs, some light downs and drop offs and would generally like to have some fun. Nothing extreme, no downhill. 29 or 27.5 (I’m 6ft3in).


Suggestions please!?

[Craikeybaby]

Have a look at the Vitus range from Chain Reaction Cycles, or even the Nukeproof Scout.

The Orange Crush is my favourite fun hardtail, but not too sure what availability is like outside the UK.

[dirtbiker]

Have a look at the Whyte 90# series hard-tails. I've not ridden one but they come well reviewed and the geometry sounds like what you're looking for.

The 905 is the pick of the bunch and you might just about get one in budget (especially if you get a 2018 model rather than the new one).

[chrisp84]

I took a whyte 905 out on a demo day at a trail I know well and fell in love with it. Couldn't stretch to the £1.7k so got a cheap £150 2017 Nukeproof Scout frameset from eBay and built that up.

Both do the hard-core hardtail thing well but the 2.8 tyres and the extra length (I was on the xl and i'm 6ft2") on the 905 seemed add a lot more stability.