£2k - What MTB would fit the bill?

[irfan1712]

Hi All,

After a few opinions and perhaps owners insights into some off my bike choices.

I've not owned a Mountain Bike of any kind for years so bare with me - i have little bikes to compare too and i sometimes dont know what im talking about when it comes to something with a chain and pedals.

i've recently borrowed a friends Specialized Kenevo and i've been hooked online looking at bikes and geeking out on specs and all sorts of nonsense ever since. An E bike is a little out of budget considering i have up to £2k to spend.

My riding is generally going to be trails and enduro / crosss country - i've ruled out strict DH bikes at the moment but if i could find an almost ''all rounder'' that might be acceptable at pretty much whatever i throw at it for now would be good, but i understand all bike choices will come with their own cons.

New i dont think £2k is going to get me much. I'd like full suspension so no hard tails, and id like atleast 140mm of travel. For budgets sake i think i''d buy something up to three years old (2017+) and a large frame. ,

Theres a few thats caught my eyes, all factory spec with no notable add ons :

2018 Santa Cruz Nomad 4
2017 Mondraker Dune Carbon R
2017 Ibis Mojo HD3

I also missed out on a 2019 Specialized Stump Jumper Evo with loads of extras which i was a bit annoyed at but that was stretching to £2250.

So..any inputs on the above bikes, and any other bike suggestions?

cheers
Irfan

Edited by irfan1712 on Friday 10th April 20:29

[irfan1712]

to now add to the list i've been offered a 2018 Santa Cruz Hightower Carbon for £2k. Decisions!

[yellowjack]

A 'Bird Aeris 145'?

£2,076 gets you into 1x 12 speed SRAM SX Eagle drive train. https://www.bird.bike/product/aeris-145-sx-eagle-1...
£2,122 gets you onto their cheapest Shimano based build. https://www.bird.bike/product/aeris-am-145-shimano...

Using the configuration pages can quickly ramp the price up if you go for the most expensive parts all over the bike, but even their most basic builds are pretty good.

ETA: I ended up on a Giant Anthem. A more XC oriented bike with less travel, but I've had no issues on sections of trail often used for Enduro style events. But if I had your budget I'd definitely be paying Bird a visit as part of the shortlisting process.

Edited by yellowjack on Saturday 11th April 15:02

[irfan1712]

yellowjack said:

A 'Bird Aeris 145'?

£2,076 gets you into 1x 12 speed SRAM SX Eagle drive train. https://www.bird.bike/product/aeris-145-sx-eagle-1...
£2,122 gets you onto their cheapest Shimano based build. https://www.bird.bike/product/aeris-am-145-shimano...

Using the configuration pages can quickly ramp the price up if you go for the most expensive parts all over the bike, but even their most basic builds are pretty good.

ETA: I ended up on a Giant Anthem. A more XC oriented bike with less travel, but I've had no issues on sections of trail often used for Enduro style events. But if I had your budget I'd definitely be paying Bird a visit as part of the shortlisting process.

Edited by yellowjack on Saturday 11th April 15:02

Thanks for your input!

Well things took a turn for the worst. After talks with both of my friends with bikes who are both on E MTB bikes, i've ended up spending double my budget (Gulp) and i ordered a YT Decoy Base 29. Think im having an early mid life crisis and this lockdown has defo done something funny to my man math abilities.. but i cannot wait for it to arrive from Germany!

[vwsurfbum]

Used Santa Cruz's are great bikes but one of the perks about buying them new is the lifetime warranty on the bearings, and they need changing a lot.
Mojo's i've always loved the look of but lack modern geometry.
Mondraker - Loved mine when i had it, although all the components were jinxed and I was always repairing something.

Keeping it simpler and potentially better value (not ness better riding) but a YT or Canyon you'll be able to get newer and less heavy on the bearings.