Recommend me a trail/enduro bike
Discussion
Hiya, not currently a regular biker but have been very much so in the past.
A little bit out the loop with bikes, i think I know what I'm after but there's just so much choice!
Help me choose a bike....
I'm a fairly big lad, 6ft 2, 245lbs/110kg
Looking for a trail/enduro bike, realistically for my local trails 120-140mm travel both ends would probably suffice, but I wouldn't mind something a bit bigger in the 160-180mm range to have the option for taking it to Morzine, Chatel etc.
Local riding for me would be West Sussex, Surrey Hills, Rogate etc.
Would I be sacrificing a lot of uphill ability with the longer travel bike? Pedaling platforms seem to have come on a fair bit in recent years. Budget is flexible and I would be open to second hand but difficult to know if something has had a hard life! I guess I'd like to spend between £2-3k.
So far my attentions have be drawn to
Canyon Spectral 5
A secondhand Transition Patrol
Lightly used Specialized Enduro/Stumpjumper?
Vitus Mythique/Sommet
Cheers
Dan
A little bit out the loop with bikes, i think I know what I'm after but there's just so much choice!
Help me choose a bike....
I'm a fairly big lad, 6ft 2, 245lbs/110kg
Looking for a trail/enduro bike, realistically for my local trails 120-140mm travel both ends would probably suffice, but I wouldn't mind something a bit bigger in the 160-180mm range to have the option for taking it to Morzine, Chatel etc.
Local riding for me would be West Sussex, Surrey Hills, Rogate etc.
Would I be sacrificing a lot of uphill ability with the longer travel bike? Pedaling platforms seem to have come on a fair bit in recent years. Budget is flexible and I would be open to second hand but difficult to know if something has had a hard life! I guess I'd like to spend between £2-3k.
So far my attentions have be drawn to
Canyon Spectral 5
A secondhand Transition Patrol
Lightly used Specialized Enduro/Stumpjumper?
Vitus Mythique/Sommet
Cheers
Dan
How often will you ride in Les Alps? Two weeks maybe once every two years?
You'll be riding in more than twice weekly every week in the UK?
I have a Santa Cruz 5010 frame that I bought from Jungle.
However everytime I ride round the Surrey Hills its on a 29er Genesis Tarn with Pikes (130 hardtail) which is perfect for the area.
I'd say 150mm front, 130/140 rear?
Great dilemma though.
Personally I'd get the Canyon
You'll be riding in more than twice weekly every week in the UK?
I have a Santa Cruz 5010 frame that I bought from Jungle.
However everytime I ride round the Surrey Hills its on a 29er Genesis Tarn with Pikes (130 hardtail) which is perfect for the area.
I'd say 150mm front, 130/140 rear?
Great dilemma though.
Personally I'd get the Canyon
Hugo Stiglitz said:
How often will you ride in Les Alps? Two weeks maybe once every two years?
You'll be riding in more than twice weekly every week in the UK?
I have a Santa Cruz 5010 frame that I bought from Jungle.
However everytime I ride round the Surrey Hills its on a 29er Genesis Tarn with Pikes (130 hardtail) which is perfect for the area.
I'd say 150mm front, 130/140 rear?
Great dilemma though.
Personally I'd get the Canyon
True, when I have been before I've just rented a dedicated DH bike which doesn't work out too bad and saves the hassle of transporting a bike too.You'll be riding in more than twice weekly every week in the UK?
I have a Santa Cruz 5010 frame that I bought from Jungle.
However everytime I ride round the Surrey Hills its on a 29er Genesis Tarn with Pikes (130 hardtail) which is perfect for the area.
I'd say 150mm front, 130/140 rear?
Great dilemma though.
Personally I'd get the Canyon
A cube stereo 140 or 150 is a good spec for the money on any of their spec levels, even more so if you can find one on sale anywhere. I have a 150 sl (160 front, 150 rear) and use it around dartmoor mainly and have not found it wanting, can always lock out the suspension for climbing if need be but I never normally bother. Its not as nimble as my 27.5 hardtail but then its a physcally much bigger bike.
My money would be on a privateer 141 buying new. Probably The best value trail bike out there at the moment and designed for UK use.
I'd avoid direct sales from Euro in the short term.
If you're happy second hand, pink bike buy/sell page and I'd be looking at an Evil of some flavour. Second hand, they're an incredible bargain and they make a superb UK trailbike. 3k will get you an Xl in surgent.
I had one and it was simply brilliant... So much fun to ride. I'm 6'5^ and 120kg for ref and the xl was a little short for me. Fits my 6' wife perfectly.
I'd avoid direct sales from Euro in the short term.
If you're happy second hand, pink bike buy/sell page and I'd be looking at an Evil of some flavour. Second hand, they're an incredible bargain and they make a superb UK trailbike. 3k will get you an Xl in surgent.
I had one and it was simply brilliant... So much fun to ride. I'm 6'5^ and 120kg for ref and the xl was a little short for me. Fits my 6' wife perfectly.
Spesh Enduro all day long! Even though it has 170mm of travel it will do everything. Ups are OK but the downs are fantastic. Itll do XC, all be it a little slower than a hardtail. I've had 2 of them since 08 and over the years Ive test ridden Marin Alpine Trail, Giants Reign and a Yeti SB6 (best bike I've ridden, couldn't afford it though) to replace the Spesh but ended up with an 18 Enduro. Bloody love it! Its been with me all over Wales, Morzine/Les Gets, Peaks, South Downs, Surrey Hills and is comfy for all day rides It has been great, the only let down was the rear shock, it had an internal fault but, was replaced under warranty. The latest model is even better!
I'm a bit bigger than you (height and weight!) And I have a Transition Sentinel. Definitely prefer 29-inch wheels over the 27.5 (Patrol is 27.5). It's 160mm front and 140mm back. It has been fantastic for everything from playing in the woods, trail centers, all the blacks at BPW, and trips to the Alps. I would wholeheartedly recommend one! The geometry of the Bird is also pretty similar and I am currently building one up for a friend and it is very nicely finished
take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey said:
My money would be on a privateer 141 buying new. Probably The best value trail bike out there at the moment and designed for UK use.
I'd avoid direct sales from Euro in the short term.
If you're happy second hand, pink bike buy/sell page and I'd be looking at an Evil of some flavour. Second hand, they're an incredible bargain and they make a superb UK trailbike. 3k will get you an Xl in surgent.
I had one and it was simply brilliant... So much fun to ride. I'm 6'5^ and 120kg for ref and the xl was a little short for me. Fits my 6' wife perfectly.
141s aren't delivering until June/August, I'm not waiting that long for a bike!I'd avoid direct sales from Euro in the short term.
If you're happy second hand, pink bike buy/sell page and I'd be looking at an Evil of some flavour. Second hand, they're an incredible bargain and they make a superb UK trailbike. 3k will get you an Xl in surgent.
I had one and it was simply brilliant... So much fun to ride. I'm 6'5^ and 120kg for ref and the xl was a little short for me. Fits my 6' wife perfectly.
Second vote for Bird. I have their Zero 29 as a "get back in to MTB". It's great. That's it. Customer service is second to none and you can test a bike, once we are allowed out.
They do the Aether in carbon or Alloy.
I looked at the Privateer 141, also UK deigned and local to me (well not within 7 miles), but massive wait times and it's a fair bit heavier than the Aether, especially the carbon.
They do the Aether in carbon or Alloy.
I looked at the Privateer 141, also UK deigned and local to me (well not within 7 miles), but massive wait times and it's a fair bit heavier than the Aether, especially the carbon.
I had the option of a Bird Aether 29 over Xmas. I stalled on it as I didn't quite have the funds ready but then they sold out of bits. I was also interested in the Sonder Cortex or Evol but Alpkit haven't got any of the mid level stuff available either.
Mine would have been a jump into MTB bike as all I've done is road and gravel over last 10 years. Hardtail is 10 yr old but looks like I'll have to continue using it for that purpose for the time being as there's just nothing left in terms of Rockshox or Shimano/SRAM stuff.
Mine would have been a jump into MTB bike as all I've done is road and gravel over last 10 years. Hardtail is 10 yr old but looks like I'll have to continue using it for that purpose for the time being as there's just nothing left in terms of Rockshox or Shimano/SRAM stuff.
I’d go for something in the 150mm range for that use personally.
I’ve got a Santa Cruz Bronson C that I use for everything, rogate, BPW, long trail rides, fire roads, dirt jumps. It has more than enough travel for anything somewhere like Rogate (not tried the DMR line though!) but also climbs well and isn’t a chore to ride on longer flatter rides. Mines 150/150 but can be set up 150/160.
I’d quite happily take it to the alps.
Edit: forgot to add I’m 6’4” and about 95kg so a bit taller but lighter than you. Santa Cruz sizing is small, my XL bronson is quite a lot smaller than my XL Orange Crush (although out of budget new it’s worth mentioning in case you consider second hand)
Bigger travel bikes are kinda cooler though...
I’ve got a Santa Cruz Bronson C that I use for everything, rogate, BPW, long trail rides, fire roads, dirt jumps. It has more than enough travel for anything somewhere like Rogate (not tried the DMR line though!) but also climbs well and isn’t a chore to ride on longer flatter rides. Mines 150/150 but can be set up 150/160.
I’d quite happily take it to the alps.
Edit: forgot to add I’m 6’4” and about 95kg so a bit taller but lighter than you. Santa Cruz sizing is small, my XL bronson is quite a lot smaller than my XL Orange Crush (although out of budget new it’s worth mentioning in case you consider second hand)
Bigger travel bikes are kinda cooler though...
Edited by patchb on Wednesday 13th January 10:17
In a similar vein to the last post, I've got a Yeti SB5.5 which is 160/140 travel. Might not fit within the OP's budget but it climbs so well, and is easy to ride on long flattish sections and twisty, uphill singletrack, as well as the obvious downhill, rougher bits. Should be a few used ones around as many were changed for SB130/150 when they were released in 2019. Don't be tempted by SB4.5 though - not as playful or easy to throw down the trail.
If you do look at second hand, there should be a few SC HighTower LTs around too. Evil looks good but make Yeti look cheap and I never found any to look at.
I'm 6'2" and 90kg, have a size XL frame and 29" wheels. Can't see myself going back to anything smaller - for such a big bike, the SB5.5 (and others like it such as the HTLT) is astonishingly maneuverable and versatile.
If you do look at second hand, there should be a few SC HighTower LTs around too. Evil looks good but make Yeti look cheap and I never found any to look at.
I'm 6'2" and 90kg, have a size XL frame and 29" wheels. Can't see myself going back to anything smaller - for such a big bike, the SB5.5 (and others like it such as the HTLT) is astonishingly maneuverable and versatile.
Have you considered a Transition Sentinel over the Patrol? Being taller and wanting something that’ll pedal easier then I’d be going for the 29er.
I have a Sentinel so a biased opinion but I find it a very capable bike which can happily pedal for miles on XC type stuff with the rear shock locked out but is quite happy getting thrown down the steepest trails Innerleithen and the Golfy can offer. The bike also feels very strong and stable on the rough stuff, I’m ~100kg all kitted up and can’t feel any flex in the forks or frame etc.
I have a Sentinel so a biased opinion but I find it a very capable bike which can happily pedal for miles on XC type stuff with the rear shock locked out but is quite happy getting thrown down the steepest trails Innerleithen and the Golfy can offer. The bike also feels very strong and stable on the rough stuff, I’m ~100kg all kitted up and can’t feel any flex in the forks or frame etc.
As I can't see it suggested for consideration here (& I bought a Genius 720 a year ago and love it), what about a Scott Genius or similar?
It has the really convenient twinloc system, so that you are able to modify front & rear on the fly, especially good for up/down/smooth/rough.
Mine's on 29's but you can also run these on 27.5, has carbon main frame (ally rear triangle) and decent travel.
I bought as an ex-demo and saved quite a lot off RRP.
Happy shopping, but not sure how you'll fare with getting a deal in Lockdown.
It has the really convenient twinloc system, so that you are able to modify front & rear on the fly, especially good for up/down/smooth/rough.
Mine's on 29's but you can also run these on 27.5, has carbon main frame (ally rear triangle) and decent travel.
I bought as an ex-demo and saved quite a lot off RRP.
Happy shopping, but not sure how you'll fare with getting a deal in Lockdown.
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