What XC MB for £1500?

[Matts_Zed]

After being thoroughly humiliated over a rocky course by an unfit bloke 10 years my senior, I think it's time I changed my bone shaking, teeth rattling, 1994 Rockhopper Expert for a full sus MB.

Probably looking to spend around £1500.

Requirements:

Full suspension.
Must be a XC bike, not a jump or downhill thing.
As light as possible; I tend to ride 3-5 hours over mixed terrain (Quantocks, Exmoor, Woodbury common if you know them).
Probably better frame than components.
New or "lightly used" is fine.

Any recommendations around this price range?

Ta.

[mat205125]

Lots of good deals to be had on 2006 bikes.

There was a review of £1500 full sus XC bikes in MBUK a couple of months ago.

The 07 model Marin (help me out with a model name guys!) came first in that.

Can't go far wrong with another Specialized either. Scott have a good rep, but I've never ridden one personally.

For £1500, you can pretty much take your pick from the best.

[Andy Oh]

For £1,500 you could buy a 2007 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp which matches your requirements or you could get a new 2006 model bike from Evans as they are discounting unsold 2006 model year bikes. With that budget there really is a lot to choose from

[Matts_Zed]

Thanks chaps. What sort of weight is a full sus MB these days at that price range. Can I get one around 25lbs? Or is it more like 30?

[mat205125]

Somewhere between those figures should be acheiveable for that budget I'd hope.

[Matts_Zed]

Been having a look around and found 3 I like the look of:

Marin Mount Vision, bit out of my budget, may maybe....

Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp - looks fantastic!

Trek Fuel 90 - Quite a bit cheaper than the others, but seems light at under 27 lbs, maybe it would do.

[rico]

www.mtbr.com is always a good site to read a few reviews. Few monkies on there though so take the reviews with a pinch of salt. EG people will say a bike is crap before the gears don't shift well. Thats not the bike's fault but the mechanic who set them up etc.

[mickrw]

Matts, just received the Evans sale brochure, it has 06 Specialized FSR's and Treks with some good discounts. Might be worth trawling their online site. They also have a clearance outlet near Gatwick.

Mick

[shino]

The Marin full suspension bikes for around that kinda money look pretty damn good, nearly had one myself last year when i bought a new bike. I finished up having a new hard tail instead, Marin was a little too soft (bouncy) for me. (think i need to shed a few pounds )

[BadgerBenji]

Specialized for that money, and get it bought quick, they had all sold out by Easter last year.

[simes205]

Probably the Marin Rift Zone. I've got the 2003 version and it rides like a magic carpet.

[justin s]

I just built up a custom bike for £1600 from the parts list of Chain Reaction using the Maxlight XC half carbon frame and XT groupset,Hope hubs,disc brakes and Thompson bits.The bike came in at 22 lb and rides like a rocket.Very jealous of my mate who loves it.

[Matts_Zed]

justin s said:

I just built up a custom bike for £1600 from the parts list of Chain Reaction using the Maxlight XC half carbon frame and XT groupset,Hope hubs,disc brakes and Thompson bits.The bike came in at 22 lb and rides like a rocket.Very jealous of my mate who loves it.

22lbs! Incredible. Just don't have the patience for a self build at the moment. Just built up my road bike and it probably weighs around 22 lbs!

[beyond rational]

Too many good contenders to choose at this price, it comes down to style.....go test!

[mat205125]

Matts_Zed said:

justin s said:

I just built up a custom bike for £1600 from the parts list of Chain Reaction using the Maxlight XC half carbon frame and XT groupset,Hope hubs,disc brakes and Thompson bits.The bike came in at 22 lb and rides like a rocket.Very jealous of my mate who loves it.

22lbs! Incredible. Just don't have the patience for a self build at the moment. Just built up my road bike and it probably weighs around 22 lbs!

That sounds like a bargain bike. Got any pictures for us to drool over?

[pombstard]

As others have said, loads around at that price, esp if you're happy with not-quite-new. Others to include might be Santa Cruz Blur, Rocky Mountain ETSX50 and Giant Trance 1 or 0. I ride with guys with all of these and they are used for serious racing - 4/8/12/24 hour and 100km rides. I got my Yeti by asking in bike shops for any ex-demo bikes that are around - paid about GBP500 less than retail for it, and its still warranteed.

[mat205125]

My next is gonna be a Santa Cruz. I'll confess! No other reason than they are the b0ll0x IMO. Won't make me a better or faster rider, but it will be coveted like a new born

[Matts_Zed]

Well. Just gone and done it. Ordered a 2007 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp.

Had one at my local bike shop and I fell in love! Arrives Tuesday, plus £150 quid of free bits of my choice.

Thanks for all the help chaps - see you on the trails!

Matt.

[rico]

Sound choice!!!!

[rico]

mat205125 said:

My next is gonna be a Santa Cruz. I'll confess! No other reason than they are the b0ll0x IMO. Won't make me a better or faster rider, but it will be coveted like a new born

I've had a Bullit and Chameleon. Both fantastic bikes.