New twin spring suggestions?
Discussion
Max budget £1500, although i'd rather spend less. I've been looking at the Focus First from Wiggle, but also quite fancy a Giant Anthem 1 do you guys have any suggestions?
I also have the option of a Giant XTC Team Frame and rear shock for £200 from a mate, which i'd then have to build up, having never done this could I get a bike built up to pretty good spec (XT Kit, Easton gubbins & Magura brakes & forks) for less than the purchase price of the others?
I also have the option of a Giant XTC Team Frame and rear shock for £200 from a mate, which i'd then have to build up, having never done this could I get a bike built up to pretty good spec (XT Kit, Easton gubbins & Magura brakes & forks) for less than the purchase price of the others?
Edited by WildCards on Monday 17th September 10:36
Commencal Meta 5.5.
Try and find an 07 model, and you'll have a friggin bargain on your hands. £1500 should get you a 5.5.2.
2008 models are weighing in at £1500 for a 5.5.3, which is STILL a bargain.
There's a reason why one of the mags voted it as one of the Top Ten all time frames ever.
ETA: Echo the sentiments on the Focus. At this price-point you DON'T want to buy on kit specification alone - you want to get a good frame over any kit on it.
Try and find an 07 model, and you'll have a friggin bargain on your hands. £1500 should get you a 5.5.2.
2008 models are weighing in at £1500 for a 5.5.3, which is STILL a bargain.
There's a reason why one of the mags voted it as one of the Top Ten all time frames ever.
ETA: Echo the sentiments on the Focus. At this price-point you DON'T want to buy on kit specification alone - you want to get a good frame over any kit on it.
Edited by neil_bolton on Monday 17th September 11:15
Info here about the Expert if you were wondering - http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/m...
WildCards said:
Merlin have the 07 Commencal 5.5.2 for £1250 and Keswick have the 5.5.3 for £999. Is the 5.2 £250 better?
What size would a 5'9 chap need?
Get the S/M - I'm 6 foot 4, and I'm running a S/M, but I have shorter (33"What size would a 5'9 chap need?
Edited by WildCards on Monday 17th September 11:42
legs, and prefer a shorter cockpit. Even Pete (PDV6), who's a bit bigger than me, managed to not look too silly on it when he tried it, although he would have to have a L/XL.
The 5.5.3 is the base model, with base SRAM, and Deore/LX mix of kit. The 5.5.2 is the mid range model, with a LX/XT mix, with better shocks etc.
Mine is in effect a 5.5.2 with full XTR, but the Fox Float/Vanilla mix of shocks, and it rides bloody lovely. I really have fallen in love with it.
Muchyous recommendos from me
ETA: 5.5.2 at £1250 - GET IT BROUGHT!
ETA: I use the Commnecal for general XC riding, as it's more than light enough, however, with a slightly tougher set of wheels (I love my XTR wheels to bits, but I don't think they'll cope), I'll be riding the 2008 Mega-avalanche on it - its a perfect bike for it, and with 5.5" of travel at both ends, more than capable.
Was surprised that MBUK didn't review an 08' model in their Mega-avalance review this month...
Was surprised that MBUK didn't review an 08' model in their Mega-avalance review this month...
WildCards said:
Cheers Neil. Merlin only have a small, from what you've said that'll be find for me then?
ETA: Bought not Brought
Check with Merlin - they'll know - the Commencal website is a bit confusing regarding sizing. ETA: Bought not Brought
Edited by WildCards on Monday 17th September 12:12
You won't regret the Commencal if you do go for it - all reviews are pretty much raving about it...
I ride an Anthem. Its the Anthem 0 frame, built up with kit from my previous bike. Same frame as the Anthem 1 (but with a different shock - RP23).
I'm very happy with it. Perfect for cross country blasts round the Surrey Hills and wounderfull up in the mountains (I ride the Lakes / Scotland regularilly). Its a short travel frame, 3.5in, so if you want a more sofa like ride, it may not be for you.
For me its ideal, although its not sold as an 'all-mountain' bike, its sold as a race bike, I find it works very well in this capacity, particularily if you are doing long distances.
Pros:
Its an excellent climber (v light and does not sap your energy into the suspension), even room in the frame triangle to sling the bike on your shoulder if you need to scramble up a scree / boulder slope.
Great fun bike to decend on too. Really comes alive at speed.
Cons:
Bottom bracket is quite low, so you need to think about your pedals on rocky singletrack.
On fast technical decents you will need to think about your lines more than a longer travel frame, it is not a 7 inch travel bike (this could be a Pro though - it is for me).
Summary: Not a bike for everyone, but I love it.
I'm very happy with it. Perfect for cross country blasts round the Surrey Hills and wounderfull up in the mountains (I ride the Lakes / Scotland regularilly). Its a short travel frame, 3.5in, so if you want a more sofa like ride, it may not be for you.
For me its ideal, although its not sold as an 'all-mountain' bike, its sold as a race bike, I find it works very well in this capacity, particularily if you are doing long distances.
Pros:
Its an excellent climber (v light and does not sap your energy into the suspension), even room in the frame triangle to sling the bike on your shoulder if you need to scramble up a scree / boulder slope.
Great fun bike to decend on too. Really comes alive at speed.
Cons:
Bottom bracket is quite low, so you need to think about your pedals on rocky singletrack.
On fast technical decents you will need to think about your lines more than a longer travel frame, it is not a 7 inch travel bike (this could be a Pro though - it is for me).
Summary: Not a bike for everyone, but I love it.
Edited by MTY4000 on Monday 17th September 13:36
I ride an Anthem. Its the Anthem 0 frame, built up with kit from my previous bike. Same frame as the Anthem 1 (but with a different shock - RP23).
I'm very happy with it. Perfect for cross country blasts round the Surrey Hills and wounderfull up in the mountains (I ride the Lakes / Scotland regularilly). Its a short travel frame, 3.5in, so if you want a more sofa like ride, it may not be for you.
For me its ideal, although its not sold as an 'all-mountain' bike, its sold as a race bike, I find it works very well in this capacity, particularily if you are doing long distances.
Pros:
Its an excellent climber (v light and does not sap your energy into the suspension), even room in the frame triangle to sling the bike on your shoulder if you need to scramble up a scree / boulder slope.
Great fun bike to decend on too. Really comes alive at speed.
Cons:
Bottom bracket is quite low, so you need to think about your pedals on rocky singletrack.
On fast technical decents you will need to think about your lines more than a longer travel bike, it is not a 7 inch travel bike (this could be a Pro though - it is for me).
Summary: Not a bike for everyone, but I love it.
I'm very happy with it. Perfect for cross country blasts round the Surrey Hills and wounderfull up in the mountains (I ride the Lakes / Scotland regularilly). Its a short travel frame, 3.5in, so if you want a more sofa like ride, it may not be for you.
For me its ideal, although its not sold as an 'all-mountain' bike, its sold as a race bike, I find it works very well in this capacity, particularily if you are doing long distances.
Pros:
Its an excellent climber (v light and does not sap your energy into the suspension), even room in the frame triangle to sling the bike on your shoulder if you need to scramble up a scree / boulder slope.
Great fun bike to decend on too. Really comes alive at speed.
Cons:
Bottom bracket is quite low, so you need to think about your pedals on rocky singletrack.
On fast technical decents you will need to think about your lines more than a longer travel bike, it is not a 7 inch travel bike (this could be a Pro though - it is for me).
Summary: Not a bike for everyone, but I love it.
Edited by MTY4000 on Monday 17th September 13:37
Cheers MTY, the low BB was a concern, we were at Coedy last weekend and a mate on his Giant had real issues with his pedals hitting things on the downhills. I'm coming from a Klein Mantra which is really feeling it's age now, it's like a magic carpet ride it's that soft at the back, so stiffer would definately be a good thing.
WildCards said:
Cheers MTY, the low BB was a concern, we were at Coedy last weekend and a mate on his Giant had real issues with his pedals hitting things on the downhills. I'm coming from a Klein Mantra which is really feeling it's age now, it's like a magic carpet ride it's that soft at the back, so stiffer would definately be a good thing.
It's quite common now though - the Commencal suffers from this at times - but its not all that much of an issue...The Commencal does look great too, most mags seem to be saying the latest 5" bikes are the ideal 'do it all' bike.
Recent Marins getting good reviews too. I think a Marin full sus in your price range came out as bike of the year 2007 in What Mountain Bike mag (Anthem 0 was bike of the year 2006 IIRCC btw).
Larger tyres help the bottom bracket hight on the Anthem - the ones out of the box are v low profile(or ones with big knobbles - e.g. I use Cinder 2.1s when I need some extra clearance), but it is low by any measure. Great when you have the clearance to enjoy it, feels very stable and racy in the corners, but it is something you need to keep in mind when the trail is steeply off camber or, littered with big rocks.
Love those Kliens btw, the simplicity of the design is wonderfull.
Recent Marins getting good reviews too. I think a Marin full sus in your price range came out as bike of the year 2007 in What Mountain Bike mag (Anthem 0 was bike of the year 2006 IIRCC btw).
Larger tyres help the bottom bracket hight on the Anthem - the ones out of the box are v low profile(or ones with big knobbles - e.g. I use Cinder 2.1s when I need some extra clearance), but it is low by any measure. Great when you have the clearance to enjoy it, feels very stable and racy in the corners, but it is something you need to keep in mind when the trail is steeply off camber or, littered with big rocks.
Love those Kliens btw, the simplicity of the design is wonderfull.
Theres tonnes of choice out there...
You seem to be considering a variety of bikes - the XTC and Anthem are very short travel, racy type bikes.
For most people, for long rides where comfort and fun are more important than going 1% faster uphill, I'd reccomend something with a touch more travel - AKA the commencal.
Other bikes I'd look at are the Giant Trance, and the Specialized Stumpjumper FSR.
Before the Commencals came along and became the bike du jour (not without good reason) the Stumpy would be default choice at that price point. Very, Very good bikes. Having ridden both, I have to say I prefer the Stumpy to the Commencal 5. very similar, but subtley different. See if you can have a shot on both.
There are some serious, serious sale prices on the Giant stuff right now, so have a look for an 07 Trance. Could get yourself a bargain.
You seem to be considering a variety of bikes - the XTC and Anthem are very short travel, racy type bikes.
For most people, for long rides where comfort and fun are more important than going 1% faster uphill, I'd reccomend something with a touch more travel - AKA the commencal.
Other bikes I'd look at are the Giant Trance, and the Specialized Stumpjumper FSR.
Before the Commencals came along and became the bike du jour (not without good reason) the Stumpy would be default choice at that price point. Very, Very good bikes. Having ridden both, I have to say I prefer the Stumpy to the Commencal 5. very similar, but subtley different. See if you can have a shot on both.
There are some serious, serious sale prices on the Giant stuff right now, so have a look for an 07 Trance. Could get yourself a bargain.
neil_bolton said:
WildCards said:
What size would a 5'9 chap need?
Get the S/M - I'm 6 foot 4, and I'm running a S/M, but I have shorter (33" legs, and prefer a shorter cockpit. Even Pete (PDV6), who's a bit bigger than me, managed to not look too silly on it when he tried it, although he would have to have a L/XL.
If I was in the market for a Meta (I wish!) I'd be seriously considering getting one exactly the same size as yours with maybe a smidgen more seatpost - it felt great. Shame we run different pedals, as it would be interesting to take yours for a spin through the woods just to confirm this. For an all-day ride on fireroads etc I might be tempted to go for a larger one but that's not really the kind of riding I'm into and the chuckability of the smaller frame would be a winner.
pdV6 said:
neil_bolton said:
WildCards said:
What size would a 5'9 chap need?
Get the S/M - I'm 6 foot 4, and I'm running a S/M, but I have shorter (33" legs, and prefer a shorter cockpit. Even Pete (PDV6), who's a bit bigger than me, managed to not look too silly on it when he tried it, although he would have to have a L/XL.
If I was in the market for a Meta (I wish!) I'd be seriously considering getting one exactly the same size as yours with maybe a smidgen more seatpost - it felt great. Shame we run different pedals, as it would be interesting to take yours for a spin through the woods just to confirm this. For an all-day ride on fireroads etc I might be tempted to go for a larger one but that's not really the kind of riding I'm into and the chuckability of the smaller frame would be a winner.
I slouch so I can fit in with all the minions 
Pete, if you ever want to borrow the Meta, and whack your pedals on, you just have to say so and you can have it for as long as you want...
I'm 5foot 8 with 30inch inside leg. I test rode Skyline's medium Meta 5.5.2 demo bike round Afan a while back. It fitted me fine so should fit the OP. You can't fix a frame that's too small with a long stem and laidback seatpost!
I did catch the pedals a lot but I think that was mainly due to poor set up of the rear shock (I only had it for three hours) and was more interested in how the bike behaved over all than trying to fine tune the suspension.
However, pedal strikes are inevitable with a full susser.
I say, go for it. The Meta 5.5 is an excellent bike.
Alternatives? Well, the Orange Five, Cove Hustler (although this is way over budget) or a GT i-Drive.
I did catch the pedals a lot but I think that was mainly due to poor set up of the rear shock (I only had it for three hours) and was more interested in how the bike behaved over all than trying to fine tune the suspension.
However, pedal strikes are inevitable with a full susser.
I say, go for it. The Meta 5.5 is an excellent bike.
Alternatives? Well, the Orange Five, Cove Hustler (although this is way over budget) or a GT i-Drive.
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