Full Suspension Bike max £1500

[tjdixon911]

After some advice on the following.

Looking to spend a max of £1500 (preferably less as I also need a new exhaust) on a Full Suspension bike, it will mainly be used around Thetford but hopefully be capable of a few trips further afeild.

Anyway been looking at the following;

Felt Virtue 2;

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/id40169.html

GT Force 1.0;

http://paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b1s1p...

Anthem 2 08;

http://paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s1p...

09 Anthem 2;

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/id45016.html

Trance X3

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/id45032.html


Felt Virtue 1

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/id40170.html

Cube AMS pro

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...

Also the Specialized Stumpjumper FSR (think the comp @ £1600)


I have had a ride on the 07 Felts 1&2 but not sure how much they changed from 07-08, hoping to get a test ride soon of the Anthem 2 and Stumpjumper.

There is quite alot there and I think some could be eliminated easily, just wondered what peoples thoughts were on any of them.

Did consider Building a bike but I don't think that is a viable option.

Thanks

Tom

Edited by tjdixon911 on Monday 9th February 13:46

[nervous]

Have you thought about stealing one from Neil? He has so many he probably wouldn't notice.

[MTY4000]

Anthem X 2.

The old Anthem was a stunning ride (I had one) the mestro suspension is really effective, and the old one climbed like nothing else I have ridden off road.

New one looks even better and more trail focused rather than XC racing. Changes for 2009 include travel +20mm at the front (a v good move), +10mm at the back (was not needed IMHO as the suspension was so good, but good to have..). Has had great reviews in the mags, and seems to be the 100mm bike to beat at the mo.

The X1 looks even better, its only a few 100 extra...

[MTY4000]

..hmmm. You've got some great bikes on that list - all would be pretty good I think. Maybe focus on the type of riding you want to do - bikes like the Tance X and Stumpie have an extra 20mm travel on the Anthem and I'd expect them to be slightly more forgiving of mistakes. Depends where you think you will get most fun - I'm Anthem biased!

Maybe group them by travel (100mm v 120mm) and see if that helps cut down your list. Otherwise you are doing the right thing to take test rides.

[Rico]

www.merlincycles.co.uk have 20% off 2009 Commencals... a Meta5 would be nice

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&prod...

At £1200ish

Edited by Rico on Monday 9th February 15:36

[mk1fan]

Spesh Pitch, Cannondale Rush (I think) or e-Bay for a second hand option. Loads to choice from then. I saw a 2005 Cove G-Spot that didn't sell and was up for £800.

[snotrag]

MTY4000 has it right.

You need to narrow down what you want.

Short travel, light weight, tight geometry?

Longer travel, burlier build, slacker geometry?

Is it your first Suspension frame? Other things to think about - what shock is fitted? What adjustability is built into the frame? Do you need bottle bosses or a full length seat tube?

Do you prefer climbing to descending? Are you an 18st balls out attacking rider or a fly weight delicate lean mean XC machine?

We need more info...

[snotrag]

Oh, but forgot to add.

IMO, having ridden a lot of other bikes - the Giant Maestro System is the best performing suspension setup about. Better so than the very similar, but crucially different, VPP as used on Intense/Santa Cruz.

Maestro is found on all Anthem/Trance/Reign Models.

[JPJ]

I can't interest you in a second hand Scott Genius can I? Details in the classifieds....

[nervous]

JPJ said:

I can't interest you in a second hand Scott Genius can I? Details in the classifieds....

problem solved

[Wetwipe]

nervous said:

JPJ said:

I can't interest you in a second hand Scott Genius can I? Details in the classifieds....

problem solved

buy it Thomas. you know it makes sense.

[vwsurfbum]

Wetwipe said:

nervous said:

JPJ said:

I can't interest you in a second hand Scott Genius can I? Details in the classifieds....

problem solved

buy it Thomas. you know it makes sense.

the best 5" you'll ever ride!
especially in thetford, lock out at a flick of a switch and your pulling past all those Commencals that are bobbing up and down! LOL
DO IT!

[tjdixon911]

snotrag said:

MTY4000 has it right.

You need to narrow down what you want.

Short travel, light weight, tight geometry?

Longer travel, burlier build, slacker geometry?

Not sure on that one, I think I want not too much and not too little probably 100-120mm and I like the raceier looking bikes....

snotrag said:

Is it your first Suspension frame? Other things to think about - what shock is fitted? What adjustability is built into the frame? Do you need bottle bosses or a full length seat tube?

Yes 1st Suspension bike...
I have been mainly looking for Fox shocks but could do with knowing what Rock Shox etc ones are good or own brand? Scott, Spesh, Lapierre etc?

snotrag said:

Do you prefer climbing to descending? Are you an 18st balls out attacking rider or a fly weight delicate lean mean XC machine?

We need more info...

I'd like to think I'm the second one of those but in fact I'm neither!

[tjdixon911]

JPJ said:

I can't interest you in a second hand Scott Genius can I? Details in the classifieds....

Will have a look in a bit, is there a pedal powered for sale section now?

[nervous]

Wetwipe said:

nervous said:

JPJ said:

I can't interest you in a second hand Scott Genius can I? Details in the classifieds....

problem solved

buy it Thomas. you know it makes sense.

he's right. because two of yours will nearly equal one of mine.

[zippy500]

Could also look at the Trek EX range. I have just bought an EX9 which is a tad out of your price range you mention, but am well pleased(especially as they knocked off 400 quid) the next ones down the range use exactly the same frame just lower level components and in general they are getting good reviews from the mags.

[Wetwipe]

nervous said:

Wetwipe said:

nervous said:

JPJ said:

I can't interest you in a second hand Scott Genius can I? Details in the classifieds....

problem solved

buy it Thomas. you know it makes sense.

he's right. because two of yours will nearly equal one of mine.

youre bike would be awesome if it were not for its rider

[Wetwipe]

vwsurfbum said:

Wetwipe said:

nervous said:

JPJ said:

I can't interest you in a second hand Scott Genius can I? Details in the classifieds....

problem solved

buy it Thomas. you know it makes sense.

the best 5" you'll ever ride!
especially in thetford, lock out at a flick of a switch and your pulling past all those Commencals that are bobbing up and down! LOL
DO IT!

he's spot on. its like tracion control.

bloody, utterly brilliant.

i cant believe how good mine is.

[nervous]

Wetwipe said:

nervous said:

Wetwipe said:

nervous said:

JPJ said:

I can't interest you in a second hand Scott Genius can I? Details in the classifieds....

problem solved

buy it Thomas. you know it makes sense.

he's right. because two of yours will nearly equal one of mine.

youre bike would be awesome if it were not for its rider

It's funny how I never hear you say these things on the day. It must be because you're so far behind me, wheezing and puffing and mumbling about cake.

[tjdixon911]

nervous said:

Wetwipe said:

nervous said:

Wetwipe said:

nervous said:

JPJ said:

I can't interest you in a second hand Scott Genius can I? Details in the classifieds....

problem solved

buy it Thomas. you know it makes sense.

he's right. because two of yours will nearly equal one of mine.

youre bike would be awesome if it were not for its rider

It's funny how I never hear you say these things on the day. It must be because you're so far behind me, wheezing and puffing and mumbling about cake.

Did someone say cake?