Opinino on three different new MTBs

[PugwasHDJ80]

Posted up here a while ago, and people were very helpful.

Have found my pricepoint, and three bikes that I am seriously considering buying- would really welcome some learned opinions on the following (they are all hardtails and a mix of ali v steel)

I've got a fair chunk of weight to lose (currently 300lb- aiming for 220lb), so value strength and realibility over weight.

Do any of the following have any major advantages or pitfalls over the others?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/charge/cooker-...
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Genesis-High-Latitude-Alfi...
http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html?...

[anonymous-user]

Canyon wins hands down on spec, particularly the forks which are miles better than the Charge or Genesis offerings. 30 day exchange etc if you're not happy....

[mdavids]

Generally canyons are very well specced and hard to beat for the price so thats where money would be going. The only downsides are a couple of weeks wait and obviously you cant swing a leg over one to make sure it fits. Canyon's size guide can be a bit iffy, I'm just under 6ft and always go for a large frame but the size guide (at least for their road bikes) puts me the next size up.

I'm very tempted by the canyon spectral for my next bike, I dont think you can do better for the money.

[richardxjr]

Could I just chuck this in the mix...

UK Co, slacker 68deg HA, 120mm RS Revs, RS Reverb dropper, full Shimano inc brakes & wheels, even great tyres ... under a grand.

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBOOPWDEO/on-one-park...

Edited by richardxjr on Friday 22 August 23:11

[gazza285]

Nothing too wrong with the Recon Gold forks, but anything with Avid brakes is off my list. I'd go for the On-One.

[yellowjack]

I've still not found anything I like better than the Bird Zero at that price point...

http://shop.birdmtb.com/zero.html


...and well within reach of Newbury, so a visit to the build workshop and a good day of riding a couple of size and build variations from the test fleet should be a possibility. You just won't get better access to the 'top men' at any other bike brand, they build the (customizeable specification) finished bikes, and they designed the frames themselves too. Better still, they created the company to build bikes because they love to ride bikes. Try them, I'm sure you'll get along with the guys there, as riders they really care about the service you get from them. Lovely bikes, too. 'Zero 3' starts at £995 for the default build, the 'Zero 1' at £1300 is the most expensive of their default build "Trail/XC" bikes, but if you get carried away you can add a bit of money in upgrades (my ultimate build came out at £1900+ with a Pike fork and Reverb Stealth dropper post).