Help with buying first Ful Suspension MTB

[Maty]

I got back into MTB'ing in 2009 and bought a Cube Attention HT. I knew nothing about MTB's at the time and bought the Cube purely because I loved the way it looked, still do, here's a picture from a recent ride to the top of Wild Bank (Stalybridge). It's had its forks upgraded as the originals died a death and its taken some stick over the years.



I've covered about 2,000 miles on it since 09 (becoming a dad took away a couple of years of that though) and have thoroughly enjoyed it. When I bought it all the stuff I read pointed to it being better to learn the craft on a HT before moving to a FS, I think I'm at the point now to upgrade!

Budget wise is going to be an absolute maximum of £1600, to be honest I'd rather not go to that level but would do for the right bike. I've narrowed it down to 3 and would really appreciate thoughts on these in comparison to each other. First up has to be a Cube, again because of how it looks and I presume the presence of Fox suspension front and back is a good thing...

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-sting-140-...

Second up is a Boardman...read good things about them and VFM against the spec etc..

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...

Last one, again a Boardman and the low cost option, is this good VFM or is the extra 500-600 quid justified for the 2 above?

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...

And any other suggestions for the budget welcome. I'm not fussed on the whole 26, 27.5 and 29 argument, I'm not going racing the thing but I do enjoy a few rides a month up and down hills and off road.

[richardxjr]

What sort of riding and what frame size?

Anything SRAM and/or Avid is an instant NO from me. Cube looks good, but have a look at the direct offerings from Canyon etc, and last years (2014 imminent if not there already) discounts at paulscycles.

[Maty]

Riding wise, trail centre stuff really, black/red runs...The routes I take from home are usually 15 - 25 miles, 1200ft - 2200ft elevation, so a bit of climbing mixed with some descents, nothing too extreme. I find on the descents I'm probably going as fast as I can on a HT and having been out with a few groups I can see the speed difference with the FS and I basically want to go quicker

Size wise I'm not sure. I'm 5ft11 and 178lbs, is that the 20-21 inch frame bracket? I'm not fussed on the whole 26/27.5/29 argument...

[duff]

20-21 inch is far too big for your height, more like 17-18. I'd be looking for a shimano/Rockshox setup ideally, fox aren't quite what they used to be and a sram drivetrain normally means avid brakes which are not reliable.

These looks good value:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-esc...

http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/scott-genius-930-...

[vwsurfbum]

This is how i would spend your hard earned.

https://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html...

Or

http://www.yt-industries.com/shop/en/Bikes/Trail/W...

again, 18" frame size as a Max. i'm 5'10 and have a 18", thats a large but i like it bigger than the norm.

beat that canyon for spec/price and i'll eat my saddle.

[richardxjr]

If you want to roll faster then [without opening up a can of worms] defo a 29er.

Geo wise, yes a Medium frame would most likely suit, but for going down hill confidently look for a slack head angle <70deg.

I'm blown away by the value of this new bike below, 29er, 68deg, proper kit, dropper. Yes still a HT but extremely capable.

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

[vwsurfbum]

I have a spare set of forks and wheels, i keep thinking about building a parkwood for a winter hack.

[Maty]

vwsurfbum said:

This is how i would spend your hard earned.

https://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html...

Or

http://www.yt-industries.com/shop/en/Bikes/Trail/W...

again, 18" frame size as a Max. i'm 5'10 and have a 18", thats a large but i like it bigger than the norm.

beat that canyon for spec/price and i'll eat my saddle.

Like the look of that Canyon...decent spec. I'll have a look into them a bit more.

Thanks for the help guys, so a medium/18 frame size is the route to go.

[Steamer]

Only medium size left:

Cannondale Jekyll 3 - bang on budget

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s1p5187/CANNONDAL...

[richardxjr]

Slack enough but, mish mash componentry, BB30 and a weak fork, hmm

[Woody]

Rose Granite Chief 1 27.5"

[Maty]

Woody said:

Rose Granite Chief 1 27.5"

Never heard of them...nice looking bike though!

Just gonna have a look round their site.

[richardxjr]

Nice, like the build options. Deore group, XT brakes and either a Pike or Reverb @ budget