Looking for a new MTB
Discussion
I'm considering a new full suspension MTB but I'm going round and round in circles, the new market is an absolute minefield.
There seems to be many different categories for what look to me like very similar bikes.
I'm mainly a road cyclist, but almost every recent ride has had a near miss with a car either not paying attention or doing some daft overtake. So recently I've been making the switch to off-road, trail, forest, fire track type stuff.
I've got an old Jamis Dakar which is actually quite good, but it probably needs a bit of money spent on it to keep it going. Rear shock has gone and could really do with a dropper post.
I've looked at all sorts online, Specialized, Santa Cruz, Canyon, all of which seems to have various ranges of mtbs.
I did recently look at a lightly used Santa Cruz Bronson, but for the money it almost makes more sense to go new through the C2W scheme.
Id class myself as a novice, but keen to learn. I'm riding blue trails at the local bike park and would say red is about as technical as I want to go. I'm much happier cycling up bigger hills and making a day of it rather than throwing myself down significantly technical rocky trails.
Budget wise I'd like to stick around £3-4k but could stretch it if it would be worthwhile and get something I can 'learn' into. Rather than buying something I'll put grow quickly.
Any advice or suggestions would be great
There seems to be many different categories for what look to me like very similar bikes.
I'm mainly a road cyclist, but almost every recent ride has had a near miss with a car either not paying attention or doing some daft overtake. So recently I've been making the switch to off-road, trail, forest, fire track type stuff.
I've got an old Jamis Dakar which is actually quite good, but it probably needs a bit of money spent on it to keep it going. Rear shock has gone and could really do with a dropper post.
I've looked at all sorts online, Specialized, Santa Cruz, Canyon, all of which seems to have various ranges of mtbs.
I did recently look at a lightly used Santa Cruz Bronson, but for the money it almost makes more sense to go new through the C2W scheme.
Id class myself as a novice, but keen to learn. I'm riding blue trails at the local bike park and would say red is about as technical as I want to go. I'm much happier cycling up bigger hills and making a day of it rather than throwing myself down significantly technical rocky trails.
Budget wise I'd like to stick around £3-4k but could stretch it if it would be worthwhile and get something I can 'learn' into. Rather than buying something I'll put grow quickly.
Any advice or suggestions would be great
justin220 said:
Maybe should have said, I don't think I want an eMtb but could be persuaded
If you even suspect you might be persuaded to an eMTB, you should IMHO, get out and try one or two.I don't own one, but I do get to borrow one at a mate's house now and then.
It all comes down to how and where you want to ride, and crucially, who with.
For me, right now, I don't want one, I get more out of pedaling around the woods at my own speed.
But if my house move happens, then I think I will have a different choice of rides on my doorstep where an eMTB will be ideal.
justin220 said:
Id class myself as a novice, but keen to learn. I'm riding blue trails at the local bike park and would say red is about as technical as I want to go. I'm much happier cycling up bigger hills and making a day of it rather than throwing myself down significantly technical rocky trails.
I'd say you're looking at an XC bike then although I'd also consider the latest bulls
t bingo category of 'down country' as they will handle the type of trails you mention.https://www.mbr.co.uk/buyers_guide/best-down-count...
Whatever suits the trails you ride the most. No point going 180mm enduro bike to ride XC as it'll just numb the trails down the the point you won't enjoy riding them.
Avoid an emtb if you want to retain your fitness. Which as a rodie I expect will be decent?
GregK2 said:
I don't know anything about MTB's but your current ride looks really decent and unless parts availability is an issue, can't understand why you wouldn't just get that serviced to full health again rather than drop £3-£4K on something newer.
That's a fair comment and also something I'm considering. Although I think I'd be looking at around £200-£250 for the dropper and similar again to replace the shock, which is almost false economics on a bike which probably worth less than £500 Bathroom_Security said:
I'd say you're looking at an XC bike then although I'd also consider the latest bullst bingo category of 'down country' as they will handle the type of trails you mention.
https://www.mbr.co.uk/buyers_guide/best-down-count...
Whatever suits the trails you ride the most. No point going 180mm enduro bike to ride XC as it'll just numb the trails down the the point you won't enjoy riding them.
Avoid an emtb if you want to retain your fitness. Which as a rodie I expect will be decent?
I'd say I'm reasonably road fit, although it's a very different fitness. I'll quite happily do a few hours on the road. t bingo category of 'down country' as they will handle the type of trails you mention.https://www.mbr.co.uk/buyers_guide/best-down-count...
Whatever suits the trails you ride the most. No point going 180mm enduro bike to ride XC as it'll just numb the trails down the the point you won't enjoy riding them.
Avoid an emtb if you want to retain your fitness. Which as a rodie I expect will be decent?
Mountain biking the climbs are similar but the downhill sections is very different.. a couple of hours yesterday up and down was brilliant and a real workout!
Cube stereos can be good value for money for the spec you get, I have not long got in from a decent ride out on dartmoor on my 5 year old Stereo 150 and it still rides spot on (has been serviced and had suspension properly serviced), my best mate picked up a new Stereo one55 last year for a frankly ridiculous price once bought through cycle to work, very decently specced bike. They also come in 120, 140 and 170mm versions so picking one for your level of riding that will allow you to progress should be easy, personally i think modern 140-150mm is a good do it all bike, capable of long xc type rides or ripping down red routes at a bike park.
It is very worthwhile actually going to sit on some bikes to get sizing right, one brands medium is another brands large etc.
It is very worthwhile actually going to sit on some bikes to get sizing right, one brands medium is another brands large etc.
balise said:
I liked my Cube but part’s availability did for it in the end. I could not get replacement brake callipers and I wasn’t going through all the aggravation of adapting it
Replaced with a Boardman 1.8 thing. Not impressed with it really, build quality is poor.
What brakes did you have? Most of them would be sram, shimano or magura and should be pretty easily obtainable, post covid most components (particularly shimano) could prove tricky to get but should be all ok now.Replaced with a Boardman 1.8 thing. Not impressed with it really, build quality is poor.
https://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/scott-spark-950...
https://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/scott-spark-910...
Scott Spark ? Pedalon have some great deals on these XC bikes. They have the odd TR version which gives more travel at either end. I’m a fan of the Spark & love mine (albeit mine is the older version with the exposed rear shock). The TwinLoc suspension set up really is good & works brilliantly.
https://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/scott-spark-910...
Scott Spark ? Pedalon have some great deals on these XC bikes. They have the odd TR version which gives more travel at either end. I’m a fan of the Spark & love mine (albeit mine is the older version with the exposed rear shock). The TwinLoc suspension set up really is good & works brilliantly.
https://www.yt-industries.com/en-uk/Bikes/All-Moun...
Absolute bargain at that price if you fancy a bit more of the gnarly stuff.
Edit. Be better off with the Izzp for what you want it for.
Absolute bargain at that price if you fancy a bit more of the gnarly stuff.
Edit. Be better off with the Izzp for what you want it for.
I never really bonded with my full susser (admittedly that was a while ago now, and things have moved on).
It was heavy, very hard work travelling up hill, I didn't like the nose diving on technical downhill, and found it all a bit disconnected on faster downhill.
I now have a 29er hardtail, with a very unfashionable triple (which is great for the times you are on the road). It was a fraction of the price you are thinking of spending. I'm a fair bit older now, so no intention of throwing myself off / down anything that might hurt!
I would find an open day and try a few.
It was heavy, very hard work travelling up hill, I didn't like the nose diving on technical downhill, and found it all a bit disconnected on faster downhill.
I now have a 29er hardtail, with a very unfashionable triple (which is great for the times you are on the road). It was a fraction of the price you are thinking of spending. I'm a fair bit older now, so no intention of throwing myself off / down anything that might hurt!
I would find an open day and try a few.
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