Have seen £3,500 quoted, (We Love Lapierre), for Spicy 516 in 2010, fox boost and fit technology being the only changes to warrant £400 increase!

looking at the prices for the new stuff on http://www.welovelapierre.com
glad I bought my 2008 714 for £2200 brand new (was the last one anywhere apparently)
thats now the price of the 314!
and they are shortening the top tube, a shame as I like the long one on mine, runs a 50mm stem lovely….
still, great bikes….

Looks like the pricing is on the Hotlines site already, but without pics or specs.

2010 marins are already sellin…. we've sold some… in and gone!

I enquired via a friend at CRC (who own Hotlines) yesterday and was told perhaps a couple of months for the Froggy 318.

Chunkychew – I was put off by the air shock and shorter fork on the 518 too, have decided to get the 318 and upgrade it. Already got a 2ndhand Totem (on my big hit for now) and will get the Van R shock Pushed if standard performance is lacking.

joeblob – you forgot the carbon rear end on the 514.

I was lucky enough to be at LBS when the rep brought round the 2010 bikes for viewing, they're very touchy about demos! Anyway they look the business, but they're FRENCH so anyone considering buying one should think about it really hard!
Unfortuanately my sponsor seems to have it in his head that I may climb off my Orange 5 to race a french bike, we've had words!

Hey chakaping

There is quite a difference in the suspensuio performance of the two marque's

firstly I would say the giants are "plusher" . what i mean by that is that the suspension is very effective over continious rocks and rough terrain…BuT!!! the bikes just felt dead, no acceleration no nimblenes, it just did the job….pretty neutral really.

Also I was put off of Giant as they constantly changed the models and the spec and forks just dont suit the frames.

The lapierres however are very fast off the mark, and climb incredibly well and acceleration is immense, handling is excellent with a long wheelbase and short cockpit, the suspension is not as "plush" but you do get a lot of feedback, and zero flex. my Push tuned shock should arrive tomorrow so will be intersting to see the performance difference

I tested along with some friends a reign and a spicy and we all prefered the spicy it really is a fun bike.

My Froggy however i havent warmed up to it, its a a bit heavy (318) and I got the large frame, true it ploughs through anything but that sprightlyness is missing.

will lighten it up soon though so hopefully that will make a difference.

Thanks nasher, that's really helpful.

I know what you mean about Giant suspension feeling neutral, although I quite like it and prefer to 4-bar or single-pivot designs I've tried.

Do please let us know how the Push shock changes the ride of the Froggy, as I'd be looking at getting that done myself later.

I'd be getting the Froggy as a replacement for my Big Hit – so would hopefully feel lighter and more nimble.

Incidentally, I just had the Float R on my Trance Pushed and it seems very impressive riding up and down the road. Feels a bit like a coil spring – with much more subtly progressive feel.

i see ya Anders!

Well just got my pushed float R back for the spicy and the difference is amazing.

I always had a quite q bit of "feedback" from the rear, now it tracks much better and improving the ride but not affecting the "sprityness" of the bike.

The domain fork is an orrible one if you are riding continious rocks etc.. but for the Uk it will be fine.

The 518 i believe is notas good a value s the 318 with main difference being Saint/slx, domain/van DHX/vanand a better rear hub!!!!

The difference in money can build a better machine than the 518.

Very interested in the spicy 216 tho, just ditch the fork for a nice marz 55 (2010 ones)