Hello.

The time has come for me to finally upgrade to a full Susser, only trouble is which one to to go for?

Budget will be between 1.5k to about 2.3k, so far I’ve seen a trek ex 8 a giant trance or towards the top end of the budget the stump jumper although would prefer fox suspension. The kind of riding i do is mostly single track stuff, I want more control in technical downhill stuff but still want to be able to tackle the climbs. So I guess it’s that question of a good all rounder. Something mod travel. The ride definitely comes above looks to me. I mainly ride the quantock, exmoor and the occasionally trip to afan when I can convince my mates that is.

Any views or opinions welcome

Thanks

Norco Sight is meant to be quite decent

If you want s/h then specialised enduros are worth a look

And if you want big wheels then the giant anthem 29er is meant to be good (as are a lot of the full sus giants)

Lots to choose from – your best bet is to have a play on as many as you can…don’t stick to one brand and keep an open mind. Work out what geometry fits you best (new bars, stem and tyres may also help what appears to be a poor bike seem a lot better)

Then chuck it all out the window and get a transition covert!

Try and find out if there are any multi-manufacturer/shop demo days near you. That way you’ll be able to try different models etc..
There really is a huge amount of choice with your budget/riding.
Have fun trying as many as you can before splurging the cash 😆

Why Fox forks? Do you have time fir dismantling bike parts every 3rides?

I rode the anthem although only around a car park and was a little concerned with the short travel on the technical descents

Any views on the orange 5, it looks like it would be heavy. I’ve always steered away from oranges thinking there all show and no go. I know that this could be way of the mark.

Why Fox forks? Do you have time fir dismantling bike parts every 3rides?

I’ve had my Fox 36es for years now and never taken them apart – had them professionally serviced recently and they were absolutely fine – they feel great.

I would second the advice to get to some demo days – it’s good fun to try different bikes and you might be surprised what you end up liking.

Orange 5 is a very good bike they’re just a bit pricy for the specs you get.

Buzz-lightyear

Can you explain your post a little more pleas. I thought fox were the mutts nutts

Meh – some people claim Fox fork stanchions fall apart at the drop of a hat, but I’ve only seen it happen to Rockshox – a lot of it is ‘Internet fact’ IMO.

Where/what kind of stuff do you normally ride?

I’d consider a canyon… the Nerve AL sounds about right for your purposes:

https://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/series/nerve-al.html

you get crazy value and now they have an enduro winning team, the 2nd hand prices should stay decent too.

The canyon I like a lot

Thanks

Just about to take the same plunge myself. 99% set on a Rocket but that is probably too much bike for what you describe. My other possible is a Genesis Grapil, which might be more your thing?

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/comms/site_info/route-guides-southwest-england/quantock-hills-somerset.htm?f_Cardinal=10

What about these? Anyone have any experiences or opinions?

Grum I normally ride the quantocks or exmoor. Lots of fun technical descents with big climbs

Oops I meant here

http://m.evanscycles.com/products/lapierre/zesty-214-2013-mountain-bike-ec043662

It has to be asked, but do you need a full-suss, or is it a matter of want?
Not to denigrate wanting something nice (guilty of it myself all the time!)
But I ride some of the same places – Exmoor, Quantocks, Dartmoor, Haldon, Woodbury, and having owned a full-suss in the past and gone back to a decent longish travel hardtail, they can cope with the terrain just as well round here. Especially as the ground/mud tends to be very sandy and gritty down in the SW, think about longevity of pivots and bearings on a full-suss.
Also think about what you can get for your money – for 1.5-2k you could get a seriously nice hardtail with decent RS or Fox forks and probably XT level kit, maybe carbon frame for a bit more comfort? Then use the change to go on a nice MTBing trip 🙂
For example – Canyon Al 7.0 – £1129 – mostly XT kit and Fox float 32 forks.
https://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=3009