Not bought a new frame for 6 years and not bought a new whole bike since about 1999 so next year is new bike year for me.

Current bike are:

26er full sus 100/115mm
26er SS rigid
Road bike

The full sus gets used the most so want to replace that with something newer. It a 2005 FSR specced with XT, hope hoops, Reba’s and Fox RP2. I don’t really want to spend over 2k so I know I’m limited. I like the look of Trek’s Fuel ex 7 but want to see what else is out there before arranging some test rides.

My requirements are:

Around a 2k budget
120 – 130mm travel
650b
Something for XC rides that will handle fun days at trail centers.
Happy to build the bike is it’s within the budget.

You have described the whyte T130. There is a £2k and 2.3k model.

As above bought one yesterday in a large sizing is very strange great bike!
[url=https://flic.kr/p/piqhj3]10350448_10152930845736474_5445041008467197969_n[/url] by Richard Munro, on Flickr

Canyon Nerve AL 8.0 for £1799

http://www.canyon.com/en/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=3570

Both those recommendations look nice. I’m a bit sceptical of Canyon if they’re only available online. A friend had a nightmare with warranty issues. But still tempted.

Ok so been looking online at more bikes. The whyte t130 looks good but lower spec than the Trek fuel ex 7 or ex 8. Keep reading about poor after sales support from Canyon so thats out. Would stick with Specialized but not interested in 29ers or 140mm bikes.

Is there anything else worth looking at? Ideally 130mm.

Winstanleys have the Whyte with 20? off so about £1800

How about a Mega TR or a new Vitus Eacarpe

With that budget I’d be heading over to the Canyon website!

The Nerve AL8 is £1799 and seems very nicely specced.

. Would stick with Specialized but not interested in 29ers or 140mm bikes.

Tried any? I just got my first 29r and about 250km in 2 weeks of good fun has been had, honestly don’t write off different for the sake of it. Get out and try some.

Tried a friends 29er and just ‘feels’ too big and sluggish. Was nice on some flatter trails though.

mjsmke – Member
Tried a friends 29er and just ‘feels’ too big and sluggish. Was nice on some flatter trails though.

Here is a clue you tried 1 bike, not all bikes with the same wheel size are the same.

Tried a friends 29er and just ‘feels’ too big and sluggish. Was nice on some flatter trails though.

I thought the same before I tried a few others. Decided to give a 29″ FS a go as I got one at a good price, thinking I’d chop it in for a 650b next year. Now have no plans to change.

The ‘Ground Control 2’ from Rose Bikes fits your criteria plus you get a month to return it , if you decide its not your thing.
LINKY

Thats amazing value! I don’t know much about the company so might do some research. I’m still swaying towards the Trek but not sure why. I think mail order for something expensive still scares me.

Rose Bikes do have a UK office now and support there if it helps:-

Rose UK Sales, Media and service:
FINLAY PATON
Phone +44 7775 786709
fin@rosebikes.co.uk

Office Hours
9am – 5.30pm / Monday to Saturday

Rose UK 14 Kingdom Ave,
Northacre Ind Park, Westbury,
Wiltshire, BA13 4EW
Visitors by appointment only

I know a chap with a Older Rose FS and he really rates it.

Right next door to TF Tuned.
Hmmmm.

It’s the same unit as TF

http://www.tftuned.com/contact-us