They do not ride large, I reckon it’s worth the trip. 8)

I love the orange but can’t get over the spec I can get in the form of a Trek fuel ex 9.9 for the same sort of cash.

Orange 5 Pro £2,800.
Trek Fuel EX9.9 Carbon £6,500.
😕

Is it an old model Trek?

2011 orange 5 about £2k
2011 EX9.9 – £2.4k for the one I’ve been offered.

Nice!
Trek for me if it has a warranty.

Carbon frame with no warranty, I would go for the Five.

A fella on our local forum bought a 2010 EX 9.9 new, within 2 weeks a single rock strike to the downtube wrote the frame off. He was offered a new frame at a discount price.

Yeah no warranty. Hmmmm. Maybe now looking at the Orange.
I’m liking the look of Santa Cruz’s as well.
I wish I was more decisive there’s too much choice out there.

If anything, no warranty will be better on a carbon frame as it can be repaired, while an alloy one can’t.

I’d definitely have a sit on a 17.5″ Trek- I’m 5’10” and like the 18.5″ (though most people my height opt for the 19.5″).

I have a Five and love it but i also like the look of those transition coverts!

I am 6ft and ride a 18.5 trek but only have 31″ inside leg (lots of seatpost showing!)

You will be fine on th 17.5″

Ask the seller for the receipt / invoice for the bike and you should be ok. That way you take it to your LBS to be warranteed.

2k is a fortune to spend on a used bike, why not widen the field? Banner ad for a new 3k Scott for 2k next to forum, YT, Canyon or old stock at Pauls Cycles will get you a similar deal. Given how different the
2 bikes are and how big your budget strange that you are limiting yourself to these 2 bikes.

I’m liking the look of Santa Cruz’s as well.

Santa Cruz come up very short for the size, a 17″ has a 571mm TT, same with Transition.

If anything, no warranty will be better on a carbon frame as it can be repaired, while an alloy one can’t.

Who is really going to want to ride a repaired bike? The chances of carbon getting damaged are greater than alloy IME.

Hi. I’m selling my little used trek fuel 9.9 2011 virtual 17.5 on this site, advertised at £3k but flexible on price within reason. This was £6k new and fully loaded with top kit as standard. Leicester location 07842185559 text or call after 8pm as at work. Thanks wiggo1976

I’ve just been and sat on a 17.5″. It seems just a little too stretched out for my liking. Back to the drawing board. 😕

i’d say its all down to how you ride , i’ve owned an ex9 and currently have a five , if going up is your main priority go for the ex its a marginaly better climber but theres not much in .

when it comes to decending their not even comparable ,the ex is totaly outclassed , only a total wendy would claim the ex is more fun at a trail center .

Carbon frame with no warranty, I would go for the Five.

Got to agree with this.

If I had enough cash for secondhand carbon, I’d buy new carbon instead and get a guarantee.

I’d go new with your budget probably, plenty of great bikes around.

If I had £2k to spend on a trail bike there is no way on this planet that i would be looking 2nd hand. NO WAY. There is such huge choice out there in what is currently a buyer’s market, that a shop would be insane not to treat you like a biking God with that kind of money clutched in your sweaty mits.

These are good solid bikes at ‘bargain’ prices, and I only looked at leisure lakes – most shops will have similar bargains at this time of year so go out there, waste a few days playing with bikes and have a re-think on what you want:
http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/product/cannondalejekyll3fullsuspensioncrosscountrybike2011-sale.aspx?&id=15215

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/product/orangest4profullsuspensioncrosscountrymountainbike2011-sale.aspx?&id=16529

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/product/scottgeniuslt30mountainbike2011-sale.aspx?&id=15111

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/product/scottgeniuslt40mountainbike2011-sale.aspx?&id=15112

Of those 2, I’d have the ex but only because I’ve already got a bike that does the same job as a Five, only better 😉 It’s just got to come down to what suits you better, neither is better or worse than the other, too different.

(and I’m a known pikey but I don’t know why people would put a top ceiling on buying used… It’ll always get you more bike for your money whether you’re spending £200 or £2000. It’s more money to lose if you buy badly, mind.)

canyon nerve 8.0x is incredible value for not much more than 2 grand too.

I,m only just under 5’6″ I swapped the 90mm stem for a 60mm with a slight rise found it much better
carbon 5 out soon when they learn how to bend and weld the carbon 😆

Ask yourself how much the spec difference (disregard the geo/suspension for a moment) will change your riding?

How about a Whyte T120? Brand new £2K maybe less if you haggle, alloy & carbon. 5 year warranty, and I’m sure they will have a size to suit you.

Light enough for climbing and very good going down, Shorter travel for the xc bits

i’d say its all down to how you ride , i’ve owned an ex9 and currently have a five , if going up is your main priority go for the ex its a marginaly better climber but theres not much in .

when it comes to decending their not even comparable ,the ex is totaly outclassed , only a total wendy would claim the ex is more fun at a trail center .

Exactly what I found too.

Ask yourself how much the spec difference (disregard the geo/suspension for a moment) will change your riding?

It won’t at all.