hi,

A friend is 2m tall and weighs 115kg without kit. He’s been borrowing one of my bikes but is looking for his own. Everytime he takes my bike out, something gets broken. He’s got a budget of 2000e and is looking for a trail/AM-style bike which is fairly tough!

So, what on earth is out there on that budget?

tell him to have a word with specialized.

The Nukeproof Mega looks like a solid option, not sure about sizing for the larger gent.

Ton – I always found specialized FSRs bloody flexy, and I’m the same weight as the chappy in the OPs post, but a midget at a mere 195cm. I also bust their seatpost and stem.. Why talk to specialised? (genuinely want to know, thinking about a big mountain 29er to replace ageing Mega and Endure 29er keeps popping up)

My Nukeproof mega (old 26″ one) with sans flows was solid and indeed had no frame or wheel flex.

My big old Ventana ElCapitan, my second favourite bike ever, with Halo 29e wheels was also flex free.

Hang on – FS or HT? What bits are breaking?

2m tall, a verified giant 🙂

Probably any bike on the market 🙂

he broke a crank-spindle interface first time (but that was quite worn) and then the internals of an X7 shifter. 😀 I’m quite light on kit, though.

Mikewsmith – what bike(s) could you recommend?

Lol really anything in a mid spec 140-160mm bike. Avoid anything with a fox 32 fork and mid level may be tougher (heavier).

As for height for bike sizing proportion is way more important, most modern bikes have low standovers and reach is way more important to work out. How long are his arms, ape index?

For 2k then Canyon/Rose/YT probably fit the bill price wise, but sizing is a guess unless you can find one.
Then the big boys Giant/Trek/Spec for the next deal at that price point (lower spec but you get to try before you buy)
After that the real value comes used.

Ton – I always found specialized FSRs bloody flexy, and I’m the same weight as the chappy in the OPs

Kev, you need to try a 2015 enduro 29er………… 😉

thanks for the advice, mikewsmith. I’ll ask him for his ape index and we’ll check the manufacturers size guides. Should i avoid all 32mm forks or just the fox models?

Used isn’t really an option as the market in Finland (where im living) is quite small and expensive. Trying a bike is tricky as it’s hard to find a suitable demo bike.

Skinny forks on long travel bikes keep the weight down but end up flexi

Nothing wrong with less travel on a 29er. I’ve thrashed a Turner Sultan for years in this role.
Look at what the dealers have in the 23″ / XXL frame. I do think the current batch of Trek look very good VFM. The rest of the big brands also have a few bigger bikes that will do the job.

Jump bike! Buy smaller and use extra leg length as always active suspension 🙂