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Which bike would you buy?

90 posts & 63 voices | Started 8 months ago by ask1974 | Latest reply from tazzymtb

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neninja - Member

Really enjoying my Helius CC with a 140mm fork. It's all the bike I need for riding everything from trail centres to Lake District passes. It seems to be a true all rounder - it climbs really well and is fun on the way back down but is equally at home on smoother bridleways.

I would have probably bought an ASR5 if I hadn't got a great deal on the Helius CC.

Have ridden a mates Blur LT with a 150mm fork and didn't click with it. It seemed a bit too much bike somehow and also felt too short in the top tube - we're both the same size.

Posted 8 months ago #
hora - Member

The Five is probably a nice bike but I absolutely hated mine.

The Lapierre(s) are developed in part by a certain 10time champ winner who knows a thing or two about bikes - probably more so than a single-pivot frame from Yorkshire if we are honest huh.

Failing the Lapierre I'd look at the Evo as you mentioned OP.

Posted 8 months ago #
grum - Member

I reckon I'd get one of those nice browny-orange carbon Trek Remedys

Posted 8 months ago #
catnash - Member

My history of bikes, include the 575 heckler gemini (loved that bike) and s-work Enduro 04. 06 and 3x Enduro SL's, last year had a 2011 S-works SJ until the brain rotated on its mount on two frames so swapped that for the 2011 SJ evo.

I went from a 06 Enduro to a 575 and just couldnt get on with it after having an FSR bike before hand really noticed that fsr was great on rooty off camber stuff which showed the failings of the 575. The heckler I bough was great but the reliability of that bearing and the bolts snapping and the bearing seized in the housing. for my height I was exactly in-between sizes and I noticed the wheel base to short and great at long rides but not 'quite' right on the downs. The 3 enduro SL's were superb even the fork which I was able to strip down and rebuild every 3 months to give a plush ride, nice long wheelbase with the perfect headangle. The SJ s-works was my return to a brain bike and though excellent for 95% of my riding the time I wanted it to be better it could be caught out on my circuits of brechfa. So on to the evo, one very solid confident bike, quickly changed the fork to a Revelation WC and it as fast as the 06 enduro DH and with a tweak on the stem and bar suited to my area of Brechfa. I have ridden my mates Zesty and Specialized have done their homework and I find the SJ more sure footed and better when pointed down. The other guy on his Zesty 514 has fitted a coil shock and a 36 fork.
My mistake over the years has not been to test ride bikes. I have been lucky with the Evo though.
If canondale still made the Prophet I would love to compare that to the heckler. The orange 5 has so many good reviews but I've never ridden one.
Bikes that would be on my list. (not that I need to try bikes)

Trance x
Trek Fuel
Transition (can't remember which one)
Cove hustler
Banshee spitfire
I'm always between Santa Cruz sizes.
Have a On-one 456 in size 14" with a kashima Talas 140RLC for my night rides.
Longest post I have ever done.

Just cant ever seeing me liking a mojo as the shape turns me off.

Posted 8 months ago #
hora - Member

This and swap all your bits over

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-brand-new-lapierre-zesty-514-m-frameset

Although the seller is being a bit optimistic with the pricing IMO.

Posted 8 months ago #
yunki - Member

at this very moment in time..

If I had three grand burning a hole in my pocket.. or even a way to sell my granny for three grand, I would be dropping it straight on a Transition Bandit..

Posted 8 months ago #
hora - Member

All mountain and efficient climber ? Buy Horas 5-spot frame and build it light for Surrey Hills - can't think why he would want to sell it.

Hard to put my finger on but it feels tall and steep for my taste. Angleset headset in, next is the offset bushes and a lower setting on the Lyriks- converting them to U-turns (cheap fix).

OP I rode (briefly) two Lapierres and they felt lovely- the only issue is new they only come as bike only and I only buy frames ($$ in wallet). This would swing in your favour as you have 3k to drop.

Posted 8 months ago #
wrecker - Member

Although the seller is being a bit optimistic with the pricing IMO.

A bit optimistic?
That's at least £500 overpriced

Posted 8 months ago #
jambon - Member

Carbon 456 is the way I've gone - now trying to get rid of my full susser. I used to ride in Surrey but now live in 'real' mountains in Spain. Hardtails are just so much more 'fun'. I think on-one do complete builds for around £1500 - save the rest for some great trips abroad.

Posted 8 months ago #
AlexSimon - Member

Glad you're making sure you test ride the bikes your thinking about. It really does make a lot of difference. I really didn't get on at all with some bikes that on paper looked great.

Spend some time with the shocks though. A few psi here and a couple of clicks there can make all the difference!

Posted 8 months ago #
Gribs - Member

The Canyon's are a problem for me for this reasons you note Raindog. No way I'm buying a bike without (a) a test and (b) someone local to call if things start breaking.

The ride of my Canyon AM6 is very similar to a stumpjumper but I'm sure you'll be able to find someone on here local to you who would let you have a go on theirs. Regarding the warranty it is a bit of a trade off for the cost saving but they do now at least have an UK based support centre.

Posted 8 months ago #
Hob Nob - Member

I never got on with Zesty - super long chainstay's made it feel like a bit of a tanker, and I was inbetween sizes on it. I tried numerous different settings and set ups, but in the end conceded defeat & flogged the frame on.

I ended up on the bike I love to hate, an Orange 5. The Zesty was my first do everything bike, so there was always going to be an element of learning what & not I liked, from soley riding DH prior, I find the 5 suits my riding style.

Sadly it's a bit of a BSO to me, I can't seem to enjoy the whole ownership prospect of it, but it rides well, so I just get on with riding. It's a hell of a lot better with a coil shock on the back though, well worth the weight penalty.

Posted 8 months ago #
ask1974 - Member

Well, that was an experience to say the least... With all the variety and recommendations I was a little concerned this process would become complicated, but a 32km test ride on the Yeti ASR5 has made things much easier. Quite simply blown away. It was the aluminium frame with 140 forks and here are my notes;

Climbing was better, way better, than my old FSR. I'm quite heavy and there was not the slightest bob with pro pedel engaged, but it rode over and smoothed the ride to the point where I was just picking a line rather than looking for the smoothest route. Brilliant.

Descending. Blimey... Much more confident than ever before and quick too. Got myself into trouble a few times and just rode through it. I was more than happy with the amount of travel.

It was fitted with a Specialized command post which I LOVED, used it all day and will definitely have one. Very good looking in black and frankly is all the bike I need. However will need one or two more test rides to see how the competition stacks up. If there's better to be had for the money then wow!

Thanks for the continued recommendations, I'm looking in to all of them however please no more hard tails... I won't buy one as it's not what I want. Cheers though.

Posted 7 months ago #
AlexSimon - Member

Sounds great. Let us know if you test anything else!

Posted 7 months ago #
stumpy01 - Member

ask1974 - Member
Well, that was an experience to say the least... With all the variety and recommendations I was a little concerned this process would become complicated, but a 32km test ride on the Yeti ASR5 has made things much easier. Quite simply blown away. It was the aluminium frame with 140 forks and here are my notes;

Climbing was better, way better, than my old FSR. I'm quite heavy and there was not the slightest bob with pro pedel engaged, but it rode over and smoothed the ride to the point where I was just picking a line rather than looking for the smoothest route. Brilliant.

I went from a 2001 Stumpy FSR to a 2010 Stumpy FSR. You really can't compare the two.
As you say above, I used to always look for the smoothest line to get down things, avoiding roots/rocks/lumps and bumps. Now I just choose the best line and get on with it.
The first one I had didn't have a Brain shock and was fine. Very little bob, it gripped well both up & down and was easy to lock the shock out if needed or open it fully.
That got replaced under warranty with a carbon version (due to a problem with the paint lacquer) and this one has the brain shock. Initially I was a bit non-plussed, but now I absolutely love it. It's set a few clicks from firm and just does the job.

I was over in Wales at the weekend with some friends. One of them has a Kona Coiler and I was hanging onto his back wheel a lot of the time, whereas on the old bike I would have had no chance.

Give one a test ride - or perhaps the EVO.
Only thing is that they might not meet your criteria of looks. I like mine, but it is considered a bit of a 'Ford' bike, even with the bare carbon finish & deep red finishing detail.

Posted 7 months ago #
sunnrider - Member

You could probably outbid the others and win this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ibis-Mojo-Full-Bike-RRP-Over-4500-/320767539127?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item4aaf3c37b7

Posted 7 months ago #
The Flying Ox - Member

Transition Bandit? Deals galore on the 2011 stock, including free upgrade to Kashima shock on its first service, which is also free. Could easily get one built up for under £3k.

Posted 7 months ago #
ask1974 - Member

Tried an Ibis Mojo SL today. Very nice however I prefered the ASR5 last week. Pretty close but the ASR5 just made me want to go further and do more, I climbed quicker on it as well.

Posted 7 months ago #
mildred - Member

Might be too small for you but this is an example of the sorts of bargain quality bikes that crop up (£3K bike half price)
http://www.freeborn.co.uk/devinci-2010-hectik-3

Except when you get it home the geometry won't be anything like that quoted by Devinci.

Posted 7 months ago #
tazzymtb - Member

Most Definitely an Ellsworth epiphany by a country mile....oh look there's one in the classifieds....and it's an amazing spec for a decent price with only one careful mincer for an owner.....

*wanders off nonchalantly*

Posted 7 months ago #