After having my 5 stolen recently I started looking at new bikes at the 4-5k mark.
Fortunately i got to test a few bikes at a Demo day recently and then rode a few other bikes in the following week around the same trail.
In summary (skipping a few bikes):
Niner WFO – Loved it. Just needed a saddle change and the tubes taking out. Awesome everywhere and was consistently the fastest everywhere but uphill (rear tyre change…?)
Rocky Mountain Altitude 750 MSL – Loved it. But it would need new tyres, better brake setup and the Fox fork just doesn’t compare to the Pike so would be tempted to change. Climbed very well though, and was only fractionally slower on the techy stuff than the WFO
Orange Five RS 650b – like an old girlfriend, clicked with it but felt old and used compared to the new stuff out.
After the test day I was certain I had a clear winner, the Niner WFO.
But having waited 2 weeks for the insurance company to pay out, I’ve started to questions myself. Should I get the RM… should I stick with the Niner… I just don’t know now, and it’s annoying the life outta me!
Maybe i should just toss a coin….
Or just buy a much cheaper bike and use the spare money to go somewhere sunny with it! lol