I am currently fantasizing over getting a 5-6" FS. Big wheels for a big lad. I gather this is called "Enduro" yes? Ive not really been paying any attention to the latest models but cant seem to find an ST grouptest - anyone know which issue I need to look at?
Can anyone suggest bike models to put in a list of options?
From the Canyon Spectral thread Ive got as far as (although I particularly want Pikes in the range, not the Fox Talas/Float, so that rules out one or two):
Canyon Spectral 29er
Canyon Spectral 27.5
Radon Slide 29er
Radon Slide 27.5
On-One Codeine (If it ever comes back to us)
Nukeproof Mega TR 27.5 (Is the AM too big at 160mm?)
Orange Five 27.5''
Orange Segment 29''
Santa Cruz Bronson 27.5''
Santa Cruz Heckler 27.5''
Kona Process 27.5''
Giant Trance 27.5''
Whyte G150 27.5''
Whyte s129 29''
Specialized Stumpjumper 27.5''
I think that pretty much every manufacturer makes a bike that fits into your travel spec. It comes down to suspension platform/spec/price/brand snobbery.
ace, thanks ska. Also looking for those not-"big brands" kind of options.
Found another one:
Pyga oneforty650
Was just drooling a little over the new Rose Root Miller. Sort-of big brand but sort-of unusual. They have 27.5" stuff too.
Cube stereo 27.5/29
Orange Alpine 5 29er
Specialized Enduro 27.5/29
Intense Carbine 29
All on my next list
I was looking on Rose bikes earlier in the week - I think before theyd launched the 2015 root miller. The 2014 ones just looked a bit wrong in the TT. The 2015 does look better, but the pricing isnt outstanding when compared to the Canyon.
Bird Aeris
Warpcow - the Root Miller got a crap write-up in WMB.
transition patrol looks real fun
new ibis mojo
all great info. Thanks, keep 'em coming.
new ibis mojo
Maybe I should put a budget cap on this fantasy list? 🙂
b r - Member
Bird AerisWarpcow - the Root Miller got a crap write-up in WMB.
The new one? BR only has a WMB review of the old one. The new one is longer (but with shorter CSs), slacker and lower on paper, with a new suspension layout too.
Banshee Spitfire 27.5
Banshee Prime 29 (quite burly)
Banshee Phantom 29 (lower travel than your spec, but very capable)
Giant trance sx
I've just bought a Stumpy 29er and it's ace.
But if I were to replace my 26er Spesh Camber with anything, it would be a Bird Aeris.
Have you seen the Hammerhead Thumper (aka Switchback somethingorother)?
Great frame at a bargain price and works well with a Pike.
Switchback Unveil 9
http://www.blueflowbikes.com/switchback-unveil9-frame/switchback-unveil-9
In STW tradition I'll recommend what I have,
Santa Cruz bronson
What about the Orbea Rallon? Doug from basque mtb rates it very highly.
the carbon process 134 should be out by the summer, job done
saying that my alluminium one is amazeballs
The new Transitions look awesome as does the Kona Process line up.
Both come in 650B and 29er options.
Also looking for those not-"big brands" kind of options
Followed a Saracen Ariel around Afan t'other week and it looked a very capable bike.
YT Industries Capra
A lot of bang for your buck according to the reviews.
Nicolai ION 16 650b and ION 15 29er
SC TBLt
This is going to be a very long list there are so many good options.
Transition Scout
Transition Smugler
Banshee Spitifire
Banshee Phantom
Liteville 301
Not sure if anyone has mentioned the Canyons but they look pretty good pricing for the kit in the Spectral range.
Another vote for the Orange 5 29 / Alpine 5. Some good deals about on 2014 bikes too.
To be different BTR Pinner.
I'm in this market too, looking for something as a fiftieth 'treat'
Money isn't really an issue but I'm finding it very hard to look beyond the Canyon/On-One/Bird etc sub £3k bike c/w Pikes and 1x11 options.
Why would I really want to pay twice as much for the same performance, or alternatively the same money for an SLX/Fox 32 based bike.
Yeti 575 or SB75, frame only. Put whatever forks you want on it.
Why would I really want to pay twice as much for the same performance, or alternatively the same money for an SLX/Fox 32 based bike.
Because £3k is a lot of money to spend on something that you can't see, let alone ride on first.
or because the geometry or sizing of any of the uber value brands doesn't fit what you might be after, and at the end of the day those are the most important things to how the bike rides, not whether it's got XT over SLX or another couple of dials on the fork.
Horses for courses of course but that's why I've discounted any of the above from my shortlist.
Turner Burner would also be on my list
Love my stumpy 29er with 140mm fork, built from a bikescene frame.
Mainstream but in a different league to the other full sus bikes I've owned before (00 jekyll, 04 bullit, 03 big hit, 05 enduro, 07 heckler, 08 patriot, two giant trances, salsa spearfish). Ok they're not all the same sort of bike, but the stumpy is not far off the old big hit downhill and almost as good XC as the spearfish, and outperforms all the others almost everywhere.
With a decent shock, fork and wheels it would be even better than it is (needs a stiff fork and stiff wheels - I've got a revelation and crests which are woeful on a bike as capable as this)
Process looks good in both varieties. In fact loads of them look good. Is it possible to buy a really bad bike these days?
[img] 
[/img]
I'm in this market too, looking for something as a fiftieth 'treat'
Same age as the OP as well! Happy birthday!
£3k is a lot of money to spend on something that you can't see, let alone ride on first.
or because the geometry or sizing of any of the uber value brands doesn't fit what you might be after, and at the end of the day those are the most important things to how the bike rides, not whether it's got XT over SLX or another couple of dials on the fork.
Yep, agreed. But then, our illustrious OP is a relentless brand snob and won't be swayed, no matter how good the argument!
😉
Canondale Trigger 29 or Jeckyl 27.5 depending if you want an Enduro bike with more of an XC (former) or DH (latter) slant.
Money isn't really an issue but I'm finding it very hard to look beyond the Canyon/On-One/Bird etc sub £3k bike c/w Pikes and 1x11 options.Why would I really want to pay twice as much for the same performance, or alternatively the same money for an SLX/Fox 32 based bike.
As mentioned, you've got to test any bike you consider. Having tested a few recently I was surprised how different 'similar' bikes felt. Put me right off getting anything I couldn't test.
Remedy 29. Yeah I know Treks are never cool but it's blimmin brilliant, still want one.
Oh while we're at it, Remedy 650b. For reasons unknown, found it absolutely dog slow, and genius fun
But you can test most bikes, with a bit of effort - e.g. demo days, mates, blagging etc.
Remedy 29. Yeah I know Treks are never cool but it's blimmin brilliant, still want one.
Indeed, but be sure and try for size first, I found the sizing really weird. Carbon one is better but sadly above my budget.
Mondraker Dune XR or a Foxy carbon.I nearly went for the Pyga but got a 29 Covert instead, that was a bad move. The Foxy XR however, total barnstormer.
tenacious_doug - MemberIndeed, but be sure and try for size first, I found the sizing really weird.
Hah, yeah, I forget that- I testrode a 29er and 650b on the same day, the guy running the demo gave me 2 different sizes, he wasn't wrong either
They do seem to be stinking value though. And the carbon's got a <spit> new standard rear axle
sub 3 grand - carbon, pikes, 11 speed, proper tyres and a hair over 26lbs.
ob done.
got one coming in january.
Horses for courses of course but that's why I've discounted any of the above from my shortlist.
i read your review with interest doug, as i've also been annoying the guys at pedals regarding a side-by-side demo of the transition scout and the banshee spitfire. they mentioned the smuggler and really rated it and offered me a test ride, but the scout has stolen my heart for the time being 🙂 so have you dropped the smuggler and the phantom from your list? or were you talking about other bikes in the list?
Cheers
I'm having big fun on my Process314DL , got it for 700 squid off RRP 🙂 Think there are still some knocking about for £2K on tinterweb .
i read your review with interest doug, as i've also been annoying the guys at pedals regarding a side-by-side demo of the transition scout and the banshee spitfire. they mentioned the smuggler and really rated it and offered me a test ride, but the scout has stolen my heart for the time being so have you dropped the smuggler and the phantom from your list? or were you talking about other bikes in the list?
Smuggler is top of my list at the moment I reckon, Remedy is a contender but I don't think it's going to work out cost wise....there'll be a review up on that in the morning. Just waiting to see what the new Evil 29er due in a few weeks turns out to be before I commit the cash to the Smuggler.
I'm looking for a similar 650b at the moment.
Have got the test rides down to Pyga 140, Whyte 130/150, Saracen Ariel, Bird Aeris and a Kona Process if I can find one to test.
Canyon Spectral looks good on paper, but no way to check fit as I am probably between sizes.
Just got to sort some house move stuff, like build a shed.
New Reign? Looks like an absolute beast and the maestro bikes pedal well. Also like the look of the process range, new transitions, the aeris etc.
thanks everyone. That's a great list to do some internet fwapping over one dark evening in front of the fire. Fortunately for me, at 6'4" sizing is almost an irrelevance - if Im not an L or XL, then who the hell is? 🙂
They do seem to be stinking value though. And the carbon's got a <spit> new standard rear axle
I rode the carbon one, the stiffness in the rear end is noticeable so I'm pretty positive about the new "standard" if I'm honest.
[url= http://www.descent-world.co.uk/2014/11/21/new-school-29ers-pt2-trek-remedy-9-8/ ]http://www.descent-world.co.uk/2014/11/21/new-school-29ers-pt2-trek-remedy-9-8/[/url]
Please do get in contact if you are looking to demo a PYGA.
info@r53sport.com
b45her - where are you getting one of those Cube Stereo TMs from in January? Online sites show them as early March and I don't want to wait that long for a new bike.
work at a cube dealership, just going off what the chaps in holland told me when i asked them back last September. i have seen the bike in the flesh though and its very very nice.