[Closed] 130mm trail bike shortlist

transition scout

Demo the Cotic if you can.

I tried the FlareMax with certain preconceptions about why I wouldn't like it and I was totally wrong.

how capable is the scout. would it handle peak, lake and ard rock ok?

I think it'll cope

Oh, and the 0% thing is irrelevant. There are plenty of credit card out there doing 0% on purchases and even on cash transfers to bank.

Sorted geo with 130 rear 150 front for the new sbg bikes but not as cheap as the other bikes you've listed

The Scout is very capable.

The only place I have wished for a bigger bike was in big, rough, long and fast alpine bike park runs. Think the shorter wheelbase and lower travel is why. To be fair I don't live near an alpine bike park so I may have felt the fatigue regardless of what I was riding.

For everything else its brilliant. I ride everything in the Tweed Valley on mine. Race the odd enduro on it, absolutely great for it. Not quite as good as an enduro race bike, but that's not what I do most weekends.

That's a 2016 frame with a 150mm Pike and a Float X shock. Best bike I've had. New one will be more capable.

Transition Smuggler?

The aim is to make the shortlist a longlist, right?

Posted by DezB on another thread... but well worth reading

ehrob puts it perfectly. I've been having a bit of new bike itch recently but unless Cotic revise the geo of the Flare inline with the new Soul I'll be keeping it for at least another year. Longer travel bikes just don't do it for me.

I think Bird might be doing 0% as wel, drop them an emaill. Defo try and demo the Cotic, they have quite a few demo days.

As a trail bike the Orange Four is pretty decent - especially if you plan to run it through the winter with the single pivot.

Scout or even production privee shan no5 all though that’s 138mm of travel.

Spark 730?

Kona process 134, it's a budget option now that Kona have released the G2 Processes but I love mine. I have a Knolly Warden too but its the Kona I choose most often.

Glad to read this, i've been having a similar debate recently and was wondering about the Scout. Whats it like uphill? I like the quote in the Uncle Dave link above, and completely agree - i begrudgingly ride uphill as i like riding down...

Another option that i'd considered was the Santa Cruz 5010, but then i don't like Audis 😉

In the time honoured tradition of recommending something you've just spunked loads of cash on: Intense Primer? Have a look at the outlet section of their UK website.

<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.8px; background-color: #eeeeee;">In the time honoured tradition of recommending something you’ve just spunked loads of cash on</span>

... I would suggest a Meta 4.2 TR 😀

Although it was quite reasonably priced, not unlike some other direct sales bikes

Transition Scout FTW

Came from a Turner Flux which climbed like a mountain goat and to be honest the Scout isn't that bad. Lovely bike, highly recommend it.

Get the Whyte.

And in a radical  departure from stw etiquette, I don’t own one

Whyte. Superb bike.
There was a guy of the FB Whyte owners group selling a brand new unused 2016 T130 carbon works a few weeks ago for £2500 - down from £4500+. Injury meant he couldn't ride it...

Some 'agricultural' welding on a Bird Aeris 120 yesterday 😉

Another vote for the Scout.

Mine is ace and is very capable and good fun on the DH stuff locally and at FOD. It's s tad porky, but rides lighter if that makes sense. They're a hoot to ride.

If you're considering a Tranny or Whyte you may as well consider a Bird as well.

Seem like very similar machines to me - sturdy (ie. not light), short travel, long reach, not mega-slack.

Banshee Spitfire. Not just because I have one.

They ain't light, but still a capable technical climber. & descending is something else...

Love my T130, great blend of speed and fun. The new Scout is a bit weighty but the feedback on SBG bikes I've heard from riding buddies has been very positive. Haven't ridden the Flare but would very much like to give one a go!

Bit left field but I've heard great things about the Norco Sight 29 and Devinci Django 29, both have had rave reviews in the press, the Sight 9.2 in particular got a great review by BikeMag and looks decent-ish value with GX Eagle, Pike, DT/Raceface wheels and a full carbon frame.

T130 is a super fun bike, from a UK company! Cant really go too wrong with them, thats why you see them everywhere.

Also, built with UK weather in mind - a feature I miss from mine.

Here, this should help -

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10Lzqb4BVLJ5eagFJ8geWpdt8M41flJSi81-FMfEEFIU/

Taking bike buying decision making to the next level! (Well, the ultimate level!)

😀

@chakapong  Since when was 65 degrees not slack?

I can't speak for the other bikes but can heartily recommend the T130. With some suspension upgrades (I have modded Fox 36's and a custom tuned Monarch Plus on mine) I never really feel under-biked, despite having raced it at Tweedlove and Ard Rock this year (beating 90% in my cat as well!). It has handled big Peaks and Lakes rides comfortably and most importantly is great fun on my favourite steep, twisty, loamy trails. I even managed 8 pedal up laps of BPW on it a couple of months back taking in all the black descents back down... The original frame bearings also lasted 2 years due to all the extra shielding they have.

Best of all, it encourages general hooning and you spend most of the time riding it like a snowboard, looking for anything to ramp off on the trail, something other bikes don't always do for me.

It isn't 100% perfect, i'd like a steeper seat angle, a slightly lower BB and maybe longer chainstays to make the handling a bit more balanced. Also, shock options are limited on the carbon model.

I would like to get some time on an S150, certainly would be faster, but will it be as much fun?

Ride them and see which one feels best to you! More riding can only be a good thing, right?

Especially try the Flare tho, if I were a better rider I'd maybe get that over my Rocket that's nearly built... Some guys on the demo were ripping on that thing, but it was *such* fun to stomp up hills on :)))

Orange Five. Bonkers good and there are deals to be had. Perfect for the UK too.

I have a had a Scout for 3 years, came from a Covert and SC Heckler before that. If I were to replace the Scout at all, it would be with another Scout.

SC tallboy or solo has to be on that list,

T130 is a great choice

i'd avoid the spectral for trail, the nerve/neuron with 120mm is far better for trail, having had both, especially if you have hills to climb

I didn't like the T130. I loved the aeris 140. but i bought a 29er.

Get a test ride.

Would definitely recommend an Aeris. Goes up well, goes down great, easy to service, UK company, custom spec to your budget... worth a test ride and / or chat with Bird.

re: the welding - it's not agricultural, its neat and consistent and honest to the construction method for a bike made out of bits of metal 🙂

Unno dash

5k frame only. why would you get anything else?

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions there! The trick for me is going to be getting the best bang for my buck, not just in the short term either. This is going to be a big investment for me (which has involved a little "negotiation" with my far better half) and I'm not going to be in a position to switch it out in six months if I don't like it. So I guess while my head has a lot to do with it my heart has got to be sold on it too.

With a budget of approx £2.7k, the Whyte looks hard to beat spec-wise, until you build up an Aeris 120 (I also stand corrected on my "agricultural" comment)! I need to look at and ride both. I really like the Flare too, I have emailed Cotic but haven't heard anything back yet. If there are deals on Orange 4/5s around when I finally pull the trigger then they could be in the mix, although a little pricey for the spec in undiscounted form. I do have a soft spot for Orangi, my trusty SubZero will be making way for whatever I eventually decide on.

A number of the other bikes listed don't really move me, I think it's the heart thing. You want that emotional reaction to your bike don't you?

Thanks again, further updates as warranted!

<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.8px;">re: the welding – it’s not agricultural, its neat and consistent and honest to the construction method for a bike made out of bits of metal</span>

A nice stack of pennies is a thing of beauty 🙂

A bit of a random one, bit what about that carbon habit se at Rutland.

Carbon frame, pikes, Fox transfer dropper and good parts.

With a tcb discount and loyalty points, comes in at £1920.

My finger is hovering over the buy button  before the month ends.

Great, just seen the YT Jeffsy  29 AL Comp. Because I needed to add another bike to the Shortlist...

Great, just seen the YT Jeffsy  29 AL Comp. Because I needed to add another bike to the Shortlist...

Or the 27.5...

Wheelbase have £500 off the t130 till the end of january.not on there website but in-store.

Another vote for the T-130s.

My wife bought me one, and its ace.

Tweaked a few things, but nothing major, but boxfresh, it was ( is) spotty dog IMHO.

£500 off the 2018 model?! I'm interested!