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Ive started a couple of threads and have thought long and hard about what I want from a bike and find that a hardtail is the way to go.
My choices are
Canyon Grand Canyon AL 6.0 or 7.0(unsure about the dt swiss fork on the 7.0)
Ragley Piglet(either X7 or buy frame and build with a full shimano slx setup and ragley finishing kit and use my elixir brakes. Nothing in it costwise)
Both are very different I know.
ANy experiences of these bikes would be much appreciated.
No personal experience, but the Ragley looks like an absolutely brilliant bike.
What about something second hand?
Canyon looks like a fairy that'll struggle with mud n'gnar. I'd go for the ragley, I have a genesis core 40 another 1K ht that has had a few upgrades and converted to SS, wouldn't fancy 100mm.
Canyon looks like a fairy that'll struggle with mud n'gnar.
Its a mountain bike, it'll cope fine.
Both i expect would be good, i have heard good things about both, but i have no personal experience of either. What i would suggest is that you look at both frames and ask your self what you like the most, factor in the style of riding you enjoy the most into that and go with the answer.
Although the canyon will be better for the money you spend (if i remember one of your other posts correctly) its to last you for five years so most if not all (except frame, possible forks) will get replaced anyway in that time.
So go for the frame you like the most.
2nd hand would be an option.ive been out today on my rockhopper and i think a hardtail is the way to go.
Id been looking at full sussers and when i looked at mine i just thought, 'thats the way i want my bike to look'. I love the 'classic' styling.
im close to going for the ragley but im open to better suggestions.preferably with similsr styling if possible.
I didnt think choosing would be so difficult!
What about Boardman?
Boardmans are ok but im really drawn to the styling of the ragley.
In all honesty id get on with whatever i buy providing it isnt completely rubbish,i
Maybe this is me missing something but to me they seem slightly different bikes.
So my question would be, is your riding more about speed, covering long distances, a bit of racing/endurance riding, riding round a trail centre fast?
Or is it more about having fun a bit more aimed at technical riding, not fussed so much about dragging a bit of extra weight on the ups, looking for lines, riding round the trail centre more for the downs?
If in camp 1, go for the canyon if in camp 2 ragley.
I think both can cope with either but to me they seem slightly different,not massively so but different.
I would definitely go with either of the canyons but that's because I like xc style bikes.
Id say im definately in camp 2.i quite fancy getting a tent and doing a bit touring in the summer aswell so my bike will need to do some road miles aswell.
I guess either will cope with road miles although would have said the steeper angles on the canyon would make road miles more pleasant but if most of your riding is more about camp 2 (in my muddled system!) I would go for the ragley.
Er, you can ride 100mm bikes pretty much anywhere.
But if given the choice, I'd go for the Piglet and build it up with Deore, some really nice wheels and a pair of tough, cheap Marzocchi 120mm forks.
You've got the basics covered for a good few years and a really lovely, do it all bike.
Those new On One Inbred or 456 complete builds look really good vfm.
Rock Lobsters from Merlin are very good value at the mo, both frames and bikes if you fancy a classic xc bike.
id go for the ragley too.
Ive costed bulding the bike myself.
With a Rock shox Recon Gold for and Deore groupset with Ragley finishing kit - £874
same fork with SLX groupset and Ragley finishing kit - £988
Or standard £1075.
You could hunt out a donor bike in the sale such as:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75087
http://paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p2785
Sell the frame if it doesn't suit and get whatever you fancy...
This worked out well for me recently although secondhand, picked up a barely used Kona Kula for just under £300, sold the frame on and brought a secondhand Inbred frame for pretty much the same cash.
Thats a good idea but Id be looking to just buy it and ride. Not looking for the hassle of selling etc.
Ive now spied the orange Blue Pig and can put that together with a RS Revelation fork on budget.
Different yet agin but looks like it will be evrything Id need,
No experience, but the sirius pipedream got a good write up - £100 more than the Blue Pig
Er, you can ride 100mm bikes pretty much anywhere.
Sitting here in Tenerife, after 3 days riding Pitch (150mm) with Lyriks (160mm) I can vouch for the fact that I've found one HELL of an exception to that rule! I am utterly battered. As is my bike 🙁
I'd ride 100mm in the Alps, but you'd die dead here on one. 🙂
@bobbyg - I started looking at hardtails a couple of months ago and I wanted something which I could ride longer natural xc but still be fun on Surrey Hills singletrack. My initial search narrowed things down to Piglet X7 and I've ridden with a good rider who had a Pig who did all the drops and jumps in style which the guys on the160mm FS bikes were doing, so Ragleys have the pedigree. I think it's a good all round fun bike.
What I would say is I've shifted to a Cotic BFe as the base of the build. I have also reserved a Prince Albert 853/Classic which I will swap stuff onto as a comparison to see which is best for me. Both these frames are £300.
Canyon great bikes absolutely Shite after sales service , steer clear.
I was disgusted with how poor the paint on my Piglet was.
Thanks for all the help and advice. Im seconds away from hitting confirm on a Blue Pig/RS Sektor/SLX build.
I'd say ride a Blue Pig or Mmmbop before hitting buy. They've got a very specific geometry which may suit you, but might feel very cumbersome on regular singletrack. I didn't find mine enough of an all rounder. That's why they built the Piglet.