Canyon also have some decent bikes at your budget.
The strive race pedals really well and has good geometry. They also seem to have sorted the shapeshifter out now.
I love my Yeti SB5c, but when I'm next in the market for a new mountain bike, I'm not sure I'd buy carbon fibre again.
(And yes, I know that means I possibly won't be buying a Yeti.)
I've never found an aluminium bike too flexible. And some brands get their aluminium frames down to just about 1lb heavier than the carbon (Canyon, for example). And given that, if something goes wrong, they are MUCH more expensive to repair or replace, then carbon loses a big chunk of its appeal.
And there's no way I'd buy a second hand carbon bike unless I knew its provenance intimately.
I'm surprising myself at how old-fashioned I must sound. But I'll get over it.
Selling my Nicolai Ion 16 in large for £2250 and wwould give you enough spare to go to the Alps for 10 days.. 😉
And given that, if something goes wrong, they are MUCH more expensive to repair or replace
carbon is more easily repairable than alloy, and I'd trust a CF repair far more than a re-welded alloy frame (or titanium for that matter - every repaired Ti frame I've known has subsequently failed at or around the repair). I'm not aware of any frame repairers that re heat treat frames post-weld?
Probably best to get steel if you want to repair it.
There are a few decent options out there now.
carbon is more easily repairable than alloy,
True enough, so I'll qualify my point; a replacement alloy swingarm is much cheaper than a carbon one.
You should buy my Capra with DVO diamonds and other upgrades 🙂
That £1200 Liteville in the classifieds is a bargain- if I didn't have a paid-for bike on order I'd have a good look at that, irrespective of geometry.
Guys, I'm going with lime green Aeries 145. Such a shame it's not got internal cable routing, but I'll never get a bike at this rate being this picky.
Would there be any chance you could help me spec it, what bits (forks especially) for the type of riding I'll be doing you'd change please?
The 120 would make more sense TBH
Pies - call Bird to discuss the spec, they are very helpful. Don't discount the 120, its a very capable bike and probably a better fit if you spend most of your riding time on trails.
Hey People.
Is anyone intrested in a brand new Nukeproof Mega?
Please PM me.
Enjot your evening.
Pies - defo ring Ben at Bird to chat it through.
I didn't test ride a 120 Aeris - always wanted a 145. Test ride one at Swinley which I understand it similar to Cannock and it was brilliant fun. Since ridden it a lot at Ashton court / Leigh Woods in Bristol which is even more tame and it's great fun there. Although done Cwmcarn in Wales down the DH runs and it's epic.
So go 145 over 120 - it climbs well for the amount of travel - I've got 160mm Yaris. If you've got a £3k budget then I'd pop on Sram eagle GX, a Lyrik and a dropper post but maybe keep the standard DT 1900 wheels. You won't be disappointed.
Concerning the Swoop, it's a pretty decent climber for an Enduro bike, and even a good climber considering the 170mm vivid air and long/low/slack geometry.
But, honestly, it feels like a big bike, a "mini-DH" bike. I wouldn't consider it for a trail perspective, not that it's bad at it, but it'll not be as fun or rewarding as other "smaller" bikes I think.
Perfect for me because I'm hitting spots that are usually ridden by downhillers and doing uplift from time to time, but not the perfect trail/enduro bike from my point of view.
Airdrop Edit and Aeris 145 were on my list as well, could be perfect for you !
