[Closed] 29 fun trail bike advice needed

Brother has a segment (we test road the whole orange range before deciding that the segment was more than enough for his riding style and location). It really depends on a few factors like what sort of geometry you are after as there are a few short trail but long/low/slack 29er that I really rate/on the list for my next bike that others would hate. What’s your normal ride (distance, steepness , trail features).

Norco Optic and Transition Smuggler/Scout (depending on your intentions) would be on my shortlist. I'd love an Optic.
Then there are things like the Nukeproof Reactor, Bird Aether, etc

So normally I will do a about three rides a week, 15 miles average, 2-3000 foot of climbing, lots of technical sections, drops yes, jumps less so (unless flows). Lots of woods, moors, rocky stuff.

Like to ride pretty steep stuff too.

Got my eye on a Transition smuggler/sentinel or Ns bikes Snabb 130 (think it’s a Snabb).

Fancy a four bar or vpp

I wouldn't call a Sentinel a trail bike, that's for sure. The old one was weird, the new one looks a bit better & by all accounts is a bit more balanced.

The best riding trail bike i've been on (to be fair, its the best bike i've owned) is the SB130. I won't recommend it though, as to be expected, warranty with Yeti is a joke.

The new Trek Fuel is a really good bike - bit plain & boring, but it just does everything well.

Optic looks amazing, but also could never own one, because of Evans.

I'd probably just go with the Fuel. Or if I was going for the spendy option, the new SC Tallboy.

Radon Slide - amazing and fun bike

Poppy, nimble and a bit more plush? 140mm travel? 29"? - Evil Offering ticks all those boxes. Lovely bike.

Thanks, will look at Radon. Forgot about Evil bikes. Will have a look.

And trek....dunno if I could face riding the ford mondeo of bikes....yeah I know, the mondeo is a brilliant car but still...

Ibis Ripley V4? Quite a few threads if you search on here asking similar questions. You could add an Orbea Occam to that (140/140) which by all accounts is definitely a 'bigger' trail bike and less of a 'small' enduro bike.

My list to look at would include:
Transition smuggler - mate has built up one and it’s been great over the lock down for the more xc rides but still copied with places like fod off piste.
New Commencal meta trail - similar set up but slacker and longer.
Spesh stumpjumper evo - if you really want something stupid without too much travel (one bike to rule it all, can have stock changed out to make it run longer travel).
Mondraker foxy 29er - somewhere between the others. Like the suspension linkage design as very active.

Cotic and Transition won't really be poppy, especially if you're used to an Orange.

The Trek's reasonably perky but as you say, dull as dishwater in some ways.

Nukeproof Reactor sounds like a great trail bike, Ibis will probably be fairly lively too.

Hi
As above re Evil The Following for a fun play in the woods type of bike. I have a V1 and love it for that.
After a short travel trail bike I considered a Ripley V4 but went for a Santa Cruz Tallboy 4 in the end.
Very capable as a well rounded trail bike as opposed to a pure xc bike.
Cheers
Steve

Transition Sentinel, or Smuggler if you can get your hands on one as they are discontinued it seems. I have a Smuggler , the Sentinel looks like a slightly longer travel version but Transition build bikes so well I don’t think you’d notice the amount of travel it has, apart from when you needed it,

I am looking for something fun in 29er flavour, but that is poppy, nimble but a bit more plush. I like the idea of a Giant Trance, having ridden them in 26″ days. Maybe looking 120 – 140 travel.

Forgot about Evil bikes. Will have a look.

Still love my Offering, probably the best bike I've ridden still. Though having also owned a Wreckoning, and a V1 Following, unless you really need the travel, I'd say that the Following is probably the bike to go for. It just feels a bit more involving and a bit more fun, more of the time... There's a new V3 that was released recently, with updated seat angle and reach figures to bring it inline with more contemporary designs. Pair it with a 130mm fork up front, and Bob's your mother's brother... 👍🏻

Pivot 429c if you can stomach the cost. Occasionally you get cheap(er) ex-demo ones on eBay. A mate has one with some kind of 100-130mm travel adjust X-Fusion fork and it is always the bike I try to nab if we're off out on a ride. Really, really nice bike.
He's also got a Banshee Prime which appears slightly more beefy. Both good bikes that fit OP's criteria and neither mentioned yet.

AS others have stated, a Smuggler. I have a 2017 model and I ride pretty much what you listed above. I don't hanker for anything else.

Otherwise: Rocky Mountain Instinct or, if you can wait this new mystery Bird Aether 9C jobby sounds intriguing, though I am an aluminium frame fan myself.

Well, in the long-standing tradition of 'recommending something I've ordered but not yet even seen, never mind ridden'...

How about an Orbea Occam?

Cotic and Transition won’t really be poppy, especially if you’re used to an Orange.

What are you on about ..,,

Bird are about to release an Aether 9C wich should fit your criteria.

YT Izzo worth a look?

I went from a segment to a geometron g13. Mostly because the segment shock was either bottoming or harsh. I couldn't get the fox dps to be a balance I was happy with. The G13 was second hand so was a less mental price.

I think its super fun and was happily hopping round the peaks on Sunday. That doesn't seem to be the consensus from journalists about the g13.

Aaaaaaarrrrrrgggghhhhhh....Too much to think about, but thank you all for your input. Loads to think about.

I think the Evil bikes (which look amazing) are too pricey. Found transition smuggler/sentinal for quite a discount.

Anyone want to buy a lovely, two tone Segment frame?

Sorted now, thank you all. Settled for a Transition Sentinal. 140mm travel, four bar. Perfect. I hope. Till next time anyway!