[Closed] 3 bikes on my shortlist.. which one do i choose please?

I would have thought the Giant or the Cannondale would be the most versatile?

I had a 140mm Mongoose Teocali and it was really quite soggy to pedal, a struggle to keep up with people of similar fitness on different bikes. The PinnR is a totally different bike to the other two. I don't think its had a good write up in the magazines and you'd struggle on anything not pointing downhill.

If you want more travel than the Cannondale or Giant, but still pedallable on normal trails you should be looking at the usual Lapierre Spicy's(or even Froggy), Orange Alpines, Trek Remedys, Commencal 6 etc etc

What are your mates riding?

I think there riding the bikes you mentioned tbh!

Some good looking Lapierres on e bay at the mo

None of them for what you say you want to ride.

I take it your budget is about £1,500?

Have a look at the Specialized Pitch or the 2010 models of the Saracen Ariel for starters.

If you're considering secondhand (and are a medium) then drop me an email as I'm selling my Cube Fritzz - which would give you a way better-specced bike for less money and be spot-on for light DH and trail riding.

So I'd count the Mongoose out then. It may spark good memories of past times of technical downhill riding, but it will be a beast to pedal to get to any technical downhills in the first place and you'll be so far behind your mates they'll have gone home by the time you catch up 😉

Whatabout this [url= http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Saracen-Ariel-1-Full-Suspension-Mountain-Bike---17%22_W0QQitemZ300462942445QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=230990494671&rvr_id=230990494671&cguid=f6c82aa31290a0aad321b941fef08f99 ]Saracen Ariel[/url]

They've been described as "mini downhill bikes" that can act as a trail bike, rather than a slightly overweight trail bike. Fox dampers front and rear, where else would you find that at £1100?? Quite a few other deals around on those too.

Or the ubiquitous Specialized Pitch? Another trail bike with 'mini downhill' bike aspirations.

And here's a good review of a 'custom' build Ariel

[url= http://www.realcycles.co.uk/RC/Home/Entries/2010/6/27_2010_Saracen_Ariel_%28Custom_build%29.html ]Real Cycles Blog Saracen Ariel[/url]

I'm almost tempted 😉

I can categorically say don't get the Mongoose, that suspension design is bobbins - I have one with the same in the shed

Of the 3 you've linked to, both the Giant and the Cannondale are very good bikes. The Mongoose is a massive unknown quantity, and has way too much travel (and weight I expect) to be any good as a trail bike.

Of the 2 left, the Trance X is a brilliant technical bike, they are highly underrated and really deserve a 140mm fork as the back end is so good. The Maestro suspension design also pedals very well, and helps the bike feel very lively.

The RZ140 is also an excellent bike. The extra travel will mean it noticeably have less feedback, but also be slightly better at swallowing bigger hits. Similarly good as an XC bike, perhaps slightly more suited to ripping down trails on balance though.

If you spend most of your time at Cannock, I'd buy the Giant, swap the 120mm fork for a 140, and go rag the hell out of it til you need to upgrade/replace anything else. I lve the Giant Maestro system, it pedals well, yet is also lively and still manages to smooth the trails out very well.

That said though, if you're more intent on riding more DH trails with only a bit of XC, and you don't mind a weight penalty, then the only real answer in your price range is the Specialized Pitch!

Cheers guys 🙂

I'd say the Giant or the outside chance would be the Saracen Ariel!

Ok, so if i went for the Giant, how much would it cost me extra to upgrade to the 140mm susspension then? 🙂 And whats it called if i went into the shop and asked them to upgrade it.

Cheers

Ever seen a Ghost?

I was looking at that price range but I got an insider discount on the ugliest, heaviest, most common 'BMW M3' of a mtb so spent a little more

Ok, so if i went for the Giant, how much would it cost me extra to upgrade to the 140mm susspension then?

Right, looking at the specs, I'd actually go for a Trance X3 from Pauls Cycles, not the X2. There's not much in it, but the X3 is £300 cheaper. The difference between deore and SLX for instance is not worth the extra.

I'd then look at something like a set of Rockshox Revelations in 140mm travel guise with the same 15mm axle as the original forks, or perhaps just go for a set of Fox Float 140's with 15mm axle. But fox are more expensive. A set of Rockshox Rev's is going to set you back something like £400 new. You should get £300 for your unused 120mm fox's though by selling on here or eBay.

You've then got £200 left in the kitty to upgrade the bike if you wish, or spend on getting to some new trails!

[URL] http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=2084 [/URL]

Hi Lads

If you do get that Trance X and want to upgrade to 140mm forks - I will shortly be selling a barely broken-in Fox Float 140 RL with 15mm axle and a matching set of wheels with Stans Flow rims.

Sorry if it looks like I keep trying to sell you stuff, but I am just trying to help - honest.

😉

I might be interested in the forks and wheels, are they 2011 and what hubs?

2009 model but only had about 20 rides.

wheels are formula hubs with flow rims - same useage

drop me a line, email in profile

Ahhhh, looking for 2011 140 Floats and pro 2 evo on Flows, nevermind.

Ok, so if i went for the Giant, how much would it cost me extra to upgrade to the 140mm susspension then?

Got some 150 mm coil uturn Sektors from here:

http://www.bike-components.de/products/info/p25685_Sektor-RL-U-Turn-Federgabel-Modell-2011-.html

300 euros delivered. Good service and really pleased with the fork, wind it down for the ups and out for the downs 😀

Hmmm ive just been going over the forum and a couple of other forums and a lot of people reckon that the Giant Reign is also a great bike and possibly better than the Trance.
Its basically the same bike but with better susspension apparently ive read. ?

Is this another option for me?

I'd disagree regarding the Reign. It's got 30mm more travel yeah, but it's taller, and too steep for a bike with that much travel. The Reign X is a different kettle of fish, that's bang on the money, but more travel (and a fair bit more weight) again.

Personally, Trance X, upgrade to a 140mm fork, then replace the rest as it breaks or wears out...

On a purely subjective level, can I just say that I always the Giant looked like a squashed accordion? I hate the frame design.

Mboy thanks for your replys bud 🙂
Ill have a look this weekend and decide then...

I might be able to push the boat out though to 2.5k.

Now if i do this i want to know im getting a shit hot bike!

Is the 2011 Trance X2 a good bet?
How about the Reign X2?

Or would i be best off just getting this
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s1p2848 < and upgrading it a bit? Tbh though, i cba upgrading a bike atm, id rather just get the one i want if im spending that much money.

For my money ... two choices for trail allrounder:

Trance X ... I've had an X0 for three years & it's been really very good. It is light, it climbs very well & is rideable all day. The week before last I spent 5.5 days on it going across the Lakes, Yorkshire Dales & Moors on it with a mate who used his X2 ... both bikes were superb.

Lapierre Zesty ... I've just bought one of these and absolutely love it. Slightly more surefooted going down hill than the Trance X & climbs like it doesn't know when it's time to stop. Super light, but it's a 914 so damn well should be. I've demo'd the 314, which hooked me into the Zesty.

Both bikes have great spec for the money right across the range.

I've not ridden the Dale RZ One Forty but rode a hardtail Lefty last year for a day jungle trekking (on holiday!) and it was ok, but it was a hire bike so unfair to judge it further.

I might be able to push the boat out though to 2.5k.

Well you can get a lot of bike for that sort of money but for 1850 you could have a Santa Cruz Heckler

http://www.stif.co.uk/mtb/product/santa-cruz-heckler-d-am-2011-bike/8634

Climbs well and will be good on the downhill.