[Closed] 4.5K max build for next season

Well firstly thanks for the £900 in VAT you'll be paying to keep our country running 😉

If you must have Carbon that will take a big chunk of the budget (£1000+ Carbon vs Alu / Steel). I can't comment on newer Transitions but my 2012 Covert is very well made and a super design. A company that knows what they are doing.

I have to say having played on a Solaris Max the idea of the plus vs normal wheel options was an interesting one.

So .. I think if you price Carbon Tranny plus Fox forks you have a massive chunk of your substantial budget gone. Depends how much you want those core bike parts an are oreparwd to compromise elsewhere. If it where me I'd be on a steel Cotic Rocket Max with non-Fox forks and have a decent amount for wheels (maybe new Plus and used 29) and other finishing kit

[url= https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/1663/products/santa-cruz-hightower-c-s-27-5and-mountain-bike-2016-matt-black-mint.aspx?origin=pla&kwd=&currency=GBP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIs8Tmi5He1QIVkwrTCh2RFgovEAQYBSABEgLFOvD_BwE ]Carbon hightower, spend the rest on a week in the alps....[/url]

thanks, I aim to keep the UK functioning in my absence!

I don't want steel and it would need an XL in a Santa Cruz mind, but thanks.

Carbon isnt essential but I tend to keep bikes four 3-5 years so want to be satisfied with it and not itchy for something else. My current itch is carbon...! Don't mind cheap second hand groupsets etc.

I reckon i can do it, just wondering what other options there are

I'd wait for the new transitions to be released in a couple of months if that's the route you want to take. Me, I personally wouldn't buy another transition until their 2 year warranty gets better. 2 years is not enough given the fails they seem to have.

The new 2018 transition frames can be bought with the custom offset forks for their SBG. However, their carbon is bloody expensive and the smuggler is alu only, the new sentinel looks alu only as well.

That may be a good thing if alu only, forces my hand a little . Apparently the embargo on details for them is until later this month.

shor travel 29er alternatives then?

I'm interested in this too.
There doesn't seem to be many 120mm aggressive trail bikes out there.
I loved my T129, but they never made it in Carbon and they've discontinued it now.

You've got:
Evil Following (thought QC and CS seems flakey)
Santa Cruz Tallboy (not aggressive geometry)
Whyte S150C RS (150mm travel..)
YT Jeffsey (150mm travel)
Intense Primer
Spec. Camber Carbon
Trek Fuel EX
Yeti SB4.5C

The new Orbea Occam TR would be a solid bet, all the key bits are within a few mm of a Smuggler, 2018 version has all the changes we made ourselves to last years demo bike. Fox 34s at 130mm, wider rims etc. 4.5k would buy you a bling spec carbon with full lifetime warranty. Really, really nice bikes.
TR need to hurry up and make me a carbon smuggler or I will end up with one of these or a 2018 Rocky Mountain Instinct.

You say XL Santa Cruz, what sort of reach are you looking for? We have one last 2017 Occam - [url= http://pedalsbikecare.co.uk/shop/orbea-occam-tr-m10-large-greenraw/ ]2017 Occam TR M10 [/url]

STW 'clear my basement' price £3399 :p

Ooh Orbea added to the list for further investigation. The TR 4.2k one looks good

Basque MTB run Orbera bikes, that's a strong endorsement in my book

Itz cos the spanish tho innit?

If you want Carbon for lightness imo it's best to get good quality wheels too, no point saving weight in the frame and then giving it away in the wheels (as they spin and are at the "ends" of the bike the impact of their weight is greater).

jambalaya - Member
Basque MTB run Orbera bikes, that's a strong endorsement in my book

Spanish bikes in Spain? Whatever next 🙂

If ok with aluminium, a codeine?

£4.5k and you'd buy an on one?

I would not.

😆

Hei Hei DL?
http://singletrackworld.com/reviews/review-kona-hei-hei-dl/

I bought an on-one frame to hang bits on while I decided what I really wanted.

I'm keeping the one on, Its ace and I love it to bits. (45650 not codeine though I do want a go on a codeine)

Second for a RM instinct. My 2014 is probably a bit short compared to the latest trends. But, the guys that design and build them have one of the world's best testing grounds on their doorstep. I think they know a thing or two more about bike design and geometry than I do.

I know it fails the 2018 and carbon criteria but a 2017 Orange Segment RS with Fox Factory upgrades (34's & DPS) is currently £2880 at Start Cycles.

Was also going to suggest a Segment as I think mine is ace.

Yes it's doable for sure, if you want carbon you might have to make some judicious choices when it comes to parts but sounds like you're OK with that.

No carbon Smuggler in 2017 and given the other changes which have been leaked, does it seem likely there'll be one in 2018? All will become clear in a few weeks but I'd not advise holding out for a 2018 carbon Smuggler (wish I could say more!).

Pygas will hopefully be available in the UK again after Eurobike so a Stage or Stage Max would tick all your boxes.

Carbon Smuggler. Denied!

I reckon it's probably doable if you stay sensible with the gearing and wheels. My 2017 alu Patrol build came to just over 4k but that was with the top spec lyriks, Hope tech wheels and M8000 XT. Would have been another 1k for the carbon frame which I couldn't justify 🙁

If light is what you are after then, as much of a fanboi as I am, the Smuggler is not for you!

If I had that money I'd be getting an Evil Following from the EU distributor so the price is a bit more reasonable.

What does your smuggler weigh munrobiker?

I'm not obsessed with weight but plan is for it to be lighter than my current Norco, which I'm guessing with the right build it would be

Any Transition I've ever ridden, including the carbon ones, have not been what I would call light.

the more I see of the treks at the moment the more I like them

Carbon Fuel EX is the obvious choice, if you can handle all the acronyms and marketing jargon - but I wouldn't pay full whack for one.

The Evil isn't a light option, and it's tiny.

I have a Fuel EX, it's a great bike. Frame is very light. Sizing is good, it is very low though so not the one of you like to pedal everywhere. It's a lot slacker than advertised too, which makes it a bit of a hooligan 🙂

It's a lot slacker than advertised too, which makes it a bit of a hooligan

I have zilch experience of £4.5k bikes, but if I did have that sort of money to spend on a bike I'd work almost entirely backwards to your criteria (and to be fair, I'd work backwards with a £500 budget too).

Pick a frame design you like, and ride as many as possible on demo days, even if it costs a bit paying for a days hire of several bikes it's money well spent if it helps get the right one. Better to spend £500 demoing 10 bikes and keeping it until it breaks, than spend £4.5k and lose half of it in 18 months because there's something better.

Then put money aside for the fork and shock choices as they're going to make the biggest difference overall. And a dropper post probably.

Then wheels and tyres as that's where money spent get's the best returns.

Then bars, stem, groupset, saddle that you want as those are going to have similar cost per gram saved, and are personal preferences.

Then, and only then, if I'd not wiped out the budget I'd see if I was getting the alu or carbon version.

I'd not buy something off the shelf, because in reality you always end up spending hundreds more tweeking it. That's a false economy and wastes the first 6 months of ownership fettling!

I don't get this, are you saying Trek are advertising it as having steeper angles than it actually is for some reason? Or do they measure angles differently? or is your frame out by a couple of degrees?

Yes, they advertise it as having a 67.7 degree in the high setting & 67 in the low.

little bit tyre dependent, but mine currently is sat at 65.5 in the low, for example. The shop I ride for has a demo bike which I measured to be the same, someone else I know who has one, theirs is the same.

Lots of people on MTBR measuring to similar number also.

I guess Trek were conservative with their numbers 🙂

I have zero experience of 4.5k bikes either but I've been a good lad and saved my pocket money fo 4 years.

Agreed , I'd rather buy the frame and build it up. Unless it was a banger of an off the shelf bike with everything I liked.

Not up for an Orange , until recently with the Slash I thought treks were a bit dull . Evil looks interesting mind

Is the 4.5k to spend just getting the bike or is that including any servicing/customisation required throughout the 'season'?
I'm clearly out of touch, but that is an eye watering amount to spend on a 4th bike...can you not sell the rest to use 1 bike? Scott do some clever stuff to allow their bikes to change travel...sell everything and buy a Scott (unsure of model name) and save some cash for something else - entries to bike events, biking holiday, etc.

Obviously it is your money and spend it how you like but as I don't follow much mtb press, I've no idea of bike costs, hence my reaction to that amount on a 4th steed!

I've no idea of bike costs, hence my reaction to that amount on a 4th steed!

My alloy Fuel Ex measures 66.5 high and 65.6 low. Bought the frame for 1400 and with the build I have on it reckon it's about 4.5k worth, includes Hope E4s, hubs, stem, Ohlins forks, 170mm reverb, LB carbon rims, 1x11, Renthals and that

I have zilch experience of £4.5k bikes

I should've stopped reading at that, as the rest of that is utter nonsense. 😆

I have never been a Trek fan, but really fancy one now, great looking bikes, very capable.

If it was my money it would be one of these http://www.mbr.co.uk/news/whyte-s-150-359998 I know its not short travel but it just looks right

My hardtail is my commuter and pumptrack bike actually! I'm missing a road bike and a fat bike !

Any pics davosaurusrex?

I should've stopped reading at that, as the rest of that is utter nonsense.

Summarising it as "I'd not spend £1k of the budget on something that makes the least difference" any better?

You'd save more weight spending the price difference on other parts than a carbon frame. And it's suspension/wheels that make you go fast, assuming the frame you want is available in alu and carbon versions of course. And if there isn't a carbon version of the bike you like?

Valid point and the input is appreciated.

My Smuggler compared to my Patrol Carbon is so much heavier I haven't actually dared weigh it. I'd hazard a guess at 33lbs. The Smuggler 4, which is about £3k, is 35lbs.

When I got mine the alternative was a Fuel but none were available secondhand for the right price. They are meant to be really pretty amazing.

35lbs!

Best way to make a Smuggler lighter is to go out for a ride with someone on a Process 111.

My mate's Smuggler always felt lovely and sprightly when we swapped bikes for a bit.

I have not weighed my Smuggler buts it's an XL frame custom built with Ohlins fork LB rims on Chris King hubs Praxis cranks 1x11 setup with 150mm Dropper I love it even if not that light

Will have to sort out another hosting account which has been on the list for a while. Will try and sort it this weekend

@dave if you email me the pictures I'll put them on here. I moved to Imgur from Photobucket after they started trying to charge $$$

Thanks for the offer but no thanks.

Your call, I'm just trying to help the OP

http://imgur.com/3bdsJB2

http://imgur.com/23XXvwx

[img] [/img]

Ooh is that a fuel ex? ( lovely lawn btw)

Edit : yes it is, just read your earlier post. What year?

I was looking at them last night. They do carbon frame only too

[img] [/img]

Here's another one, unwashed with mismatched rotors and all (got a gold 203 on the way from a nice fella on here)

It's a 2017, really enjoying it. If you just ride around on it it's pretty unremarkable really but once you let go of the brakes and put some effort in it is awesome. Makes the trails come alive etc. I was running it in the high position but got used to accounting for pedal strikes and am running it in low. Only situation I wouldn't is climbs like the first one on the Blade at Afan where it was constantly catching the rock outcrops where you barely have any momentum.

Had a quick swap with a mate's Camber the other day and was surprised at how different they are, the Camber changes direction at lightning speed but wouldn't fancy taking it down anything too steep or techy. The Trek felt like a stretch limo swapping back. Also loaned it to a mate of a mate last night, he was all set on buying one of the discounted Intense Carbines from Merlin but is considering one of these now.

Weighed it today, 31.3lbs with LB carbons, Renthals, XT trail pedals and over a KG of Slaughter Grid casing rear tyre which is about what I expected, certainly not disappointed with that.

Cheers , looks grand.

davosaurusrex - what travel are the forks on that?

Why are you calling it a season when you aren't racing, just 'trail riding'?

Is there a season for trail riding only? Is it spring?

Why not spent 2.5k on a secondhand hightower or yeti or w/e and the rest on some riding lessons and bike holidays so the season can be extended?

Just a thought. Depreciation on bikes is absurd.

Cheers dad. It's -12c where I live and the ground is covered with snow. I went XC skiing today.There are no trails to ride.

The biking season starts when the snow melts. I.e the next season: Spring, 'absurd' as it may sound.

Hi
I have an Evil The Following and it’s the best bike I’ve ever ridden
New frame and second hand ((but good quality) parts speccd off here and eBay was easily less than 4K.
Built with Fox36 Talas (135/150), XT 1x11, Reverb, Saint brakes, LB/King wheels etc etc.
The Monarch shock is really good but picked up a Fox DPS Kashima shock in Mojo close out sale and it’s even better.
Weight is ~30lb
Ride with the fork at 135mm most of the time but 150mm for big descents eg Garburn Pass.
Would have another in a flash.
I would say consider sizing up though if you’re on the cusp of two sizes.
Cheers
Steve

gkw - 140mm. I'd like to put a 150 on it, doesn't really need it but would like to.

Cut the stroke spacer off it the other day so now has 136mm travel by my calcs. Only done 2 properly muddy rides since so hard to say but seems good so far. Also put it back to high setting, it's slack enough anyway and works better as an all round trail bike IMO

Thanks Steve, I had a go on a friends wreckoning , blinged out with Öhlins front and rear , and thought it was very very nice indeed, but I have ordered a smuggler as a friend runs a bike shop and got me a good package price on a combined frame and fork. I thought the reach on the following was a little short, that was all, prefer the geo on paper of the smuggler. it's not carbon and I've been told it won't be out for another year at least, so I went aluminium. Currently looking on eBay and here for second hand parts to build it up to a decent spec.

So what about my suggestion of money to go ride trails that aren't covered in ice?

Could get to the Alps or finale a couple of times?

Amazing bike holiday *2 Vs Very slightly newer but otherwise identical bike?

Maybe I'm just cheap (or just like riding? Who knows).

Cancel, you've bought something already. And you didn't spank 5 grand. Cool beans.

I have two children under six so time away to go riding in the alps or finale is not possible, or indeed desirable. Plus I've done that a few times.

Maybe you are cheap or you just like riding, that's not for me to say , but I do think you are very judgemental and presumptuous . Be cool.

Hi
Interesting what you say about a Wreckoning
Based on my Following I have an itch for one of these as my big bike.
Might use the bits off my Jeffsy in the future to build one up.
Either that or a Trek Slash 9.9 RSP which just “looks right” IMO
Barely ride my Jeffsy since I got The Following. Nothing wrong with it at all, they just overlap but I think the Evil is better as an everyday trail bike.
Cheers
Steve

Yes he loves it

View this post on Instagram

Now as said with öhlins, although actually the fork broke and now it's getting fixed under warranty!
He says 'cockpit' but forgive him he's Swedish so I think he thinks it is ok to say that 😆

What went wrong with the Ohlins? Mine work fine but have developed a click on the rebound stroke

Yes was something with the rebound adjustment, not exactly sure