[Closed] Best 150mm travel All-mountain frame

Was massively impressed by the Stumpy Evo... You can always tell a good bike when owners are incredibly keen for everyone to ride it, smug gits

I saw MBR gave the new Norco 10/10 in a test where the Five only got 8. This is a bit like being given 7/5 in other mags. It's probably very good.

Transition Covert. I'm a 95 kg rider, without gear. I tried to kill it in France at the Mega and then 3 weeks in BC/Canada. Really impressed by the little fox air can damper, and the linkage on the bike. Big drops, gaps, hang up's and it kept on going.

Would recommend it to everyone. The Nukeprof Mega is a cool bike.

Just ordered a Banshee Rune, 160mm rear and badass!!

was very impressed by Devinci's Dixon Split-Pivot

145mm in the rear (feels like a lot more), never felt out of its depth, pedals with much more control than four-bar horst pivot bikes, and can be built with Fox 32 150mm for lighter build or bigger fork like Fox 36 Float at 150mm for heavier duty build - mine was sub 30lb with Reverb post and sensible built kit

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absolutely loved my Dixon, sold it simply because it made my riding in the South-East too easy (boring) as the bike was so competent!

NP Mega is superb with 150 forks (Rev Teams on mine, and I have tried it with Bos Deville 160's)) and when you factor in the price, there's not much to match it.

But I have also just built a Devinci Dixon... watch this space 😈

They're all good. Really there is barely a bad bike out there. Better to ask what's the best 150mm bike for me and then think about what's important to you.

I love my mega.
Its much faster than me!

I rode as many bikes as I could get my hands on and there was a clear winner. I have a 2011 Stumpy evo.

I rode the normal Stumpy, the Enduro. Orange 5's and Alpines, Lapierre Spicy and Zestys.

Still don't regret my decision. It's one of the only bikes I've had that I haven't immediately tried to sell and I've chucked a fair bit of money at upgrades now as I consider it a 'keeper'.

Another covert here. Awesome bike.

I would have to say my yeti sb66
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There are loads of good bikes, make a short list, and work out what you want to try.

The last 3 I have ridden have been the Commencal Meta AM, Yeti SB66C & Mondraker Foxy XR.

The Meta felt really nice, well balanced and rode really well. The thing that let it down was it's weight.

The Yeti feels much like the Meta, only a shed load lighter. It pedals like no other suspension bike I have ridden & it gets better the faster you go. If you want to mince, it's probably not the bike for you.

The Foxy really surprised me. Initially felt a bit odd riding around the road, but odd in a good way. It climbed well, not amazingly though. Rode well on normal trails, but on the downs it was bloody brilliant.

My S-Works Enduro. Carbon frame, Revelation Team forks, Easton Havoc wheels, Hope Evo M4s.
If I had to replace it now I'd go for a Stumpjumper Evo Carbon - very similar geometry, but they've dropped the BB height a bit.

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Yeti 575 climbs really well maintaining good traction, but it rips on the way down. I'm sooo impressed with it.

Nicolai Helius range ?

Should also consider trek remedy 9. I have also tried a stumpy evo and been very impressed with both but ended up with the remedy.

Another vote for the SB66
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Anyone tried a Canyon Strive ? They appear to be unbelievable value for money and although reviews are hard to find, they are all glowing reports !

Considering a Strive 9.0 SL for Trans Provence next year but would be even happier if they brought out a 650b version !

And another vote for the SB66....

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Its improved my riding as it needs to be pushed to get the most out of it although I am still no where near good enough, if you like to go up, down and across on all day rides its perfect.
Although next time I would put a Talas upfront, its hard getting used to steep climbs with a 160mm fork upfront!

People seem to be largely recommending their own individual bike without explanation about how it is better than this or that (e.g. Better square edge bump performance or something). This is probably partly a result of there being so many good bikes out there in this class that it is hard to get a wrong one, although it could be ruined by a bad setup.

What I did was try to think about my own riding. What was my strengths and weaknesses: I've always been ok at low speed tetchy stuff but struggled with balls out speed stuff, so I particularly wanted a slack, long and low bike to help combat this and was happy to compromise on its maneuverability. Also I tried to sit on as many bikes as I could and get a sense of what reach felt the best for me.

Saying all of this (hope it didn't come across as preachy) I also chose a bike that I liked the look of!

Stumpy Evo is a great little bike, doubt there is much better. Just sold mine for the 29" version...

Monkey Boy - Member
People seem to be largely recommending their own individual bike without explanation about how it is better than this or that (e.g. Better square edge bump performance or something)

Difficult to recommend something you haven't rode, and lets be honest who can really be arsed to write detailed reviews

Normally if I bike fits me, feels comfortable and gives the impression it makes me quicker I don't notice anything else.

For detailed reviews or spring rate curves go ask the geeks on MTBR

I have a Stumpy EVO, it's alright for steep lumpy riding though I prefer my Solaris or Flux for general riding

My performance on steep or slow stuff depends more on my mood than my bike

What's "best" op?

What are you looking for in a bike?

Why a 150mm all mountain bike? Why not a 120mm trail bike or a 180mm freeride bike?

Where are you riding?

What have you had?

What did/didnt you like about previous bikes?

What's your riding style?

There is also no "best", just acceptable balance of compromises.

Monkeyboy - Most people are just going to recommend their own bike. For most of us our current bike[u]is[/u] the best bike we've ridden. There are so many good bikes out there at the moment you're going to struggle to find a dud. Unless you've got access to a variety of bikes and do a side by side comparison it's impossible to say which is 'best'.
For most of us it comes down to which manufacturer do we like, what do we like the look of, and what gives a nice riding position.

My ancient Patriot LT with an air shock combined with 36R (2005) forks.

Perfect geo, spot-on weight wise, and pedals well.

But as it's been said, of course I'd recommend my own bike....

SB66c - Topic Closed

My Fuel EX8 frame thats going for offers around £300 in the classifieds 😉

Maverick ML8, no question.

Orange 5 that's why I bought it. I do like the look of the sb66 in carbon though and the stumpy evo

I do like the look of the sb66 in carbon though

I demo'ed a few bikes - 26" and 29". For me nothing came close to the Alu Yeti SB66. I tested it a Llandegla with a mate. Normally we ride pretty much together. I'm slightly faster downhill, him a fair bit quicker up hill. On the downs I left him for dead. On the climbs I could just about stay with him.

If was me I'd be getting the Yeti. Oh - hang on I am. LBS starts to build the SB66c on Monday 😀

The advice seems to break down into either something along the lines of my bike is the best bike:

SB66c - Topic Closed

Or an examination of what it is you want the bike to do (winch and plummet v. Undulating trails perhaps?) and your riding style (slackness/wheelbase varies quite a lot in this category of bikes).. Deanfhb has some good advice.

Has nobody mentioned the Cotic Rocket yet? Obviously I can't as I don't own one and it would appear that you are only allowed to recommend your own bike on these threads, but it seems to tick all the boxes.

Seeing as everyone is posting their own bikes; 2013 Commencal Meta AM.

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In action;
http://www.pinkbike.com/video/294883/

Have you considered a Lapierre Spicy, Ive got a 209 model with some 36's on the front.
Great bike long quite slack great at speed, but you need to ride it aggressively to get the most form the travel.

Have used it for trail center's All mountain stuff a few enduros and uplift days.

As others have said you need to establish what kind of riding you do

Big fan of my Remedy. Better than the ally SB66 I test rode.