[Closed] BIG QUESTION - Best trail/XC bike

No,........ turner 5 spot

* awaits everyone else to come on and name their own bike*

Attacks hard

What is that in Gnar?

Five...lol

I think that,s 12 gnar.

Having just demo'd an Orange Five and a P7 I would hand over my cash for either of these bikes. The Five was a tad small for me but the P7 felt pretty spot on and the 140 Fox vanila lets you stuff the front into turns and the back end skips around doing its own thing.

why no hardtails on that list?

giant anthem X??? won bike of the year 2009 and gets rated very highly?

Anthem X, or if you want a bit more travel, Trance X

I have a Pace RC200 team. Its been awesome over the years.

Its been down everything except stuff over a metre drop-offs and conquered everything at speed.

However I went to Afan last year and while I flew down faster than the full sus guys I was beaten up after doing 3 days of everything- Skyline, etc.

So looking to go full sus but something with finesse, and can climb like a beast, as well as great singletrack and rock garden.

thats why no hardtails.

Cheers

Anthem X. If you want it for XC mainly fit light 100mm forks otherwise some quality 100-120mm. Makes it a very good trail bike at 120mm 🙂

Seems to be a lot of Giant fans out there.

I thought the Yeti and Santa Cruz carbon would dominate!

How about Scott Genius?

Loving my new Chumba VF2, but everyone will name their own bike, especially if it's new!

whyte of any sort?

climb like a beast? pronghorn trail.

Mojo sl 😀 - mines built burly(ish) 150mm forks/ex1750 wheels/tech m4's and still weighs less than 27lbs & has handled all what I've thrown at it over past mth- gisburn DH / 5ft drops to flat / 30 mile all day rides etc.

BTW you'll get loads of people telling you what ever they have will be best. Like me

I quite like trek EXs, extremely versatile my girlfriend uses her ex7 for crosscountry races and I borrowed it for a week in Morzine/ Les Gets and it only felt out of its depth on large drops. Good value too. Would love to try a Roscoe though.

Its great I love hearing all the opinions.

We all know there isn’’t one supreme bike, but plenty of great ones. And depending on whose hands its in too, it can change dramatically.

Seems to be a lot of Giant fans out there.

I thought the Yeti and Santa Cruz carbon would dominate!

I've got an Anthem X1 and the guy I ride with has a Yeti ASR. Last year, the Anthem was nearly a grand cheaper for an equivalent spec, and the Yeti was better, but not quite a grand better. This year the Anthem is more expensive - and the Yeti is probably stronger (new rear end) if no longer quite as exotic.

The Anthem is more XC focused, a bit twitchier, the Yeti feels incredibly planted.Both are light, stiff and will really reward a rider who thinks about their lines.

It's a tough choice, but ultimately the fact that the Yeti's turquoise paint has anti-gravity properties just swings it.

Yeti has always called me. fast and planted.

ASR or 575?

I also have a soft spot for the Santa Cruz carbon, and views?

Lapierre anyone?

the best bike? its the one that you are personally lusting after most, no use buying a bike that is most reccomended on here if what you really fancy is a [insert fave bike name here]

+1 for the Chumba. If I didn't have the Nicolai I could be very tempted.

edit: TomB - your front hose is too long, otherwise 9/10

I have a mojo love it always surprised at how good it is mate. Pic of it on here some where. great bike and is just the right side of focus or I'll make you pay fast!

How ever the best bike and still my favorite for mucking about on is the five love that bike!!!

I have had a Santa Cruz, and a Yeti, yet the only bike I have held on to is a 2006 Giant Trance, so I would say that the ultimate trail bike is the one you decide you like...
...but the Anthem X with 120 mil forks would get my vote 😉

Jay

Trek EX8 or 9. I've tried a fair few bikes but my EX8 really is embarrassingly good...put a set of adjustable forks and it really is a very versatile all rounder.

kinda what im looking for for work. dunno what bike

Zesty 914 if money's not an issue

ellsworth truth.

Appollo seem to make nice bikes and they are cheap at Halfords.

Looking for opinions on best trail or XC bike that can take the trails fast.

Attacks hard, but rides light and picks great lines, rather than bashing over everything.

Are you ****ing us?

orange 5

Not one spesh mentioned!

Looking for opinions on best trail or XC bike that can take the trails fast.

Attacks hard, but rides light and picks great lines, rather than bashing over everything.

The bike or the rider? 🙄

Are you ****ing us?

Do you think he works for MBR? 😆

If you're as good as you say you are, then any bike will do, shurely? 🙄

🙂

My Nicolai Helius is the best for me, although I wouldn't mind trying a ASR5 or a VF2

My old Blur was lovely on the trail - on rails in fact - but was a bit heavy though. If I had the money I'd go for the Blur Carbon or the Yeti - both amazing bikes but not cheap. What about the Scott Spark? Nice race \ marathon bike if you want the speed.

Depends how you define a trail bike really doesnt it? I mean a lot of folk wouldnt consider any less than 140mm of travel whereas some would say you could ride 120mm or less. Since for me trail/xc bike would be about 100-120mm I would go for the SC Blur XC (yes I have one) & for anything AM I use a SC Blur LT (funny but I have one of those as well..)

Heckler or a 5 - proper classics.

giant trance. get a SH one for £250 or so.

is a five really 7.5 times better?

doubt it...

wrightyson - Member
Not one spesh mentioned!

Erm - 2010 Stumpjumper FSR was my choice for a new bike.

Pleased so far with it in terms of geometry, suspension, efficiency for the kind of riding I do.
Quite well kitted out as well - think I'm just gonna swap my XT crank over (from the old bike) when I finally get round to it.

I test rode a 2010 Fuel EX9 on the same day and didn't get on with it at all so I think it's important to get a decent test ride.

Chumba VF2 the BEST bike in the world, maybe 😉

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Nice colour Chumba, Si! 😀

How about :

XC - Orange ST4
Trail/FR: Orange Five

Yes I do have an Orange 😉

Just changed my Genius for a Zesty and wow I love it Zesty feels so nimble and quick in comparison, just wants to be ridden faster 😛

My Genius was/is awesome downhill though, strong and dependable just point and go where as I can seem to "float" a bit more on the Zesty.