I started to do the MSG cross country series and surprised myself by how much i enjoyed it so want to do more. I live in Cambridgeshire so its flat as a pancaked. Ive currently got an Evil Following which I love. But with family the chances to get away for rides in wales and really use the bike are minimal and its too trail focused to really race cross country on. So I was thinking I may swap it out for a more XC focused that I could use for racing but also that could cover some trail duties when i get a chance to go away
Any recommendations on an XC ripper to replace the Evil?
Cheers
Oli
https://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/scott-spark-710-full-suspension-mountain-bike-2017-p314450
That's got to be a bargain !
Pivot Mach429 SL
/recommend what you have
Giant Anthem 29, new Specialized Epic Evo, new Orbea Oiz - loads of choice now. I went with Anthem as best budget spec in my eyes.
New Orbea Oiz looks very good, Yeti SB100 as well worth a look if you can afford it, but while I haven't seen or ridden the Orbea, on paper is looks very good, they seem to be on a roll at the minute and it looks good value too. Spark's also worth a look.
Having ridden a Following for 3 months I'd be tempted to just build it up with lighter kit and use it for racing.
The frame itself isn't heavyweight and the geometry's not too far off what Scott etc do with their new xc bikes geometry.
I had a Rocky Elememt, now comes with a 120mm fork so more than capable and a fun bike
SC Blur?
Intense Sniper?
There's a few around & I expect more to hit the market before too long.
Good job that Scott is a 650b otherwise my CC might have taken a beating!
Sorry to do this to you TINAS....
Op, Pedelon have all the Spark 29er on sale at the moment... with my 8 months of race and trail on mine I wouldn't hesitate to be looking at a Spark...
Plus 1 for the Rocky Mountain Element.
Also, Pyga do a 29er (120?) that look like capable XC/trail bikes.
I always forgot about the element, even though my dad's had one for 13 years! Element definitely worth a look, though strange they don't do a BC Edition these days, if they did one with pumped up travel like their other bikes, like 130/110mm it'd be a real contender for me. Kona Hei Hei also got rave reviews in the last few years, geometry looks great on paper and they're not badly spec'd for the price either.
Yeah I've got a Kona Hei hei (29er 120/100mm version) and bought it for basically exactly the reasons you describe, OP. Family commitments, tame local trails, bigger days out less accessible etc etc.
This niche of bikes seems popular at the moment, from what I've seen on the whole pink bike "down country" joke for one extreme and the changing geo on proper xc race bikes on the other so there are a few to choose from.
My experience has been pretty good. I would say that once I put a shorter stem, long travel dropper post, tough and grippy tyes, proper pedals etc on my hei hei it didn't really feel like it would be competitive in a local xc race, compared to the hardtail I have previously used for that. I guess having a spare pair of wheels with light tyres would go a long way to help though. I'd also say that once I take the bike somewhere more "fun", I tend to ride it as I would do a bigger bike and the frame and components just aren't up to that, even if the geometry allows or encourages it. Ahem.
The hei hei is a good choice, be aware that the carbon version is a newer design and the geometry and cable routing were updated from the alu design, which ironed out some of the design issues the alu version still has.
I have ridden a new shape Element for over a year, have it built up with 30mm Wide Lightenings (RIP AC) and a 2.6 Nobby Nic at the front, then used the geometry adjustments to bring the seat and head angle back to steep. Rides great, lots of fun and coveres ground well. We like doing big loops with fun downhills and it's perfect. In my shop the element was our best selling Rocky last year, plenty of build ranging from fast to fun. Mine sits at the fun end @ 26lbs inc pedals.
However, I have just ordered one of the new 2019 Oiz, lured in by the lighter weight and custom colours. Went for the 120/120 Trail version, will be getting the American Classic wheels and big front tyre. Current eta for delivery is early Jan, with SOME Oizs arriving Novemberish.
So if anyone wants a used medium Element 😅
Lawman91: isn’t the Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt like a sort of BC Edition Element? Another one to consider.
will be getting the American Classic wheels
Or or maybe not.
Would love to hear your feedbak on the oiz. The 120mm is the one i have my eye on
Anyone ridden the blur yet?
+ another for a Rocky Mountain Elemwnt.
I have a 2017 Black Inc Scalpel and an Element. The Element is still a great climber but shreds trails well. Surprisingly even though Scalpel is much lighter and climbs like a mountain goat, some of my climbing Strava PBs have been done on the Element. Great bike
How fun is the elemnt to ride? Really want a nice poppy bike that is easy to menouver aroudn switchbacks etc
Intense Sniper was a lot of fun from the demo ride I had. Worth trying if you get the chance.
Newer (2017 or 2018) Giant Anthem 27.5? I have one of the 2017 models and its fast and pedally but quite capable on trail centre red runs with the Fox 34 fork and a dropper post.
Cheers guys