Looking for tips...
After resisting for a long time, I finally bought a hardtail 29er (Cotic solaris) as a winter bike. This was a massive mistake as I absolutely love it, and whenever I have been out on my 26er trail full sus, it just feels all kinds of wrong. Sad face => 🙁
So I am now thinking of getting myself a full sus 29er to compliment the hardtail.
However I've really not been keeping up to date with what is good, so I'm looking for a few suggestions.
It'll need to be a general trail full sus, burley enough for lakes riding and a bit of light DH now and again, but I don't want anything too OTT as I would like to ride it on local XC too (with a lighter set of wheels on).
For reference my current 26er fs is a 140mm cannondale prophet, running 160mm pikes. Aside from not enjoying the 26 inch, this is about the right level of burley for what I want (it's been a great bike).
So, any suggestions?
PS I would probably be looking to buy a frame (preferably s/h) and swap bits over to keep costs down. So anything readily available s/h would be good.
PPS might be nice to run 27.5+ too, but probably not that bothered TBH.
Stumpjumper or Fuel would be my bet.
Spent a bit of time on a 2017 Fuel EX and it's awesome. A properly capable bike.
Quite a nice looking bandit 29 on eBay for not much cash.
I think you need to look at the Cotic RocketMax.
But if that's too pricey, maybe an older Enduro 29. They are plentiful, reasonably priced and can easily be modded to have better geometry than standard.
You's think a 155mm travel 29er would be a tank of a bike, but they're actually pretty nimble and fun. Good for easier riding as well as Lakes and stuff.
Just been through a very similar mental process myself. Came very close to buying a Fuel ex but ended up getting a YT Jeffsy, which is proving to be awesome, but don’t think there’s much in it either way.
The Whyte S150 and Transition Smuggler may also fit your bill.
Transition Smuggler may also fit your bill.
That's what I have, for that very same job in the very same area
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^ThisTransition Smuggler may also fit your bill.
awesome - thanks all. Just the sort of info I'm after - cheers!
If you end up looking for a full bike I don't think you'll get a better spec for the money than the Vitus Escarpe 29, the 2018 VRX model has lyric RCT3s, a deluxe RT3, DT Swiss E1700 wheels, RS reverb stealth B1, guide RE brakes, GX eagle, carbon cranks, maxxis minions, 140/150mm travel for £2430 after the British cycling discount.
Stumpy or camber depending in XC needs
I have camber evo and ride in Lakes and for XC and it's a great balance
I've just built a Banshee Prime with the lumpier end of lakes riding in mind.
Buy my Orange Gyro 🙂
Plus tyres for the Solaris...
+1 for Banshee Prime
Spesh enduro?
One of my riding buddies is selling a medium one, couple of years old and really good nic. It'll come up if you look through the usual FB buy/sell groups. Preston area.
I went thru the same process, & kinda hated myself for no longer enjoying my Prophet! I personally stuck with the single pivot theme as I really don't enjoy mult-pivot bikes, checking out the (at the time) orange gyro & segment, though also tested the t-129 & enduro to confirm I still didn't like 4 bar. They weren't for me, but the segment been updated since then, so worth looking. I went for a the linkage activated Evil Following in the end, & 2 years later don't regret it at all
Bargain basement Codeine? I've only ever run it with 27.5+ wheels
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Built predominantly for racing the Mega, but mainly used in the Lakes (and occasional Enduro racing fails)
Absolutely love my 2015 Stumpjumper Comp 29er. Awesome bike.
I have to say though that I'm really rather taken by the Cotic bikes. Funnily enough if I had the cash I would be seriously looking at a Cotic 29er hardtail (that or a lighter fat bike)