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If you have a Nerve XC already, then I'm assuming that you'd want something capable of more 'Gnar'? The El Guapo is much more DH orientated - low BB, slack HA. That's all I was thinking - oh, and it comes with a CCDB air.
If I was in the market for a new long travel FS it'd be first on my list as it's such a bargain - I am a bit mean though and I like the one HT I have.
Yeah something capable of more gnar but still easy to ride round my local woods and uphill. 🙂 I just rang on one as they were showing 1 large in stock on the website but alas it's an anomoly on the website. They said the guapo will not be in stock till June.
Forgot about t'Guapo. Only 10mm more travel than the AL+. I'd have bought one instead of the AL+ if they did one large enough for 6ft4 all day riding.
cspeers, I went for Black Sea only because i'm a tart and thought it would match my blue helmet. It looks good in hornet too though. From the reviews I've read for the al+ it's a lot more gravity orientated than the xc so should hopefully live up to the extra 'gnar'. The angles are very similar to the El Guapo and other 'all mountain' bikes which are much more about the downs than ups.
I'd go for something more different to your existing bike personally - around 160mm travel. You'll enjoy it in the alps and you might find you like doing uplift days etc. I don't have a problem (slowly) pedalling my Pitch with 160mm forks around trail centres or up big hills in the Lakes/Scotland, and it's amazing fun going downhill.
Gnar and easy uphill full suss doesn't really exist. Ditched my Reign as it took all of my energy on the way up. Now have a Gnar HT and love it.
HI there cspeers,
If you already have the Nerve XC in 120mm I personally would say the Canyon Strive would be a better pick from our range to get a real change in the bike's ability when pointing down from your current bike. The Nerve AL and AL+ are great trail and marathon bikes but the Strive is definitely a much more accomplished Enduro platform.
http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=3045
The Strive AL 7.0 comes in right on your budget and builds up pretty light for a 160mm travel. The pedalling platform is really impressive, I think you will find it's climbing ability is the real surprise of this bike. Riding in the hills around the Canyon factory in Germany I was always gutted to see how well the MTB product manager would keep with me on the hills (I ride a Grand Canyon CF at 9 kilos) and then absolutely rinse me on the downs.
Give us a call in our new UK office if you want to chat about your options. We'd be glad to help if we can - +44 (0) 208 5496001
Regards,
Trevor @ Canyon UK