First instinct is to recommend what you have but my Airdrop Edit has too much travel and no frame storage.

Then I thought of the Raaw Jibb but that doesn't have frame storage.

Frame storage typically comes on carbon so I pondered the Last range of bikes.

Pretty spendy though, so maybe a Transition who I believe have increased their warranty and I believe still keep the brake hose external. Having said that, I don't think they represent the value for money they once did.

Something from Orange? There are some great deals about atm.

I very nearly bought a Specialized Epic 8 recently but even though it was a lovely thing and finished to a very high standard it just left me a bit cold. Had the same thought when looking at a Santa Cruz 5010 when my mate got one.

I bought a Transition Spur frame instead which isn't nearly as polished but just seems to have more soul, at least in my head. As an Orange owner as well maybe I'm just some sort of off piste pervert?

I'd try a Transition Sentinel if possible, lovely things..

Also, whatever the latest version of the Ripmo is. My AF is a right laugh. 

Plus there's probably some sort of Santa Cruz.

Having said that, I was chatting to a serial bike dealer the other day who now has an Atherton, and he bloody adores it . 

Interesting... those LAST bikes are not something ive come across. Thanks for that.

For my trail bike, i'd be wanting something linkage driven, not single pivot. SO that counts out anything by Orange TBH.

I had a weekend in Germany for the sole purpose of a test ride. Really nice guys. I spent ages wondering which one to get, then fell for the Airdrop Edit.

Still pondering swapping my hardtail for a shorter travel Last.

That Sentinel looks good eh! Not really considered a Transition TBH. Good suggestion.

The Sentinel is the most drool-worthy bike around imo. It’s just so damn good looking.

Do you want to just run mullet or be able to switch between that and full 29?

I am on my 2nd Transition. Had a short love affair with a 2012 Covert that was a little too small for me then changed to a 2015 Scout, which I have had for 10 years. The Scout is by far the most playful bike I have ever ridden, the next being the Covert. The Scout is like a happy Spaniel.

Sentinel is top of my next bike list as a result, Alloy XT would do me lovely, I am just worried it wont be as fun as the Scout. Also looking at the Atherton S150 for a homegrown alternative.

Santa Cruz 5010 or Tallboy 

Posted by: JefWachowchow

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I am on my 2nd Transition. Had a short love affair with a 2012 Covert that was a little too small for me then changed to a 2015 Scout, which I have had for 10 years. The Scout is by far the most playful bike I have ever ridden, the next being the Covert. The Scout is like a happy Spaniel.

Sentinel is top of my next bike list as a result, Alloy XT would do me lovely, I am just worried it wont be as fun as the Scout.

transition changed their geometry significantly from 2018 iirc so you may or may not find this to be true. 

When you say frame storage do you mean a compartment or just some mounting/bottle bosses?

I think one factor to consider that is often left out is durability.

My YT Jeffsy was a great bike, but by the time it was 3-4 years old it was looking very well used. My Stumpjumper Evo has lasted much better.

Sentinel is a lot of bike if you already have a gnarpoon. There were riders using it for the Tour De Gnar on the biggest features in Squamish. I loved the way it handled but also never really got the most out of it. Maybe look at the Smuggler instead. 

Cotic Jeht. But without the frame storage bit.

Buy the Stumpy in S5.

If you don't like it I'll take it off your hands.

Pivot Trailcat LT?  Would be high on my list.

Santa Cruz bronson. Some great deals on the old one now its being replaced

If you want to, do it.

There are no rules and in the words of the Anti-Nowhere League - 'who cares what you do?'

I understand where you're coming from. In an ideal world I would have a known stalwart I am happy riding, and a constantly changing test bed to satisfy my curiosity about new equipment and geometry. 

Sadly, budget and time constraints means this isn’t possible, and I'd rather spend my available time riding.

I want to run a mullet in general.

But, i do run my current Stumpy in full 29er occasionally, with lighter, more cross coun try wheels. The slight taller and steeper result is not a problem on long, less technical rides.

So, a full 29er run as a Mullet would be great, but not a deal breaker.

I think one factor to consider that is often left out is durability.

My YT Jeffsy was a great bike, but by the time it was 3-4 years old it was looking very well used. My Stumpjumper Evo has lasted much better.

Durability is actually VERY important. As a 110kgs biffer, i need something pretty robust. Low weight is nice to have, but not at the expense of durability.

Buy the Stumpy in S5.

If you don't like it I'll take it off your hands.

Thanks for your kind offer.... but.....

Would the Trek Fuel EX tick all the boxes?

Some good prices about on them now, e.g. here on the ML size:

Trek 2023 Fuel EX 8 Gen 6 - Blazing Bikes

Posted by: lardman

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Buy the Stumpy in S5.

If you don't like it I'll take it off your hands.

Thanks for your kind offer.... but.....

...you want to buy it in S4 so I can take it off your hands?!

If your current Stumpy is 8 years old you'll notice a huge difference on the new one. It's where my money would go to tick all of your boxes (I have a Stumpy Evo and am still thinking of moving to the new one).

Boring is the new exciting. You heard it here first.

If you loved your current Stumpy then you might as well get the new one. They look good, supposed to ride well and I assume have a similar character (that you liked) to your current one. 

@lardman slightly off topic but i also want be rid of bags for the short rides i do but what do you do with your phone? It being in my shorts pocket doesn't feel right. What about a spare tube?

Posted by: chakaping

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Would the Trek Fuel EX tick all the boxes?

Some good prices about on them now, e.g. here on the ML size:

Trek 2023 Fuel EX 8 Gen 6 - Blazing Bikes

I've got 2 of them, both in ML. They're awesome. He's ridden his mostly local, i've had his at Dyfi and mine at Inners.

Both have suffered with knocky 36 bushings, his we got my LBS mate to fettle and are nicer. Mine are booked at Silverfish in a few weeks but i've got some Zebs arriving later anyway and will likely flog the 36s. Or fit the fixed ones to his and then send his off maybe.  

Apart from that they're lovely things. I fitted different brakes to both 

Reading the OP... personally, I'd buy an Atherton S.150 and an item of clothing with one small pocket on it to replace the frame storage it doesn't have.

Reading through the would likes and wouldnt minds 

negatives  .. no storage box and not mullit 

Pros  light weight  + works with coil + easy to work on bearing stuff (grease ports~)  + external cable + life time frame and bearings ..  sale on at the moment 

Deviate Highlander 2..    I swapped my Megatower v2 for one after months and months of debating weather not to do or not .. I should have doen it years ago .  Since building it up its go me in trouble 3 times now" im just going out for an hour " has turned into 35 mile rides and 6 hour laters .  It handles the gnarr and the pedaling  .. so much so my v5 tallboy hasnt seen light of day in the last 5 weeks .. thats worrying . 

@joshbosh12

slightly off topic but i also want be rid of bags for the short rides i do but what do you do with your phone? It being in my shorts pocket doesn't feel right. What about a spare tube?

The phone just goes in my shorts pocket TBH. Lycra and I are not a good look, so my shorts are always baggies and have enough pockets. Having said that, ive crashed before and smashed my phone, so it's not always perfect.

Similarly, I thought carrying less would be good, and it is. But I still carry the bontrager rapid bum bag as I really don't fancy landing on car keys

@mattrockwell

Reading the OP... personally, I'd buy an Atherton S.150 and an item of clothing with one small pocket on it to replace the frame storage it doesn't have.

Yes, i am definitely tempted. there are a few things holding me back however....

The in frame storage is one, but i 'could' possibly overlook that if the ride was amazing.

It's quite a long way to go to test one, which i'd like to do if i'm moving away from a Specialized/4bar

As theyre quite a new bike, i'm yempted to let a few years pass, to see how the frames hold up and how thier warrabty works (or doesnt)

@stevedoc

Yes, this definitely interests me. High pivot i'd love to try, and external cable routing is a major plus. Bit tricky to get a demo though, as Scotland is quite a way from me, as are the EU based demo days advertised. Worth thinking about though.

I got no more than a 5 minute pedel on a field at the Ardrock and bought the frame blind on a hunch . The riding I do is what this frame was designed for. Im sure they will be popping up with more demo days this year  . Drop Ben or Colin a message they are more than happy to help.

I might be off, but I don't mind a bit of travel for a test ride. Turn it into a mini break. I spent a weekend in Dortmund to test ride a couple of Last bikes.