looking for a dh/uplift bike, saw this. what do you think
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=87481
Thats a nice bike, but there are better value dh bikes on the market. MBUK have the scalp on review but I would say this has far far higher spec for the money http://www.canyon.com/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=3060
Get the Scalp through your LBS...CRC if you really have to.... get the stanchions replaced with FAST suspension units from TF tuned and have Avalanche send you one of their dampers.... when you outgrow the fork.
That is unless you want to wait for months to buy the bike or have issues that require a warranty.
The scalp has a lovely leverage ratio, which produces a nice force progression graph. Even more so with the pulse.
The spec is really nice on that Canyon though. It depends on your priorities.
Dont get me wrong. The scalp is a good bike, the fork is rather basic and the elxir 3's are average. You could check out the yt tues, again it is similar to the canyon great spec for a great price but it will take 6 weeks to come and you can only get it directly from yt.
I'd go for the YT over the Canyon anyday. Much nicer looking bike and I seem to remember the German mags rate it more than the Canyon.
been looking for a few month whilst getting my weight down, but still have no idea what would suit a 18stone giant.
and getting a test ride is nigh on impossible from anywhere.
looked at nukeproof, giant, trek, canyon and yt......oh and orange too.
Probably not Orange- good dh bikes but not the most durable (my Evo is freakish in that it has absolutely no cracks or "custom aftermarket welds" ), I weigh about half what you do and I still expect to crack it sooner or later.
It's certainly not a bad bike that Scalp and the design doesn't really divide opinion, very few people dislike 'em. Usually I'd say the Domains are a drawback but they're strong like ox, just a wee bit lacking in control...
Personally if I had around £2000 to spend on a new bike I don't think I'd have any chance of talking myself out of a YT. The spec is outrageously good value and if worst comes to worst it's still a good buy as a build kit, if you don't like the frame. But ymmv. Probably the Aurum would get a look in too though
Buying used can get you a great dh bike but it can also get you a wreck- lots of people have them and barely ride them, but equally lots of people ride them into the ground then sell them. Easier to go wrong than with XC kit I reckon.
Ton, check out the Kona Operator. Lots of great reviews and a bit of a looker.
I was just going to suggest the kona operator as well!