Forum menu
I'm 50 this year and just had the 'well why don't you get a new bike' talk.
I've had a Yeti 5 for 6 years and love it, but it's time for pastures new. Riding is trail centres, local off piste (Leigh Woods and beyond) and a Euro week away. A Red Run rampager (TM). 140mm travel ideally.
So far I have tested:
Cotic Rocket - nice but over biked
Santa Cruz 5010 - loved it but way too expensive (they only had the carbon one as a demo)
Bird Ariel - nice but not better than the Yeti
Whyte T130- nice but not that much better than the Yeti
Ones not tested;
5010 Alloy - the only one I can afford is a very cheap spec and I know I'd end up changing lots.
Cotic Rocket Max - over budget
At the moment top of my list is the YT Jeffsy CF Comp 1 (old model). £2500 full carbon, Pikes and a nice built kit. All our recent bikes have been bought from LBSs, and that would be a big plus but it does look nice.
Anything I'm missing?
Cheers
Cotic Flare?
Good call but £300 over budget. May see if I can get a demo anyway.
With a name like Leku, you need an Orbea Rallon 😉
something by rose...I demo'd mine at Aston Gate...
the flare is lovely though
What do you mean by "better"? Are you interested in geometry, kinematics, weight, branding?
Does it have to be a complete bike or a new frame to transplant existing parts to?
Well you'll find it hard to compete with the YT for value - and I'm sure you could pay more and get a worse bike.
TBH if they fit me I'd find the money to buy one of them today - but they're a bit short for my long torso sadly.
Onza - "better" = shinier. Mostly just fancy something a bit fresher. Yeti angles are quite up to date. New bike is unlikely to be lighter.
I could do a new frame but would also need wheels and fork (with a budget of about £2200 for all three).
Bob - I have an Orbea road bike for that very reason.
OR
The Canyon outlet bikes are nicely discounted...
https://www.canyon.com/en/factory-outlet/?utm_source=en-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2016-mtb-outlet-feb-2017#category=mtb-bikes&sort=diff&order=0&sc_src=email_1203124&sc_lid=87134589&sc_uid=OVaBXy1iGZ&sc_llid=13125&sc_eh=03537b197218921c1
Have you considered the Airdrop Edit?
I'm going to be looking at replacing my Yeti ASR-5 very soon too. Top of my demo list will be Cotic Flare/Rocket and Airdrop Edit (I live in Sheffield and want to support a local firm if I possibly can).
Maybe look second hand? 6 months ago I picked up a 2015 Carbine off Pinkbike, carbon wheels 1x11, XTR discs. Great nick, seller just wanted to change to something a bit smaller. Absolute bargain for me! 😀
What's £2500 and better than a Yeti 5?
Coke and hookers and a Yeti 5.
The Strive is too much bike for me (and my mate's is always broken).
I'm more of a Coke Zero man.
Orange 5 maybe, though probably over budget for most of their builds.
Whyte T129 or Specialized Camber or Stumpy if you're considering a 29er.
Is the Giant Trance still a 140mm trail bike? They're usually decent value.
2016 Spitfire?
I've had a Yeti 5 for 6 years and love it
If you love it then you may struggle to get a replacement that you prefer - unless you can put your finger on what you'd like to be better about it?
What about more bang for your buck and aim for sale bikes from Pauls Cycles, Bikescene etc?
Airdrop Edit
Something different to the Yeti? Fat or plus maybe?
Bird 120?
Currently in the pub with a mate. Annoyingly he says look at second hand
and
If you love it then you may struggle to get a replacement that you prefer - unless you can put your finger on what you'd like to be better about it?
he says these are wise words.
I have a 96 yeti fro alloy and in last 3 yrs went all suspended - Scott genius lt , camber eco, trek fuel ex9 29er - but finally in stable with fro a yeti SB95 - ex demo from silverfish - stunning bike looked after and well short of 2k - it is best bike I have ridden in 30 yrs MTB - and silverfish look after you
Annoyingly he says look at second hand
He's not the one that won't have any warranties.
What about a lapierre Zesty Am or XM?
Those Spectrals and Strives in the Canyon outlet are stonking value, £2200 gets X01, Cane Creek shock, Pike RCT3, Reverb Stealth, Roam wheels...
Don't bother with a Jeffsy, get a Capra. There's a reason they are popular and it's not just the price
Several friends have Capras. I think they are just too much bike. 130 / 140mm is more me.
Demoing a Trek Remedy and a Orbea Occam on Friday.
Current plan is Santa Cruz 5010 alloy but just get frame, forks and wheels and move bits across.
I'd struggle to see past a Jeffsy for that money.
Several friends have Capras. I think they are just too much bike. 130 / 140mm is more me.
I don't mean in any way to dismiss your opinion, but have you ridden your mates Capras? They don't ride like a 160mm bike on the flat/up's, but do on the downs - by the sounds of it though, a Jeffsy might be right up your street
One thing that's made buying a new bike harder, is that they are less defined by travel now.
I'm having a closer look at the airdrop this weekend. Even coming from boutique carbon bikes, it appears to tick all the boxes.
Difficult to look past the gorgeousness of the Flare.
Up your budget?
Frame and fork and get new rims built onto your existing hubs?
Mmm, you loved the 5010, get one of those then! That's what I did, 50 next week but luckily I got a carbon 5010 on sale last year for 2800 and 0% finance, life's short, so get what you want. Especially as your half a century now.
Transition Scout, perfect UK trails bike. Similar to the 5010 but a bit more burly on the descents.
Have a read of the reviews.
I got my Cannondale Trigger Carbon 2 from Pauls last year for £2000 and spent another £500 on better wheels, oh and a bit more on renthal fatbar carbon and a shorter stem. I love it. Great bike for the money. If they do another deal like that this year, that's a great place to start.
That said, I really like the idea of the YT Jeffsy.
That XL Spectral in the Canyon outlet looks really good value if it fits and if the wear is only minor as suggested. Great spec and a great bike without the complications of shape shifter.
Edit: just noticed they have a boat load of pristine new bikes at great prices from 2016 model year. It'd be hard to pass up on a Spectral or Strive.
Trance.
Yes it's the volvo of the mtb world but it just works, the Maestro/DW link suspension system is pedal friendly and due to its inherent ramping up in design it also feels bottomless on big hits, the older models come with a 140mm fork, the newer ones with 150mm and the now defunct SX with a 160mm front end....a bike for every situation
The older version (up to '16) is still available heavily discounted if you look around, the new one is also still in your budget and well specced too.
The Devinci Troy Carbons do look good.