My dads looking for a new trail bike.
He's based over in Zurich in the countryside and currently rides his 15 year old Trek FS 26'' bike. The bikes had it; shock, forks, drivetrain are shot and it's uneconomical to repair, so will be kept for pub bike/river cruiser for the family.
So, he wants a nicer bike to pootle around the lakes on as well as heading up into the mountain on trails. He's planning an e-bike in a few years time, so isn't going all out on this bike.
I suggest he goes for a 29er FS trail bike, with around 120mm travel.
His budget is up to £3500-ish. He preffers value for money over brand tax. He doesn't like Specliazed, Cannondale or BMC.
Current short list is:
- Whyte T129 RS with a couple small changes
- Transition Smuggler
- Orange Segment
- Santa Cruz Tallboy C
- Canyon Lux
- YT Jeffsy
Also, sizing.. he's 5'10-11 which puts him between Medium and Large on lots of bike.
Trek Fuel EX all day long. I've test ridden most of those above and the Trek is easily the most fun/fastest
If only someone had asked this very question about a day ago you might have been able to read that.
He preffers value for money over brand tax
Then you need to knock SC, Orange and Transition off the short-list
Trek Fuel Ex- interesting! Will need to check that out.
Patriotpro- I agree, but thought i'd keep them on for now.
Cotic RocketMax.
I've tried a few of those and I'm hoping to go Large Tallboy (I'm the same height). It's a touch more expensive than some but it just feels right and post purchase care seems excellent.
Cotic RocketMax.
No, the FlareMax.
Fuel EX is nice and perky and would make a great all-round MTB.
I found it a bit more nervy over rocks at speed than some bikes, but is your dad going to be shredding or bimbling?
Orbea Occam TR would be a good one to consider, geo looks great, without being too extreme. Carbon framed full build can be had for around that money meaning it is likely to be a bit ligther/more managable than some of the other suggestions on here.
Otherwise, I would look at the Trek Fuel EX, as has been suggested previously.
My dads firmly a bimbler, but I'd prefer him to have a touch more travel for the mountains, so a trail bike seems to fit the bill.
FlareMax- looks good, but as he's climbing I'm wondering what the weight penalty is.
I'm hoping for a bike around 28 lbs ideally.
A second hand Hightower, when all the current owners scramble for a Nomad 29...... 🙂
I'll second the Orbea Occam TR. Great bike. 18 months in and still brilliant
FlareMax- looks good, but as he's climbing I'm wondering what the weight penalty is.
The heft test puts it about the same as a £3k Fuel EX and it climbs better because of the long chainstays. It's a startlingly good climber TBH.
Here's the write-up I did after a demo...
http://unduro.co.uk/mtb/first-rides-cotic-flaremax-and-rocketmax/
But if you can get a blingy Jeffsy for the same price and that fits, it might be a very worthy rival.
Orbea Occam TR M30 29er Boost 2017 at £3200 looks good. Similar platform to the T129. The spec isn't as good as some of the others, but it does have the carbon frame. Wonder if he'd feel the flex in 32mm stantions too.
I guess 2x11 might be useful too given his age and potential for large amount of climbing. He might just take the gondola to the top.
Edit- Cheers Chakaping. Will have a read. Worried the Jeffsy might be too much travel at 140mm.
Some more potentials for you
Rose Root Miller - German brand and you can change the spec to suit your price
https://media1.rosebikes.de/product/1850/2/2/2237121_1.etc5qfzjwm.jp g" target="_blank">https://media1.rosebikes.de/product/1850/2/2/2237121_1.etc5qfzjwm.jp g"/> [/img]
Banshee Prime or phantom
http://bansheebikes.com/prime/
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