Having sold my downhill bike due to lack of use (5 times in 6 months doesnt warrant owning such a bike) i'm planning on getting a more useable bike. I'd like something that can be ridden uphill as well as down for the trail centres and the like. Also it would be useful if it could handle some very light downhill stuff- think cwmcarn, the easy one at ae, top half of hamsters etc etc
I will have a budget of about 1200 and want to buy a second hand machine as you get more for your money.
My initial thoughts were something like the remedy with 6" of rear travel, but im not sure about this being ok to pedal uphill/for a long time.
Secondly i thought about something like the orange 5, but im not overly sure of its capabilities for light downhill stuff.
Also could someone tell me about the trek fuel ex- it looks amazing but cant find much about it online.
Thanks,
James
dude buy a chameleon, can take anything you throw at it!
Chameleon with SPDs and Pike Airs with the U turn thing would be my dream bike in the nightmare scenrio of only having one bike.
An older Spesh Enduro (2006 model)?
My S works is respectable at climbing. I'd never say it was good uphill but it's not too bad. My local hill is around 1600ft climbing with an average gradient of 13.5% and OK on that
Downhill wise I've ridden several DH courses here in NZ on it (Rotorua, Long Gully, Coronet Peak) and the bike can handle way more than I can.
Build it light with a DHX air and 36 TALAS or burly with 66's and a DHX coil
Mate if you can go a bit more buck look out for a deal on a santa cruz heckler on here and ebay. Jack of all trades and one of the guys who rides in are group is a downhill himself and he swears it's like a mini downhill bike on the trails.
There popping up for around 1500 for a faily good build but make sure it's a 07 on wards with the new geo and back end ok Buddy.
Bat.
my reccomendation would be an enduro sl. They are fantastic climbers for a 6 inch travel bike and if you go for the 08 model the E150 fork is sorted too. It's not an out and out downhill bike but mine has coped withe everything from uplifts in the alps/pyrenees, and I regularly ride stuff like the matador at innerleithen and Stile Cop DH runs in staffs. i've also used it for 6 hr all day xc rides and it can do it all. Don't worry too much about the spec, the comp, expert, etc all have the same fork and shock, so go for the one in the best condition and then upgrade the bits as you go. They're a real second hand bargain imho Plenty on ebay around the £1200 mark.
not mine
thanks for the recommendations guys!
Does anyone know much about the trek fuel's capability? seen a few go for good prices on ebay and like the look/spec of them. I know they have only got 120mm of rear travel but this should be more than enough for trail centres and the like, it should also make them a bit more fun for the uphills.
The only thing i'm worrying about is if it is going to fall apart if i take it on some mild DH stuff with it being a more xc orientated bike. (think table tops/small ish drops etc etc) I know they will all be doable on the bike- its just if its going to break it or not.
James
if you can find a good second hand ornage 5 then get it !!!! its perfect for trail centres all round mtb really.. its more than cape-able ! trust me.....bought mine just short of a year ago and ride it loads... trails, uphill, downhills,moorland, mud ice -shite the lot ..lol ...dam gud bike,,,...
Is a Pitch too much bike for your needs?
Orange 5 is a great all rounder. It would do you very well. I now have Blur 4x which is also very good all rounder but would probably buy a 5 if starting from blank sheet. Just a good fun bike.
EDIT if you can find a good nick Blur 4x then worth a look too.
second the heckler - it climbs well and storms downhill. you can pick em up cheap too if you go for the older models.
Jambo off here used his Orange 5 at Gawton during the summer (or was it winter?) and said it was ace fun. They can handle the pressure so long as you're not the type of rider that does silly high drops to flat or anything. The Fuel EX is a light frame. Just bought one last week from here and weighed it - 6 pounds with shock, uber-long QR and seat clamp. I'd stick with Orange 5 or maybe go for a 'dale Prophet, especially the MX frame with the 12mm rear axle and warranty for 160mm forks.
Does anyone know much about the trek fuel's capability?
Yep, in short great bike, amazing climber, good all-rounder.