I’ve been pondering taking another foray in to the world of full suspension. Generally ride steel HT’s and I’m currently on a rigid Stooge Dirtbomb. The bomb has been fantastic and the right bike for getting me back out riding and starting to get in to shape after long covid.
I’d love to keep the Dirtbomb and get another bike to compliment it. Unfortunately not an option due to space and financial constraints. Want to get back in to riding quicker and back around the Peaks and local loops. I’d normally go for a steel HT but getting older and most of them seem to be long, low, slack so not ideal for just bimbling about with the kids.
I’d be looking at used and budget of about £2k to £2.5k at the most. Any advice on bikes to look out for is appreciated. Still a whimsical thought process at this stage as I do love the Stooge and it’s also the first bike I’ve built up myself.
Worth adding that I’m no riding god and spend most of my time with wheels on the ground. Majority of riding will be around Macc Forest, Marple and Peaks. Occasional trips further afield and lots of time just pootling about with the kids on bridleways and canal towpaths
Jeffsy? Should be a few around for that sort of money. Pedals well and pretty capable on the gnarr.
Look nice but don’t think I need that much travel tbh. I’d class 150 as entering long travel territory. Probably out of step with what is deemed mid. I’ve always found between 120 and 140 to be a sweet spot for me. Don’t think I ride anywhere or have the skill level to warrant more.
Flaremax. Obviously!
As a recent purchaser of a first LLS bike (Bird aether 9c), coming from a very traditional geometry 26" 2009 Turner Flux, I would not be too stressed about the LLS concept making it unsuitable for bimbling. A 29er LLS frame with a steep seat angle too is not at all head down arse up, the very opposite in fact. Mine bimbles just fine when the mood takes me.
Alternatively, if you have no need of the latest geometry something like my Flux could be bought for buttons second hand as it does not pass muster for the fashion police.
Flare Max is way out of theoretical budget. Had a normal Flare for a short period and was pretty underwhelmed with it. Think it might have been partly down to the x-fusion shock and the seat position always felt sort of off. Not as good as the Stif Morf it replaced.
I’m a bit of a serial swapper so have had some experience of modern geo with a Morf and longshot Soul. Loved the former and just found the latter a bit lacking. Don’t think I had enough time with the Soul to adjust to the bike. I know it’s sacrilege to not love everything Cotic on here. Prefer the bigger wheels overall but not totally averse to the smaller size.
Howdy funkmasterp
I sort of asked a similar question the other day, but my budget is 4K. Might be worth a look at some of the suggested bikes.
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/former-smuggler-owners-what-did-you-buy-next/
I'm selling up my Stumpy Evo and currently have a Fuel EX 8 on order, there'll be a few component upgrades, but 20mm less travel F+R and geometry more suited the singletrack and all day epics I'm more into riding lately.
Warning!!! Unashamed not in the least stealth ad.
Got a Santa Cruz 5010 V2 for sale. Large but sizes up like a modern medium. It’s a 2015 but hardly ridden last couple of years since I bought e bike. Looking for £1750.
Message me if you want any details.
I think the Bird Aether 9 / 9c were contenders if you don’t mind the look.
Nukeproof Reactor 290 is decent - descends like a train but middling travel (think 130mm rear / 140mm front) and a decent price. £2999 for a brand new one at the moment.
Cotic obviously a bit expensive really as would be a stanton full suss.
Orange Stage seems to get good reviews but I wouldn’t want one without a warranty personally. I’ve known a few people with Orange full suss bikes and they’ve all cracked swingarms (I think a 5 and an alpine 160).
On the shorter end you might find a Trek Top Fuel in budget secondhand. It’s not as capable as the ones above as it comes but it’s faster uphill / lighter. You can get a slackset for them which brings the one from a few years ago broadly up to date with the newest Top Fuel which I a bit less XC.
Vitus Escarpe could be in budget - the latest one has a carbon front end and is well specced. More towards the burly end I reckon.