I am looking to build the best bike I can for 1500. (I am new ish to mtb)
I am convinced that over last 10/15 years there are areas of bike where tech evolution has made a massive difference (I.e forks) and others where tech evolution has made less difference.
Are there and frame sets (full sus) where the geometry and materials still stand toe to toe with today's framesets.
Figuring that if get an older frame that is still great I will have more money for forks, suspension, wheels etc etc.
Thanks
I’d rather have a fairly basic modern bike than even the most top end of ten year old bikes. There is little that hasn’t improved significantly and geometry is a big one
I am convinced that over last 10/15 years there are areas of bike where tech evolution has made a massive difference (I.e forks) and others where tech evolution has made less difference.
Evolution? Nah, deliberate re-baselining of standards to try and head off backwards compatibility and nudge people towards buying a new bike...
A more recent bike should have noticeably more stable handling (IMO) due to geometry tweaks, but you don't actually miss what you never had...
If you opt for a decade or older frame you are likely to bump up against some delightful compatibility issue, more than likely Headset, axle or wheel size caused...
I've got a ~5/6 year old Stumpy Evo frame, I'd not recommend going much older personally, especially if you want to fit more modern parts: i.e. I'm fine with a 12x142 hub, but boost is currently superseding that so hub options will eventually dry up, and things like the proprietary shock just make it non-futureproof by default, I like the bike, it's a 29er so tyres won't be an issue, I'm happy with cheap parts, I'll still probably keep it until it's at least a decade old, but I don't expect it to be a sought after "classic"...
Are there and frame sets (full sus) where the geometry and materials still stand toe to toe with today’s framesets.
Orange Fives haven’t changed much over the years?
[\halfjoking]
More seriously, I still love my 2014 5010 as much as I always have, despite having newer bikes in the garage.
But realistically, everything has changed for the better since then, save for maybe pedal axles.
£1500 should get you a decent more modern full bike though, although you’ve stumbled across some of the worst conditions in which to buy a s/h bike.
My 2014 Trek Remedy can still cut it with the best. With an angleset and a shock angle bushing and going up a size for length, anyway. Can get 190mm of dropper post in it despite being a size "over", suspension is still godly. Funny, it wasn't especially cutting edge or exciting when new. I'd add some length and tweak the seattube so it can take a longer dropper but that's it.
Five 29 sort of sits in the same camp. But for bigger bikes especially it's the increase in reach and wheelbase that's been really important over the last few years and you can't really finagle an old frame for that. Lots of stuff that's otherwise really good, like Alpines and Patriots, feel short now if you jump on them.
It doesn't help you but Orange 224 Evos have also become weirdly timeless. The suspension design is horrible (falling rate in the end of the travel) but it was horrible when it was new, it's not got any worse... and you can fit a 1.5 headset for angle reducing straight into the frame if you remove the original angle adjuster tube/eccentric. The 17, which was considered a big bike in its day, makes for a reasonable medium by today's standards. And 26er dh parts are cheap. I really can't justify having a dh bike except that I'm only into the thing for only about £900 (with ccdb, saint and boxxer teams) and it is bloody good fun, and really easy to ride- no acclimatisation period like there is with a lot of dh bikes, it just rides like a massive stupid version of a normal bike.
Many thanks. And yes. It is amazing how 10 year old bikes are being advertised at only half of what they were new. Thanks
Thanks everyone. Looks like between built in obselesence and technology I wilk stick to finding a modern bike.
Thanks again
And yes. It is amazing how 10 year old bikes are being advertised at only half of what they were new.
Only half? I’d expect a 10 year old bike to be selling at 15-20% of its new price, if it was in really good nick.
15% is perhaps wildly optimistic of the buyer.
Depends on it's condition, a 10 year old bike is more likely than most to have spent at least some of it's life being abused and not maintained. But Covid has made a mockery of used bike prices.
Depends how much you're prepared to DIY and what you can live with, but £1500 could rapidly become £2500 if the suspension needs a service (likely), various new bearings, pivot bearings, drivechain parts etc. At which point you've just spent £2500 on a 10 year old bike that cost £3000 when new.
I would look at bikes like the Callibre Bossnut, Vitus Mythique, etc and ask yourself is a 10 year old bike with knackered parts really better than new entry level kit and a warranty?
Going off the topic a little but the Calibre Bossnuts are in that price range new, no idea of availability though.
https://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/full-suspension-bikes/calibre-bossnut
(Edit: Ha, just noticed thisisnotaspoon had juicy mentioned the Bossnut!😃)
It doesn’t help you but Orange 224 Evos have also become weirdly timeless.
I came here to mention the 224 Evo. I sold mine probably 6 years ago, I reckon I'd still be perfectly happy with it now. It certainly wouldn't be holding me back any.
All my other yesteryear bikes would probably be quite disappointing, with the notable exception of the Morewood Ndiza st. It was tiny and twitchy as hell, but it was supposed to be that way and it was an absolute riot to chuck around.
God, I miss that Ndiza.
I've had bikes in the past that I really loved including some mentioned above and you couldn't pay me to ride any of them now. Nostalgia is a hell of a drug.
It is amazing how 10 year old bikes are being advertised at only half of what they were new
They were probably half price 18 months after they were new. Any more and it's the buyer trying it on/struggling to let go.
My Liteville 301 is coming up for 8yrs old still on 26” but debating about changing forks and rims to 650b. Still rides brilliantly
I finally went 29 a couple of years ago and thought that was me all up to date, had been struggling to get some parts for my 26s which made me do it.
Turns out QR rear wheels and straight forks aren't a thing any more and I still struggled!
Straight 1 1/8 forks haven't been a thing for a long time. I have however just put together a 2012 framed hardtail 29er and used QR disc hubs which were easy enough to get.
There are Stiller hubs on the internet. There unfortunately aren't any QR 29 rear wheels in any bike shops in Fort william the day before a race.
Same problem I had with 26 tyres, plenty available on the internet, but nothing in LBSs (not XC ones anyway, a DH ones around) for emergency replacements that I need there and then.
There are still QR hubs on the internet. There unfortunately aren't any QR 29 rear wheels in any bike shops in Fort william the day before a race.
Same problem I had with 26 tyres, plenty available on the internet, but nothing in LBSs (not XC ones anyway, a DH ones around) for emergency replacements that I need there and then.
16 months ago I moved from “well thought of at the time” (2009 era blur 4x, uturn coil lyrics, 1x11, reverb etc) to “bargain basement but modern geometry” (calibre sentry, paid £1800 for a lls 29er with half decent components, yari, nx etc)
The difference is night and day. Stable, faster,safer,climbs better despite being heavier,easier to ride. At 50 years old I immediately rode stuff I hadn’t dared in the past.
The old bike is still in the shed if you want to test your theory! I’ll even let it go for less than £1500😂
In the MTB world, dirt jump bike geometry probably remains the most similar now to what it was 10 years ago.
(Road is a different story completely of course, I'd have no quibbles about riding a racy road bike with 10 or 20 year old geo)
Rubber_Buccaneer
Full Member
I’d rather have a fairly basic modern bike than even the most top end of ten year old bikes. There is little that hasn’t improved significantly and geometry is a big one
Id agree. My Jeffsy is bounds ahead my my hemlock and on paper has worse components (even taking into account the shorter travel)
Except for the brakes...but SRAM brakes are just awful anyway
If you’re looking for a decent hard tail that’s got good geometry and acceptable kit then one suggest the new Merida or the much overlooked Calibre Line 29.
If i were looking to spend £1500 on a 2nd hand bike id look at completes from around 4 years ago
Being only 4 years old it should have most of the current standards and if been looked after it should be good for a few more years
This 2017 Carbon Transition Patrol went for £1775
As with anything 2nd hand always factor in some extra money just in case you find something does need replacing