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[Closed] Trail bike vs enduro bike - which is more fun?

joebristol · 2017-03-12T17:54:58Z

I know the above question is like 'how long is a piece of string' but I'll add some context. I'm currently riding a Boardman Pro Fs - 2014 model. It's the silver one with green decals linked below on the Halfords site. Started at £1599 then was reduced to around £1300 then ludicrously cheap at £950 once then new model was out.I've had the Revelations extended to 150mm travel, gone 1x10 with Sram GX stuff, added a dropper post, got a shorter 50mm stem and 780 rather than 700mm handlebar. Plus some beefier tyres. Changes have made it better downhill but a bit harder uphill - especially with tight switchbacks like at Cwmcarn. I love it, but keep seeing more bling bikes with more travel. Most of my biking has been trails like Cafell and Twych at CC, but last year did uplift days at BPW and Flyup 417. Got me wondering whether I'd have as much fun and be faster on something a little more slack with around 160mm travel, or if it would just make my life a lot harder going uphill. I'm not racing (nor have I got the time), but now I have a young baby I think the occasional uplift day is more on the cards than being able to keep my fitness up enough to enjoy multiple laps of places like CC. I'm now commuting to work on my bike once or twice a week where possible to try and keep a little bit of bike fit, but that's about it between occasional mtb trips. Thinking bikes like the Whyte g160 / Orange alpine 160 etc. Toying with the idea of getting second hand enduro type frame - although I'd prob ideally get some beefier forks like pikes with 160mm travel. Would need a non boost frame to suit my current wheels or change for boost wheels at the same time. Thoughts?

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[i]Almost clicked 'buy' on a set of 160mm rct3 RS Pikes yesterday but held off. Thinking I could stick them on the boardman for now and they'd work on a longer travel bike too. Although it could strain my current frame with 160mm travel forks when it comes standard with 130mm ones (although so far it's been ok with 150mm travel). [/I]

You can reduce/increase travel on a Pike by just swapping out the airspring, they're about £30 and it's about an hour to do (and also will make sure there's enough fluid in the lowers).

Posted : 02/04/2017 6:19 pm

joebristol

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I've got 150mm Revs so maybe 160 isn't a huge jump - but I haven't checked if the pike is longer axle to crown for any given amount of travel as the Revs.

I've got a spare 130mm travel airshaft - wonder if I could swap that back in the Revs and use the 150mm one in any new pikes I purchase?

I've been looking at a 2nd hand 2015 Nukeproof Mega AM 275 frame that's up for sale. Almost tempted - but it needs to come down in price a bit I think.

Posted : 02/04/2017 6:24 pm

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