[Closed] What British bike?

Are you wanting a British brand, or a bike (frame) made in Britain? That may narrow your search somewhat.

No experience of the others but Whyte and Cotic both have very helpful warranty depts if that's any use to you.
The British brand I would avoid on that count is Pace but they aren't on your shortlist anyway.

I’d go 29er personally - it’s faster and slightly more comfy on the majority of trails. I was all over 27.5” but decided to try 29er in December and I don’t really see a downside to it. Love my Sentinel 2022 alloy - the thing is happy to manual / pop it’s way down the trail even with 160mm/150mm travel.

Out of your list I was planning on getting an Aether 9 having been on an Aether 7 (which I loved) but the 27.5” fork dying. Seemed like the time to try 29er. Bird ate great and have a very good warranty and fb owners page.

You could add the Nukeproof Reactor 290 to that list too - I think they’re designed in Belfast - although obviously the frame is from the Far East.

Out of your list only Orange definitely weld the frame in the UK. I think a limited number of Cotic bikes are welded in the UK but most Jehts will be Taiwan.

Airdrop have been around a while and are meant to be decent - although I don’t like the 2 tone nature of the paint on the Filter - but that’s done to personal choice.

On that last point I think the majority of the Whyte full suss bikes are gopping.

You could add coal or starling to your list…

Personally at 6.2/3 I just love 29rs.

Had a whyte 905 which was amazing but the full suss whytes I have tried I didn’t love. Airdrop I’ve always had a soft spot for. Previously owned a bird but it didn’t pedal brilliantly for tame trails and was quite suited to downhill rather than my general riding. Newer version may be a bit friendlier for all round riding.

I'm not expecting a UK handmade frame unless I go Orange or Starling, I thought Cotic might, but as mentioned above they will be be Taiwan built.
I'm slightly worried about weight, but I realise I'll be lucky to get a bike as light as my current 5 as everything is bigger now.

Shand? My shand is about as british as you can make it. Ok I hit the options list hard and ended up above your budget but I think you could get a shand within your budget. Hardtails only

the frame was welded up about 20 miles from me, most of the components are uk or EU made with a few US bits. Nothing japanese ( well probably the tubeset and some of the other metals that were turned into stuff)

Privateer 141

Clandestine combe, love mine.

I'm 175cm and have recently bought a 29er Cotic FlareMax. Early days yet but glad I didn't buy 27.5"
Weight wise I noticed in this mouths STW that it weighs the same as a £6k Giant Trance carbon.

https://www.btr-fabrications.com/

Take your pick.

Curtis are probably worth looking at, the website isn't particularly up to date but just imagine anything listed can be built in whatever wheel size you want. Insta account may be better for a more up to date idea of what they're doing.

I'd pick the Cotic Jeht. Some of them are British made, but there's a premium. They have a long list of customisations, or you could ask them not to supply something (saddle/tyres) if they didn't do what you want.

There's also Stanton which are UK designed of course, and some of their hardtail frames are available UK-built as an option. Not sure if the same applies to the full sus bike.

Sonder are a UK brand too, and do some pretty good value builds, worth a look.

There’s also Swarf but think you might struggle a bit with your budget.

I would try and demo as it's a big jump in geometry from an '09 five to any of those on your list. Bird have some demo sites so give them a call to see if you can demo one or two.
Aether 9 would be a good match potentially.

That Clandestine Combe looks interesting. I work in fatigue testing and also make the odd frame as a hobby - there are some really neat and well thought out details that should make that a very durable frame.

I've just bought a UK framed Jeht. Premium for UK made is about £300 so I went for the cheaper Advent groupset to balance it out. I can change that when it wears out

I've been a Cotic fanboy since a mate got a Soul with a bonus when they first came out.

The pay off for having a properly built in the UK frame is lower grade kit at a specific price, as you've found with the Orange.

I went from a 2009 5, to 2014 5 29, 2017 Segment and now 2020 Stage 5 (as the Segment frame was replaced under warranty) so have a decent grasp over how their bikes have evolved. The Stage is the best by a mile, it really is sorted and makes the 2009 feel like a noodly mess. Don't get hung up on the weight as my Stage is a better bike uphill, downhill and flat than the 5 (or 5 29) as the geometry and fork/shock development matters more than the weight. If you like your current bike then I'd defo recommend you seriously look at another Orange, even if the price has gone a little naughty these days.

Wheel wise the sensible money goes on 29" but 27.5" bikes are certainly a little more lively so horses for courses I reckon.

Should have a Hope HB160 frame, wheels and brakes on a couple of months when I get the HB916 frame.

Might be worth looking at an Airdrop Filter too.

Edit. Just seen it’s already on your list. I blame sleep deprivation (dog related).

In the time-old tradition of recommending what you've got, Privateer will be worth adding to the list too, Taiwan frame but british brand. I made a similar jump from a 2013 Five29 to a 141 and love it, great value too.

Plenty to think about!
27.5, I think that it might be between an Aether 7, Airdrop Filter
29 between an Aether 9/9c, or a Jeht.

For some reason, the one that made me think 'That looks nice' is the Airdrop, although I normally like a brighter colour, my 5 is Apple green.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Sticking within your budget I’d go for something like that airdrop filter if you’re stuck on 27.5, looks a decent bike and spec. If you’re willing to go 29 the privateer 141 is what I would buy, not quite as good value as they were a few months back but still decent in comparison to the bigger brands and a well sorted spec.

I totally recommend the 9c because that's the one I own and I love it, plus I've not ridden any of the others or even seen them in real life 😉

But the Aether 9/9c and Jeht (and the 141) have some different looking geo for the back end and BB drop, and also somewhat where reach and seat tube length intersect. They'll be a bit different for fit and feel so worth considering and doing a demo.

I went from 26" to 29" when I bought the 9c. I'm a convert - the big wheels are revelation for the rutted and rooty bridleways I mostly ride. Go for it!

Best thing you can do is go and ride as many as possible. All of those brands will do a demo in some form or another, and you might find that you're surprised! There used to be big, multi brand demo days every now and then, is that still a thing?

For example, I thought I wanted the Rocket, but ended up with a Rocket Max after a demo day. Had a go on a Bird/Orange/Santa Cruz, but kept coming back to the Rocket Max.

I've had a few issues (wheels/shock/frame recall) all of which have been solved really really quickly and fairly by Cotic. They're just great.

Swinley Forest is a couple of hours drive for me (Kent), so I could possibly get a test on the Bird, but not sure about the others.

Benos, don't suppose you've had your 9c on the scales?

Heart still says 27.5, head says 29, but this is having ridden neither!

Benos, don’t suppose you’ve had your 9c on the scales?

The 9C frame is about 300grams lighter than the 9A frame from what I’ve read as I was thinking about getting one of them (but neither were in stock at the time I had cash to buy sadly).

With a Pike / light ish wheels / decent kit you should be able to get a build around the 30lb Mark.

Just demo an Orange 29er.

Your last one has managed 13 years so I'd guess you've had the 'value' from it.

But under the recommend what you ride, go Cotic and talk with them about ordering a British-built frame from their next batch of Flare/Jeht/Rocket Max's.

which I really like the look of, but they’re a brand I haven’t heard of.

I had a V1 Airdrop Edit and it was a very solid bike, no complaints at all. I'd have another.

im currently on an Orange 5 29, which i love.

My next frame will either be an up to date Orange, or a Cotic Jeht.

Im 6'4" so 29er works brilliantly for me.
I cant see me wanting anything other than a 150mm mid balanced trail bike these days

I've just moved from a 26" Cotic BFe hardtail to an Airdrop Edit V4!

I had a test ride of a Whyte T-160 (29er) but decided that the wheelsize didn't actually make any noticeable difference. I did notice the increased weight but after checking around I decided that the extra weight (compared to my hardtail) was just about unavoidable.

In the end I chose the Airdrop Edit V4 because it had a good specification for the price and was a British brand.

I've had it just over a month and it's a brilliant bike. I've ridden it locally, in my favourite woods, and I took it to FlyUp417 bike park last week. It seems to cope well with everything - which is what I want :o)

I am very happy with my choice. It's a bit heavier (plus 1.5kgs) but it's such a nice bike to ride that I can forgive that. It's 27.5" wheels but I really don't think you can 'feel' the difference.

That Clandestine Combe is rather neat. 110mm all steel linkage driven single pivot 27.5 with 140mm fork, modern geometry and lots of space for storage.

Luckily I detailed that all in a post a while back 🙂 It was about 13.85kg in 'website spec' without pedals. The tyres are EXO casing, which I forgot to mention.
singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/aether-9-curious/#post-11991351

There wasn't much available to ride in early 2021, but as well as demoing the Aether 9c around Swinley I took a Whyte T130 out around Bedgebury hired from Quench Cycles. Not the ideal comparison, but enough to give me a flavour of 27.5 vs 29.

I see no one's mentioned the Deviate Highlander so yet, so I will even though they're serious money! Bird, Cotic and Privateer look like decent companies making great bikes at good prices. I've always loved Orange too but they don't do short seat tubes. My medium 9c has a 395mm seat tube and 455mm reach, which is great for my short-leg + long-torso 5'8.

I can't really comment on the what British brand question as I scratched that itch a few years ago with a Cotic Soul (2004 ish) and Orange Five (2006 ish). From there I went onto a 2010 Yeti ASR5 as I was doing less big trips (Wales, Scotland, Spain) and wanted something a bit more suited to my local riding (Swinley, bridleways, so short travel) and last year went back to Spesh (2020 Stumpy 29er). On the wheel size conundrum I'd say go 29er - I held off for years as I'm short (5'6") and was worried they'd be too big but I was wrong!

They aren't as spritely as a smaller wheel but they are very nice to ride. I still can't get round the Swinley purple as fast as I did on the Yeti but speed is less important to me these days, the Yeti was built to race, and the Stumpy is more comfortable and probably more fun. I'm about 5 minutes slower round the purple (~2 hour ride including there/back) but I feel a lot less beaten up (which is a good and a bad thing!). I could probably speed up with some lighter tyres but meh.

Sounds like your riding is similar to mine, I was a bit torn about going back to longer travel for such tame trails and in hindsight I might have gone for a shorter travel bike like the Epic, but overall I love the bike so am happy, and am happy with the wheel size.

TL&DR - go short travel 29er but importantly ride some first if you can.

You probably know this but Bird are just up the road from Swinley and were apparently originally built based on that kind of riding, so could be a good choice for you.

To address a few of your points...

27 or 29? - Yes bigger wheels are the better bet, and they can still be fun - it depends on the suspension really. Orange bikes are really lively and fast, but not as planted as a Cotic or Starling.

Weight - Orange are the standout here, they are really light. But again the trade-off is they can be a bit pingy (and costly obvs).

Spec - There aren't many really good value bikes any more, look at Vitus or Nukeproof maybe - if you count them as British. Privateer are great if you don't mind a heavy bike. Orange are really bad value as full builds, would not recommend (and I'm something of a fanboy).

Finally, have you considered a used bike? Because I might have just the thing for you, selling my Stage 6...
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3309448/

I reckon I’d go for an Orange again if it was me. I loved my 2012 Alpine 160 and would get another, newer version (probably some for of 5) in a shot.

Based on nothing other than the fact Ed is a top bloke I think you should get an Airdrop

Think I'm leaning more towards the Aether 9. Looks like the 9C won't be available for the foreseeable future, but I can spec better components on the 9A with the cost saving. Should be able to get a Pike Ultimate, Super Deluxe Ultimate and Hope/DT XM481 wheels for my budget.

Got a Cotic Jeht March last year and absolutely love it. Wanted an all-rounder that could do anything in the UK. Have ridden Lake District fells, Highland wilderness and silly natural off-piste stuff all over and it was great.

Albeit my criteria was slightly different...I wanted a British steel frame.

Can't comment on ride quality of other brands mentioned here, that is obviously more important. I have ridden Stanton and Cotic, really impressed with both. Maybe look for a demo somewhere?

Other British made frames I can think of are Swarf and Coal Bikes.

Other British made frames I can think of are Swarf and Coal Bikes.

Rå
Carbon wasp
Dawley (FS is in proto stage)
Curtis

All pretty pricy though (Dawley would be in budget, but is a hardtail)

I had orange segment, then a stage 4 - I much preferred the stage 4 on the trails.  I then sold the stage 4 and bought a british (Scottish ) build Cotic Jeht frame -  with a hope and cane creek build.  I have to say I absolutely love it.  Although I liked both Oranges the long shot geometry and feel of the Jeht just feels much better and way more confidence inspiring on the steeps and just more enjoyable and natural to ride.

Think I’m leaning more towards the Aether 9. Looks like the 9C won’t be available for the foreseeable future, but I can spec better components on the 9A with the cost saving. Should be able to get a Pike Ultimate, Super Deluxe Ultimate and Hope/DT XM481 wheels for my budget

I got an Aether 9 last year and absolutely love it. The ability to spec it how I wanted (though obvious constraints around availability) was great. It's a burlier build than you indicate, I've ended up with Lyrik Ultimate, Deluxe Ultimate, Deore 4pots, a mix of SLX/XT groupset, DT Swiss M1900 and some chunky Maxxis rubber (Minion/Dissector)for under £3,400. Pedals really really well, and with some lighter tyres would make for a great all-day natural trail bike.

Bird were also excellent to deal with when I had any queries or requested to make changes to the spec.

Great thread, OP. Loads of companies and bikes that I wasn't aware of before. Thanks!

Since you're keen on the A9, I echo what DougD said about Bird being excellent to deal with, and the benefit of their customisation options, even if the frames aren't made in Britain. And while I love my 9c, the 9Al is surely the better value of the two.

I think I'm going to go for the 9a in Ron's Burgundy. I'll spec Pike Ultimates, Superduluxe Ultimate, SLX/XT, Deore M6120 brakes, and the Bird Hope factory wheels.

Thanks for all the suggestions and help!

Just to update, just taken delivery of a Bird Aether 9 in Ron Burgundy. Spent the evening Ivisiframing it, got a couple of things to do on it this evening and will hopefully give it it's maiden ride tomorrow evening!

Very nice.

Not as nice as the Five behind it though 😉

That green was one of the best colours they ever did.

The Five will be my winter bike now, so won't be abandoned!