Ok here's the plan.
For various getting old before my time reasons I now need something that is more gentle on the bones than a hardtail. I've got a budget of 'about' a grand and I'm a brand whore.
I've had mainly GT in the past (tequesta then karakoram then Zaskar LE) and currently have a giant XTC which has been brilliant.
I've had a nosey round and i THINK i know what I want, but before I part with my hard earned (or more accurately the banks hard earned) I thought I'd get some other opinions
So, fire away girls and boys!
2009 Anthem X4 850£ 🙂 Not great spec by any means but definitely something worth building on.
Last year's Giants all the way - value and performance
Not fashionable round these parts but I love my Specialized FSR XC Expert which cost about £1100 - can't fault it at all.
What about KHS?
giant trance http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s1p2272
giant anthem http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s1p2274
depend on how much travel you want
if your coming from a hradtail
another short travel bike
rocky mountain element
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=32970
Boardman Team FS?
Now, I love my Spesh bikes, but if I was spending a grand, I'd have a Boardman for sure. Even the £800 one has a stunning specification, and it's a true 4-bar. Serously, go have a look at one.
Giant Trance X4 if you're after a general trail bike. Cracking thing for the money
Boardman Team FS. Great bike. Ignore the neysayers who haven't ridden them. Really really good.
well.... Trance/Anthem was where I was headed based on the complete indestructablity of the XTC. I've treated it in fairness very badly for four years and it just keeps, well, working! ( and yes I will take better care of the full susser)
My LBS has the giants on 0% for three years which is a conributor to choice
HOWEVER thanks for the heads up on the boardmans! I'll have a nosey
Og
Proflex Enduro 768.
Does your LBS have that 0% on last years Giants? Heck do they even carry last years Giants? Or you are thinking of buying a 2010 one?
THey have the 0% on pretty much everything over a few hundred quid,
All terrain cycles, saltaire is the place
Trance X4 for £990 with 36 months 0%?
http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/118720.html
Before posting this thread, this is what I had settled on. If i can get to have a go on a boardman first I will, otherwise, that's the one!
My 2005 rarely used Intense Spider for £1200? Pace RC40 fork, SRAM Avid Juicy 5 brakes, Avid X9 shifters and rear mech, XT f mech and chainset with middleburn rings. Hanbuilt wheels, mavic on Hope XC hubs. Pushed Fox RP2 shock. Hope stem, USE Carbon Atom riser bar, Hope headset. Syncros seatpin and WTB saddle. Can e-mail you some pics if interested.
www.paulscycles.co.uk
bargains galore
anything from Specialized or Giant will get you a decent ride - a bit boring but you only got a grand!
Scores for £1000(ish) full sus bike in MBR test
Boardman Team 7/10
Commencal Combi S 7/10
Giant Trance X5 9/10
Kona One20 Deluxe 6/10
Mongoose Canaan Comp 6/10
Spesh FSRSC Comp 7/10 (Yes! 7 out of 10 for a Specialized 😯 )
Scores for £1000(ish) full sus bike in MBR testplease don't tell me people read that gibberish....... even worse it pains me that people buy a £1000 bike on the strength of a magazine review - yes it does happen!
[i]please don't tell me people read that gibberish[/i]
Every word mate. But don't take any notice of it!
Post was just intended as a guide to what's out there.
This is nice: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/commencal/super-43-2009-mountain-bike-ec017317
1) Something reduced from last season like Trance X3/X4
2) Spesh FSR XC
3) Boardman Pro FS
not in any particular order and there's probably others, if I had a proper look.
DeZB - don't remember that test. What month was that from? Might have to have a read over that one (and then rush out & buy one 😉 )
That Commencal Super 4 tickles my lust glands.
[url= http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/mtb-fs-pro-09-34684 ]Boardman Pro FS[/url]
[url= http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/anthem-x3-09-32593 ]Anthem X3 (£825 from Pauls cycles)[/url]
[url= http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/co ]Boardman Comp FS[/url]
Have a read of the above!
Boardman Team FS for £1k is model between the Pro and Comp,but importantly has the better Monarch rear shock,and Reba forks with Maxle.
Most of the rider feedback on the Boardman bikes has been good,(though less complimentary about service from Halfords).
[i]DeZB - don't remember that test. What month was that from? Might have to have a read over that one (and then rush out & buy one [/i]
June 2009 is the mag on my desk