for a middle aged mincer? I'm thinking about replacing my 2016 Nicolai Ion but I'm going around in circles until I disappear up my own arse 😀. I want something that will flatter my limited talent and give me confidence without being a massive travel, leaden enduro bike that will suck all the fun out at my modest speeds.
I think I want something 150-160mm travel out front maybe 140-150mm in the rear. Mullet or 29 both fine so I suppose the ability to switch could be a bonus.
What can you suggest to make my decision even harder?
“I'm thinking about replacing my 2016 Nicolai Ion”
Is that the same as a Geometron?
Yes, exactly the same as back when they were all 27.5
And I should add it is a good bike even nine years later. What I'd like to improve is the weight, wheel size and rear tyre clearance and a little shorter reach than 480mm (which was the smallest size they made at the time!)
My lad certainly enjoys the place on his Commencal Meta SX
My lad certainly enjoys the place on his Commencal Meta SX
Maybe a bit more bike than I'm after, I suspect your lad is younger and faster than me. I am 56 and a bit chicken (Hot Stepper is amongst my favourite BPW trails though)
The way bikes have gone I doubt you’ll be able to save much weight, but I don’t think it matters, especially for uplifts.
Do you like the rest of the geometry and the suspension feel?
Megatower
Do you like the rest of the geometry and the suspension feel?
It's a bit long really but all good otherwise, the low and slack bits with a steep seat angle are all good. Horst link works for me but I'm open to other systems.
Megatower
Yes, but I'd maybe go more for the Bronson. A sound suggestion
but I don’t think it matters, especially for uplifts.
I sort of agree but all else being equal lighter would be nicer. FoD especially I'm only sometimes uplifted
My Gen6 Fuel ex8 must be somewhere there too. I've had it at Dyfi and loved it, FoD is it's bread and butter, slack head angle but neutral handling, it's a very easy bike to ride.
It helps that they can be bought for 1/2 price of a Bronson, maybe eve less.
Probably a bit heavier though.
Maybe a bit more bike than I'm after, I suspect your lad is younger and faster than me.
Yeah, I had a go on that bike and it wasn’t happy unless you were really tanking! He is pretty quick. 😊
Last time I was there I used one of the hire Trek Slashes.. It surprisingly seemed just too … er, mild. Only very slightly better than my Instinct.. so I’d say something beefier than that.
Gen6 Fuel ex8
Am I wrong to discount it because an Orbea has put me off pivots around the axle?
Gen6 Fuel ex8
Am I wrong to discount it because an Orbea has put me off pivots around the axle?
I can't honestly fault it, it does everything nicely. It's got UDH and shares the same rear setup as my Session which is pretty simplistic. In frame storage is nice, as is non knockblock headset. The cable routing internally is fully sleeved..
Can't think of a bad thing to say about it.
140-160mm trail bike is best for all of those. Have ridden my scout and a dh there and the dh is totally unnecessary and actually a bit shite on a lot of the trails.
That said the scout was awesome at antur too.
What is that @prettygreenparrot , an AM.150? I am sort of tempted by an S.150 for less money, less bearings and more seat post insertion. Just a little worried about future spares availability from a small manufacturer. Nice to buy UK made though and reviews are good (but I'm never sure how much personal bias goes into reviews). Companies like Trek, Santa Cruz, Specialized I have some maybe ill placed faith in them being around and having spares for a good few years
Don't bother answering that, I just stalked your posting history. It is in fact called an A.150 😀
Bird Aeris AM seems to tick a lot of those boxes.
Ibis Ripmo?
FWIW I absolutely agree that 160/150 is the sweet spot for that sort of riding.
Bird Aeris AM seems to tick a lot of those boxes.
Second that. Mine's great. Very capable when you need it, feels perky enough uphill / just travelling along.
I bloody love my Ripmo AF for exactly that sort of riding. It's like an excitable puppy of a bike. Cascade link gave it even more pop. A Ripmo carbon is definitely on my list if things I'd like to try.
They're ****ing ugly though, which took me a long time to get past before buying one.
Bird Aeris AM seems to tick a lot of those boxes.
Second that. Mine's great. Very capable when you need it, feels perky enough uphill / just travelling along.
Aeris AM is a good suggestion but out of stock in medium and no indication there will be more
Ripmo is another good shout thanks
They're ****ing ugly though
I think the latest version looks ok
Gen6 Fuel ex8
Am I wrong to discount it because an Orbea has put me off pivots around the axle?
Why does that put you off? Trek & Orbea use a similar suspension platform (along with Devinci & their Split Pivot system) & it’s generally a well mannered platform & works well under braking.
The Fuel EX Gen6 isn’t a bad bike, but it’s let down by it’s ridiculously low stack height, which massively eats into the reach when you have to raise the bars up to a normal height & it’s not got size specific chainstays, which is a let down on the larger sizes.
As a FoD local I’d say an ebike is the best choice, especially considering the proximity to all of S.Wales off piste valley riding. (Not bothered by BPW, it’s not my bag).
Why does that put you off?
It's not the suspension characteristics, on the Orbea the drive side hardware is a little on the fragile side. Aftermarket metal versions of the part are maybe a solution but do I need parts that are of a questionable design if I can avoid them?
The Fuel EX Gen6 isn’t a bad bike, but it’s let down by it’s ridiculously low stack height, which massively eats into the reach when you have to raise the bars up to a normal height & it’s not got size specific chainstays, which is a let down on the larger sizes.
Low stack height is not what I'm looking for but at 5'8" the chain stay length is unlikely to be short for me
As a FoD local I’d say an ebike is the best choice,
Yes and I have one. But I still love riding a regular bike more 🤷♂️
@Rubber_Buccaneer it is indeed an A150. Good stalking!
ibis ripmo v2 and SC Hightower we’re on my list. When I tested the A150 it just felt great so I didn’t test the other two. I’ve ridden friend’s ibis ripmo v1 and it was great. Idk, at that level I don’t think you can get a bad bike. I just figured that a local bike for local people, more or less, was nicer.
S150. Nice call. I almost went S-series but I like symmetry and favored 29” both ends and figured ‘whatever’ on price. Hey, a decade since my last FS 🙂
I’d wondered about an A130 but figured that more is usually better. And with my last bike being 140R/150F this seemed a modest step up. IRL the travel feels so much more!
I was drawn into considering an Atherton after seeing an S170 and whatever A-series bikes they had at Bespoked 2024. They looked very neat. Much nicer IRL than the pictures I’d seen.
+1 for the seatpost insertion. I’m sure some folks are spot on for the insertion the A series offers. The folks at Atherton have been great and I’m swapping out the Fox Transfer for a One-Up to get ~10mm more insertion (ooh er) to drop the extended height just a touch.
Have good fun choosing. But I’d heartily recommend testing an Atherton if you’re curious.
Starling Twist or Murmur would be fun. May not be lighter, though.
I see the charm of the Starling bikes but for this application I'm unlikely to go single pivot especially one without a linkage. I've ridden a lot of suspension designs over the years and will overlook many shortcomings just because something takes my fancy but this time only URT is lower down the list
I've ridden a lot of suspension designs over the years and will overlook many shortcomings just because something takes my fancy but this time only URT is lower down the list
That’s understandable. If you get the opportunity to try one, I’d recommend it.
My Airdrop Edit MX is massively more fun to ride on bikeparks and man made trails than my Geometron ever was.
I didn't build it light but it's still fine for spinning up fire roads and similar.
If I cared about weight I'd look for a Bronson/Nomad but the price would be silly.
The other bike that fits your criteria is the old model Stumpjumper Evo, which is what I’ve got. A great bike and super versatile with all the geometry adjust, just make sure they include the alternate headset cups if you buy one second hand.
Forbidden Druid would suit you very well. Check the reviews.
My other bike is a Druid V2. It's a proper weapon and the glowing reviews are accurate and justified.
But, it's much better suited to trails and enduro stuff than bikeparky jump trails.
The Edit is so much better for slapping berms and hitting jumps.
I'm planning to take the Druid to BPW at some point but I haven't yet.
Second the Airdrop Edit Mx. Lovely lines as well as a great bike. It looks fast just leaning against a fence.
It's getting really hard to buy a bad bike these days so I'm giving more focus to pretty bikes now. For that reading, also consider the Transition bikes. That straight line from rear mech to head tube always makes for a nice bike.
Third the Airdrop.
I’ve never not had fun at BPW, on 140, 160 & 180mm travel bikes.
Full DH bike next.
Going to BPW on a DH bike is what made me sell my last DH bike.
Transition Spire/Sentinel?
I was coming to suggest the Patrol or Sentinel based on how lovely the rear suss is on my Spur. They're certainly on my list to replace the Stage 5.
Saying that, there are some ace deals about on the Orange Stage 6/6evo/7 and they tick plenty of boxes.
Dammit there are so many good options. The Edit MX really appeals with its value, simple maintenance and it looks like it could fall off an uplift trailer, bounce a couple of times and only need dusting off. I'm thinking too much travel for me but maybe...
The Atherton S.150 is the one I keep looking at. The few reviews I've found suggest it works well and it calls to my stupid love of something a bit different. Head says I should go for something mainstream for once but it's only the construction that is different, the actual mechanics are a tried and tested years old system
I’ve never not had fun at BPW, on 140, 160 & 180mm travel bikes.
Full DH bike next.
If I only had a hardtail I'd take that and still have fun, I just wouldn't have the most fun possible in my opinion.
Would love a go on a DH bike just to know what it's like but I wouldn't own one even if they were giving them away as I don't have the space for it to collect dust 😀
...it looks like it could fall off an uplift trailer, bounce a couple of times and only need dusting off.
Haven't tried that with the Edit yet but Privateer a 141 can. Ask me how I know.
DH bikes are undeniably awesome but I can't justify one. There's almost nowhere in the UK that needs one. I'd only buy one again if I lived in the Alps or somewhere similar.
I'm tempted to rent a V10 in Morzine this year just for the experience.
“My Airdrop Edit MX is massively more fun to ride on bikeparks and man made trails than my Geometron ever was.”
This is some useful advice!
One thing I’ve figured out is that I prefer the more natural trails at BPW (and most other places too) and I’m not a big jumper, nor am I great at ripping berms. So I feel something like a Starling with its more compliant frame and linear suspension would suit me better than something stiffer and more progressive.
I don’t have enough time to go fun places so I shall stick with my Moxie and Levo, but I’d try figure out what you find fun about BPW and FoD etc and then let that guide your choice.
An Atherton S150 does look v appealing though!
Head says I should go for something mainstream for once
I tried to do that when I bought my last bike as the Specialized Epic ticked all my boxes but couldn't bring myself to in the end. Just didn't light the fire like the smaller players do for some reason?
I still rate my V2 Druid as one of, if not the best riding bikes I’ve had. However it was on its 3rd rear end when I sold it after 15 months, so I’d struggle to recommend one.
