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Hi Guys
Just got back from the mountain of hell and my 2008 Commencal MiniDH is now pretty much dead, although I could save a load of bits off it, I think it is time enter the world of tapered headtubes and 142 spacing, and part out the good bits off the commie.
So I am looking for a new bike, budget isn't massive about 2.5K, ideally looking at 160mm travel but might be tempted by a 150. Riding wise its mainly trail riding, a few gravity enduro races and the odd alp trip.
I am off on some test rides soon, but below is the short list so far, but any advice experiences would be great!
Commencal Meta SX - really like the look of this, pretty much the new version of my minidh which I loved, bit weighty though.
Commencal Meta AM - upgraded with 36's for a bit more travel at the front and a bit lighter than the SX, but not so burly.
Spicy - can't afford the carbon so the alu one is about the same weight as the Meta.
Orange 5 AM - upgraded to 36's on the front, simple easy to work on, more practical for most UK riding?
YT Wicked 160 LTD - lovely bits, Bos etc bit of a wait for one and no chance to test ride.
Open to other options, not bought a new bike for so long not sure what to go for!
Cheers and sorry for the long post!
Cotic Rocket looks good?
Mind, for the cash, you can't beat a Cannyon...
budget isn't massive about 2.5K
LOL no not massive at all.... 🙄
Stumpjumper FSR evo?
Transition Covert would tick all your boxes. Always loved the look of the the Commencal MiniDH - bet it was a hoot to ride.
Canyon Strive
Nukeproof Mega's are on sale (and they were cheap to begin with) - £700ish for Frame. Possibly not enough of a trail bike for you.
Covert frame would be £1,200ish - do you have enough parts/budget to build it for £2,500 ?
Canyon's are interesting, Covert's I do really like, issue is the minidh is old, so would be looking at new tapered forks, headset, bottom bracket, new wheelset, about the only thing I would really be taking across would be the renthal bars, stem, dropper post (depending on seatpost sizing) and brakes. So once you have added all that up, you might as well buy a complete bike and sell any bits you don't need.
Anyone know of any demo canyon's around anywhere? they look good but its a lot of money to me, and would prefer to ride before I buy.
MRanger - minidh frame might be in the classifieds soon 🙂 new DU bushings and it should be ok for a few more years, was just a great fun bike, hence the meta's on my list!
Rocket looks cool, I'm loving my Pitch so I'd recomend whatever the current Spesh enduro is.
See if you can test ride a Lapierre Spicy - I've got a Wicked 150 and it's very similar to the Zesty in terms of angles and suspension layout. Obviously spec is going to be slightly different but it should give you a good idea of whether it'll work for you.
Alpine 160, I love mine and it's supposed to ride better than the Five AM. Also after 2 weeks in Morzine I've discovered that they're actually pretty quiet compared to my friends Five, 224 and my 2007 Patriot were. Climb pretty well to.
Tom Kp
Saracen Ariel?
I have the 140mm model, it has a tapered head tube, 142mm dropouts and will take a longer fork (although i havent felt the need yet)....heavier than most but its been bombproof so far....they do a dedicated 160mm model now.
I would be tempted by this discounted Trek Slash, possibly with a wheel upgrade and a reverb...
[url= http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/125367.html ]http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/125367.html[/url]
Or I'd build up a cheap Mega frame with some nice stuff.
I would be very interested to hear how you find your test rides. Especially on the Commies as I have not commie dlr anywhere near me... I'm in the same boat new bike wise, with the following short list
Meta AM/SX (prob a custom build with Lyriks and XT brakes)
Trek Remedy/Slash
Covert
Spicy
Hoping to test trek and lapierre from Boneshakers, who I would like to buy from cos they're a great shop.
Not found a Transition dlr near me yet.
[b]unklehomered [/b]- Are you in Harrogate? Transition dealer in Leeds (CrossTrax) and Hope (18 Bikes) where I got mine.
deviant - had a look at the ariel, nice looking bike, can't seem to find any weights on the 143 or 162, do you happen to know what yours weighs?
I'm in Nidderdale. Ahhh, I'd thought Crosstrax did them, but their website seemed to say otherwise... (though it did temp me with an TransAm, but nothing more). Cheers to you Sir!
CrossTrax definitely did them last year and 18 bikes has a demo last year too.
@mrflaky - you can put standard forks into a Covert (or anything else) with the right headset, so if your currnt forks are fine just re-use them.
Hello, Im from Crosstrax and yes definitely do Transition, got a mint new demo bike too and carbon on order.
Also selling last years demo frame. which was heli-taped so not badly scratched.
@jambalaya - my forks are fine, Fox 36's talas, just put new seals in them before the race, but they are getting on a bit (2006 I think)so time for an update, also the steerer is very short so doubt it would fit any other frame 🙂
hmmmm... what size is it? And do you do demo days at all? I shall be touch in due course anyway as you're pretty accessible for me
Cheers!
old demo is a medium in white, the new one is metallic blue, and just let us know when you want to take it (so to speak)
Go for some test rides, I rode the Covert and it's been a slippery but happy slope to ownership ... the forks will fit fine btw, exactly what I transferred over (appreciate the steerer might be a bit short if you've cut them down and the attractiveness of new bling ..)
Cools, alas I'm 6ft 3ish but I may have a little play just to get a feel for it. Think the two people I know with one both have smalls so its still a closer fit 😉
It's fun round Stainburn, or Gisburn 🙂
Do you dig about Stainburn at all #suspects actually knows you#
EDIT: and apologies to flaky, hijacking your thread a bit right here...
I'd go Orange - Five AM, or more likely Alpine 160. Mint all-rounders, perfect for hassle-free UK riding and the odd gravity trip abroad.
not dug there for a while, but did a lot of work at Thackley.
No worries about the thread hijack!
Sancho - got any more details, pics etc of your demo you are flogging?
Ill see about emailing some pics to you and details
cheers mate, pics and info would be good!
Check out Devinci Dixon too. Almost bought a covert but got a deal on a Dixon frame from Freeborn and glad I did. Run it with Fox 36s and wouldn't change it.
Mega frames can be had very cheap at the moment!
https://twelve50bikes.com/shop/NukeProof-Mega-AM-Frame-2012---Rockshox-Monarch---Black/120
Under £600 in yellow!
Very good slack trail/AM bike, can be built with 150mm forks but really comes alive with some bigger forks, loving mine with Lyrik RC2DH, everything from quick blasts, Peak all dayers and mini DH sessions.
Mate has a Commencal Meta AM with Lyriks and he loves it too, some reasonable frame prices at the moment.
I have an Alpine 160 and think it is brilliant, but in the spirit of not just plugging our own bikes the Covert is a really nice bike for the money, and Transition seem to have Turner/Ibis customer service attitudes (ie. will do what they can to look after you). Make Santa Cruz look over-priced.
I've ridden a covert (mates) and it's brilliant. I far prefer it to the orange 5 I demoed.
I ride a 160mm 2010 (new style) spec enduro with 36 vans on the front, insane bike, awesome at flattering my lack of skills!
Look at Orange Alpines and also spec's new stumpjumper evo in 150mm, which seams to be getting rave reviews everywhere at the moment, but yes, demo everything you can!!
Buy once, buy right 🙂
+1 for Canyon strive
If your near Elland,west yorks you can come and have a try on mine.
You wont get a demo unless you go to Germany where they make em
Awesome bike
i like the covert and Mega's too
selling my strive frame set if ur interested , its on ebay
You wont get a demo unless you go to Germany where they make em
They had a demo stand at Tignes this year. Free as well for a couple of hours.
Alpine 160 gets my vote. The free ride pack is a worthy upgrade. Otherwise this is all the bike you'll ever made-and it's hand made in Halifax.
[img]http://<img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6919235776_2b8e49b0c6.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="IMG_0906">[/img]
Just goes to show how important a demo is...
I've ridden a covert (mates) and it's brilliant. I far prefer it to the orange 5 I demoed.
I tested both and chose the Five. It felt a little more responsive, climbed better and I just felt it would be more suited to my style of riding. That said I loved the Covert and have my eye on the new carbon version. OP, from your opening post it sounds like the Covert would be ideal but do try a few others if you can.
I ride with a pal who has a nice new Alpine 160. It's a lovely looking bike and he's really enjoying riding it. One thing we have noticed though is if you are riding technical rocky trails like many of the lakeland passes then the rear mech and disc are very unprotected.
cheers for all the replies guys, got a weekend at the in-laws coming up but getting a load of demo rides booked in for the weekend after, so far have the following to play about on:
Orange 5
Meta AM
Spicy
Spesh Enduro
Happy Days!
Take that little bit of extra time to dial the shock and fork in, makes the world of difference!!