Would anyone be willing to disclose their secret sources for short travel XC bikes? I can find nowt in size Large. Ideally carbon framed.
Thanks muchley
I got a Spark WC recently from Hargroves.They advertised one in size xs for £4199. (best discounted price I'd seen was £5199) So I mailed them and asked if they ever got one in in a large for that price to let me know. They got one, I bought it. Happy days!
I was chatting to the manager of one LBS who I've known for a long while. He'd a customer waiting for a medium frame FS bike (the shop only had large of that model) so he'd checked the distributor - zilch, nada, zip - they had no more of that model, everyone was out in a shop. He reckoned this was fairly common as bike imports to the UK have dropped by over a million in the last couple of years.
Good luck in your search.
Could that new Decathlon Carbon XC susser fit the bill?
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Anthem-2-29er-Mountain-Bike-2019-XC-Full-Suspension-MTB_200499.htm
I don't work for Tredz but have been pretty happy with a recent bike purchase from them.
Westbrookcycles have very good prices on Scott spark RCs.
Mine turned up this week. But expect to have some sorting to do. All my cables are too long, twinlock not fitted right and grommits from brakes not pushed in flush....and I think I’ve got tubes in and not tubeless setup
Spark RC900 WC from Westbrook, £3899. I thought I got a bargain! They have a Large too.
Got my Spark from here last year, might be worth a look.
https://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/mtb-fs-sale.php#usestorage
Thanks for the suggestions folks, sadly I’ve a terrible affliction of short arms and deep pockets, meaning 10% discounts won’t cut it... back in the “good” old days, end of season sales would be in the region of 30%.
I’m with Whitestone - it looks like there are less bikes (and therefore bargains) out there.
But lots to ponder 🤔
...although there are some good deals to be had at Westbrook after all. Time to break open the piggy bank
Might be parting with a Trek Top Fuel 9.8 in size 18.5 - 2018 model.
I see what you mean. Paul's still has lots of ~40% discounts but for 2018 or 2017 models....
My lbs, velocity 44 in stirling is selling a carbon anthem 29er 2 in medium for 1499, so 1k off rrp.
You need to visit in store though.
They are also doing some stonking deals on road bikes, Such as a propel advanced 2 for 999!
Sunset MTB usually have some decent discounts and are great to deal with.
...... and usually offer 10% more off over the sale price.
I recently (June) bought a Rocky Mountain Element from Paul's Cycles (easy to deal with BTW). Its a great XC bike with a touch more potential than most in the same category I'd say...but its a bit too much XC for me so its up for sale on Pinkbike.
Other than that, Start Fitness and Westbrook cycles had some other brands in.
As johnnystorm says..
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/xc-900s-full-suspension-carbon-mountain-bike-29-id_8545706.html
At £1699 you'd be daft not to consider it.
Classifieds?
Pinkbike?
Trouble is that with the exchange rate shifting 25% over the last 3 years and a similar slide since 2008 trying to sell bikes in the Uk is simply a lot less profitable to the big brands.
Back in 2006 when it was >$2 to £1 manufacturers could flood the market and have stock left over and still make a profit selling them as buying power in the Uk was so strong.
Back then you could buy a superbike, but often magazine bike of the year tests topped out at £2-£2.5k, because that's where your specialized enduro pro, or Turner rfx with Xt was priced!
These days you won't get >20% off last year's bikes because next year's prices are going up again, so you're pricing against those.
I'm waiting for November. Either brexit won't happen, the £ will rebound and bikes will get cheaper. Or brexit will happen and bikes will be unaffordable anyway!