[Closed] Which bike would you buy ?

I’ve gotta say, those Sonder’s are lovely. Had a look at them at the Keswick store, the wife had to drag me out before I bought another bike I don’t really need.

Slight hijack. How come the Ti signal is so much cheaper than the broken road?

Radon bikes are superb value and ride really well.

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/radon-skeen-trail-8.0-799303

To help the search, what do you need from the new bike that the current Anthem doesn't do?

I'd really go for a hard tail for a long distance xc bike. Rear lock outs are nice and all but I've never found them to truly go solid, still get a lot of energy waisted bouncing up and down.

I love my Whyte 901 (2015), I have sram x9 2x10 crankset on mine mind and I don't think you'll find that on the new models but the 2015 model is still available at £1200 (second link)

https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/309993/products/whyte-901-275-plus-hardtail-mountain-bike-2019-petrollime.aspx

the 2015 model

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/282252/products/whyte-901-2015-hardtail-mountain-bike.aspx

Why a 29er though, I understand for a downhill but now an xc bike.

The current Anthem is pretty old and heavy now, it still has a tripple chain ring 🙂 There is no lock out on the rear shock so you either "bob" a lot and waste energy, or pump the shock to over 200psi and it become a bit redundant.

The benefit of the 2018 Anthem over current bike;

1. lighter and faster
2. 1 x 11 set up
3. clutch mech
4. better fox DPS shock
5. better brakes
6. front & rear lock out on the shock
7. Dropper post compatible
8. lighter wheel set and tubeless set up.

Get that then! Anthems are always touted as being one of the most capable all-round XC bikes; why not stick with what you know works?

Why a 29er though, I understand for a downhill but now an xc bike.

Is this a troll ? 🤔 XC bikes are where the 29ers won the war first; DH were Custer's last stand and they're losing it this year. At least for front wheels 😁

You might want to check pauls cycles as they have big discounts on 2018 anthems

For me that’s a head vs heart decision.

The Sonder in Ti is very much the heart decision because, well, Ti! And it looks sweet. It’s a lot of money for a hardtail with a recon fork and nx 11 speed though. I’d want to stretch to a revelation fork on that which puts it out of budget.

The Giant is probably the more sensible decision. And actually it’ll probably be easier on the body on very long off road rides with the cushioning it has. Not sure in terms of weight what the difference is.

Thanks. That's where I saw the bike (Pauls).

Interesting comment about rear lock out not really stopping rear susspension bobing and lost energy. I assumed the Fox rear shocks would pretty much make it similar to a hardtail when locked out ?

It's not really a lockout as such, just massively increased compression damping. Tbh, if you're doing rides that long, surely the forgiving nature of a FS is a benefit rather than a hindrance? It's not like the Giant Maestro is known to be inefficient - it's said to be one of the better designs in terms of reducing pedal bob.

Anthem would be my choice. Fs well be more efficient when there's any buzz and yeah not totally locked out but if you are it up right it practically is unless you hit a big thing e.g. when you forget to unlock it at the top of a hill.
Can't see any real advantage in a ti hartail

I really need to proof read posts.

Fs will be more efficient when there’s any trail buzz and yeah not totally locked out but if you set it up right it practically is unless you hit a big thing

Is more like what I meant.