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As TurnerGuy suggests, you should concider a 5 Spot if you can test one. I have an Iron Horse Mk 3 which is very similar to the 5 Spot :-similar angles and design and the same DW link suspension platform. I really like the way the DW link suspension works and feel it is pretty efficient up hill and a load of fun down, although i have read reviews where some others don't seem to get on with it.
If my Iron Horse ever snaps the 5 spot is top of my list to repace it.
+1 less is more.....I ride a big loop from Westcott, Barry Knows Best, Yoghurt Pots, Telegraph, Summer Lightning and all the bits in between......I do it quick on a 100mm race bike with flat bars and ends, its fantastic fun and in the dry plenty of bike. Add a bit of mud and slippy roots I'd want a bit more up front.
Did I mention how much I love the Surrey Hills? Might head down there this weekend if anyone fancies a fast blast with no jumps or other wheels off the ground idiocy.......gonna be scorchio.
Imo the Anthem is leagues better than the SC
Agreed - I tried a Superlight as I have always fancied one, but it felt really lossy compared to the Giant and Turner on climbs.
You should test ride a 5, among others. If you like it you will really not regret buying one. If you don't like it you won't have lost anything. But I think they are ace. Make sure the shock is set up properly.
You seem to have the same desire I had when I bought my Five-0. You wanna be able to get up hills, in order to go down them!
If so then buy a tough hardtail with a ludicrous great fork, the fork letting you throw it at anything and the unsprung rear keeping it interesting. Forget that rear suspension nonsense. 🙂
I'd be on the Yeti ASR5 if I was picking.
Have heard nothing but gushing praise for it, it looks mint (as long as it doesn't have gold wheels on it), Yeti build a nice bike, and all the numbers (maybe bar the one on the price tag) look great.
You seem to be more into getting out and getting in the miles, rather than really technical stuff? If you're coming from a 100mm hardtail, i'd say something around the 120-140mm travel mark full suss would be ideal.
I'd go for an ARS5 or a Lapierre Zesty, from my own pootles on other's bikes. and they are both pretty. The anthem is brilliant though, and the 2010's have the requisite thru-axles/tapered steerer malarky which makes them much more rigid, despite shorter travel. (as opposed to buying a second hand bike)
Also, if you've been off the bike for a while, you might want to look over your other riding kit; with winter on the way, a good pair of shoes, and some good quality, comfortable kit such as wicking baselayers, windstopper jacket, new helmet, winter gloves, socks, decent eyewear, etc might soon add up to another few hundred quid- and might make the difference to riding though the winter or not.
Also, if you want a good looking bike, you've got to have the kit to match!? Some may disagree, but it's all about fun in the end, and if it feels nicer and more encouraging to have some natty threads on to get yourself out in the middle on January, it's well worth it.
My last bike purchase was gonna be a 120mm trail bike for riding in the South East mainly with a few trips to more northern/Scottish/Welsh trails a year. Test rode more bikes than I care to remember but ended up buying the 100mm travel AS-R. T'was weird as I had my heart set on a Blur but just couldn't get it to feel right no matter what I did - which is the main reason I ended up riding all sorts.
Best 3 for me were the AS-R, Anthem and Zesty and the worst being the Blur, 5 Spot and 5. On paper, there shouldn't be too much between these but they were poles apart when actually riding them on local trails.
If nothing else I learnt to test as many bikes as you can before throwing a few grand at one - you may surprise yourself.
3k!? Flippin' eck. Are you a Dr/Burglar/Art Dealer/Dreamweaver?
You could probably get a custom frame boshed out for that which is what I think I would do in answer to your original question. Some kind of LTHT piece of art.
Remote droppers are a very good idea, whatever you chuck your money at.
Ransos have you ridden both yet? Imo the Anthem is leagues better than the SC.
No - and thanks for the info. Why do you think it's better?
I have a Trance (old version) at the moment, and whilst it's a lovely bike, I find it a bit laid back for the riding I do.
love the idea of someone saying zzzz to Santa Cruz whilst recommending an Intense, which is a SC rip-off with gopping fiddly tubes and misaligned rear ends....
Might be too small for you but this is an example of the sorts of bargain quality bikes that crop up (£3K bike half price)
http://www.freeborn.co.uk/devinci-2010-hectik-3
Evolution were knocking out similar bargain Yetis but theyve just lost the distribution rights.
I had a Mk1 Nomad (VPP) and hated the pedal interaction on the granny, replaced it with an Alpine 160 (burlier take on the Orange 5). Definitely try get demos and see what bikes or sus designs work for you.
I'd go for an ARS5
You could add this to the "one letter from disaster" thread.
😉
Oh, and which bike would I buy?
Something light with 140mm travel, perhaps with a 150mm RS Rev RLT ti at the front - slack-ish HA.
Possibly a Mondraker Foxy if it fit me right, or the 2012 Stumpy Evo with a fork swap.
Thanks to everyone for their input, please keep it coming. Your comments and opinions are a huge help, it's become apparent that anything around the 120-150mm mark will likely suit my preferences.
I'm fairly curtain that what I'm after is a middle ground from where I am now and where I thought I was heading. What would be interesting to know (from those who have tried them) is which of the longer travel bikes (140/150) compete with shorter travel bikes (120) for general blasting along flat trails and hiking up hill. They're the ones I really want to have a look at because I may be happy to sacrifice a little weight and speed for better control downhill, but only a little!
My shortlist is starting is looking like this;
Lapierre Zesty
Ghost AMR Lector / AMR Plus
IBIS Mojo SL or HD 140
Specialized Stumpjumper
Trek Fuel EX / Remedy
Yeti ASR5, 575 or SB66
Canyon Nerve XC/AM
I'll still take a peep and Orange and SC. I think SC will push my budget a little too far though. Where do I get an opportunity to see a Canyon? they're factory direct from what I can see.
OK you're 16 stone which is faily heavy. I'd say something burly but not OTT. Are you a jumpy kind of person or a wheels on the ground type?
Surrey hills cater for both markets IMHO there is plenty of testing terrain for those with the nuts to take it on.
A Heckler/Nickel would build up into something lovely for 3k so talk to Howard at Pedal and Spoke in Peaslake.
Zesty pedals very well for a 140mm bike and if you're looking at the 514 would be a respectable weight. New geometry on 2012 models and tweaked suspension too.
Might make it the best 140mm on the market, apart from the push-fit BB.
Mojo is also light and pedals well, but suspension feels a bit more neutral/less involving (based on one test ride).
If you're thinking Trek it'd be worth considering the Top Fuel as well as the Fuel, the Top Fuel being a more agressive ride.
By the way, I've a Fuel EX8 and love it to bits so I'd recommend that although I'm liking your shortlist. One of my mates has both an EX9 and a Top Fuel 9 and he reckons the EX is great for all-dayers and the Top Fuel is more for a quick blast.
We spend most of our time just up the road in Swinley.
Have fun test riding all those bikes!!
Not sure if it helps but I've heard lots of good things about canyon bikes and was able to throw my leg over one for a par park bounce once, it felt very nice (was their FR bike). Not sure how you test one.
Another for the mix, how about one of the new ragley FS bikes? The 100m travel one looks ace and would be great for Surrey Hills if it lives up to the hype.
I wonder why the Orange 5 is such a divider of opinion? I mean loads of people swear by them, and then lots of other people hate them. Strange? I have found that shock tune is very important, makes all the difference. Personnaly the only bike I would buy is a new 5, odd.
I love riding Holmbury and Leith on my 575. It doesn't weigh a lot and can still take a beating. To aid climbing though, I'd probably stick a pair of Talas forks on it so you can drop it down a bit for the ups. If I had to choose non Yeti it'd probably be the Zesty, though having never tried one, that's simply based on the fact they look damn nice.
If you don't want to spend the cash for a SC then the Ibis and Yeti are probably out. I see quite a few people on the Canyons, they are all happy with them - the deal breakers for me were the lack of demo bikes and the lead time (I'd sold my old bike).
Nicolai AC - head for the hills in dorking have a test one. Or an ibis mojo (also at HFTH as a test bike though not sure which mojo is their test one).
Where are you using it? Just Surrey? If it's nothing 'burlier', I'd look at something 100-140mm travel otherwise you're just lugging unnecessary weight and slacker 'big hill' angles.
If you can, test test test!
Here goes, Yeti ASR5 for the weekend, can't wait...
The Canyon's are a problem for me for this reasons you note Raindog. No way I'm buying a bike without (a) a test and (b) someone local to call if things start breaking.
Judging by your responses, and ignoring the fact I'm selling one, why not try a Tracer/intense? Even new the frames are at a good price.
In short travel mode it rides like a 120 bike - due to the vpp making the ride firmer than most, plus the head angle is steep than most AM bikes. You'd have a great climber, plus something burly on the way down.
Not sure why you excluded it from your test list btw, unless you have something against the bike, it may be worth you experiencing vpp before you commit. have a look at the Carbine - all carbon- could be right up your street.
Just a thought.
If you're riding the Surrey hills give freeborn a call and ask when they're back doing demos. They're there most sundays with dexter, Dixon some elsworths etc. Also have a word with Quest down in Worthing they've got a demo Whyte T120 in just now and should be getting 146s in soon really helpful shop too. Also pedal and spoke in peaslake have loads of demo Santa cruz's but I think they charge £50 a time for them so maybe test them last?
I tried a load of 120 and 140 bikes recently (2k budget for me) but ordered a T120 just felt "right" pretty much as soon as I tried it. Fuel ex8 was good as were dexter and Dixon, didn't like the stumpy just too slack and bouncy with the brain, thought zesty was too long in the rear could feel it following along behind me and 5 was just a bit heavy too expensive and too on-off for me wanted something more active and it stretched my budget too much for any decent kit. Wanted to try the remedy as I liked the fuel but couldn't find one locally. Overall Whyte was best package for me but if I had your budget I'd be waiting on a 146S just now...
Really enjoying my Helius CC with a 140mm fork. It's all the bike I need for riding everything from trail centres to Lake District passes. It seems to be a true all rounder - it climbs really well and is fun on the way back down but is equally at home on smoother bridleways.
I would have probably bought an ASR5 if I hadn't got a great deal on the Helius CC.
Have ridden a mates Blur LT with a 150mm fork and didn't click with it. It seemed a bit too much bike somehow and also felt too short in the top tube - we're both the same size.
The Five is probably a nice bike but I absolutely hated mine.
The Lapierre(s) are developed in part by a certain 10time champ winner who knows a thing or two about bikes - probably more so than a single-pivot frame from Yorkshire if we are honest huh.
Failing the Lapierre I'd look at the Evo as you mentioned OP.
I reckon I'd get one of those nice browny-orange carbon Trek Remedys 🙂
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My history of bikes, include the 575 heckler gemini (loved that bike) and s-work Enduro 04. 06 and 3x Enduro SL's, last year had a 2011 S-works SJ until the brain rotated on its mount on two frames so swapped that for the 2011 SJ evo.
I went from a 06 Enduro to a 575 and just couldnt get on with it after having an FSR bike before hand really noticed that fsr was great on rooty off camber stuff which showed the failings of the 575. The heckler I bough was great but the reliability of that bearing and the bolts snapping and the bearing seized in the housing. for my height I was exactly in-between sizes and I noticed the wheel base to short and great at long rides but not 'quite' right on the downs. The 3 enduro SL's were superb even the fork which I was able to strip down and rebuild every 3 months to give a plush ride, nice long wheelbase with the perfect headangle. The SJ s-works was my return to a brain bike and though excellent for 95% of my riding the time I wanted it to be better it could be caught out on my circuits of brechfa. So on to the evo, one very solid confident bike, quickly changed the fork to a Revelation WC and it as fast as the 06 enduro DH and with a tweak on the stem and bar suited to my area of Brechfa. I have ridden my mates Zesty and Specialized have done their homework and I find the SJ more sure footed and better when pointed down. The other guy on his Zesty 514 has fitted a coil shock and a 36 fork.
My mistake over the years has not been to test ride bikes. I have been lucky with the Evo though.
If canondale still made the Prophet I would love to compare that to the heckler. The orange 5 has so many good reviews but I've never ridden one.
Bikes that would be on my list. (not that I need to try bikes)
Trance x
Trek Fuel
Transition (can't remember which one)
Cove hustler
Banshee spitfire
I'm always between Santa Cruz sizes.
Have a On-one 456 in size 14" with a kashima Talas 140RLC for my night rides.
Longest post I have ever done.
Just cant ever seeing me liking a mojo as the shape turns me off.
This and swap all your bits over
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-brand-new-lapierre-zesty-514-m-frameset
Although the seller is being a bit optimistic with the pricing IMO.
at this very moment in time..
If I had three grand burning a hole in my pocket.. or even a way to sell my granny for three grand, I would be dropping it straight on a Transition Bandit..
All mountain and efficient climber ? Buy Horas 5-spot frame and build it light for Surrey Hills - can't think why he would want to sell it.
Hard to put my finger on but it feels tall and steep for my taste. Angleset headset in, next is the offset bushes and a lower setting on the Lyriks- converting them to U-turns (cheap fix).
OP I rode (briefly) two Lapierres and they felt lovely- the only issue is new they only come as bike only and I only buy frames ($$ in wallet). This would swing in your favour as you have 3k to drop.
Although the seller is being a bit optimistic with the pricing IMO.
A [i]bit[/i] optimistic?
That's at least £500 overpriced
Carbon 456 is the way I've gone - now trying to get rid of my full susser. I used to ride in Surrey but now live in 'real' mountains in Spain. Hardtails are just so much more 'fun'. I think on-one do complete builds for around £1500 - save the rest for some great trips abroad.
Glad you're making sure you test ride the bikes your thinking about. It really does make a lot of difference. I really didn't get on at all with some bikes that on paper looked great.
Spend some time with the shocks though. A few psi here and a couple of clicks there can make all the difference!
The Canyon's are a problem for me for this reasons you note Raindog. No way I'm buying a bike without (a) a test and (b) someone local to call if things start breaking.
The ride of my Canyon AM6 is very similar to a stumpjumper but I'm sure you'll be able to find someone on here local to you who would let you have a go on theirs. Regarding the warranty it is a bit of a trade off for the cost saving but they do now at least have an UK based support centre.
I never got on with Zesty - super long chainstay's made it feel like a bit of a tanker, and I was inbetween sizes on it. I tried numerous different settings and set ups, but in the end conceded defeat & flogged the frame on.
I ended up on the bike I love to hate, an Orange 5. The Zesty was my first do everything bike, so there was always going to be an element of learning what & not I liked, from soley riding DH prior, I find the 5 suits my riding style.
Sadly it's a bit of a BSO to me, I can't seem to enjoy the whole ownership prospect of it, but it rides well, so I just get on with riding. It's a hell of a lot better with a coil shock on the back though, well worth the weight penalty.
Well, that was an experience to say the least... With all the variety and recommendations I was a little concerned this process would become complicated, but a 32km test ride on the Yeti ASR5 has made things much easier. Quite simply blown away. It was the aluminium frame with 140 forks and here are my notes;
Climbing was better, way better, than my old FSR. I'm quite heavy and there was not the slightest bob with pro pedel engaged, but it rode over and smoothed the ride to the point where I was just picking a line rather than looking for the smoothest route. Brilliant.
Descending. Blimey... Much more confident than ever before and quick too. Got myself into trouble a few times and just rode through it. I was more than happy with the amount of travel.
It was fitted with a Specialized command post which I LOVED, used it all day and will definitely have one. Very good looking in black and frankly is all the bike I need. However will need one or two more test rides to see how the competition stacks up. If there's better to be had for the money then wow!
Thanks for the continued recommendations, I'm looking in to all of them however please no more hard tails... I won't buy one as it's not what I want. Cheers though.
Sounds great. Let us know if you test anything else!
ask1974 - Member
Well, that was an experience to say the least... With all the variety and recommendations I was a little concerned this process would become complicated, but a 32km test ride on the Yeti ASR5 has made things much easier. Quite simply blown away. It was the aluminium frame with 140 forks and here are my notes;Climbing was better, way better, than my old FSR. I'm quite heavy and there was not the slightest bob with pro pedel engaged, but it rode over and smoothed the ride to the point where I was just picking a line rather than looking for the smoothest route. Brilliant.
I went from a 2001 Stumpy FSR to a 2010 Stumpy FSR. You really can't compare the two.
As you say above, I used to always look for the smoothest line to get down things, avoiding roots/rocks/lumps and bumps. Now I just choose the best line and get on with it.
The first one I had didn't have a Brain shock and was fine. Very little bob, it gripped well both up & down and was easy to lock the shock out if needed or open it fully.
That got replaced under warranty with a carbon version (due to a problem with the paint lacquer) and this one has the brain shock. Initially I was a bit non-plussed, but now I absolutely love it. It's set a few clicks from firm and just does the job.
I was over in Wales at the weekend with some friends. One of them has a Kona Coiler and I was hanging onto his back wheel a lot of the time, whereas on the old bike I would have had no chance.
Give one a test ride - or perhaps the EVO.
Only thing is that they might not meet your criteria of looks. I like mine, but it is considered a bit of a 'Ford' bike, even with the bare carbon finish & deep red finishing detail.
You could probably outbid the others and win this:
Transition Bandit? Deals galore on the 2011 stock, including free upgrade to Kashima shock on its first service, which is also free. Could easily get one built up for under £3k.
Tried an Ibis Mojo SL today. Very nice however I prefered the ASR5 last week. Pretty close but the ASR5 just made me want to go further and do more, I climbed quicker on it as well.
Might be too small for you but this is an example of the sorts of bargain quality bikes that crop up (£3K bike half price)
http://www.freeborn.co.uk/devinci-2010-hectik-3
Except when you get it home the geometry won't be anything like that quoted by Devinci.
Most Definitely an Ellsworth epiphany by a country mile....oh look there's one in the classifieds....and it's an amazing spec for a decent price with only one careful mincer for an owner..... 😉
*wanders off nonchalantly*