My Canyon Spectral ex8. 8)

This may not be the most stealthy stealth ad.

Giant anthem 650b

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Scott-Genius-750-Mountain-Bike-2016-Full-Suspension-MTB_83714.htm

Just a tiny bit more –
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Rocky-Mountain-Altitude-730-MSL-Mountain-Bike-2016-Full-Suspension-MTB_87934.htm

I little bit more travel but just got a 2016 cube stereo race 140 on CRC for just over €1500 with a 10% British Cycling discount code. Saving about 43% iirc. Great spec.

Boardman Pro FS, plus a stealth dropper and you will still have change.

Whyte’s if you can find one in stock.

Vitus escarpe is what I plumped for and I don’t regret that at all.

Save a little more and get a bird aeris.

Not going to get a duff bike whatever you choose from the above really.

That new Marin Hawk Hill looks good to me.

Boardman fs pro would be a great choice to fit your description. Whyte t-130 also probably a good fit and they look great / have good reviews. Not sure how much the latter costs though. Boardman has pikes though

Reference the whytes and others in general look closely at different year’s models. There are plenty of cheap older models out but they are usually when the geometry has changed a lot. The whytes went a lot longer this year for example.

trance

Where and what are you riding i.e. if you were planning FOD (trail centres) I’d get an anthem sx
https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s183p6917/GIANT-ANTHEM-SX-27-5-2-2016

The standard anthem rips, so this would be more than capable for verderers.

Bit bigger stuff then the trance ^ is more than capable

It’s a shame you’ve ruled out a 29er as this 140/140 YT Jeffsy is a hell of a lot of bike for the dosh(around £1400 Delivered).

YT Jeffsy AL

I wouldnt say adding 160mm is an “upgrade” for a Trance as it’ll hamper climbing abilities, it just depends on what you want.

I couldn’t recommend the Trance enough though and I ride exactly where you are, plus ‘gnarly’ places like Lakes/Snowdonia/Highlands etc.

Mate has a T130 carbon and thats also a very good bike, I enjoy riding that too so I suspect the alu version is also good.

I couldn’t recommend the Trance enough though and I ride exactly where you are, plus ‘gnarly’ places like Lakes/Snowdonia/Highlands etc.

Mate has a T130 carbon and thats also a very good bike, I enjoy riding that too so I suspect the alu version is also good.

I have the 2015 trance sx and that has dual position 160-140 pikes. thats always an option for an upgrade.

+1 for a trance

I’ve got a Boardman Pro Fs from the model before the one you’d be looking at. So 2×10 and Revelations instead of 1×11 and pikes. Upped the fork travel to 150mm with a longer air leg. I use it for general trail stuff like the XC/ DH routes at Cwmcarn/ Ashton Court / Adan, plus done a couple of uplift days at Bike Park Wales and Flyup 417. Been good so far apart from a few creaks. After a year and a bit I’ve just replaced some of the suspension bearings and all good again.

One of the new Bird Aeris 145’s. All their builds spec the more expensive parts where it makes a difference when riding rather than in the showroom. Nicely aggressive geometry for descending and climbing. Fantastic customer service. If there’s one to meet your budget then I’d struggle to look elsewhere.