+1 for the Titus El Guapo
http://www.on-one.co.uk/news/products/q/date/2011/11/10/titus2012
I post this every time one of these threads pops up.
Read the mostly American customer reviews online-all give it 5 out of 5 and the magazines all agreed it was top notch too.Now they are less than half the original price.Perhaps not niche and expensive enough for STW now….

I’m trying to get my brother to push the button on the el guapo. Absolute steal. Mtbr is full of positive reviews.

For me, it would be a very hard choice between the Dune and Covert

Ibis mojo HD? pedals uphill well, goes downhill very well, quite light weight for 160mm. Mine weighs 29lb with fox 36 forks, dt swiss ex 5.1 rims, and other not particularly light weight bits.

Will take up to 180mm forks if you feel the need.

Black here too, heres mine near Ladybower

The new Saracen Ariels look well nice 🙂

I like my covert but not fully tested its capabilities yet. I came off a Meta 5.5 which I loved – such a fun bike. Still getting used to the covert but overall it seems very versatile.

As said above its not too expensive compared to the competition and a very good all round bike for someone who enjoys riding everything and maybe does the odd DH day or alpine holiday. The 2012 has 12mm rear which is probably worth getting over the 2011 version. I also like the new blue colour.

Not an rare as they used to be, seem to be the in bike at the mo!

sweet – yeah i like the Orange but as you say 12mm rear on 2012 is prob worth it – And by the time i come to buy it most uk stockists will have the 2012 model – however may find a few bargains on 2011 as im sure most will be flogging 2011’s of cheap to get rid etc..

They list the weight as 7.74 lbs / 3.51 kg (Medium Frame With Rear Shock) i need medium – this is comparable with most in this bracket and the odd pound here or there is not going to make a big difference to me – I’ll just go for a big you know what to shed a couple of pounds before a weekend cycle 🙂 (I’bb be running 36 fox – prob floats) and either xo or xtr and new hope tech evo m4’s) Im not fussed if its 29,30,31,32,33,34 lbs

I have a 10mm but have changed my axle last night to bolt 10mm solid axle bolt through (thanks halo) which hopefully will be good enough. TBH I think the back end feels stable, but I did it to alleviate my 12mm 2012 jealousy..

As I said mines 34.5lbs but with less gnarr wheels and floats it would be lighter. The reverb doesn’t help either.

the reverb is a must though! I have a joplin and love it and hear the reverb is MUCH better – Plus the hydraulicness is cool – Much better than cables – and I hear the play in the head of the post is almost non-existent – joplin has alot of play

Alpine 160. Just ranked as Dirt’s ultimate best 160mm descender, plus it will climb anything fine and prove reliable for UK year-round riding. Got that ace min-dh feel, but still goes all day if you’re reasonably fit. Coverts are nice and might be slightly lighter, but I’d still have the Alpine any day. No idea about your third option, but I’d still go Alpine.

The third option was the Dune RR Frame and Fork:

The reverb is very good, mega impressed so far. It gets lots of use with me on it as an little bit of pedalling is hard work for such a bloater so I whack it up and down every few seconds. It has actually done wonders for my fitness as It gives me no excuse to stop and put my saddle up, thereby having a chat and a long rest…

I agree – the lack of getting of and ajusting the QR is a thing of the past for me! We all did Afan not long ago and mates were jumping on and off all day – I however hit the remote on the bard and am away! Love the dropper posts! The new stealth Reveb looks awesome! Shame only for Scott and Trek so far – Wont be long! The rest will follow!

Remote on the Bard – Is yours a shakespeare one? 😀
Stealth? Is this the cable in the frame one? V good idea.. Or have the cable on the bottom collar rather than up on the seat clamp area.

Ha – indeed! what what what 🙂

Stealth Reveb is indeed cable in frame!

Review Here! well read down a bit and they have a cutaway shot to show how it works etc.

thanks ask1974

Tamed Earth – Seems like just the job! A proper Transition bikes specialist!

Im in Portsmouth so not to far at all to be fair! I’ll prob leave demo until after xmas now as will prob wanna ride the 2012 model –

Thanks for info

Have you looked at the new Norco Sight (140mm)/ Range (160mm) models? I’ve not ridden them but they look similar to the Fluid LT that I have at the moment and its grand. Dont think they do a frame only option though if thats what you wanted?

The only other advise I have is buy the one that rides best and looks nicest. Thats how i’ve got all my bikes and its worked a treat 😛

Ant at tamed earth was VERY helpful – they are about 30 mins away from my local spot and i will be testing the Covert VERY soon! Service is great they are coming to me!