Looking for a ‘down country’ 120mm ish FS. Seem to be fairly good deals on epic Evos at the moment .

Is there anything else worth looking at between £2000 and £3000?

Reactor ST maybe for around £3k.

At the slightly more trail end of the spectrum with 130/120

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/trance-29-1

Not strictly down country but Canyon Spectral 125 CF7 can be had for £2319 with 6 months 0%

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/mountain-bikes/trail-bikes/spectral-125/cf/spectral-125-cf-7/3426.html?dwvar_3426_pv_rahmenfarbe=SR

I bagged one for £2219 in the last sale, got to say its good, I was in the market for a DC bike but glad I got this instead!

Fairly light, pedals and climbs very well, I’ve set it up with xc tyres on a spare set of wheels for local xc and road loops.

Maybe not as nimble as a down country but I prefer the fact that it has slacker geo to help get you out of trouble when you over cook it, also make it a bit more of a do it all bike.

What about this…

Aether 9C – Imperfect* Paint Clearance special!

The 5010 surely has to be right up there from Stif.

How about a Specialized Epic Evo? Quite a few of us have bought them on sale recently, e.g.:

Yay..New Bike day… Downcountry/Uptrail/whatever…

Certini seem to be a good source, e.g.:

https://www.certini.co.uk/bikes/mountain-bikes/2022-specialized-epic-evo-comp-fsr-mountain-bike–satin-carbonoak__81357

Got to be a contender…

https://www.yt-industries.com/products/bikes/izzo/core-2/550/izzo-29-core-2/

The 5010 surely has to be right up there from Stif.

More trail rather than short-travel if I put a **** marketing label on it, but indeed that’s where I’d look too. I’m very happy with my current bike though.

Good ideas gents.. thanks so much. The 140-160mm thing is too much for me tbh. Want it as a long distance weapon.

Giant Anthem is worth a look, superb for long XC routes, some amazing deals out there as Giant  seem really unpopular currently.

I recently pulled the trigger on the new Canyon Neuron. Top AL mode and it’s fantastic, light for Al and good XT spec

Id say more of a do it all trail bike than tbe spectral 125 and will certainly pedal better as it’s not as crazy slack, the 125 is a mini enduro, not something I’d want to ride all day on. But saying that cracking value nice looking bike.

Lucky enough to have a bigger slacker bike for all the parks and enduro stuff.

Cotic flareMax has £500 off until the end of sept

I don’t think any of the bikes above are 140-160mm travel at the back.

Biggest travel there is 130mm rear / 140mm front.

The Reactor, Spectral 125 and Aether are definitely more ‘trail’ to put a badge on them. But built light they’re pretty fast across ground. 5010 is I think a mullet rather than full 29er – so again more trail than down country – but equally some keen prizes on them at the moment.

The Epic Evo seems to be a really good option at the moment with the prices available. Probably where I’d be looking if I wanted a more cross country type bike (but not racing).

Another budget option is the Sonder Cortex – but that’s alloy.

Reactor ST maybe for around £3k.

Not really downcountry, more trail. It’s a heavy beast.

Only medium and large sizes remaining but this seems pretty good deal and would fit the 120mm category. Upgrade fork and wheels and still within budget?

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes/mountain-bikes/rocky-mountain-element-a10-full-suspension-mountain-bike-2022-black__9113?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=B0213LG91GB&gclid=CjwKCAjwyNSoBhA9EiwA5aYlb5N4ZHTz5bD0T_HQCH2siHLq3_Cc7eFd_xs0gYJWf0g6L5YJaWfyZxoC4vMQAvD_BwE

ariel 30 is pretty good value at £2500 – deore, z2, good geo

Ariel 30

Intense have got some good deals on various Sniper configurations.

Winstanleys will do you a Trance 1 sub 2k: https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/giant-trance-29-1-2022-bike

(2022 model, Fox/SLX).

Do you want “XC downcountry” (120mm front / 110 to 120mm back) or “Light trail” (130mm front, 120mm back)?

Have you seen Tracey’s thread about Evans extra 20% off clearance stuff?

Might be worth trawling their site?

Winstanleys will do you a Trance 1 sub 2k

That looks amazing value. Am I missing something?? I’d be sorely tempted if I had the cash (without resorting to the ‘magic-money card 😂).

That trance is the one my mate has. Brilliant bike especially at that money.

I think I want a down country, 120mm at the front kinda thing. The trance really does appeal though considering how much it costs.

Spectral 125 is great but yes not really one for super long days. One of its limitations I find is only room for a small water bottle. Amazing decsender, mind.

A downcountry should cover ground better and have room for one or even 2 large bottles.

Epic Evo in the sales would be a safe bet then.

I have a Transition Spur built up nice and light and it’s a complete hooligan of an XC bike but was very spendy. I only bought it because I received some inheritance money from an elderly relative who knew I love bikes. Wouldn’t ever typically spank that much cash on a bike.

While the Izzo is 130mm both ends, reviews all say it’s more XC/trail and pedals very well.

Whereas some shorter travel bikes will be heavier and sluggish by comparison. I know ‘cos I’ve owned some like that.

That Trance is a great price, will probably be a really good trail bike. I’d expect the YT to be more sprightly though.