My son wants to resume riding with me so it’s the perfect excuse for N+1.
I already have a 2106 Smuggler with a 150mm fork. An SBG Smuggler would be perfect for the riding we do, but was thinking on getting a bike with more travel for those BPW days, it will also help to equalise the climbing pace when riding with him, as I’m fitter (for now).
We ride Surrey Hills and a couple of weekends at BPW, only blues with him. I’d then use the longer travel biker for BPW when I go with friends (been using the Smuggler fine) and we do reds and blues (might also do a trip to the Alps with it).
I have narrowed it to this list as at work we only get C2W with Evans, and I can get a good deal on a Ripmo AF:
– Kona Process 153, alu, SX and Yari
– Kona Process DL, alu, NX and Lyrik RC (+£500)
– Norco Sight A1, alu, GX and Lyrik (+£500)
– Ripmo NX, alu, NX Dvo Diamond and coil! (+£750)
– Norco Sight C2, carbon, SLX and Fox 36 Elite (+£1000)
– Norco Sight C1, carbon, X0 and Lyrik (+£1600)
– Process CD/DL, carbon, X0 and Lyrik (+£1900)
I love how the Ripmo looks, plus I’ve always been coil curious, but the Process and Sight get great reviews too and seem a good value with the C2W scheme…so would like to ask for STW opinions.
(Demoing doesn’t seem an option)