Target price as close to £2500 as you can get.

Asking for a friend, I’ve not been in the market for a new bike for a long time. I have a HT and Enduro – so my knowledge of this particular flavour is limited.

I have noticed that weight of bikes has been creeping up recently so “light” should potentially be added to the specs.

FS Trail bike is the name of the game tho.

Could you assist your friend in buying a high-quality secondhand bike?

For example – I have a nice Orange Stage 6 for sale, well under budget. 150mm travel but feels like a bit less and very light & fun.

With the price increases for new bikes, I’m a bit stumped for a light option at that price.

Norco Optic is decent, if he fits a medium then Tredz have a decent one for sale https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Norco-Optic-C3-29-Mountain-Bike-2021-Trail-Full-Suspension-MTB_238981.htm

Trek fuel ex9.8 full carbon, bars, frame, rear triangle, wheels.

Light, fast epic.

It’s not quite £2500 and not quite new. Bit damn close lol

@weeksy you can’t be selling the Trek already!

To the op – that Optic above probably can’t be beaten at that price. Decent carbon front triangle, decent spec, decent shock and decent geometry.

You can remove ‘light’ from your list of requirements if buying new at £2500.

Things that may come close to budget:

Bird Aether 9a
Nukeproof reactor 290 alloy
Vitus Escarpe 29
Sonder Cortex / Evol 29

If weeksy is genuinely selling his barely used Fuel Ex for £2500 and it’s the right size I’d snap his arm off for it though.

Hey woah, I never said it was £2500 lol. I said it wasn’t quite £2500.

Oh don’t be a spoilsport. It’d be perfect for his needs.

@weeksy yeah don’t be a spoil sport – you’d be helping out a fellow rider and giving him something pretty light for the price 🤣

The optic would be better, just not sure about Uk support. Dh shock, fast riding up and down. Can handle a bit of park riding. They ride great. On the C3 later just upgrade the flexy stock wheels.

I said it wasn’t quite £2500.

Sold for £2400!

What a deal.

On the C3 later just upgrade the flexy stock wheels.

Stans Flow?

Yeah S1. Maybe they will be fine if a light, smooth rider.

Ta. I’d have recommended the norco but he’ll be a size large frame.

That Bird Aether looks pretty damn spanky.

Bird are a really good uk company to deal with too. I had the 650b Aether as my last bike and loved it. If they’d been I stock at the time I’d have got the Aether 9 but ended up with something more like a Bird AM9 in the end on impulse from a local bike shop (also an ace bike – but nearer enduro than trail).

Trek Fuel Ex 5 is close to that price I think. Looks like a good starting place for upgrades.
Mate picked up a 2019 Ex 9.8 for £1700 last month off eBay.

https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/bikes/mountain-bikes/ex-demo-trek-fuel-ex-98-mens-full-suspension-mountain-bike-large-2020-in-miami-green__31811

That’s mine… apart from a front chainguide (one-up) and a pair of DHRs. The bike is awesome and light as anything. As others will have seen though, i had my head turned a bit at BPW last week with the Specialized Status and that’s what i’d go for if i sold this one. The Trek was bought as a fast Enduro race bike, but the Enduro racing got canned, so i’d be happy going to something a bit slacker and heavier again.

I wouldn’t go less than £2800 though.

According to my scales its 13.01kg.

The Trek was bought as a fast Enduro race bike, but the Enduro racing got canned, so i’d be happy going to something a bit slacker and heavier again.

FFS just ride the bike you own.

FFS just ride the bike you own.

I do… in the past week i’ve been to FoD, Afan, and BPW, along with local riding, what’s your point caller ?

Recommend your own bike time…

Sonder Evol.

GX version is £2700 though but NX, Deore, etc also available. I’ve enjoyed riding it in the Peaks and around Thetford so it’s not a one-trick pony.