What have you got and would recommend?

Max budget £2500 new or used. Cheaper would be better!

Looking at probably a max 130mm or so.

Happy T-130 owner here, but you want 29″ so:

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/2643/products/whyte-s-150-s-full-suspension-mountain-bike-2018-blueorange.aspx?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=W18S150S3L&istCompanyId=505701c8-6037-4e2d-b475-92f8405328d3&istFeedId=a3ae2ba7-074e-49e9-a06d-6f852075e3a8&istItemId=ixlwwiqpi&istBid=t&gclid=CjwKCAiArJjvBRACEiwA-Wiqq68opyUUrZSrXmiM7cfhj2DAAUSbwFnN3newFvOINWMctgtz3ZTYBRoCplUQAvD_BwE

http://www.irvinecycles.co.uk/saracen-traverse-elite-large-bike-rrp-2999-ours-1999.html

Really hapy with my 2019 Marin Rift Zone 3. I noticed the 2020 Rift Zone falls in your budget.

Anyone ridden the Whyte 120?

https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/320862/products/whyte-s-120c-r-29er-mountain-bike-2019-silver.aspx?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=WS120CR3LV1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAz53vBRCpARIsAPPsz8VGmHfCM569A8ztLhZr8quoaopWTdnyAx9qKMTeR0SsCM7dSd9LmYQaAsXFEALw_wcB

Just bought the wife the Whyte S120 and I must admit I am a bit envious of her now!
Bang on for your budget, looks to be the ideal trail bike that can do it all.

https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/320862/products/whyte-s-120c-r-29er-mountain-bike-2019-silver.aspx

What sort of riding do you do? New Norco Optic looks brilliant, but it’s definitely at the hardcore end of the scale.

I wouldn’t have fancied that Whyte a-120 at full cost with the spec on it – but at the discounted price that looks superb for a carbon framed 29er – the revelation has a charger (ish) damper in it so should be pretty good and everything else is functional (if not light). Would be very tempted with that.

Might be worth looking at that Sonder Cortex 29er – colours are a bit limited but it’s meant to also be pretty good.

Vitus Mythique was back in stock this weekend – looks decent value.

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/vitus-mythique-29-vrx-bike-sx-eagle-1×12-2020/

It’s for a mix of light woodland trails and longer distance XC over the South Downs.

Happy with my 2019 Norco Fluid FS1 – the 2020 model is now out at Evans and under your budget Norco Fluid FS1

Slightly longer fork, but worth considering. Pretty well-specced 12spd Shimano etc.

https://www.orbea.com/gb-en/bicycles/mountain/occam/cat/occam-h20

You could probably stretch to the H10 with discount.

Nukeproof Reactor 290 comp might come in on budget if can get a discount too.

That Orbea looks quite smartly specced.

Will you be demo-ing bikes? There’s a big difference in ride feel on short-ish travel bikes, I’ve found.

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I’m selling most of a 2017 Pivot Mach 429 SL for £1500-£1800 dependant on what kit is attached (you’d def need wheels though)

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Another Norco FS1 rider here, also on the South Downs. Mine is 140f 120r. Mate has a Trance 2 29er 130/115 very similar both very capable all rounders.

Stumpjumper of some sort?

From a brief googling:

2019 Stumpy ST for about half your stated budget, but the specs a bit Meh, you could spend the remainder on upgrades?

Stumpy Comp Carbon 29 almost bang on budget, Carbon frame, pretty solid spec, more travel than you wanted…

Or take your pick from several of the Sonder Cortex builds that fall in your budget…

Hi,

A bit of resurrection of a thread 🙂

But…

Any live experience of Sonder Cortex? At the moment looking like most keenly priced frames only version that should accept most of stuff from my retired, 6 years old T-129S…

Cheers!
I.

Loving my Cortex, non standard spec though, running a 140mm Lyric and -2 degree angleset, climbs and descends well, jumps well and good for long rides too. Chopped in my V2 Airdrop Edit to build it, no regrets so far, running a 2.6 Magic Mary on the front and a 2.4 Goma on the rear.

No one suggested the Cotic FlareMax? The older frame is £500 off at the mo

Not ridden the Cortex, but I’ve been umming and ahhing about a FS for ages, and I think the Norco Optic is now top of the list.

Thanks submarined!

Orange stage 4?

2.4K at start fitness atm.

Radon Slide – I bought the more expensive one but the cheaper one is still great value..

@stuf I tried the flare max, and whilst it’s a lovely bike, I’ve not missed anything it offered since buying my Norfco Fluid FS1. I’d say, for the value, the Norco is hard to beat. I’ve upgraded the wheels to Hunt Trail Wides as the stock ones are a bit portly but other than that there’s nowt wrong with it.