Short travel (dare I say down country) recommendations

I tried some higher bars etc but come to the conclusion the bike is just too short.

on a better note, that means bike shopping!! Going to visit YT next weekend and go from there.

I have an Ibis Ripley v3 LS and wouldn’t change it.  Good for 30-40 milers with a full-on DH run half way run and some enduro trails.  OK I’ve put a 140 air shaft in, -1 angleset and bigger front tyre (2.6) but yeah, climbs like a goat and isn’t heavy

I woild

like a Ripley but can’t afford one. Have seen one I could actually afford but it’s through bikeinn and not sure how I feel about them!

Merlin have some discounted Ripleys. Still slightly outside your original budget. The ride position on mine was fairly good, although never had it set up as tall at the front as my Stage Evo.

I wouldn’t touch a Epic with a Brain (clunk). The Evo models have a decently long feeling cockpit but slack seat tube and low front. People are saying the same about the version 8, which makes sense as the stack is very similar and seat angle only 0.5 degrees steeper.

Well I’ve been away for a week, but I might as well chip in with my usual recommendation for the Orange Stage Evo.

It’s really such a good bike, so fast and fun and lighter than you might think.