Value trail/Enduro bikes

My earlier post didn’t seem to make it up?

Got the email about the on one bikes and saw the comments about Nukeproof. These look interesting.

Are there any brands out there like Vitus/Nukeproof that are offering good Enduro/trail bikes based on value? They always seemed to do well in tests without the marketing price of more expensive Treks, Specialized and so on.

Looking for something under 3k. Bought a Whyte s150 a couple of years back I either need to service/replace/upgrade some components or think about replacing it.

Want something I can drag up big hills that will help me survive (even enjoy) steeper downhills. Got an xc full suss as well for long days.

Sonder but for some reason the mullet puts me off. Bird are a bit expensive…

Obvious choice is Calibre Bossnut.

Calibre Bossnut currently for sale at £999 (that’s £701 off!)

If you fit a large: https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes/mountain-bikes/rocky-mountain-instinct-a50-trail-mountain-bike-orangeblue__13154

Ok it’s a touch over £3k, but a really great riding bike, banging spec and still current geometry:

https://www.blazingbikes.co.uk/index.php/trek-slash-9-8-xt-2023-mountain-bike-matte-juniper.html

Just a bit short on seatpost insertion, so bear that in mind.

You ought to ask me what price I’d do my druid frame and forks for if you wanted a change. #stealthad

Orange still had some cheap full builds in the sale when I last looked, especially when you add the 20% code.

I wouldn’t compare many other brands with Nukeproof who were the own brand for a massive multinational.

Bird are awesome value for money & come with second to none customer support. I suspect you could spec something nice for £3k.

Looking for something under 3k. Bought a Whyte s150 a couple of years back I either need to service/replace/upgrade some components or think about replacing it.

Surely the “best value” would be to give a bit of TLC to your current bike?

Previous Gen Trek Slash (Gen 5, not the Gen 6 with high pivot and more travel) – I find it climbs and pedals superbly for such a relatively burly bike to be honest. It has a sort of AM/LT trail bike feel to it compared to the newer 180mm travel Enduro bikes. I have no problem doing big pedally days on it, and it also has the benefit of being a confidence compensator compared to my old 130/140 bike.

Your personal opinion of Trek needs to come into this I suppose, but if you can get a discounted one they’re very good.

Still a few Ripmo AF’s knocking around for £2Kish – excellent bikes for the money. Had mine for a couple of years now and don’t plan on changing it anytime soon.

saracen ariel 60 should be on the list https://www.saracen.co.uk/collections/offers/products/ariel-60-elite-black-large-sample-used

Bird bikes are still a great brand to buy

can build the spec to your needs

lots of good bikes in their inventory

 Bought a Whyte s150 a couple of years back I either need to service/replace/upgrade some components or think about replacing it.

My take, as intheborders says, would be to upgrade what you have. Fit some top-spec forks and wheels/tyres maybe, sort out any worn bearings etc and you’ll end up with a much nicer ride than you’d get with a new, lower-spec, budget bike, particularly if you do the work yourself.

If the Whyte doesn’t do what you want even with uprated bits then fair enough, but if you can simply service / upgrade then it seems like a no-brainer to me, especially as the market still seems to be awash with affordable bits if you’re prepared to shop clever.

2023 Stumpjumper Evo Comp for £3k

Loads of Spesh Status’ around for less than budget

Don’t turn your nose up at Spesh, they make decent bikes

https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/bikes/full-suspension-mountain-bikes/specialized-stumpjumper-evo-comp-mountain-bike-2023-satin-harvest-goldmidnight-shadow__402551

+1 on do up what you have – that’s a decent bike.

That said, I’ve just moved on from my 8+ year old Marin as it needed too much doing. Second hand is *the* way to get a bargain at present.

I think these Marin’s look good if you want to go full enduro

https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/bikes/mountain-bikes/marin-alpine-trail-xr-29-mountain-bike-2023-in-blue__33477?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=735967004

But I’d fix up what you’ve got, based on what you’re saying it just needs a decent service. Maybe put an angleset in it if you want to slacken it a bit and upgrade the fork internals if it’s a lower spec.

The Intense looks interesting.

I do like my current bike but not got much to compare as otherwise I’ve normally ridden more xc bikes. Currently got a lux trail.

I thought about doing up mine but I just don’t think it would be cost effective.

I don’t really have time/desire to do it myself (beyond replacing stuff). Very soon at that point costs mount up.

Wheels, bearings and rebuild on the fork/shock is a lot to throw at a bike. More than I paid for it in all likelihood. It was cheap. Bought to have a bit of fun on through winter but I’ve really enjoyed riding it. I was thinking ride it through to spring and then replace. I also quite fancy a new bike but don’t want to spend the sort of money I would on a nice road or xc bike.

I’d have thought a change of bearings / shock and fork service / new wheels (or just replacement bearings) would be a lot cheaper then a new bike. Say £300 for the suspension service / £150 for bearings (I do them myself so I’m not sure what a shop would charge) and even a new set of wheels for say £400 come to less than £1k.

However, if you want a new bike for the “shinyness”  then go for it. It’s a buyers market out there at the moment – both for new and secondhand bikes.

Ripmo AF £1999 – https://www.merlincycles.com/ibis-ripmo-af-deore-mountain-bike-2023-280117.html?utm_source=PHG&clickref=1101lA2sdG8E&app_clickref=1101lA2sdG8E&source=PHG&utm_medium=Affiliates&utm_campaign=genieshopping

Stumpjumper Evo -£2999 – https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/bikes/full-suspension-mountain-bikes/specialized-stumpjumper-evo-comp-carbon-mountain-bike-2024-satin-doppiosand__402550?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=96323-5106&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD_XKbe_gedcAMCKFHN-2ToFjFZ7h&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn4So3oGdigMVfzgGAB0CiirqEAQYAiABEgKnsfD_BwE

Loads of other stuff lurking around if they have your size

Last Gen Slash

Alloy Transition Sentinel GX / NX

£500 over budget – but fancy frame – Santa Cruz Hightower

Santa Cruz Hightower Carbon C – R Kit

Calibre Bossnut. Those bikes punch so much higher than a bike their price should.

https://www.uprisebikes.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/gt-force-carbon-elite-full-suspension-mountain-bike–tan__86679

I posted this on another thread the other day – carbon, 170mm, ok spec, £2k. I’m trying to resist because it’s more bike than I need.

YT Capra or Jeffsy, depending on where you want to be on the Enduro/Trail spectrum

Don’t know if any of these are still available

If you are looking for the best value and are XL I have a brand new Ripmo AF going for significantly less than the £2k they are available for elsewhere.

Fwiw, I bloody love my Ripmo AF. And not just because I don’t have to look at it when I’m riding it(but that does help)
It’s an energetic puppy of a bike that nicely blurs the line between enduro and trail.
A mate has one of the equivalent Birds, AM9 maybe? And really likes that too

Tbh though, second hand barely used bikes are such a steal at the mo it would be hard to look past one.