What bike do I want? Big Trail / Small Enduro…

I’ve got a hankering for a new bike, I have an Orbea Rise & a Bird Aether 7.

I plan to ride the eeb less and get back on a normal bike more. Most of my riding over the last 18 months has been at the Golfie / Tweed Valley with a couple of weeks in Wales & the Alps and various other Scotland adventures.

Next year we hope to do the Tour du Mont Blanc, so hopefully some big alpine descents but plenty of pedalling and climbing (going to the Alps this year too but will probably take the Rise). I have dreams of more mountains which will involve some carrying.

I think I want around 160mm of travel, has to be a reasonable amount more than the Aether I think to make it worth it and a 29er as I think it will cover ground better.

I’ve got demos booked next weekend on a Bird Aeris 9 and the Carbon Aeris AM.

I might go to Comrie and demo a Deviate Highlander, but pretty sure I can’t afford one.

I’ve also considered a Bird AM9, either frame or full bike.

Stumpy Evo looks the sensible choice as they’re so cheap at the moment.

What else would you look at along the same lines?

I cant see past a Stumpy Evo Expert at that price.

I was after something similar and went for a Canyon Strive CFR Underdog on the basis that I get 2 bikes for the price of one, that and an amazing albeit brief sale on the price, which was already pretty good value anyway.
Hasn’t arrived yet so can’t tell you whether it’s any good!

I cant see past a Stumpy Evo Expert at that price.

Yeah my head keeps coming back to the Stumpy but my heart wanders elsewhere 🤣

I might go to Comrie and demo a Deviate Highlander, but pretty sure I can’t afford one.

Only £250 in it for a framset vs. the Aeris AM, both with shocks, if you take the non-UDH Highlander II. Different story I expect for a complete bike as with Bird you can get all the parts at non-retail pricing.

Yeah I’ve just been playing on their site, a nicely specced one comes in at £8k so in theory would be £1.5k less with the ‘23 frame. The Aeris with a similar spec is about £5k I think.

Unfortunately I haven’t got any parts to build a bike from so really want a full bike.

Canyon Strive CFR Underdog

Looks good but I probably wouldn’t get the best out of it, isn’t it a bit of a beast? Or is that just the “Race Bike” marketing?

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I have an Aeris 9 and it’s pretty much ideal for what you describe imo. I’ve had bigger/burlier enduro bikes but for me they only really come into their own when you’re really hammering it, which for me basically just meant fort william and stuff like that, both rocky and burly but also basically straightforward so I can go fast. Anything less haggard, or anything that haggard but slower, the Bird deals with superbly. But at the same time it’s perfectly happy doing trailcentres. A coil fork really helps a big trailbike or little enduro bike punch above its weight

Course, there’ll be loads of other bikes that can say the same- in the end there’s literally only one thing it does much better than my 10 year old trek remedy 29 did, jumps, the basic job of “be a big trailbike” is a fairly straightforward problem to solve I reckon, especially considering everyone copies everyone else’s homework.

Rear suspension is really important I think, and possibly rear centre length, not so sure about that one though. You could ride bikes with identical geo but different suspension in and have a far bigger difference than 2 bikes with the same suspension and pretty big geo differences I think, especially since everyone went so mad for antisquat.

I’d have thought the Aeris AM could be an awesome bike for what you want. The Aeris 9 is fully Enduro I’d say.

Transition Sentinel V2 is in the same kind of ballpark – it’s what I’ve got. I was considering the Aeris AM but they didn’t have stock at the time.

Ibis Ripmo is in a similar ish sort of area too.

For context I had an Aether 7 before the Sentinel – I was running that with a 150mm Lyrik and dhx2 coil shock so was about as aggressive as that bike could get.

Even with a 160mm Lyrik and a fox float x shock the sentinel (alloy v2) blitzed through chunk a lot better. With the cascade link and coil shock it’s an animal – it’s so fast.

I have both an X2 air shock and Kitsuma coil on my carbon version I’ve now got (the carbon frame is a chunk lighter than the alloy one) – it feels more trail with air / more enduro with coil.

Oh yeah – Stumpie Evo too. Heard from a few people the downtube is a bit sensitive to rock strikes – so if you go that way I’d add some extra downtube protective.

I think you mean an AM9 @Northwind? 😜

I have an Aeries 9, it’s definitely more Enduro focused. Despite a similar build to my AM9 it does feel slower when not pointed downhill, the weight penalty over a V1/V2 AM9 is about 500g I think but you do get more stiffness, more travel on the front and 160mm over 150 on the rear.

I’ve had several AM9 and got a lot of enjoyment from them. They are all going to be out of warranty now as a SH buyer unless Bird still have any new XL left and that fits. The V3 takes a longer fork and is about 3.2kg in a ML so not too shabby for alloy.

I’ve got a Stumpy Evo. It’s excellent for Alpine enduro style/big mountain/backcountry riding.

The adjustable geometry is really useful too. I swap it around for what I’m planning on doing.

I have bought a Rockguardz for it. In the low and slack position at bike parks it just eggs me on to go faster, which can lead to the front wheel throwing up some significant rocks.

Specialized are really good build quality and I’ve had excellent warranty service from them too.

What’s in-between trail and enduro bikes? Yep, all-mountain bikes 😀

For what you describe (and as you know I rode the TMB last year), I’d suggest 150mm-ish rear travel could be the sweet spot – perhaps going up to 160mm if you know the frame is light and pedals well (carbon Bird should fit that bill).

My new Orange is 145mm travel (160mm front) and it was awesome in the Highlands the other week.

Have you considerd an Orange ? lots of deals around

Orange Switch 7 Pro Moutain Bike 2023 – Orange

I’m was in the same situation, have an Orbea Rise and wanted to build up another bike for the Alps/ Peaks/ Dales/ Calderdale that would go up and down with relative ease. Ended up with a Highlander II frame only option from Deviate as I had the standard forks and shock off the rise, plus some spare wheels.

Only managed 4 proper rides on it but it goes better than my old Jeffsey, set a few PRs downhill, I like it, handles really well. The downsides are a bit of cable rattle and mud gathering around the linkage but nothing I can’t live with.

I’ve very little experience of FS bikes generally, but love my Aeris AM Carbon, it would fulfill your brief perfectly.

Another Rise (H) owner back on the “normal” bike now the better weather is here (Rise gets used mostly for winter exploring across the Southern Uplands). I went for one of the 2023 Ripmo’s (wanted the UDH just in case) which I am enjoying. Thought it was going to be heavy but it doesn’t ride like the static weight (14Kg).

I plan to ride the eeb less and get back on a normal bike more

Out of interest, aside from the Alps and carrying stuff, why?

Another Rise (H) owner back on the “normal” bike now the better weather is here (Rise gets used mostly for winter exploring across the Southern Uplands).

Same question – out of interest, why?

I ask as someone who’s considering a Rise style eMTB.

rockthreegozy
Free Member

I think you mean an AM9 @Northwind? 😜

Oh god, yes. ****ing incomprehensible Bird bike names 🙂

I’m sure the Strive is me ‘over-biking’ massively but I like the idea of having the option of full-on downhill geometry that changes at the flick of a switch to more uphill / trail orientated – changes rear travel to 140, adds 1.5 degrees to head angle and raises the bb.
Plus it was reduced to £2800 10 days ago, and with cycle to work scheme in addition makes it £1700 all-in…

Out of interest, aside from the Alps and carrying stuff, why?

I took the Aether to Wales a couple of weeks ago and absolutely loved riding it, like laugh out loud enjoyment. The Rise is a “light” e-bike but even then I think mine is around 21kg+ and the difference in riding a 15kg non eeb downhill was great fun.

I’m fitter now than I have been for years, partly because of getting the Rise and riding a lot and having done a fair bit of gravel riding. I’m probably not getting much fitter at this point keeping riding the eeb, pedalling a manual bike will definitely help my fitness though & is less off a grind than it used to be.

The Rise will be staying and it will probably still get a lot of use, at places like the Golfie doing laps up fire road climbs it gets me double the number of runs down. The Rise has also been great for my riding, because it allows more laps and I’m not as burst by the time I get to the top.

I had an Aether 9 and have just moved to a Stumpy Evo. Not a huge jump in travel or geometry, but enough to make a big difference to the ride – the Evo feels like a bigger & more capable bike without actually being one – it’s lighter and feels that way too. Would buy again!

Plus it was reduced to £2800 10 days ago

Ooft, yeah that’s a good price.

Looks like a great bike, hope you enjoy it! 😎

Oh god, yes. ****ing incomprehensible Bird bike names 🙂

🤣 I’ve nearly got my head around the names, taken a while though! I knew you had an AM9, you’d answered my questions on your other thread 👍

I’ve very little experience of FS bikes generally, but love my Aeris AM Carbon, it would fulfill your brief perfectly.

“hardtailonly” hmm, not convinced by that name! I haven’t heard anything bad about them yet 👍 I’m talking myself into one.

Ended up with a Highlander II frame only option from Deviate

The 2023 frames are a decent saving, but it would be an expensive project gathering everything else to build it up.

They are all going to be out of warranty now as a SH buyer unless Bird still have any new XL left and that fits.

They have some green V1s in the right size, but I would like the option to run a longer fork. And I’m not a fan of the green 🙈

Have you considerd an Orange ?

I can’t get past the agricultural looks of an Orange. They’re probably great to ride though I’m sure!

I’ve a transition sentinel v1 (160F / 140R)

And I’ve also a vitus sommet (170F / 160R)

Both are set up with strong components as I’m a lump, but I can swap wheels/tyres between them – anything from XC, trail to Enduro depending what I’m up to.

The vitus suspension is significantly posher and so it’s better at eating chunk, it’s longer (other angles similar), and it’s a fair bit faster downhill. However it’s also a bit harder to pedal.

For Enduro racing or laps, I take the vitus every time.

For XC/trail where there is more long distance pedalling, or for jumps, I take the Transition.

With appropriate wheel swaps, either would cover much the same ground, though they are more capable at the extremes (pedally XC / super rough Enduro wi’ big drops and that)

I went for one of the 2023 Ripmo’s (wanted the UDH just in case) which I am enjoying. Thought it was going to be heavy but it doesn’t ride like the static weight (14Kg).

I’ll check them out ta.

I had an Aether 9 and have just moved to a Stumpy Evo. Not a huge jump in travel or geometry, but enough to make a big difference to the ride – the Evo feels like a bigger & more capable bike without actually being one – it’s lighter and feels that way too. Would buy again!

So this is going to sound silly but I’d originally discounted the Stumpy Evo because my wife was about to buy one, and I wanted something different 🤣 We’ve had his & hers T130s and Rises and I just didn’t want to do it again. But once she was looking at them I took an interest and they do look good.

She’s quite likely to go for an Orbea Occam LT now so an Eco might be back on the short list.

Oh yeah – Stumpie Evo too. Heard from a few people the downtube is a bit sensitive to rock strikes – so if you go that way I’d add some extra downtube protective.

I’d most likely get a metal one tbh, because of the cracked frame stories. I’m also not the most finessed rider so the thought of carbon does trouble me a bit anyway.

I can’t get past the agricultural looks of an Orange. They’re probably great to ride though I’m sure!

They ride exactly like they look. Unfortunately.

They ride exactly like they look. Unfortunately.

Oh 🤣

I might go to Comrie and demo a Deviate Highlander, but pretty sure I can’t afford one.

There’s a cheap (relatively) nearly new Highlander frame/shock in the classifieds…

For the riding you’re describing (Golfie, Tweed Valley etc and the occasional bit of bigger riding) that’d be a decent choice.

@a11y I’d seen that cheers, can you make it smaller? 😁

The Highlander II is supposedly a total “one bike quiver” for aggressive riding by all accounts…some of those accounts possibly have a bit of an incentive from Deviate to say that though.

I do everything that isn’t easy XC stuff on my Slash though, which rather surprisingly I have actually found is easier to pedal and climb than my old trail bike. So probably these days whatever you choose south of a full DH rig will be totally fine for big techy rides.

Can confirm Oranges ride how they look: Bloody amazing

I was actually pining for my old Stage 6 while I was doing the TMB.

You’ll probably be better off with the Stumpy Evo as an all-rounder though. I’d just say to look into the weight of the alu version, in case it’s a real porker (TMB in mind again here).

I do everything that isn’t easy XC stuff on my Slash though

Ooh, I meant to say OP might want too look for deals on the old model Slash.

Perfect example of a light enduro bike that pedals fairly well. Very similar geo to that new carbon Bird.

Same question – out of interest, why?

@bikesandboots

I am trying to keep what strength and fitness I have so prefer to get the “normal” bike out as much as possible.

However, the Rise is great for maximising ride time when I want to get more riding in than my (over 60s) legs can cope with.

Also, it’s a great tool for exploring the (pretty wild) local hills – you have no fear of just seeing where the odd quad track goes without worry of burning a match or two up that girt great hill.

Megatowers have some big discounts at Stif right now. 

@a11y I’d seen that cheers, can you make it smaller? 😁

Personally no, but I’ll include one of these in any sale for the buyer to make adjustments 😁

@chapaking – Yes, the old Gen 5 model is what I meant to specify! Just feels like an alloy trail bike to pedal around to me.

Oooo, just a thought, the Specialized Status 160 might be worth a look on the cheaper end of things. Although maybe it doesn’t pedal quite as well as say the Stumpie Evo / Transition Sentinel / Ibis Ripmo / Bird Aeris AM

Ive also a transition sentinel v2 and really like it, can still be a lil cumbersome on mellow rides though.

Not sure what budget is but is the pivot switchblade worth a look? Whyte T-140? Personally id also look at an orange stage 6 evo as i also love how oranges ride, so much fun.

Can I suggest the Airdrop Edit MX?