Bike trends have changed dramatically in recent years, particularly the apparent death throes of 26ers in the last year.

With this in mind, what was your last bike-buying shortlist and what would you demo today?

Then:
Orange 5
Liteville 301
Zesty
Bandit (this is what I bought)
Yeti ASR5

Now:
Orange 5 (in 650b or 29)
SC 5010
SC Heckler
Spesh Camber or Stumpy
Yeti T129

Then:
Kona Stinky
Norco A-line
Rigid on-one inbred

Now:
SC Solo/Bronson/Bantam
Orange 5 650b
Anything with Di2
Cannondale FS with a lefty

YT Capra

Or one of these 😀

I want a long travel robust 29r.
1 want a comfy allday guarded roadbike.

Then… Yeti ASR-5c

Now… Giant TCX Advanced

Trends definitely changing!

What would your new bike shortlist be today?

this thread title has Kryton57 written all over it…

Bought in 2012 = Transition Covert (From 2006 Heckler)

Top of current demo list = 5010 (I imagine a refined and up to date version of my old 2006 Heckler)

As much fun as a the Covert is, and it is a scream, it is just too much bike (if that’s the agreed description) for where I ride. I am glad I went too far so I know where my sweet spot should now lie.

I am getting older too.

Any sub 11kg f/s 29er with a dropper seatpost.

this thread title has Kryton57 written all over it…

Maybe not as it does ask for a “short” list 🙂

then :

short travel steel hardtail
Orange 5

now :

I have a Soul, but with the obselete wheels 🙂 and I had a 5 and sold it, so…

Soul 650b
Santa Cruz SOLO
Orange 5

Last mountain bike frame was ordered without a test ride and no others were considered.

If I had to replace it, I’d be truely stuck. There’s little out there right now that piques my interest.

Plus I’d be tempted to wait until wheel size etc settle down a bit more.

Then:

Orange 5
Mondraker Factor
Bought Cube AMS 125

Now:

YT Wicked
Rose Uncle Jimbo 2015

Looking for a bigger FS bike as now have a Dartmoor Hornet too! 😀

My shortlist was so long, and so dynamic that by the time I typed it out everything would be obsolete. Which is why I’ve never bought anything off the shortlist, since by the time I’ve narrowed it down to 5-6 bikes, they’re all obsolete, and replaced.

And now apparently they all have square wheels:

Bandit 26
Covert 26
Liteville 301 26
Canyon – most things 26
5-Spot 26
Cotic Rocket 26
have all been on the list

Orange 5 has never been on the list

Yeti SB6c
That’s it.

Pretty boring but if my bike got stolen today I’d buy the same frame tomorrow – Stanton Slackline Ti.

ditto, but a Cotic Soul 26er.

Oh had several Yeti and Santa Cruz 26ers on the list too.
And that South African 29er (because it’s not 650b).

And since I don’t want stupid pressfit either, at this rate, the list will be whittled down to Cotic Rocket.

SC Tallboy
SC 5010
Saracen Kili Flyer (with different forks)

Would have a go on a Specialized Camber Evo to see if it was any good.

Then: Not much

Now: YT Capra (but I don’t want a pressfit BB or 1×11)
Spesh Enduro 27.5 (bloody expensive)

Then (in 2010);

Santa Cruz Nomad carbon
Ibis Mojo HD (the one I bought)
Yeti SB66c
Specialized enduro

Now ( If I was looking to replace the Ibis – But I’m not going to , I’m happy with the Ibis unless it breaks. I dont feel there is anything available which is a significant enough improvement on what I have.)

Santa cruz nomad carbon
specialized enduro
YT Capra

Due to the new bikeparks and my increased interest in downhill, I’d keep my LTc (there’s nothing on the market I’d replace it with with the possible exception of the Evil uprising) and get something like a Knolly Chilcotin/old delirium or perhaps even an old Orange Alpine. Coil front and rear, wide rims, massive DH tyres, 1×10…you get the picture.

id take one of them new V10’s ta very much.

575
Bandit

Don’t like nuffin else.

then – whatever was good value

now – whatever is cheapest + making a wooden balance bike for the nipper

I was looking at the Blur TRa, Orange ST4, Giant Trance, Cotic Rocket. Ended up saving the pennies and sticking with my Norco Fluid LT.

Now looking at a 5010/Bronson, Banshee Rune/Spitfire or maybe a 2015 Giant Reign.

Wanting something a little lighter than my current bike and a bit slacker, but other than that I’m after something pretty similar, maybe a tad more travel. Not fussed about wheel size, I’ll take what ever I can get, be it 26, 650b, or 29.

either one of these

or one of these

Stanton Switchback on order

I’ve got the bike at the top of my short list, which was a Newmad.

Other stuff I considered; a Nicolai Ion 16 650b, Norco Range carbon (but no frame only option)& that was about it.

Stuff I am idly considering would be something like a 5010c to build up super light, just because. I’m also thinking of getting a nicer road bike again, my poverty spec Allez gets quite a lot of use, and would be an ideal winter beater, saving me to have something nice for something other than commuting.

Then:
A Turner.

Now:
A Turner.

Then (all of 6 months ago):
Giant Trance SX
SC Bronson
Pivot Mach 6 (Bought)
Nicolai ION 16
Transition Covert

Currently, if I were looking now:
Cannondale Jekyll
Yeti SB6c
SC Nomad

More than ever, i’ve come to the conclusion “It ain’t about the bike”!

Most modern MTBs are good, there really aren’t that many bad ones left. Sure, there’s a few shades of gray in their geometery, components and sizing, but largely it’s a matter of deciding your budget, and buying the one you like the look of.

If you forced me to make a choice, i’d probably/possibly/maybe say one of these:

More than ever, i’ve come to the conclusion “It ain’t about the bike”!

So true, it’s just about the wheel size.

😉

My recent shortlist was…

Orange Five 29 (aka Alpine Five)
YT Capra
Spicy
Tracer 29

Ended up with something different though due to my cheapness.

Trek Remedy 29, though I’d like to try an Enduro 29 and a BMC Trailfox first. Or a Zumbi F11 if I decided to stay with little wheels

Realistically it’ll be a scabby old Patriot, as I’ve got most of the bits to build a cheapo uplift basher and I need to get my dh bike sold.

Tallboy C for XC racing
Bronson to replace the Blur LTc if ever needed

Then: Yeti ASR5C
Now: Yeti SB9C…if they make one *fingers crossed*

Then:
Specialized enduro
Commencal meta AM 29er
Yesi SB95
Anything like that

Now:
Salsa Spearfish
Whyte M-109
Specialized Epic 29

Any cross bike with a 5800 hydraulic groupset.

Cannondale SuperSix Evo
Trek Domane
Specialized Tarmac SL4

Think I’ve finaly realised I enjoy riding round in big circles and rides that take up 2 OS maps, more than I do just going downhill.

Unfortunately I have have an “Enduro Specific” BMI 🙁 at the moment.

Funk La Ruta, with a Lefty and 650B flavour 8)

Oh, I’m an idiot, I forgot the “then”. Not really sure when “then” is but I’ve only had one bike on the wishlist for ages, a Ragley Ti, which I managed to get a couple of years ago and still ride constantly. Think it was a good shout!