What xc/down country FS on a budget?

I think that I need to admit defeat with my 2013 Trance x29er.

It’s cobbled together with mostly knackered parts, and the forks gave up yesterday. Seems like I’d probably be better just getting something more modern.

So. XC or is it down country these days?!  I’m very much a wheels on the ground rider. I’d like something that pedals well and compensates for my abject lack of skill on the downs. My local riding is White Peak, other than that I mainly just ride trail centres.

Budget isn’t huge really, not least because I just don’t ride that much. Like the look of the new Specialized Chisel, but probably a bit expensive. £1500 is probably the upper budget. Happy to go secondhand.

Maybe a second hand Epic Evo? Not sure when ‘modern geometry’ kicked in?

Saracen Ariel 30 is a good value bike, £2500 new, dunno if you can find one 2nd hand. Modern geo and the right minimum spec for a decent bike

£1,329 Canyon Neuron 5

available in sizes Medium, Large and Extra Large

I’ve not ridden one, but plenty of favourable reviews online, I’d buy one just for all those bottle cage boss mounts

A model 5 review

https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/mountain-bikes/full-suspension-mountain-bikes/canyon-neuron-5-review

and the model 6 review

https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/canyon-neuron-al-6-review/

Have Pauls cycles got any of those cheap Lapierre’s left? If so, one of those.

I’d try and push my envelope for the base model Chisel FS. The geo is epic evo, and properly dialled.

Tho that Canyon Neuron 5 looks like good value too

I think the former Chain Reaction Cycles employee selling a stash of Vitus Rapide FS carbon frames still has some – they were £300 which would leave you plenty of money to build something that you like with secondhand bits.

Spesh Chisel Comp?

My Scott Spark 970 is pretty good. Wasnt sure at first, but now beginning to like it. I was thinking of changing to a Giant Trance from 2021, slightly bigger suspension, £1k secondhand locally, but, on checking the specs/geometry, it is very similar to the Spark, so not worth changing – I’m doing a lot more steep downhills, thats why thinking of the change, but, on reflection, the majority of my riding is on the reds and blacks of trail centres , hence the Spark fits in fine. The Spark 970 was available at £1600 recently, but has gone up to £1700 at a few places now, others it is £2k+.

Why not stick with a Trance? I’ve got one of these and it’s a great bike. Giant Trance 29 2. The previous 115mm rear travel version was great as well if you are looking at 2nd hand. Really good review on Enduro mag about it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256500845037

“Why not stick with a Trance? “

Yes, thats the point I was trying to get across, but failed, in comparing it to the Scott Spark, they are near identical in use, but look totally different.

Some great advice here, so thank you very much.

I suppose my main reason for wanting a change from the Trance is that I want something that pedals better. Of course a modern one may well pedal better than my 2013 model.

I do really like the look of the Chisel. What are Recon forks like these days? The stock one that came on my Trance wasn’t that good. Might have to flog some stuff and up the budget.

@munrobiker who is selling the vitus rapid frames?

Modern race xc bikes seem to have matured into light weight trail bikes with their dropper posts, wider bars and 120mm – oftern dual – suspension.

Really these are the bikes that would suit most mountain bikers, as they’re both lightweight (by modern standards) and very capable.

I’d have a Chisel in a heartbeat if I was building up a new xc bike. I’d probably go Fox 34s up front as my set on current bike have been great for 6 years, just buy a pair with the best damper.

I know £1.5k is your top end, but the Neuron 6 is definitely worth the extra few £s over the 5 IMO.

However, £1.5k will currently buy you a lot of secondhand mountain bike as well.

@hopefiendboy – https://www.facebook.com/commerce/listing/738636638420705

I know £1.5k is your top end, but the Neuron 6 is definitely worth the extra few £s over the 5 IMO.

Yeah I saw the Neuron 6….not got any mediums left though 😕

A question re the Neuron….is 140mm going to be too much bike for me? I definitely want something that pedals well, and flatters my skills, rather than something which could cope well on steep tech etc. It’s just not my bag at all pushing my technical ability.

What are the Canyon Lux trails like? Again they’re probably pushing the budget a bit tbh.

I ride white peak similar to you Tom. My next bike will be a FS with 130mm rear and 140mm front, or there abouts. I did run my current fork at 140mm for a bit. Was great on the downs but slackened the seat angle too much for the climbs. But in a bike designed for that fork travel/length it would be great.

The newer Trances pedal really well. That’s the reason I like them. There’s a number of reviews on YouTube as well.

I have an older Neuron. I wouldn’t be put off by the extra 10mm of fork travel

Mine is used very much in the way you describe

It pedals fine but i do use the climb lever. I’m a big guy

Oh and warranty seems good

I might keep a look out for sh deals on Trances and Neurons. The Specialized Epic Evos on eBay all seem a bit optimistically priced at present.

I have just messaged the FB ex-CRC person about a Rapide – anyone know about things like shock hardware for a ‘bare’ frame?

Also, is a 100mm travel carbon bike too ‘small’ a bike for me – who rides local trails, minces down things but also weighs 90kg….I would have preferred an Escarpe.

Even accounting for a shock, that is a good deal. hmmm.

No idea where you are based @Tom-B, but there is/was a 2022 Epic Evo Comp in size large going SH at Bikescene in Guisborough for £2k. (Bike details in link below are from a when it was a new model, but the spec is the same etc) The bike was one of the staff’s bikes, but he’s leaving, so it’s going up for sale. Apparently, that means you get full warranty on it too, as it’s never been registered. Bit above your budget admittedly, and if you aren’t anywhere near, probably just useless info for you 🤣

I was seriously tempted but it’s just a bit to stretched out for me and my old, crippled back/neck 🙁

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/specialized-epic-evo-comp-2022-carbon-full-suspension-mountain-bike-satin-carbon__1238

And had a message back – no Rapide’s left, only ebike frames…

I’m a medium not a large 😕

Decent deal that!

There’s a medium on eBay for 1850, but to me looks like the frame is knacked around where the internal cable routing is. I’m assuming that an in person inspection would show even more nastiness!

Half tempted to just commit to a ‘summer’ on the gravel bike and see what happens to pop up between now and then. I’ll be in a much better position financially come October, so more flexible with budget I suppose.

@Tom-B I’m about to sell my 2016 medium Trance 27.5

Full XT drive chain (1×11) and brakes.

Stan’s rims on Hope Pro4 hubs.

Yari forks.

Drop me a pm if it’s of any interest to you.

i would be checking out the tallboy in the classifieds- nothing to do with me but great bikes with not too radical geometry

Cheers @dove1 can’t imagine not riding 29 inch wheels though sorry!