So, I’ve got about £1,500-2,000 to play with to get a trail bike. I’m looking for 650b, full suspension, around 140mm travel (preferably Pikes up front) and a Reverb dropper.

The possible contenders thus far are (in order of preference):

Rose Granite Chief 2 27,5″ (£1,986)
Love that you can specify every single component

Canyon Spectral AL 7.0 EX (£2,099)
Love it, but unfortunately it’s out of stock until August in my size

Radon Slide 27.5 8.0 or 9.0 (£1,494/£1,867)
Seems like the best value-for-money machine, but I’ve not heard much about them

On-One Codeine 29 SRAM X9 (£1,649 inc. Rockshox Reverb)
Yes, I know it’s a 29er, but seems like a fun bike nonetheless

Commencal Meta AM 1 29 2013 (£1,573)
Another great value 29er

Anything else I should consider???

LOL at a question I’ve been asking myself for a while and coming up wth EXACTLY the same list.

Watching with interest

Although not the On One for obvious reasons…

I bought a spectral last year, does the job for me XC, trail centres, and local downhill tracks .
For the money ideal.

If I was you and could stretch it to £2275, I’d be considering a Bird Aeris 2.

Rear Shock RockShox Monarch RT3
Forks RockShox Pike RCT3 Solo Air 150mm
Wheels DT Swiss E1700 Spline
Drivetrain Shimano SLX with RaceFace Turbine Cranks on 1×10
Brakes Shimano SLX
Seatpost RockShox Reverb Stealth
Bars RaceFace Turbine 760mm
Stem Bird 35mm 31.8ø
Tyres Choice of Maxxis tyres

Or go frame only at £850 and build your own.

I’ve no experience of them – however they seem to get good reviews and there’s a few enthusiasts on here.

CUBE STEREO 140 HPA PRO 27.5 can be had for £2k

Aluminium YT Capra!

The Capra come out at about £1860 has pikes and a reverb – http://www.yt-industries.com/en/products/bikes/enduro/10/capra-al-2?c=92

You know there’s a 650b Codeine on the way?

Test ride.

Oh, and Giant Trance or Anthem SX.

Surely you can get a Commencal Meta V4 AM at that price?

Vitus Escarpe http://vitusbikes.com/products/escarpe-vrs/

Camber evo

There’s a nice Trance kicking around on the classifieds 😀 Not mine, I have an Anthem SX..

YT Capra alu

Commencal Meta V4

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I had a sneaking suspicion that On-One was going to launch a 650b Codeine 8)

But, WHEN, WHEN, WHEN??? ❓

OK, 1-2 months, maybe earlier, according to On-One’s Instagram.

Got to say though, I’m not all that keen on the colour scheme – rhubarb/custard anyone? What happened to good old stealth black?

View this post on Instagram

Swift golden hour lap round ladybower on the #codeine tonight @wildernesstrailbikes @marzocchi_mtb #peakdistrict #sheffield

A post shared by On-One (@ononebikes) on Apr 14, 2015 at 12:29pm PDT

Got a spectral 7ex – it was worth the wait

I just bought one of these and I’m VERY happy with it:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b65s154p5424/CANNONDALE-TRIGGER-29-4-2014

Loads of other bargains there as well.

Thanks for the heads up about the Rose – has gone to the top of my WANT list, maybe have to wait a couple of months though 🙁 Also wish it had a 1×10 option though.

Whyte t130?

I just bought one of these and I’m VERY happy with it:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b65s154p5424/CANNONDALE-TRIGGER-29-4-2014

Loads of other bargains there as well.

I got a Trigger from Paul’s too. It is The Cat’s Ass.

What flash said.

High spec does not mean good vale of the bike doesn’t fit you or doesn’t ride how you want.

Do Claud Butler do bikes in the price range?