IA – at Ashton court it was when going through a couple of drawn out turns with SLIGHTLY undulating ground beneath. Bike leaned slightly as only a drawn out corner corner, light on the bike, outside pedal down, outside elbow up. And on rock steps in red section with pedals level.

I’m certainly not alone though, when I returned the bike to shop I told them this. The staff member (by all accounts a decent rider) raised his eyebrows and remarked that he found exactly the same on a recent test ride.

Re pedal strikes, all I’m saying is that they were alarmingly frequent, compared to the same trail on the rockhopper. This was while being conscious of using good technique. Even at Ashton court I noticed it, where its never been a problem. T129 caused no issue either

Ha.

So I took the 905 hardtail to Afan the other day and did the Wall trail again. I was fully expecting to love it (after a very positive Ashton Court experience) – as it was fun on my Rockhopper previously, so could only be much more so on the 905. To be honest, it didn’t wow me at all. Yes a lot will come down to very average ability on the bike, but the pedal strikes were infuriating. The bottom bracket is so ridiculously low, that even the smallest rock causes clipping. I actually rode the trail better, with far better technique using my rockhopper previously, purely because I could weight the outside pedal/lean bike better on turns, without constant fear of the outside pedal clipping a rock or undulation. The same was true on climbs, having to avoid pedalling on all but the flattest surface underneath, or at least being ultra-careful.

Most telling however, it was the descents that left me wishing I just bought a full suss – firstly because the 905, although different, wasn’t THAT different to my rockhopper in terms of trail feedback/handling/fun and secondly because I would have loved a bit more grip, support and comfort while descending. In other words, I decided the best course of action is going to be to keep the Rockhopper for quick blasts around Ashton Court and larking around and get a separate full suss for bigger trips. Rockhopper has a flexy 100mm fork, narrow bars and a steep head angle, so isn’t ideal, but it will do for milder trails, it’s also nippy as heck.

So…while Bike UK told me previously I could only do a straight swap to another bike, when I went in yesterday, they agreed to give me a full credit note, with no deduction for the numerous scratches, advising I could wait until 2015 bikes released if I so wish. In addition they can also get more brands in than previously thought: –

Marin
Saracen
Orange
Whyte

Very relieved and chuffed, and lesson learnt to demo more in future!

Any of the above brands worth exploring for 2014? Marin Mount vision maybe? Or better to wait until 2015 models from all of the above?

I think my comments about afan were a bit misleading. Don’t get me wrong, both the rockhopper and I coped with the wall descents fine and enjoyed it. It was more that at times I was yearning for more support, especially up front from the fork, and a smoother ride.

I think the sensible thing is to go for a blast round there today (got day off work) and see how fun the 905 makes it. If I’m left thinking it was too rough to be fun etc, then I’ll go exchange (pending no damage to bike!!).

Thanks for all the replies. I agree I’m probably overthinking it. The 905 was much, much more fun and confidence inspiring than the rockhopper. The real testing ground will be Wales of course.

They bizarrely allow an exchange within 7 days, presuming there isnt significant damage.

As for T129 being only viable alternative as I see it – the shop only stock Whyte and Orange. Orange 5’s are massively overpriced and the Whyte G150 seems way overbiked for general trail use, or is that a realistic option? Budget is £2.5k…