Or this.

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/mountain-bikes/cross-country-bikes/exceed/exceed-cf-5/2636.html

Closest I can get is

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Trek/Procaliber-96-Mountain-Bike-2021/QSE8

But it’s over 2k.

Judy Gold is motion control and seemed good when I tried it. But I’m no expert.

Trust me I’ve been looking. If you can find one, let me know. There also the big issue of availability.

Yes I’ve heard some good things about them too.

Yes I won the lottery. And realised I needed to spend a bit more to get something that was fun to ride.

Why is Planet X hated by some?

That’s why is was drawn to the chisel. I’ve gone for the comp version which is the gold Judy. So hard to know as someone coming back into things after 15 years out of the mtb game.

Well all I can say is that I have ridden the Suntour xcr several times and it’s not good at all. And I’ve tested the Judy gold on a spesh epic and it’s like night and day.

Sorry I mean @joebristol. Also I found the stoic’s fork was rubbish and the sizing felt odd. Better to sell it as there was interest and got my money back.

Hi @bristoljoe there is that danger yes. I didn’t know if there was something in between. Annoys me that you can’t test ride things.

Yeah I’ve managed to find an XL chisel that I can test ride. Worried it may be too big. I’m 185cm with 33 inseam.

Not sure if the fathom 2 has had the best reviews over last couple of years. With the Merida, not sure I need 140mm as that’s what the stoic had, albeit with a slightly dodgy fork. Suntour xcr.

Yeah I’ve seen the Fuse and like the look of the Merida. For more context, I bought a Canyon Stoic 2 at the start of the year and sold it as it was too draggy and didn’t like the fit. Wanted more pace on roads, fire roads and gravel paths. Felt like treading water.

Lots of shouts for the Merida then. Like the look of the fork.

Think I may with the chisel and buy a lottery ticket.

They look good but hard to get at the moment. Don’t want too aggressive a bike though as had one recently and sold it because was too slow on the flats.

Just go for local spins in Kent- gravel roads, woodland trails, on roads for a bit, a few trails. But want to go for longer and further and stick the bike on back of car, take it away once or twice a year and have more scenic rides in Wales and Yorkshire dales/moors where I have family.

Thank you. Yeah I’m not massively into the big jumps and gnarly stuff (yet) and like the idea of doing some decent miles on a range of surfaces but didn’t want to be left wanting on rockier downhill stuff. Would ideally like a 120mm full suspension but bloody expensive right?

Yes I have a transporter. What about the Chisel would it cope? Am not a complete beginner but it’s been a while.

Thanks reckon the XL may be fine but I’m allowed to test ride before so that’s ok.

The spesh size charts say Large but the reach of 450 looks short on it to me. They also say it comes down to preference as I’m borderline.

The Merida Big Trail is one I saw. Looks really good. Is that XC or more trail?

Specialized chisel looks up my alley.

I’m willing to wait for the right one. Just like doing some good research off the back of some suggestions- which is why I posted on the forum.also my two suggestions are available.

Anyone heard about my two links?

I like the look of the Calibre and comes with good components but it may be too aggressive for my needs. It’s quite heavy too.the Grand Canyon could an option.

What did you go for?

No front suspension on the whippet?

So I can fit a bigger chain ring on this bike? Would that make a big difference. I don’t get gears! Also by swapping to quicker tyres, would the bike be like the ones suggested above or would the geometry still make it v different? Does that make sense?

Yes seems tough to find a bike at the moment.

There just seems to be interest there I suppose.

It’s draggy yes and the setup feels different to what I’m used to which is longer and speedier. I’m getting old and not cool enough to get into jumps. I realise I could put new tyres on but I have already invested in dropper post and other things and don’t really want to spend more of it’s fundamentally not right for me. As you said, there is already a lot of interest in it. The bike suggestions above look interesting. I’m not sure I can get my hands on the German one and there seems to be one hell of a wait for Trek X Caliber 8 or 9. I want something quick over dirt tracks, fire roads and gravel paths but with a decent fork for small bumps, perhaps not Suntour. I want a 1 x 12 set up as the Canyon doesn’t have enough gears for me.

Tyre pressure is good and they are 29 inch tyres so 30t ok but I do feel like I want a couple more gears when on the flat stuff. The Magic Mary is pretty beefy so I think that may be an issue. I just want be able to go faster but do appreciate the bike is very good in the mud and sticky stuff at the moment. I may go tubeless to reduce the weight and look to see if I can put another chain ring on as there seems to be space. Keep wondering if the Vitus Sentier would have been a better option for the fork. The suntour fork doesn’t feel amazing.

I hear you. Bit depressed now haha. Anyone want to buy a Canyon Stoic 2?! 😂

@convert thanks- good advice. I have already added a dropper post and love that.

@squadra :) if only that joke had a ‘be’ in there! But you are right, i probably just need to get on with it. Be good to know if you could change the chain ring though? Or do you have to change the whole bloody thing with it?

Sorry I’m probably being thick but new to mtb upgrades etc. Can you change a 30t chainring easily and what sort of price? It’s a 1 x10 drivetrain. I do feel like I am short in gears. Thanks for all advice on tyres- I will definitely do that.

Is it much cost or hassle to replace this?

Well I live in London so been going to the outskirts to woods and trails. Want to go further afield when lockdown ends to do Surrey hills and some trails at bike parks (never done before). The biggest thing I notice is the difference in tyres- they seem enormous and fat which is great in the mud and downhill but I guess I was looking for more of an all rounder as I have to cycle roads and paths to get anywhere decent. Was weighing up the Vitus Sentier as well but the stoic may be similar.

Tyres are Magic Mary and Hans Dampf which generally get good reviews. Maybe I’m just getting old but used to race around on my old bike (in my head) and finding this one a little slow compared to it but maybe I should give it time. Just didn’t know whether to sell while new ish.