I’ve had an Orbea Loki plus and it climbed brilliantly.
Not too keen at speed, felt too vague.
Could swap out the wheels and tyres for not too much.
What are the angles and length like in reality?
27.5.

Just got myself a Bird Zero TR.
Absolutely bloody marvellous.

2nd time for me, doing it on the Focus Mares again.
This time it’s got Woodchippers and G-ones on. It’s a much better bike for it too.

I was ready to part with too much cash once C2W rolls around, then I thought about it.
I’ve got a 2014 Focus Mares AX2 cross bike which I’d put Conti Grand Sport 28s on and loved it, even though it was a touch harsh on a long ride (40miles plus).
So I changed the tyres to Schwalbe G-ones 40mm , fitted Salsa Woodchipper bars and swapped out the cassette to an XT 32/11.
The bike has been transformed!
Tyres at 60psi are so comfortable yet they roll really well and grip like buggery off road too.
The Woodchippers are absolutely amazing in the way they give you control and your wrists are in a natural position when on the drops.
60 miler today including ragging about in Whinlatter (blue trail and various fire roads). The dreaded Strava doesn’t lie, my times are no slower, in fact I’m getting more PRs since the change.
I’ve saved a ton of cash. Though I might upgrade the wheels (Hope 20fives?)
Happy bunny.

Hmm, yeah I suppose it could work.
I’ve got 36/32 at the moment and don’t struggle on the road. Get off-road and its chuffing hard work sometimes.
Even ragging down Warnell at 50mph I’m not spun out on a 50/11
So could probably go lower overall with the gearing.
1x could be a goer.

Thanks for all your advice, I’ll be pestering my LBS to try out different models.
Not really considered 1×11, I live and ride around the Lakes, so may end up being either under/over geared?

I’d say bar end shifters could be a pain off road. Especially down shifting on a long climb on the hoods.
But yeah, they’re pricey for sure!

Another shout for G-ones.
Had them on my Focus Mares for a few weeks now and they’re bloody amazing.
Not any slower on the road than the Conti Grand Sport 28s that they’ve replaced.
Benn out over the fells where I live (Caldbeck) with them and they’re great on the rough mine tracks, grass and mud too.
Superb tyres.