Scottish Elises

Hi Folks.

I know there are loads of MTB'ers on here so thought I'd pick your brains. Tried buying "what mountain bike" but it's only useful if you want to spend £7k on a bike.... and I don't!

I've currently got a 2008 Hardrock Pro which is probably all I need tbh, but thinking I might upgrade to something 'better'. Turns out I have a foot injury which means I can't keep doing running based activities or stuff that's hard on feet basically.... so planning to increase cycling in the future. Also have my Genesis Vapour CX bike for canal paths and roads etc. so if I do change the Hardrock, it'll be for the likes of Carron Valley, forest trails, cross country exploring and maybe the west highland way occasionally etc. It's unlikely I'll ever be doing big jumps and x-rated downhill big balls of steel stuff though.

So really at this point, just looking to pick folks brains and try and get an idea. I'm assuming Hardtail is the way to go and not full sus. Not really looking to spend over £1k on this given I've been happy enough with my £400 bike for years and I'll no doubt want a bling bling carbon road bike at some point too!

Anything in particular to avoid? to make sure it's got? 29er or 650b? any stand out obvious choices? etc. etc. etc?

Cheeeeers!

Dave.

26" wheels are pretty much dead for new bikes, so it does come down to 650b vs 29. I'd recommend riding both as they feel quite different - I did and I much preferred the more nimble feel of 650b, but it is very much a matter of taste and what you are going to use it for. Technical singletrack, 650b every time. Less technical cross country, probably 29. I ended up buying a Scott Scale 740 for £1300, a saving of about £500 over retail price as it was last year's model. More than good enough for what I will use it for - I used to race XC many years ago but these days I have crossed to the dark side and an am mostly a roadie If you go for a 29er you will not do better than this for just over a grand http://www.canyon.com/en/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=3645 - stunning value for money. You start getting into carbon framed hardtails at around £1300, but there is a big compromise on components at that price point, especially forks. Personally I think full sus is a bad idea until you get into the £2.5k+ arena as the bikes are just too heavy.

Incidentally Alpine Bikes at Glentress have a selection of 650 and 29er hardtail hire bikes, so worth a trip if you want to try both on some good trails.

Mark

I rented a 29 full sus in Whinlatter. Like riding a tractor. Slow up and blisteringly fast down. But up is the BAD bit, and down is the good bit and I want the good bit to last. I can see the point if your mates all have one, like getting a supercharger (you know who you are).

Anyway I bought Suzy a carbon 26er hard tail in the summer, full XT/XTR secondhand, mint, 800. (2k new.) Just a lovely thing to ride... Welcome to come and have a shot (I've road bikes you can try too if you want).

Billy Bilsland's in Glasgow will look after you and they are a proper local shop which sponsors Glasgow youth cyclists and deserve support. When the Malawian team rocked up without bikes for the Commonwealth Games Bilsalnds sorted them out. Which is just lovely. <full disclosure I'm a coach for Glasgow Riderz, who are sponsored by Bilsland's)>

Stop being a tart, the bike you have is perfectly fine.

Dominic wrote:Stop being a tart, the bike you have is perfectly fine.

The bald ginger accountant talks sense

A new bike will make him faster, just like my new car made me faster. FACT

I recently bought a Canyon Spectral 29er, ace bike for the money.
The Canyon hardtails are fantastic value, if you keep an eye on the Outlet Shop there are occasionally a few bargains there.
Worth looking at Boardman as well, bought my wife a 650b Comp, there are quite often money off them, and you can use Quidco and British Cycling discounts as well.

thesurfbus wrote:I recently bought a Canyon Spectral 29er, ace bike for the money.
The Canyon hardtails are fantastic value, if you keep an eye on the Outlet Shop there are occasionally a few bargains there.
Worth looking at Boardman as well, bought my wife a 650b Comp, there are quite often money off them, and you can use Quidco and British Cycling discounts as well.

My wife has a Boardman 650b comp too. It is a good bike for the money BUT it weighs a ton and she now wishes she'd spent a bit more to get something lighter. Agree on the Canyons - amazing bikes for the money. If they made a 650b hardtail I would have bought one but they are all 29ers.

Mike Scib wrote:A new bike will make him faster, just like my new car made me faster. FACT

You just assuming these people didn't see you on track for your first session on Saturday morning at Cadwell

Big fan of the Canyon's too, I have Spectral AL 9.0 EX (650B).

Nicola has a Boardman Pro29er although I've probably ridden it more than she has...
It's actually really light contrary to the Comp I guess Mark?
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtb/29er_pro.html
The medium frame is OK for me amazingly and feels bigger than my large Canyon (which is shorter in the top tube).


650B Full-suss and 29 Hardtail a good combo, horses for courses...

Andy G wrote:

Mike Scib wrote:A new bike will make him faster, just like my new car made me faster. FACT

You just assuming these people didn't see you on track for your first session on Saturday morning at Cadwell

Do tell....

Must've got a bit quicker:

Some bloke on the VX220 forum wrote:That red SC was bloody quick and a decent driver too

GBOBM wrote:Must've got a bit quicker:

Some bloke on the VX220 forum wrote:That red SC was bloody quick and a decent driver too

Nuff said

pete wrote:I rented a 29 full sus in Whinlatter. Like riding a tractor. Slow up and blisteringly fast down. But up is the BAD bit, and down is the good bit and I want the good bit to last. Glasgow Riderz, who are sponsored by Bilsland's)>

I just can't agree with that. My race bike (Enduro) is a Santa Cruz Tallboy LTc (29er) and its blisteringly quick - very competent uphill and awesome on the down..... Maybe slightly slower to accelerate but if you are fit it makes no odds. Interestingly they make the perfect XC race bike sized wheel.

My fun bike is a Cannondale Trigger Black Edition (27.5)....... And my XC bike is an old Specialized Epic Marathon (26er). I think that 26 is out - I wouldn't buy another one.... The difference between 27.5 and 29 is tougher. The 29er will make you faster - no doubt - it will allow you to crush downhills without the same delicacy of a 26/27.5 - it flatters and allows you to take huge liberties. The fact that the larger wheels roll over everything in their path also help on the flat and the uphill once up to speed.

However the 27.5 is more fun more of the time - skippy through techy singletrack and faster to accelerate

Mike Scib wrote:

GBOBM wrote:Must've got a bit quicker:

Some bloke on the VX220 forum wrote:That red SC was bloody quick and a decent driver too

Nuff said

Vx forum say no more