MTB - Which Full Suspension bike for under £2000?

[cava]

Reardy Mister said:

I have recently converted to the benefits of full sus cause I'm too old and fat and slow for a hard tail these days. But I'd still want only a limited amount, not a big sloppy thing.

I was very dubious about buying a full suspension bike initially because I was coming from a Cannondale hardtail with only a gnat's pube of front suspension travel. I had exactly the same worries as you but I'm so glad I went for a 140mm full-sus in the end. I find it far easier to ride and don't notice the suspension in a negative way at all really. The only negative thing I've found is honking up climbs out of the saddle (which I hardly ever do anyway), it doesn't feel as quick even when locked out, but that's due to modern large volume tyres compared to what I used to ride, plus running them at lower pressures. With different damping settings available at both ends you can tune the ride to however you like, on the move even, although the only thing I tend to play with is to put the rear shock in climb mode sometimes. It's easy to ride, more comfortable, and isn't noticeably slower on in-the-saddle climbs (for me at least). I was a die-hard hardtail fan, but can't realistically see me ever going back to one.

[kazste]

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/19989/yeti-sb95...

If this is just old stock or ex demo it could be quite the bargain!!!!!

Very tempted myself not often you'll get a full sus yeti for less than £2k let alone one with xt.

[Herman Toothrot]

I just put my money where my mouth is and pulled the trigger on a Commencal Meta AM V4 Essential Plus. Pikes, Monarch RT3 etc. I will be stripping the SRAM X9 straight off and replacing with Shimano. Under £2k delivered.

2015 META AM 650b, Travel 150mm, 6066 Triple Butted hydroformed, integrated housing
SHOCK / ROCKSHOX Monarch RT3, 200x57, Travel 150mm, 3 positions Lock/Platform/Open
FORK / ROCKSHOX Pike RC Solo Air, Travel 160mm, 15mm axle, Tapered
HEADSET / Semi integrated, tapered ZS44/56, 1.5 crown race, sealed bearing, alloy cups
STEM / ALPHA, Alloy 2014 Forged, 50mm, O° rise, Ø31,8mm - NEW -
BAR / ALPHA, Alloy 7075 double butted, 20mm rise, 750mm, Ø31,8mm
GRIPS / COMMENCAL lock on, Ø30mm, soft compound, Neon Yellow logo
BRAKES / SRAM Guide R 200mm/180mm, with matchmaker - NEW -
SHIFTERS / SRAM X9 1x10 spd
REAR MECH / SRAM X9 10 spd Type II Medium Cage
BOTTOM BRACKET / RACE FACE BB92, sealed bearings
CRANKS / RACE FACE Evolve, 1x10, 34 t Narrow Wide, 170mm on S, 175mm on M/L/XL
CHAIN / KMC X10
CASSETTE / SRAM PG1020 11-36 t with E13 Extended Range Cog 42 t, black
RIMS / Alpha 650B, 32H, 28mm, Non Tubeless
HUBS / Alpha 32h, 15mm front, 142x12mm rear, sealed bearings
SPOKES / Spoke Steel 1,8mm black - nipple brass 12mm black
TIRES / Front / Rear : MAXXIS High Roller II 2.3, 60 Tpi, Kevlar Bead, Tubeless ready - NEW -
SEATPOST / Alloy no offset Ø31,6mm, 350mm
SADDLE / COMMENCAL Meta AM, Crmo rails
ACCESSORIES / Chainstay protector

COLOUR / Black, Matt finish
BIKE WEIGHT(kg/lbs) / 13,1 kg / 28,88 lbs
FRAME WEIGHT(kg/lbs) / 3,15 kg

Edited by Herman Toothrot on Wednesday 6th May 22:32

[Reardy Mister]

I like the sound of that.

What sort of riding will that be best suited to? Is 13kg+ a smidge on the heavy side?

ETA: Found it Found it

I reckon that will be too DH oriented for my liking. I'm not that keen on the bum-dragging dog stance once you're sat on it.

Edited by Reardy Mister on Wednesday 6th May 13:06

[Herman Toothrot]

Commencals from previous experience are built like tanks so yes fraction heavier than similar stuff from some other manufacturers but I'll have confidence it won't break. Still 13kg for a bike with 6" travels not bad, old steel hard tails are similar weights. This will be I hope an ideal BPW, Cwmcarn, Alps bike, basically it will probably make my downhill bike redundant except for pure uplift only stuff.

They do a Trail version as well with 120mm travel. It was very difficult to choose between the two but I concluded my hard tail has 130mm travel forks, so buying a suspension bike I want more travel than my hard tail has up front. Reviews are so positive for the full on AM I thought I'd give it a go.

Edited by Herman Toothrot on Wednesday 6th May 13:12

[S5V8]

First of all thanks to everyone for their input, its good to see the opinions and reasoning behind who buys what.

I have decided on the new YT Industries Capra but my size isn't available until September http://www.yt-industries.com/en/products/bikes/end...

In light of this, I have taken advantage of the Halfords current 15% off offer on Boardman as well as getting an extra 20% off so I have bought a Team Full suspension for the bargain price of £662 to ride this summer until I get the Capra in the Autumn.

Result

Edited by S5V8 on Wednesday 6th May 14:37

[Reardy Mister]

S5V8 said:

First of all thanks to everyone for their input, its good to see the opinions and reasoning behind who buys what.

I have decided on the new YT Industries Capra but my size isn't available until September http://www.yt-industries.com/en/products/bikes/end...

In light of this, I have taken advantage of the Halfords current 15% off offer on Boardman as well as getting an extra 20% off so I have bought a Team Full suspension for the bargain price of £662 to ride this summer until I get the Capra in the Autumn.

Result

Edited by S5V8 on Wednesday 6th May 14:37

14kgs?

Is there no place in this world anymore for weight weenies?!

Cracking looking bike though, if a little busy in the frame design for my tastes. This thread is a good learning curve for me.

[Reardy Mister]

Herman Toothrot said:

Commencals from previous experience are built like tanks so yes fraction heavier than similar stuff from some other manufacturers but I'll have confidence it won't break. Still 13kg for a bike with 6" travels not bad, old steel hard tails are similar weights. This will be I hope an ideal BPW, Cwmcarn, Alps bike, basically it will probably make my downhill bike redundant except for pure uplift only stuff.

They do a Trail version as well with 120mm travel. It was very difficult to choose between the two but I concluded my hard tail has 130mm travel forks, so buying a suspension bike I want more travel than my hard tail has up front. Reviews are so positive for the full on AM I thought I'd give it a go.

Edited by Herman Toothrot on Wednesday 6th May 13:12

Yes, just spotted this which looks more my thing. I also prefer the position of the rear shock on that one too, as having it mounted as the meta AM does makes me think shock seals and stanchion coatings will last about a week(?)

and its only 12.2kg

Edited by Reardy Mister on Wednesday 6th May 15:19

[Reardy Mister]

Course there's always this

I do have a hankering for a lefty fork and my road bike is a 'Dale.

[kazste]

Isnt that cannondale the one which has no second pivot and therefore relies purely on the flex of the carbon chain stay? Im sure its been tested but sweet jebus im not sure id ever learn to trust it fully.

[Herman Toothrot]

Reardy Mister said:

Yes, just spotted this which looks more my thing. I also prefer the position of the rear shock on that one too, as having it mounted as the meta AM does makes me think shock seals and stanchion coatings will last about a week(?)

and its only 12.2kg

Edited by Reardy Mister on Wednesday 6th May 15:19

Ah you must have found the V3 meta, I'm talking V4 it's the same as the trail in all but linkage - the shocks in the same place.

[Reardy Mister]

kazste said:

Isnt that cannondale the one which has no second pivot and therefore relies purely on the flex of the carbon chain stay? Im sure its been tested but sweet jebus im not sure id ever learn to trust it fully.

It is. Part of its appeal I think. I remember riding one of the first Super Vee bikes in country because a mate's brother was on the Volvo Cannondale team. The innovation and look of the thing made me a Cannondale fanatic for life. Disappointed to find no 650b in the range though.

[RAClNG SNAKE]

Phooey said:

In May's MOUNTAIN BIKING UK magazine - "Budget Trail Full-Sussers" £1500-£1600 bike test the Vitus Escarpe came out tops.

I just bought one of these for £1079 after discounts. Coming from a 26" bike the frame and wheels feel quite large and it isn't the lightest bike I looked at, but it is a cracking entry level full susser that climbs well and gives me confidence on descents.

[Reardy Mister]

I've found a new 2014 Trek Fuel EX 9 in a bike shop for 2600 notes on the weekend Very nice looking bike in a bare metal finish.

Also looked very closely at the Whyte T129 and T130. Trouble is as said above by others, I know for a fact the Giant Anthem SX is exactly what I want in terms of spec and equipment. But the presentation of their bikes is just SO boooring. Contrast that with a Whyte T130 and I'd compensate for minor shortfalls to have something I'd enjoy looking at as well as riding.

Edited by Reardy Mister on Monday 18th May 11:41

[With these feet]

Reardy Mister said:

I've found a new 2014 Trek Fuel EX 9 in a bike shop for 2600 notes on the weekend Very nice looking bike in a bare metal finish.

Also looked very closely at the Whyte T129 and T130. Trouble is as said above by others, I know for a fact the Giant Anthem SX is exactly what I want in terms of spec and equipment. But the presentation of their bikes is just SO boooring. Contrast that with a Whyte T130 and I'd compensate for minor shortfalls to have something I'd enjoy looking at as well as riding.

Edited by Reardy Mister on Monday 18th May 11:41

SiL just bought a T129, though it was the Pike equipped version. Very nice bike indeed and the 1x11 is rather good - 1st was lower than on my Cdale F29.

Just seen Specialized have a new Stumpjumper out for 2016 and in the true spirit of n=n+1 I think I may go for the FSR comp 650b. Bit basic but looks like it got good test reviews and at £2200 is pricey but not ridiculous for a 150mm 650b. Would compliment my carbon 29er hardtail quite well!

[Gazzab]

Reardy Mister said:

I've found a new 2014 Trek Fuel EX 9 in a bike shop for 2600 notes on the weekend Very nice looking bike in a bare metal finish.

Also looked very closely at the Whyte T129 and T130. Trouble is as said above by others, I know for a fact the Giant Anthem SX is exactly what I want in terms of spec and equipment. But the presentation of their bikes is just SO boooring. Contrast that with a Whyte T130 and I'd compensate for minor shortfalls to have something I'd enjoy looking at as well as riding.

Edited by Reardy Mister on Monday 18th May 11:41

Did you buy the 650b EX9? I quite like the look of that model. Having had all my mtb's in large frames I found them just right except for my old Trek 6700SLR where it was probably a little too big.

[Reardy Mister]

Gazzab said:

Reardy Mister said:

I've found a new 2014 Trek Fuel EX 9 in a bike shop for 2600 notes on the weekend Very nice looking bike in a bare metal finish.

Also looked very closely at the Whyte T129 and T130. Trouble is as said above by others, I know for a fact the Giant Anthem SX is exactly what I want in terms of spec and equipment. But the presentation of their bikes is just SO boooring. Contrast that with a Whyte T130 and I'd compensate for minor shortfalls to have something I'd enjoy looking at as well as riding.

Edited by Reardy Mister on Monday 18th May 11:41

Did you buy the 650b EX9? I quite like the look of that model. Having had all my mtb's in large frames I found them just right except for my old Trek 6700SLR where it was probably a little too big.

No, I only saw it on Saturday, wimped out on the day and then dreamed about it all Saturday night. Hoping to get my hands on a demo bike this weekend. Though a demo bike will be 2015 not 2014, it will be close enough.

[Gazzab]

I think I'd rather pay £2999 and get the 2015 bike (unless a 14 is 'better').

[Reardy Mister]

Ok so looking at the Fuel has lead me to look at the Superfly FS 8. BUT, its a 29er, I want 27.5. Can anyone think of a 100-120mm full sus xc bike with 27.7" wheels? It seems manufacturers try to "compensate" for the lack of travel (100mm was positively plush when I got my first set of Rock Shox!) with big clown wheels.

[Reardy Mister]

Got one! Scott Spark 740 seems to fit my bill, nicely.