Help choosing between two bikes.

[missing the VR6]

Hello all, been riding a Specialized Hard Rock Sport disc for about 3 years, I feel as though it's at the end of it's talents and want a new bike. Mostly ride XC on Red trail centre runs but also looking to move onto Black runs and slightly more off track stuff.

I've narrowed it down to either a Specialized Stump Jumper FSR Comp or a Ghost AMR 5700. Both similarly priced and the only 2 bikes I'm considering, I'm sure there are probably bikes out there that might be better but these are the two I like.

Just wondering if anyone has experience of either bike and would car to share any pro's or con's with me?

Thanks in advance

Aaron

[P-Jay]

Sorry, I don't know anything about Ghost bikes.

But it's a Stumpjumper, they're the Golf GTI of the bike world. They'll do anything, the Warranty's the best in the business and someone will always offer you good money for it if you decide you want to change again in a few years. What's not to like?

[Raven Flyer]

I agree with P Jay. I couldn't justify the price of a new Stumpy so looked for a used. They were being snapped up for top money.

Ghost? Who?

[Roman]

I do like the look of the Ghost bikes having seen some. Can you find any reviews?

[subsea99]

i have the ghost 3000 se hardtail cracking bike,had to change the forks to rebas as the rsts that came with it were rubbish,the bike has been great on the reds at glentress, fort william & laggan


top bikes very much under rated

[missing the VR6]

Thanks for your comments ref the Stumpy, pretty much what I expected really.
Ghost seem to be better specced for the money and a mate has a Cube again a new German brand and he's very impressed with it having come from a highly modified Specialized.

The only review I've read on the Ghost bikes had the model up from the one I'm looking at beating the Trek Fuel EX8 and everything else around £2000 in MBR I think.

[Mandog]

I'm missing mine too.

[missing the VR6]

In all seriousness it is actually a bit of a issue, as the bikes are circa £1700 and I good get another Corrado VR6 for not a whole lot more!!!

[Mandog]

If it comes down to bikes or cars you gotta make your choice. I had to sell the 6 as the garage bills were getting silly and to fund the bike need.

[Raven Flyer]

Out of interest, how did you arrive at your final two bikes? There is a huge choice of serious kit at this budget.

[Session]

Ghost at that money although having ridden both these and a Trek EX8 I'd still rather have the EX8 as its a far better bike, MBR talk out of their ar$e.

You'll be very happy with the Ghost though and the spec is good for the money.

[P-Jay]

Session said:

MBR talk out of their ar$e.

You're not wrong.

MBR said:

Blah Blah Blah Orange 5 Blah Blah Blah 11 out of 10 Blah Blah Blah Better than ever Blah Blah Blah even though its the same as last years Bla Blah and the year before Blah and the one before that

[missing the VR6]

I know all about the Trek EX8 but quite honestly my budget has already gone from £800-£1000 up to £1700 and another £300 for it just isn't going to happen mostly because I don't like the look of it and the salesman really annoyed me by constantly putting the Specialized down, maybe the Trek is the better bike I got the impression that he had a serious issue with Specialized, sort of like I wish Trek were as popular but they're not so I'm angry!

With regards my choices, the Stumpy well I've had a Spesh for 3 years and it's been perfect, so why not get another as the Stumpy suits my needs, (so i'm told) The Ghost purely because a friend who's opion I respect reccommended them and I've been impressed.

Both bikes will be far more than I'll ever need as I'd say I'm barely amateur on a bike but while I can afford one that can last me forever I may as well buy one. I understand both will be capable of Afan, Glentres etc as they are places I plan to get to.

[anonymous-user]

i would get a secondhand epic personally. nothing i have ever ridden covers typical UK trail centre-esque xc stuff faster than an epic.

[missing the VR6]

pablo said:

i would get a secondhand epic personally. nothing i have ever ridden covers typical UK trail centre-esque xc stuff faster than an epic.

I've heard quite a bit about issues with the Brain, even the guy selling Specialized seemed to suggest they're not exactly reliable.

[Raven Flyer]

missing the VR6 said:

Both bikes will be far more than I'll ever need as I'd say I'm barely amateur on a bike but while I can afford one that can last me forever I may as well buy one. I understand both will be capable of Afan, Glentres etc as they are places I plan to get to.

I bought a Boardman FS Pro for the same reason. It was the kit spec that swung it for me, that and weighing in at 12kg. XO/X9 kit isn't normally found on sub £2k bikes. I will never use the bike to its absolute potential (although I am starting to try) but its a bike I can see myself enjoying for a very long time.

Enjoy yours, when you choose and get it.

[missing the VR6]

Raven Flyer said:

missing the VR6 said:

Both bikes will be far more than I'll ever need as I'd say I'm barely amateur on a bike but while I can afford one that can last me forever I may as well buy one. I understand both will be capable of Afan, Glentres etc as they are places I plan to get to.

I bought a Boardman FS Pro for the same reason. It was the kit spec that swung it for me, that and weighing in at 12kg. XO/X9 kit isn't normally found on sub £2k bikes. I will never use the bike to its absolute potential (although I am starting to try) but its a bike I can see myself enjoying for a very long time.

Enjoy yours, when you choose and get it.

Damm it knew there was another make I wanted to look at, Boardman was the one! Don't know anything about them really i.e which model is which but a guy in the gym is very impressed with his one. Is yours a full sus and how much are they?

[raf_gti]

missing the VR6 said:

Raven Flyer said:

missing the VR6 said:

Both bikes will be far more than I'll ever need as I'd say I'm barely amateur on a bike but while I can afford one that can last me forever I may as well buy one. I understand both will be capable of Afan, Glentres etc as they are places I plan to get to.

I bought a Boardman FS Pro for the same reason. It was the kit spec that swung it for me, that and weighing in at 12kg. XO/X9 kit isn't normally found on sub £2k bikes. I will never use the bike to its absolute potential (although I am starting to try) but its a bike I can see myself enjoying for a very long time.

Enjoy yours, when you choose and get it.

Damm it knew there was another make I wanted to look at, Boardman was the one! Don't know anything about them really i.e which model is which but a guy in the gym is very impressed with his one. Is yours a full sus and how much are they?

I've read a few reviews stating the the Boardman feels 'dead', perhaps something to consider?

FWIW I don't think you can go wrong with Specialized, good value, well made and they just work, they also still have the reputation of a 'proper bike maker' as opposed to the likes of Giant/Trek who many perceive to be box shifters.

Of course, that last point may or may not bother you in the slightest

[missing the VR6]

Specialized do have the imagine! (Sorry!)

What do you mean by feels dead?

[raf_gti]

missing the VR6 said:

Specialized do have the imagine! (Sorry!)

What do you mean by feels dead?

As I said, it's only what I read in reviews so no first hand experience.

I do remember them saying the bike was a bit slow at steering and not the livliest of back ends, possibly riding a bit 'heavier' than it actually was.

I personally like a bike to feel sharp and lively which if you are riding the trail centre's, is an important trait IMO.