Another "what bike"... £1500 MTB

[carreauchompeur]

Folks,

You might have seen my "£800 roadie" thread- Basically both my bikes were nicked a couple of weeks ago and I am into the realms of insurance replacement.

I was looking to replace, like-for-like, my 2010 Cube AMS comp, was £1350 however is now £1400 to replace. I've given Endsleigh a quote from my LBS. However, upon speaking to them today their supplier Wheelies direct has offered (With discount) a Specialized Camber FSR Elite- A £1550 bike!

Basically, if I speak to Wheelies I might be able to swing something similar, of a similar price. (£1550) Is the Camber any good for XC riding?

I am after something which will be popular, thus very easy to resell. To be honest I've kind of lost the heart for an expensive MTB since I can just see it being nicked again, so am half thinking about selling the replacement bike straight on and putting the remainder towards the summer S2000 fund, then picking up a cheaper MTB either s/h or on the next Cyclescheme.

Ideas?

[shalmaneser]

Camber is a great bike, certainly fine for XC, although maybe a tad overbuilt for 'steady state' XC, it's veering into freeride lite/all mountain territory.

[carreauchompeur]

shalmaneser said:

Camber is a great bike, certainly fine for XC, although maybe a tad overbuilt for 'steady state' XC, it's veering into freeride lite/all mountain territory.

That's what I was thinking. I wasn't expecting them to suggest a £1550 bike as a replacement so won't look a gift horse in the mouth however my first impression was "DH bike". Need something with fairly broad appeal, but XC biased since I know when the shiny new bike turns up my thoughts of immediate sale will be out of the window and I'll be off to thrash it around Cwmcarn!

[carreauchompeur]

Right, I've been re-assured about the Camber Elite and my LBS will match the quote from Wheelies Direct, so hopefully a new shiny bike might be winging its way to me soon!

[shalmaneser]

Good for you! The Camber would be ideal for Cwmcarn!

EDIT: bloody welsh speelings

[R2FU]

Please post your thoughts when you get it - the Camber is one of the bikes I'm currently considering.

[carreauchompeur]

R2FU said:

Please post your thoughts when you get it - the Camber is one of the bikes I'm currently considering.

There might be a bargain brand new one up for sale very soon, provided I resist the urge to use it

[R2FU]

carreauchompeur said:

R2FU said:

Please post your thoughts when you get it - the Camber is one of the bikes I'm currently considering.

There might be a bargain brand new one up for sale very soon, provided I resist the urge to use it

In that case definitely keep us (or more importantly ME!) posted, and hopefully it's a Large.

[hughjayteens]

I'd take a serious look at Canyon bikes - bought direct from Germany but have had rave reviews and nothing comes close in terms of spec per pound.

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes/

Look at the spec of this for only £1589:

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes/bike.html?...


ETA - just read the part about using the insurers own supplier - sorry!

[carreauchompeur]

That Canyon looks like a cracking bit of kit!

R2FU- I will bear that strongly in mind. It'll deinfitely be a large since I am a 6ft lump!

[andySC]

How about a Giant Anthem X? I've got the X2 & it's an off-road weapon. £1500 would get you a 2011 X4 & the mags/testers love 'em.

[subsea99]

The canyon gets my vote,the spec is amazing for the money,its puts the giant to shame and has had scored the same on bike radar.

if i had seen those before i had bought my zesty i would have would not have thought twice,i have a ghost hardtail and been impressed with the german bikes

[Gooby]

I wasnt going to share this link but I wont be able to raise the money in time...

http://www.primera-sports.com/products/clearance-b...

That is an incredible bike, full grown hardtail weighing 16lbs (most CF road bikes are lucky to get that mass), BMX like handling and superb components....

Drooooool

[hughjayteens]

Gooby said:

I wasnt going to share this link but I wont be able to raise the money in time...

http://www.primera-sports.com/products/clearance-b...

That is an incredible bike, full grown hardtail weighing 16lbs (most CF road bikes are lucky to get that mass), BMX like handling and superb components....

Drooooool

The 16lbs weight only applied to the £7k Flash Carbon Ultimate - seem to recall reading that the standard aluminium F1 was about 23lbs - still very light but only a full complement of exotic parts and frame materials would get an MTB below 20lbs.