Help me pick.....

[Josh Smith]

Hi all,
In the market for a new MTB. Currently have a Canyon Nerve XC 9.0 about to go on the bay for sale. Borrowed a Santa Cruz 5010 on a local trail which showed me how much better a modern 27.5 trail bike can be. Anyway, that's out of my price range so thought I'd ask for opinions on what else. Budget around 2-2.5. Have been looking at new and nearly new used stuff.

Would like 1x11 and something still capable of climbing well but more suited to descents than the Nerve. Like the Canyon Spectral and Whyte T130, any opinions?

Thanks

[The_Jackal]

You've just named two of the best options. Add the Strive to that as well.
Any 2.5k bike will do what you want, just find one that fits you and most important you like the look of.

[neenaw]

I was looking at a Whyte T130 and the G150 in a shop yesterday, they looked like pretty good bikes for the price and the guys I was speaking to rated them very highly.
Might also be worth looking at the Bird full suspension bike (can't remember it's name). I looked at one recently and they appeared to be good value compared to some of the bigger brands.

[Edwin Strohacker]

I like my carbon Zesty 527 am

Hasn't gone wrong yet but I'm told Lapierre aren't great when they do.

[Craikeybaby]

I'm in the market for a 27.5" full suss trail bike and rode a few at the Leisure Lakes Demo day, the thread may be a few pages back now.

I wasn't that impressed with the Whyte T-130, but I did like the Cube Stereo 140 (Shimano 2x11, but easy to change) and the Orange Four. The Orange did feel a cut above the rest, I imagine that the 5010 would as well, you could feel where the extra money went.

[Daveyraveygravey]

Craikeybaby said:

I'm in the market for a 27.5" full suss trail bike and rode a few at the Leisure Lakes Demo day, the thread may be a few pages back now.

I wasn't that impressed with the Whyte T-130, but I did like the Cube Stereo 140 (Shimano 2x11, but easy to change) and the Orange Four. The Orange did feel a cut above the rest, I imagine that the 5010 would as well, you could feel where the extra money went.

Apologies for highjacking the thread, but can someone explain the benefits of 1x drive trains? I understand that they are simpler and there is less to maintain or go wrong, but I rarely have problems with my front mech, and my bike doesn't get that well looked after and it does get covered in ste. I understand that it is possible to get the range or spread of gears with a 1x, but I know from my experience if you have a 2x or a 3x, you also have a cassette with less gaps between each tooth, and when I am struggling for traction up a hill, I don't want to be going 3 or 4 teeth different. Besides, they look stupid, with some kids BMX crank at the front and a dinner plate cassette at the back, but that's another issue.

[Craikeybaby]

It is lighter and simpler. It also frees up space on the bars to have a dropper post lever in an ergonomic position.

Shimano have got an app on their website to suggest if 1x or 2x will suit your riding your style.

[BOR]

For the upper end of your budget you could get a carbon YT Jeffsy in 27,5 or 29 flavour.

[joshleb]

Also allows narrow-wide ring for better chain retention, and also ability to run a proper chain guide if required.

I'm a fan, fine for my rides with a 34t on the front and ride slowly up the hills.

[Kawasicki]

I bought a Spectral late last year. I'm very happy with it.