Looking to replace an MTB. So much has changed in a decade!

[Kermit power]

Morning all,

I currently have a Specialized FST XC Pro which I bought new in 2005. It's still working and being used, but I've just discovered that owing to some apparent change in consumer credit regulations, my employer will be dropping the limit on our C2W scheme from £3k down to £1k in April next year.

This provides an actual, credible, non wife-debatable opportunity for man maths to move me to a new bike! I've therefore started looking around at what's out there, but so much has changed that I thought I'd look for some advice.

The current bike weighs in at just under 14kgs (which I suspect would be considered heavy for an XC bike these days?) and has had a few upgrades:

- Rockshox Reba SL forks (about 2007) as the original crappy things were where Spesh had clearly met their budget requirements
- Gravity Dropper seatpost. This is a must have on the new bike, but I can move this or flog it on eBay depending on whether the new bike has one
- Lighter wheels built on Hope XC hubs
- XT Shadowtech rear mech put on last year. This is a massive improvement in reducing chain slap, so I like it a lot

Apart from the rims and the mech, the upgrades were done in the year or two after I got the bike, so I suspect even entry level kit will outperform these now?

Looking through magazines and websites, a couple of things jump out...

- 26" wheels seem to be a thing of the past?? So now I have to figure out whether to go 650b or 29" and see if I can sell the wheels on my old bike on eBay.

- My current 100mm rear suspension travel and adjustable 85-110mm front seems laughably small these days, even for an XC bike? 140mm seems to be about the minimum these days, which was very much AM back when I was last buying.

- Carbon still seems to be very much a rarity on MTBs. Is this because weight is less important, or because of the increased risk of damage with an MTB?

- Magazines seem to be bemoaning bikes being fitted with narrow bars and long stems. I've got 650mm bars and an 85mm stem (from the centre of the headset to the centre of the bars) but I don't know if this counts as wide or narrow, long or short, or what difference it really makes? Also, surely I don't want the bars to be too wide, or they'll be clipping the scenery?

- I have a triple chainset which seems also to be something of a thing of the past. Why is this? At present, I can pedal up anything put in front of me, with centre of gravity stopping me before gearing does, and I'd like to keep it that way.

So, I'm now trying to figure out what sort of bike to go for before I consider what specific bike...

I'm not the lightest rider in the world at 120kgs, so there's no point going for something particularly delicate, and an extra pound or two here or there on the bike isn't going to make much difference.

Most of my riding is singletrack trails with a bit of adrenaline before riding back up. I'm fine with drops of 18 inches or so, but tend to wimp out of stuff much bigger than that! A typical ride will be sub 10 miles with lots of fun, although I am planning on riding the South Downs way next summer over a BH weekend.

I certainly don't want a DH bike, and I probably don't want a pure XC bike. I then get a bit confused between AM, Enduro and so forth. Will more travel allow me (considering my weight) to set it up to give me more progressive travel and less bottoming out, or will this leave me bouncing around like I'm on a space hopper when I'm riding uphill on a fire trail?

All thoughts welcome!

[Kermit power]

daddy cool said:

Ever been up to Swinley?

I did go once, but was really disappointed with it compared to Holmbury or Pitch Hill. That was before they reworked it all though, so I should probably give it another go.

[Kermit power]

missing the VR6 said:

I'm probably about the same weight as you and I ride a 140mm Orange 5, I swapped it from 3 X10 to 2X10 last year for the Alps as I wanted a chain device and I've never looked back, it also has a 55mm stem and 750mm bars. Personally I love wide bars, I feel much more in control.
I believe for my ability and balls 140 is enough, the bike has been on uplift days (only blue and red runs), it's been to Cwmcarn (both trails) Afan (various trails), Coed Yr Brenin ( various trails), Swinley, Forrest of Dean both trails and a few of the DH courses, my regular weekly trip round Bedgebury and as of this weekend just gone, done a 12K road and predominately fire road trip round Hempsted Forrest with friends on ridged bikes with road tyres. In short 140mm travel for me seems to be the sweet spot unless you're into Black Run DH and the like.

I'd agree some form of dropper post is essential, mines a Reverb. I do wonder if Gravity Dropper will fit newer bikes, my mate has one and it's an odd size I think.

That sounds pretty much like my sort of target profile, thanks!

As for the seatpost, it's in a shim tube in my existing frame and works with no problems, so I'd just sell it with the shim, I suppose.