Charge, Trek, Specialized or other for 1-1.5k?
Discussion
Hi all,
I've been out the MTB scene for many years now and want to get back in, mainly cross country and trail riding so no jumps, manic downhill etc.
I have a budget of between £1000-1500 and ideally would prefer a hardtail, something reasonably comfy and good handling. Things have changed a LOT since I last looked and now its all 29" wheels, tiny chainsets, wide handlebars and short stems so I'm a little confused.
I had a quick nose in my local bike shop and have been recommended the following but would like to do some extra homework on them and also alternatives before committing (weather was pissing down today so no test rides this afternoon).
Charge Cooker 4 (£1400) - has a SRAM 7 groupset and R/Shox 30 air forks. Nice steel frame and a stunning white/pink pearl paint job. http://www.chargebikes.com/bicycle-collection/cook... felt comfy to sit on but a very short wheelbase and reach.
Trek Superfly 5 and 7 (£1100 & £1300 respectively). Very light, stiffer ally frame and slightly longer reach.
Trek Stache 7 (£1300) - More upright like the Charge, ability to fit a dropper post in future.
Specialized crave expert (£1400) - Didn't get to see as not in stock but Reba shock up front.
I'd appreciate any thought from those of you a little more up to speed with the modern kit or alternatives that may better suit. I'm 14st and 5'10 so not the lightest rider.
I've been out the MTB scene for many years now and want to get back in, mainly cross country and trail riding so no jumps, manic downhill etc.
I have a budget of between £1000-1500 and ideally would prefer a hardtail, something reasonably comfy and good handling. Things have changed a LOT since I last looked and now its all 29" wheels, tiny chainsets, wide handlebars and short stems so I'm a little confused.
I had a quick nose in my local bike shop and have been recommended the following but would like to do some extra homework on them and also alternatives before committing (weather was pissing down today so no test rides this afternoon).
Charge Cooker 4 (£1400) - has a SRAM 7 groupset and R/Shox 30 air forks. Nice steel frame and a stunning white/pink pearl paint job. http://www.chargebikes.com/bicycle-collection/cook... felt comfy to sit on but a very short wheelbase and reach.
Trek Superfly 5 and 7 (£1100 & £1300 respectively). Very light, stiffer ally frame and slightly longer reach.
Trek Stache 7 (£1300) - More upright like the Charge, ability to fit a dropper post in future.
Specialized crave expert (£1400) - Didn't get to see as not in stock but Reba shock up front.
I'd appreciate any thought from those of you a little more up to speed with the modern kit or alternatives that may better suit. I'm 14st and 5'10 so not the lightest rider.
PHers are supposed to test your budget a little 
so I'd vote for the Whyte 905 at £1599.
http://www.whytebikes.com/2014/product.php?xProd=1...
so I'd vote for the Whyte 905 at £1599.http://www.whytebikes.com/2014/product.php?xProd=1...
These seem to get pretty good reviews 26" wheels though http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO456EVO2X9/on_one_4...
160 said:
These seem to get pretty good reviews 26" wheels though http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO456EVO2X9/on_one_4...
What's wrong with 26" wheels?! 29ers are a marketing department's dream. Don't get me started on 650b!OP - don't assume because 29ers are everywhere nowadays that they are in any at better.
nammynake said:
What's wrong with 26" wheels?! 29ers are a marketing department's dream. Don't get me started on 650b!
OP - don't assume because 29ers are everywhere nowadays that they are in any at better.
seeing as my bike is a 26er I dont have any problem with them but as the op asked for 29" I thought I would put that caveat in there.OP - don't assume because 29ers are everywhere nowadays that they are in any at better.
I'm not averse to 26", this is all new to me as when I rode competitively it was 26 or nothing. 29 is alien to me but the shop I went in had only 29ers (Grafham water cyles) and I was told that most manufacturers are going that way now. I don't want to buy a 26 only to find I'm now out of date.
It's hard having been out of the scene for so many years to come back and try to catch up with new tech and developments...
It's hard having been out of the scene for so many years to come back and try to catch up with new tech and developments...
I went through this last winter and ended up getting a last season Scott Scale Elite (cost me 1200 and something reduced from around 1.6k).
I went from a 26 to 29er and found the 29er goes faster and is easier to maintain a higher speed over even ground.
The Scott was a fair bit lighter then the competition too at 11.6kg.
Ultimately though, at this price point you are at the stage of diminishing returns. Just get whatever you like the look of and feel comfy riding. The latest carbon/unicorn tear alloy seat stem means nothing, it's all about the lump of meat pedaling the thing.
I went from a 26 to 29er and found the 29er goes faster and is easier to maintain a higher speed over even ground.
The Scott was a fair bit lighter then the competition too at 11.6kg.
Ultimately though, at this price point you are at the stage of diminishing returns. Just get whatever you like the look of and feel comfy riding. The latest carbon/unicorn tear alloy seat stem means nothing, it's all about the lump of meat pedaling the thing.
Zippee said:
Oooh! Thanks for that - looks a bargain. I'm bang on 5'10 and Billys are 25 minutes from me in Cambridge!
They're great bikes. I've ridden my current one (a 2012) on big bikepacking rides, trail centres, commutes etc. Well worth it, especially at that price - so much so that I've just bought ordered one from Billys myself.160 said:
nammynake said:
What's wrong with 26" wheels?! 29ers are a marketing department's dream. Don't get me started on 650b!
OP - don't assume because 29ers are everywhere nowadays that they are in any at better.
seeing as my bike is a 26er I dont have any problem with them but as the op asked for 29" I thought I would put that caveat in there.OP - don't assume because 29ers are everywhere nowadays that they are in any at better.
Giant XTC Composite 29er
http://paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p4835/GIANT-XTC-C...
Great spec bike, very good frame well worth upgrading as parts wear out.
http://paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p4835/GIANT-XTC-C...
Great spec bike, very good frame well worth upgrading as parts wear out.
BadgerBenji said:
Giant XTC Composite 29er
http://paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p4835/GIANT-XTC-C...
Great spec bike, very good frame well worth upgrading as parts wear out.
You'll need to upgrade the bits with all that pot-metal Sram gear on it;)http://paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p4835/GIANT-XTC-C...
Great spec bike, very good frame well worth upgrading as parts wear out.
BadgerBenji said:
Giant XTC Composite 29er
http://paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p4835/GIANT-XTC-C...
Great spec bike, very good frame well worth upgrading as parts wear out.
Hmmm! This is getting confusing, for £100 more - http://paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p4834/GIANT-XTC-C...http://paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p4835/GIANT-XTC-C...
Great spec bike, very good frame well worth upgrading as parts wear out.
Becomes more of a competitor for the Salsa!
BadgerBenji said:
Giant XTC Composite 29er
http://paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p4835/GIANT-XTC-C...
Great spec bike, very good frame well worth upgrading as parts wear out.
Final update - I've just reserved one of these, lower spec that the 2 that I mentioned in the post above BUT £800. Pending a test ride on Saturday I'll be having one of these, else likely to be the Salsa but I really love the feel of a carbon frame!http://paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p4835/GIANT-XTC-C...
Great spec bike, very good frame well worth upgrading as parts wear out.
I'll chip in here with my 2p worth.
I've had a Cotic Soul and used it for a while, couldn't see what the big deal was about it. Built up a Solaris 29er and preferred it to the Soul but still wasn't anything special.
I've currently got a Salsa El Mariachi, same model as the one in the link above and I love it. I've tried it running rigid and with a suspension fork and I personally prefer the rigid fork. The alternator drop outs make it easy to switch from running geared to single speed if you're so inclined. I'm currently running mine with a 1x10 set up but it'll be going back to single speed at the weekend.
The El Mariachi is a proper do-it-all bike, good fun for quick single track blasts and plenty comfortable enough for 6-8h days out in the saddle.
I've had a Cotic Soul and used it for a while, couldn't see what the big deal was about it. Built up a Solaris 29er and preferred it to the Soul but still wasn't anything special.
I've currently got a Salsa El Mariachi, same model as the one in the link above and I love it. I've tried it running rigid and with a suspension fork and I personally prefer the rigid fork. The alternator drop outs make it easy to switch from running geared to single speed if you're so inclined. I'm currently running mine with a 1x10 set up but it'll be going back to single speed at the weekend.
The El Mariachi is a proper do-it-all bike, good fun for quick single track blasts and plenty comfortable enough for 6-8h days out in the saddle.
neenaw said:
I'll chip in here with my 2p worth.
I've had a Cotic Soul and used it for a while, couldn't see what the big deal was about it. Built up a Solaris 29er and preferred it to the Soul but still wasn't anything special.
I've currently got a Salsa El Mariachi, same model as the one in the link above and I love it. I've tried it running rigid and with a suspension fork and I personally prefer the rigid fork. The alternator drop outs make it easy to switch from running geared to single speed if you're so inclined. I'm currently running mine with a 1x10 set up but it'll be going back to single speed at the weekend.
The El Mariachi is a proper do-it-all bike, good fun for quick single track blasts and plenty comfortable enough for 6-8h days out in the saddle.
Thanks - the decision has just been made easier though, just phoned Billys to buy the Salsa only to find they'd sold the last one 2 days ago I've had a Cotic Soul and used it for a while, couldn't see what the big deal was about it. Built up a Solaris 29er and preferred it to the Soul but still wasn't anything special.
I've currently got a Salsa El Mariachi, same model as the one in the link above and I love it. I've tried it running rigid and with a suspension fork and I personally prefer the rigid fork. The alternator drop outs make it easy to switch from running geared to single speed if you're so inclined. I'm currently running mine with a 1x10 set up but it'll be going back to single speed at the weekend.
The El Mariachi is a proper do-it-all bike, good fun for quick single track blasts and plenty comfortable enough for 6-8h days out in the saddle.
The Giant however, at £800 is a bit of a bargain considering its a full carbon frame! I can always upgrade the group as parts wear out. Only other option thats taken my eye is a F/S Salsa - http://billys.co.uk/english/group.php?prod=5SA-201...
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