New full sus: XC bike
Discussion
Hi, thanks to some local scrotes kicking in the door to my flat and nicking my bikes, I am in the market for a new one and would appreciate some advice.
I'm looking for a single bike, to use year round - in all conditions, mud / snow / whatever. Most of my ridding is the Surrey Hills, but I also ride in the Lakes / Dales and Scotland.
I want a light, fast single track bike and one resitant to mud and general filth. Full sus, front fork with lock out.
I've narrowed it down to:
Giant Trance X1
Specialized Stumpjumper FRS Expert (with brain...)
Commencal Meta 4.?
All look great on paper, but I have the following concerns:
1) Giant Trance, lots of linkages, many of which could get covered in mud (the shock is protected though). I love the suspension action of the design though (I used to own an Anthem, and it was the nutz)
2) Stumpjumper. I have heard, anecdotally, that it is not great at sprinting? [but this could be unfounded].. also the brain shock is new on me, is it just an extra thing to go wrong (maybe the Elite is a better buy - pro pedal design, no brain)? Otherwise, looks a good buy
3) Commencal. Weight. Price. But the suspension design looks to place most moving parts away from the mud.
Any experience to share, what do you think?
I'm looking for a single bike, to use year round - in all conditions, mud / snow / whatever. Most of my ridding is the Surrey Hills, but I also ride in the Lakes / Dales and Scotland.
I want a light, fast single track bike and one resitant to mud and general filth. Full sus, front fork with lock out.
I've narrowed it down to:
Giant Trance X1
Specialized Stumpjumper FRS Expert (with brain...)
Commencal Meta 4.?
All look great on paper, but I have the following concerns:
1) Giant Trance, lots of linkages, many of which could get covered in mud (the shock is protected though). I love the suspension action of the design though (I used to own an Anthem, and it was the nutz)
2) Stumpjumper. I have heard, anecdotally, that it is not great at sprinting? [but this could be unfounded].. also the brain shock is new on me, is it just an extra thing to go wrong (maybe the Elite is a better buy - pro pedal design, no brain)? Otherwise, looks a good buy
3) Commencal. Weight. Price. But the suspension design looks to place most moving parts away from the mud.
Any experience to share, what do you think?
I can only recommend my Meta 5.5 100% - the others I've not tried.
However, riding the Afan trails yesterday revealed a bike happy to climb and grip everywhere, yet hammer downhill.
Ignore that its a 5.5 inch travel bike (6 if you get 2008) - it doesn't slow the bike down as much as you'd think, and you just revel in the additional travel - such a stable and majestic bike to corner and descend on.
The Meta 4 is highly regarded additionally, however I never really got the point of it over the 5.
Mine weighs in at about 26 lbs - this is borne by comaparison to my mates Scott carbon full sus which felt the same weight.
Price wise, I was under the impression they were very competitive against the equivilents in the marketplace - and absolute bargains if you can find last years models (they rate the 5.5 07' models better than the 6 08 models so say in the mags).
Try one - they really are as good as they say, and much like Alfa Romeo's, everyone likes to talk to you about them.
Reliability and mud wise, I've yet to clog or screw mine up, and I've ridden some horrific mud! (eh PDV6?)
However, riding the Afan trails yesterday revealed a bike happy to climb and grip everywhere, yet hammer downhill.
Ignore that its a 5.5 inch travel bike (6 if you get 2008) - it doesn't slow the bike down as much as you'd think, and you just revel in the additional travel - such a stable and majestic bike to corner and descend on.
The Meta 4 is highly regarded additionally, however I never really got the point of it over the 5.
Mine weighs in at about 26 lbs - this is borne by comaparison to my mates Scott carbon full sus which felt the same weight.
Price wise, I was under the impression they were very competitive against the equivilents in the marketplace - and absolute bargains if you can find last years models (they rate the 5.5 07' models better than the 6 08 models so say in the mags).
Try one - they really are as good as they say, and much like Alfa Romeo's, everyone likes to talk to you about them.
Reliability and mud wise, I've yet to clog or screw mine up, and I've ridden some horrific mud! (eh PDV6?)
I have a 2007 Stumpy Expert with the brain.
I test rode the Elite at the same time, and prefered the Brain for its ease of use. Even fully open it is still pretty firm on the flat, very little bobbing. When you hit a bump the release is instant.
I did one of the Gorrick races on it too, with the Brain at the other extreme. It rode pretty much like a hardtail, and I didn't have trouble sprinting.
Can't comment on the 2008 range, although the bike mags don't rate the new setup.
I test rode the Elite at the same time, and prefered the Brain for its ease of use. Even fully open it is still pretty firm on the flat, very little bobbing. When you hit a bump the release is instant.
I did one of the Gorrick races on it too, with the Brain at the other extreme. It rode pretty much like a hardtail, and I didn't have trouble sprinting.
Can't comment on the 2008 range, although the bike mags don't rate the new setup.
Thanks guys.
Think the Ibis might be more than I want to pay! Enjoy the bike though, should be a killer ride.
Stumpie - I remember seeing an article that was not that favourable in a mag, though all the web reviews I have looked at are positive (although it is not always clear if the review is for the 2008, or the last versions - so I've been left a bit confused. I'll do some more research.
Think the Ibis might be more than I want to pay! Enjoy the bike though, should be a killer ride.
Stumpie - I remember seeing an article that was not that favourable in a mag, though all the web reviews I have looked at are positive (although it is not always clear if the review is for the 2008, or the last versions - so I've been left a bit confused. I'll do some more research.
Yeah - Neil's Meta 5.5 is a really nice bit of kit. In the kind of mud we've got around here at the moment, my old Trek gets clogged up and the shifting goes to pot where Neil's Commencal just keeps on going.
Re: weight, take Neil's figures with a pinch of salt; he's got XTR loveliness all over it which probably shaves a lb or two off the shop floor weight.
Re: weight, take Neil's figures with a pinch of salt; he's got XTR loveliness all over it which probably shaves a lb or two off the shop floor weight.
dubbs said:
Ibis Mojo - by far the best full sus XC bike out there... also one of the best all mountain if you spec it right :-)
Although I'm rather biased as mine is being built by Bromley Bikes at the moment and I'm picking it up Saturday morning - WOO-HOO!!!!! :-D
Dubbs, I expect to see some pics' on here by at least saturday evening! Or as I only live down the road you riding it!Although I'm rather biased as mine is being built by Bromley Bikes at the moment and I'm picking it up Saturday morning - WOO-HOO!!!!! :-D
Edited by g_stacey on Tuesday 8th April 09:42
Thanks guys.
The meta 5.5. does look sweet.
For trips up to Scotland and Lakes it would be absolutely stunning, and if thats where I rode year round I'd be spriniting down the bike shop now! [the XT version looks just the ticket]. But with 90% of my riding on the surrey hills - I can't help thinking I'd be overbiked for most of the year.
I fear it would be too easy with so much travel. But then again, I have no experience of longer travel bikes. I think there is a commencal dealer near Dorking, might pop out for a ride on a demo (if available) and asses for myself.
Thanks for the advice guys, very much appreciated.
The meta 5.5. does look sweet.
For trips up to Scotland and Lakes it would be absolutely stunning, and if thats where I rode year round I'd be spriniting down the bike shop now! [the XT version looks just the ticket]. But with 90% of my riding on the surrey hills - I can't help thinking I'd be overbiked for most of the year.
I fear it would be too easy with so much travel. But then again, I have no experience of longer travel bikes. I think there is a commencal dealer near Dorking, might pop out for a ride on a demo (if available) and asses for myself.
Thanks for the advice guys, very much appreciated.
One bike for alround use, mud resistant and simple?
Sounds like a HT you need not a FS.
Cove Hanjob, Cove Stiffee, Dialled Bikes Prince Albert, Mong-One Chavbred 456, Merlin Malt range, Rock Lobster. Could go on.
I have no issues with using my Stiffee in Morzine so I doubt there's a Trail in the UK it wouldn't cope with. Awesome round Surrey Hills too.
Sounds like a HT you need not a FS.
Cove Hanjob, Cove Stiffee, Dialled Bikes Prince Albert, Mong-One Chavbred 456, Merlin Malt range, Rock Lobster. Could go on.
I have no issues with using my Stiffee in Morzine so I doubt there's a Trail in the UK it wouldn't cope with. Awesome round Surrey Hills too.
I hear what you are saying mk1: and it is good advice. I've been riding a hardtail (Stumpjumper HT... now nicked) round the surrey hills through the winter - and it was great, more than enough for the task.
However, I also like to go 'up North' and do some big milage in the hills. After 45 miles of stoney hill tracks in the Yorkshire Dales, a full susp makes a huge difference to your levels of fatigue over a HT (and hense ability to enjoy the ride)
If it was Surrey Hills only - hard tail, no probs. This is the delema, I want the best of both worlds. I am also looking at long travel hardtails - Cotic Soul / Orange P7. I'll take a look at cove options too.
However, I also like to go 'up North' and do some big milage in the hills. After 45 miles of stoney hill tracks in the Yorkshire Dales, a full susp makes a huge difference to your levels of fatigue over a HT (and hense ability to enjoy the ride)
If it was Surrey Hills only - hard tail, no probs. This is the delema, I want the best of both worlds. I am also looking at long travel hardtails - Cotic Soul / Orange P7. I'll take a look at cove options too.
Edited by MTY4000 on Tuesday 8th April 13:19
Edited by MTY4000 on Tuesday 8th April 13:21
I purchased an Orange 5 SE a while back and it has been brilliant. It has bounced back from everything thrown at it (couple of bad bails). It is a 10/10 bike and MBR have just announced it thier bike of 2008. Worth a look. I went for the SE over the PRO because it was better equiped and a little lighter.
'Head for the Hills' in Dorking are Commencal dealers.
Getting a FS is the first sign of getting old. FS is not needed in this Isle of ours at all - unless you're old ;-)
As for Long Travel HT's the Stiffee takes a 150mm fork (although I'd say 140mm if you go 20mm front axle). Cotic Soul is a good choice. The Prince Albert takes 130mm but the DB Alpine can take up to 160mm.
Orange Five is an awesome bike, as is the Cove Hustler.
Orange P7 and Mong-One 456 though are a bit lardy - good lard - but heeaavy lard.
Getting a FS is the first sign of getting old. FS is not needed in this Isle of ours at all - unless you're old ;-)
As for Long Travel HT's the Stiffee takes a 150mm fork (although I'd say 140mm if you go 20mm front axle). Cotic Soul is a good choice. The Prince Albert takes 130mm but the DB Alpine can take up to 160mm.
Orange Five is an awesome bike, as is the Cove Hustler.
Orange P7 and Mong-One 456 though are a bit lardy - good lard - but heeaavy lard.
Edited by mk1fan on Tuesday 8th April 16:30
I've had my Meta 4.1 since November-ish, since then i've done been to Cannock Chase, Marsden, Llandegla, Penmachno, Betws-y-Coed, The Clywds aswell as numerous Leicestershire XC rides amongst others I can't remember. I reckon i've clocked up over 300 miles on it with no servicing and very little maintenance (although it will be having a service before summer) and it still feels good.
Mine has bottom of the range Shimano SPD pedals and I replaced the standard Commencal wheels with DT EX1750's because they were white. Other than that it has the OEM X0/X9/XT kit with RaceFace & Thompson gubbins, I've weighed it at 26.6lbs on some cheapo fishing scales.
Medium 07 4.2 going on the bay, it could be a bargain - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Commencal-Meta-4-2007-Medium...
Mine has bottom of the range Shimano SPD pedals and I replaced the standard Commencal wheels with DT EX1750's because they were white. Other than that it has the OEM X0/X9/XT kit with RaceFace & Thompson gubbins, I've weighed it at 26.6lbs on some cheapo fishing scales.
Medium 07 4.2 going on the bay, it could be a bargain - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Commencal-Meta-4-2007-Medium...
Some good advice.
And yes, I'm in my 30s - I certainly feel as old as the hills after a night out on the pop these days!.
I started biking when purple anodising was all the rage in the 90s. My slippery slope started with a 'Girvin' flexstem (to soften the ride of my fully rigid cannondale)... shortly to be paired with a dodgy elastomer fork (the girvin flexstem / fork combo provided some interesting handling characteristics) ... now I'm a 100% certified mtb softie, no doubt. Bring on the full suspension!
Time for me to try some bikes. Thanks again all.
And yes, I'm in my 30s - I certainly feel as old as the hills after a night out on the pop these days!.
I started biking when purple anodising was all the rage in the 90s. My slippery slope started with a 'Girvin' flexstem (to soften the ride of my fully rigid cannondale)... shortly to be paired with a dodgy elastomer fork (the girvin flexstem / fork combo provided some interesting handling characteristics) ... now I'm a 100% certified mtb softie, no doubt. Bring on the full suspension!
Time for me to try some bikes. Thanks again all.
WildCards said:
mk1fan said:
Getting a FS is the first sign of getting old. FS is not needed in this Isle of ours at all - unless you're old ;-)
Balls, everyone knows FS is an ability amplifier for any age, not just the old.
mk1fan said:
I do have one FS - the S-W's. Still dropped your arse on Windy point - that's with the forks locked out too!!
Roll on Afan in a few weeks!
Not sure I quite agree with that but whatever you want to believe and considering the weather probably not the best comparison so yes roll on Afan maybe the bike swap needs to be another time as I sense a challenge Roll on Afan in a few weeks!
The S-W is a short travel hardtail you need a mans long travel hardtail 
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