Opinions sought on a "Best XC/Trail MTB" award shortlist...
Discussion
...taking a little topical inspiration from the Oscar awards ceremony.
AKA - a heavily (or perhaps lightly) camouflaged "What bike?" thread. Sorry
So I need a new MTB. This has been true for over a year, but now it is becoming urgent.
The riding I want to do on it ranges from long, gentle canal towpath all-dayers on the Basingstoke Canal, Wey Navigation, and Thames Path to half-day Swinley Forest Red Trail fun. In between I'll be looking to ride all the local 'good stuff' - Tunnel Hill, Porridge Pots, Minley Manor, etc, and it needs to be comfortable enough to do a L2B off road or South Downs Way type ride too. Most of it's life, though, will be spent on the smaller local MOD training area single track, trying to have fun on twisty stuff, and to go fast without falling off on 2 to 4 hour rides. There will be no deliberate attempts to "get air" nor any jumps and suchlike.
So I want a lot, from one bike. I realise that no one bike is going to be ideal for ALL of the above, but I can only have one bike, and I am maxxxxing myself out at a budget of £1000. I'm also racing the "Battle On The Beach" in South Wales on March 20th, which is the cause of my urgency.
So...
...I've narrowed it down to four bikes. Two of them seem more focused toward speed and racing XC-style. Two seem more trail-focused 'fun' bikes (going on what shop staff and other riders have said, anyway). Time to reveal the nominees, then, in true Oscars style...
1. Orange Clockwork (100mm/29" or 120mm/650B) - Both @ £1000. RockShox Recon Silver Solo Air fork and Shimano Deore drive train.
https://www.orangebikes.co.uk/bikes/clockwork-120
2. Bird Zero TR3 (130mm/650B) - from £999 (but issues with out-of-stock wheels mean it might not be available for the race). X-Fusion Streat RL2 fork and Shimano Deore/SLX drive train.
http://shop.birdmtb.com/zero-tr/zero-tr3.html
3. Trek Superfly 5 (100mm/29") - @ £1000 (but with ca. £200 of free gear through Podium Points reward scheme). RockShox Recon Silver fork and Shimano Deore/Deore XT/SRAM X7 mix drive train.
http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/trek-superfly-5-...
4. Scott Scale 960/760 (100mm/29" or 100mm/650B) - both @ £899 (with ca. £170 of free gear through Podium Points reward scheme). Rock Shox XC 30 Silver air fork and Deore/XT drive train.
http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/scott-scale-760-...
Now, if the Academy members would kindly retire to a secret location to cogitate on the shortlist, and hand me the golden envelope containing the name of the winning bike when they're ready, that would be very much appreciated.
The Bird was the long-time front runner, but now I've seen the Orange I prefer it looks-wise. Trek seems to be the go-to bike for racing, and has the benefit of not needing to haggle to get 'free stuff'. The Scott is cheaper, and there's free stuff there too (same shop), but the tyres are not ideal for this time of the year. Both the Trek and Scott would likely be crying out for immediate tyre upgrades. I'm also erring on the side of 650B wheels (I'm a short-arse) and all bar the Trek are available in 650B. Only the Bird is not available as a 29er.
Sorry to dump yet another thread like this on you all, but I thought I knew what I wanted. Then I got the go-ahead from the wife to spend the cash and found that I wasn't so sure anymore. Any opinions, especially from owners of the listed bikes, would be very gratefully hoovered up by this shambling, confused old man.
AKA - a heavily (or perhaps lightly) camouflaged "What bike?" thread. Sorry
So I need a new MTB. This has been true for over a year, but now it is becoming urgent.
The riding I want to do on it ranges from long, gentle canal towpath all-dayers on the Basingstoke Canal, Wey Navigation, and Thames Path to half-day Swinley Forest Red Trail fun. In between I'll be looking to ride all the local 'good stuff' - Tunnel Hill, Porridge Pots, Minley Manor, etc, and it needs to be comfortable enough to do a L2B off road or South Downs Way type ride too. Most of it's life, though, will be spent on the smaller local MOD training area single track, trying to have fun on twisty stuff, and to go fast without falling off on 2 to 4 hour rides. There will be no deliberate attempts to "get air" nor any jumps and suchlike.
So I want a lot, from one bike. I realise that no one bike is going to be ideal for ALL of the above, but I can only have one bike, and I am maxxxxing myself out at a budget of £1000. I'm also racing the "Battle On The Beach" in South Wales on March 20th, which is the cause of my urgency.
So...
...I've narrowed it down to four bikes. Two of them seem more focused toward speed and racing XC-style. Two seem more trail-focused 'fun' bikes (going on what shop staff and other riders have said, anyway). Time to reveal the nominees, then, in true Oscars style...
1. Orange Clockwork (100mm/29" or 120mm/650B) - Both @ £1000. RockShox Recon Silver Solo Air fork and Shimano Deore drive train.
https://www.orangebikes.co.uk/bikes/clockwork-120
2. Bird Zero TR3 (130mm/650B) - from £999 (but issues with out-of-stock wheels mean it might not be available for the race). X-Fusion Streat RL2 fork and Shimano Deore/SLX drive train.
http://shop.birdmtb.com/zero-tr/zero-tr3.html
3. Trek Superfly 5 (100mm/29") - @ £1000 (but with ca. £200 of free gear through Podium Points reward scheme). RockShox Recon Silver fork and Shimano Deore/Deore XT/SRAM X7 mix drive train.
http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/trek-superfly-5-...
4. Scott Scale 960/760 (100mm/29" or 100mm/650B) - both @ £899 (with ca. £170 of free gear through Podium Points reward scheme). Rock Shox XC 30 Silver air fork and Deore/XT drive train.
http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/scott-scale-760-...
Now, if the Academy members would kindly retire to a secret location to cogitate on the shortlist, and hand me the golden envelope containing the name of the winning bike when they're ready, that would be very much appreciated.
The Bird was the long-time front runner, but now I've seen the Orange I prefer it looks-wise. Trek seems to be the go-to bike for racing, and has the benefit of not needing to haggle to get 'free stuff'. The Scott is cheaper, and there's free stuff there too (same shop), but the tyres are not ideal for this time of the year. Both the Trek and Scott would likely be crying out for immediate tyre upgrades. I'm also erring on the side of 650B wheels (I'm a short-arse) and all bar the Trek are available in 650B. Only the Bird is not available as a 29er.
Sorry to dump yet another thread like this on you all, but I thought I knew what I wanted. Then I got the go-ahead from the wife to spend the cash and found that I wasn't so sure anymore. Any opinions, especially from owners of the listed bikes, would be very gratefully hoovered up by this shambling, confused old man.
Well the Bird and the Orange look slacker so I guess will be better on techy downhill bits and the other two you are more over the front. I guess it is how you like to feel when riding.
At the end of the day though I bet you will still be able to do long rides on the first two.
To me it sounds like you want one of the first two. Pick the one you will feel more special/cool on, as the feel good factor is always worth a few seconds off your times.
Personally, I'd go with the Bird with it's longer travel, and I think it looks nicer.
At the end of the day though I bet you will still be able to do long rides on the first two.
To me it sounds like you want one of the first two. Pick the one you will feel more special/cool on, as the feel good factor is always worth a few seconds off your times.
Personally, I'd go with the Bird with it's longer travel, and I think it looks nicer.
Oh!
I forgot. There's a "wild card" option too.
Keep my powder dry on the 'expensive' (well it is by my reckoning) bike, and buy a "lightly used" Saracen Tufftrax Comp 29er which is available locally, from a shop, used only by the owner of the shop as a "stopgap" bike.
http://www.saracen.co.uk/bikes/mountain/sports-mtb...
Shimano Altus 3 x 9 gearing, Suntour XCM coil-sprung fork. Asking price = £290 (Saracen list price = £450)
Not sure how well this would stand up to punishment and abuse, though. By the shop owners own admission the groupset fitted is "more of a 'leisure riding' component set than a 'proper mountain biking group' really", and is pretty much the modern equivalent of the GT Avalanche 3.0 that this new bike will be replacing.
I forgot. There's a "wild card" option too.
Keep my powder dry on the 'expensive' (well it is by my reckoning) bike, and buy a "lightly used" Saracen Tufftrax Comp 29er which is available locally, from a shop, used only by the owner of the shop as a "stopgap" bike.
http://www.saracen.co.uk/bikes/mountain/sports-mtb...
Shimano Altus 3 x 9 gearing, Suntour XCM coil-sprung fork. Asking price = £290 (Saracen list price = £450)
Not sure how well this would stand up to punishment and abuse, though. By the shop owners own admission the groupset fitted is "more of a 'leisure riding' component set than a 'proper mountain biking group' really", and is pretty much the modern equivalent of the GT Avalanche 3.0 that this new bike will be replacing.
Chirpsean said:
I was in a similar boat recently but I was looking more XC than Trail. The Scott is a great bike and I nearly bought one, in the end I went for a Giant XTC on 650b wheels. Dont regret it for one minute.
Damn it! Winstanleys have one in budget... http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/76403/Gi...
...Grrrrrr! This was supposed to narrow down the shortlist, not boost the number of bikes on it!!!
Do you want a 29'er?
What size frame are you looking at? Thy sometimes look 'oddly proportioned' on smaller frame sizes.
I'd probably avoid the Saracen unless you're going to splash the rest of your budge on upgrades straight off - the forks are dire....
Having only ridden the previous Bird Zero (briefly) they're a cracking bike and seem well made.
Have you spoken to the guys a Bird to see if they have a set of wheels you could 'borrow' until the correct ones arrive?
I like the look of the Orange - always had a bit o a soft spot for them though although never tried one.
It coms down to if you want a full on XC machine or something that'll be at home n trails and steeper stuff.
What size frame are you looking at? Thy sometimes look 'oddly proportioned' on smaller frame sizes.
I'd probably avoid the Saracen unless you're going to splash the rest of your budge on upgrades straight off - the forks are dire....
Having only ridden the previous Bird Zero (briefly) they're a cracking bike and seem well made.
Have you spoken to the guys a Bird to see if they have a set of wheels you could 'borrow' until the correct ones arrive?
I like the look of the Orange - always had a bit o a soft spot for them though although never tried one.
It coms down to if you want a full on XC machine or something that'll be at home n trails and steeper stuff.
yellowjack said:
Damn it! Winstanleys have one in budget...
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/76403/Gi...
...Grrrrrr! This was supposed to narrow down the shortlist, not boost the number of bikes on it!!!
Ha ha ha http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/76403/Gi...
...Grrrrrr! This was supposed to narrow down the shortlist, not boost the number of bikes on it!!!
could be worst, I went out with a budget of <£1k and ended up nearly doubling it!!!
Lefty..
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p5411/CANNOND...
Full suss, air forks..
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s183p5823/GIANT-A...
Carbon, Air Forks.. seems a bit of a bargain
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s182p5504/SCOTT-S...
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p5411/CANNOND...
Full suss, air forks..
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s183p5823/GIANT-A...
Carbon, Air Forks.. seems a bit of a bargain
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s182p5504/SCOTT-S...
The trek looks nice, but have a soft spot for oranges.
In other news I will see you there at Battle On the Beach, I'm racing my singlespeed mtb on the Saturday evening, and racing the singlespeed cyclocross on the Sunday. I know I own a fat bike but just fancied getting the file treads out.
In other news I will see you there at Battle On the Beach, I'm racing my singlespeed mtb on the Saturday evening, and racing the singlespeed cyclocross on the Sunday. I know I own a fat bike but just fancied getting the file treads out.
Personally I'd have a look on bike-discount for a Radon, Felt or Merida. The 2016 Radon ZR Race 7.0 is has a Fox 32 fork, mavic Crossride wheels, XT components and its just over 11.5kgs.... and the best bit, its 1156 Euros...
I know buying blind is a risk etc etc but many of us have used bike discount, I've bought boxed bikes in the past, and twenty minutes later you're riding it. They are a continental brand, no need for a UK presence and as the UK bike market is predominantly based on brand names (I'm as quilty as anyone!), they have no interest in competing it would appear.
Being sensible, any bike comparison from the big players will effectively end up with four very similar bikes in different colours, they are alu welded tubes with the same componenets bolted on to hit a price point. Credit to Bird who are doing something different though.
If I had £1k, I'd be on that ZR Race 7.0 though, its so much bike for the money its impsssible to then buy something else which has every single part down spec'd.
I know buying blind is a risk etc etc but many of us have used bike discount, I've bought boxed bikes in the past, and twenty minutes later you're riding it. They are a continental brand, no need for a UK presence and as the UK bike market is predominantly based on brand names (I'm as quilty as anyone!), they have no interest in competing it would appear.
Being sensible, any bike comparison from the big players will effectively end up with four very similar bikes in different colours, they are alu welded tubes with the same componenets bolted on to hit a price point. Credit to Bird who are doing something different though.
If I had £1k, I'd be on that ZR Race 7.0 though, its so much bike for the money its impsssible to then buy something else which has every single part down spec'd.
pablo said:
Personally I'd have a look on bike-discount for a Radon, Felt or Merida. The 2016 Radon ZR Race 7.0 is has a Fox 32 fork, mavic Crossride wheels, XT components and its just over 11.5kgs.... and the best bit, its 1156 Euros...
I know buying blind is a risk etc etc but many of us have used bike discount, I've bought boxed bikes in the past, and twenty minutes later you're riding it. They are a continental brand, no need for a UK presence and as the UK bike market is predominantly based on brand names (I'm as quilty as anyone!), they have no interest in competing it would appear.
Being sensible, any bike comparison from the big players will effectively end up with four very similar bikes in different colours, they are alu welded tubes with the same componenets bolted on to hit a price point. Credit to Bird who are doing something different though.
If I had £1k, I'd be on that ZR Race 7.0 though, its so much bike for the money its impsssible to then buy something else which has every single part down spec'd.
I'd recommend a Radon, not that I own one but my brother owns a Team and his friend has the latest ZR Race (Think its the 7.0) - excellent bikes for the money, they arrived just over a week after ordering if not within the week.I know buying blind is a risk etc etc but many of us have used bike discount, I've bought boxed bikes in the past, and twenty minutes later you're riding it. They are a continental brand, no need for a UK presence and as the UK bike market is predominantly based on brand names (I'm as quilty as anyone!), they have no interest in competing it would appear.
Being sensible, any bike comparison from the big players will effectively end up with four very similar bikes in different colours, they are alu welded tubes with the same componenets bolted on to hit a price point. Credit to Bird who are doing something different though.
If I had £1k, I'd be on that ZR Race 7.0 though, its so much bike for the money its impsssible to then buy something else which has every single part down spec'd.
That said, I am tempted by the Bird AM currently, either that or an Orange Crush.
I also own a Giant XTC 1 (29er) which has been a good bike for the last 3 years or so.
I'd be buying the Bird because it's everything you want from your budget but more than that it's built by a little local indie and that would be worth a lot to me; a little personal service, some local kudos riding it round your local area, an RTB warranty like nothing you'd have by post, that little smile that having something a little different almost bespoke gives.
I know you like to mull all the options and take your time, but you say it's urgent and sometime it's best to dive in and get on with it. None of your options are bad.
I know you like to mull all the options and take your time, but you say it's urgent and sometime it's best to dive in and get on with it. None of your options are bad.
Bird or Orange for me.
Both Britsh designed and/or made.
Personally I try to go for less mainstream makers, "another" bike from a large manufacturer doesn't do it for me (IMHO).
I've ridden a Current Clockwork in 100mm/29er flavour and it rode nicely, uphill especially so.
My first proper MTB was a ''94 Clockwork, so that would help the decision making.....
Not sure on your sizing requirements, but Orange sell ex-show models which are usually better equipped for less than RRP, this one is on their website in a Medium:
https://www.orangebikes.co.uk/shop/factory/ex_demo...
Both Britsh designed and/or made.
Personally I try to go for less mainstream makers, "another" bike from a large manufacturer doesn't do it for me (IMHO).
I've ridden a Current Clockwork in 100mm/29er flavour and it rode nicely, uphill especially so.
My first proper MTB was a ''94 Clockwork, so that would help the decision making.....
Not sure on your sizing requirements, but Orange sell ex-show models which are usually better equipped for less than RRP, this one is on their website in a Medium:
https://www.orangebikes.co.uk/shop/factory/ex_demo...
Kermit power said:
If it were me, it would have to be the Bird, if only because it's the only one you've posted up which has a dropper post. I really wouldn't go back to riding a bike without one now that I've got them...
Might be the angle of the photo but that head angle looks pretty slack on the Bird, more trail bike than XC racer. Not entirely sure that fits the requirements as well as the Trek/XTC/Scott bikesBird looks damn cool though!
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