Which Enduro MTB?

Author
Discussion

Gio G

Original Poster:

2,945 posts

208 months

Monday 13th November 2017
quotequote all
Would appreciate some advice from those with the wisdom..

So I am looking to make a purchase within the next month and ideally would like a 2017 bike, as there are some savings to be had, however need to move fast.. I have narrowed down my choices to the following bikes, which are sitting around the £3k mark, the Scott can be had for under that at some online retailers and Radon even cheaper, however not sure if I can buy one in the UK..

- Scott Genius LT 710 Plus Full Suspension 2017 bike - 27.5
- YT Capra CF Pro 2017 - 27.5
- Radon Swoop 170 8.0 - this one a bit of an outlier, as Aluminium frame

What additional bike/bikes should I consider as obvious candidates that would be in the same peer group as the above?

Thanks G


Fluffsri

3,161 posts

195 months

Monday 13th November 2017
quotequote all
I was torn between the YT and the Specialized Enduro 650B. I went to the Spesh in the end due to the longer frame warranty, I keep my bikes for a long time.

vwsurfbum

895 posts

210 months

Monday 13th November 2017
quotequote all
I like the Scott twinloc system, makes climbing easier.

Capra is fantastic value for the kit.

What about a Mondy? I have the carbon version but the Ally versions are great value.
https://www.sussedoutsuspension.co.uk/product/2017...

The_Jackal

4,854 posts

196 months

Monday 13th November 2017
quotequote all
If you are buying without trying, then just buy the one you like the look of the best. They are all top end bikes, but you want to feel special getting it out and riding it.

PaulD86

1,651 posts

125 months

Monday 13th November 2017
quotequote all
The first two on your list were pretty the same two I was trying to pick between. But having bought my previous bike on the strength of great reviews and then never at all got on with it I decided I wasn't buying anything I hadn't ridden. I hired the Scott (it may have been a 720 - I'm not 100% now) and liked it but I was riding it on trails unlike what I normally ride. Roll on my mate texting me to say there was an Orange demo day local to me coming up. We went, I spent 4 hours riding an Orange 6 RS and loved it. Ordered one the next day. The YT would have been better value despite me getting the 6 RS heavily reduced as an ex display (but never ridden) and plenty people don't like single pivot bikes (although I actually like the simplicity and less to go wrong) and no doubt there are better bikes. But. When I'm spending £3k or there about my main concern was that I'd like it and with it being so hard to actually find a bike to test the Orange was a safe buy for me. So what I'm saying in a very long winded (sorry) way is that I'd advise seeing what you can actually try and picking based on that.

On a side note, I spent an amazing day at Laggan Wolftrax yesterday where the Orange performed brilliantly. The black run there is magic!

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 13th November 2017
quotequote all
I always get a bit confused on the categories,

Enduro = lighter, faster, easier to climb etc?

My Stumpjumper is classed as All Mountain, it's heavy, very strong, decent downhill.

NCC

425 posts

283 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
quotequote all
If there's any way you can demo a few bikes that's what I'd be doing. While £3k isn't the fortune it used to be, it's still a serious chunk of money.

As a bit of a left field suggestion, have you looked at Cotic? The Rocket I tried was pretty much spot on as an 'enduro' bike. They also happen to offer one of the best demo services out there.

dogbucket

1,200 posts

200 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
quotequote all
Insert Coin said:
I always get a bit confused on the categories,

Enduro = lighter, faster, easier to climb etc?

My Stumpjumper is classed as All Mountain, it's heavy, very strong, decent downhill.
Enduro is one down from Downhill and is single crown forks with approx 160mm travel front and rear although 170mm is now common in the front. The concession to climbing is due to the nature of Enduro events where competitors do timed DH stages but have to transit between them under their own power.

All Mountian is shorter travel (140mm), but still with a nod to DH, so for general riding.

Enduro bikes also tend to be longer and slacker, however to improve climbing they may have on the fly adjustable geometry

In terms of the original question I was looking at Canyon Strive although that would be a 2018 bike as they only had XS sizes in the sale.



LasseV

1,754 posts

132 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
quotequote all
Well, obvious choice would be a Orange Five or Alpine wink

sjg

7,444 posts

264 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
quotequote all
Airdrop Edit would probably be where my £3k would be going. That money gets a really nice build - Pikes, Monarch RC3, Reverb Stealth, GX Eagle 1x12, Hope Pro4/Enduro wheels, Guide R brakes, all good stuff.

Hard to argue with the value of the Capra though, there's a reason every other bike at BPW is one!


kingb

1,151 posts

225 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
quotequote all
Have a look at Whyte. With 3k you’d have a bit of choice dependant on how much travel you want. I took out a 129 and 130 and was impressed but the longer travel bikes are apparently even better still!

British bikes too which is a bonus for me


Craikeybaby

10,369 posts

224 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
quotequote all
PaulD86 said:
The first two on your list were pretty the same two I was trying to pick between. But having bought my previous bike on the strength of great reviews and then never at all got on with it I decided I wasn't buying anything I hadn't ridden. I hired the Scott (it may have been a 720 - I'm not 100% now) and liked it but I was riding it on trails unlike what I normally ride. Roll on my mate texting me to say there was an Orange demo day local to me coming up. We went, I spent 4 hours riding an Orange 6 RS and loved it. Ordered one the next day. The YT would have been better value despite me getting the 6 RS heavily reduced as an ex display (but never ridden) and plenty people don't like single pivot bikes (although I actually like the simplicity and less to go wrong) and no doubt there are better bikes. But. When I'm spending £3k or there about my main concern was that I'd like it and with it being so hard to actually find a bike to test the Orange was a safe buy for me. So what I'm saying in a very long winded (sorry) way is that I'd advise seeing what you can actually try and picking based on that.

On a side note, I spent an amazing day at Laggan Wolftrax yesterday where the Orange performed brilliantly. The black run there is magic!
Demo-ing an Orange also proved expensive for me.

I really recomend the Leisure Lakes demo day at Cannock Chase, you can try bikes from various manufacturers back to back.

LasseV said:
Well, obvious choice would be a Orange Five or Alpine wink
I was going to post that yesterday, Sunset MTB have some 2017 models available too.

sjg

7,444 posts

264 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
quotequote all
kingb said:
British bikes too which is a bonus for me
British-designed, made in Taiwan (like almost all "British" brands). Orange are one of very few making affordable(ish) full suspension frames here - the others are niche and very pricey. http://singletrackworld.com/2017/11/10-uk-made-ful...

missing the VR6

2,320 posts

188 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
quotequote all
sjg said:
kingb said:
British bikes too which is a bonus for me
British-designed, made in Taiwan (like almost all "British" brands). Orange are one of very few making affordable(ish) full suspension frames here - the others are niche and very pricey. http://singletrackworld.com/2017/11/10-uk-made-ful...
As an owner of 2 Orange bikes it really grates when Whyte bleat on about being British.

Personally I've a 26" wheeled Orange 5 and an Alpine 6 Factory, both are amazing trail bikes. Choosing between the 2 would come down to where you normally ride. The 5 is a seriously capable bike, and climbs better than the 6.

nickfrog

20,874 posts

216 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
quotequote all
Are you guys sure Orange weld their steel or aluminium frames in the UK ?

sjg

7,444 posts

264 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
quotequote all
The full suspension stuff is made in Halifax. https://www.orangebikes.co.uk/stories/view/handbui...

Or with Guy Martin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlIYEdRFQu4

The new (as of last year) owner of Orange Bikes owns the company that supplies them with aluminium.

Hardtails and things like the RX9 are "designed in Britain", made in Taiwan.

kingb

1,151 posts

225 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
quotequote all
sjg said:
British-designed, made in Taiwan (like almost all "British" brands). Orange are one of very few making affordable(ish) full suspension frames here - the others are niche and very pricey. http://singletrackworld.com/2017/11/10-uk-made-ful...
Didn’t know that!

I have one of Halifax’s finest (26 inch wheeled five) and think it’s excellent however I was quite tempted as they do ride well!



Edited by kingb on Tuesday 14th November 17:12

Gio G

Original Poster:

2,945 posts

208 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
quotequote all
Many thanks for the excellent feedback. I will look into some of those makes..like the idea of buying British!

Was doing an overall search at the price point and found the following came up:

Given it is a 2016 bike, anyone know much about the Intense brand, I gather more of US name? Cannot find any meaningful reviews on this model type..

https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/102659/products/...

Thanks G

james7

594 posts

254 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
quotequote all
If you like the idea of buying british how about the hope hb160?
A tiny bit over budget perhaps but using man maths it might stretch to it wink

I was looking at one last week and its just stunning. The photos dont do it justice imo cloud9

Gio G

Original Poster:

2,945 posts

208 months

Tuesday 14th November 2017
quotequote all
james7 said:
If you like the idea of buying british how about the hope hb160?
A tiny bit over budget perhaps but using man maths it might stretch to it wink

I was looking at one last week and its just stunning. The photos dont do it justice imo cloud9
A tiny bit... more like £4K over!!! Lovely looking machine.. anyone on here got an Intense, per last message..