Discussion
OK here goes, hard hat on, but need to hear peoples recommendations.
You may have seen my post elsewhere but if not my Scott Genius MC20 was recently stolen.
This bike has been everything i wanted it to be, i'd given it some serious abuse and everytime it shrugged and asked for more from climbing 1500m vertical, descending 2500m vertical on tracks and trails to long rides of 100km.
It never faultered and the day i went into the garage and saw the empty hooks on the wall i'll admit is was a tad sad
The good news is that the insurance assessor has been today and confirmed that he can see no reason whynthey won't pay out and just needs to check on the replacement cost.
So, what do i replace it with, there's a chance this topic may be academic as they might just supply a replacement but he thought more than likely they wouldn't.
Basic criteria are;
- Mountain bike
- Light (as i do like climbing)
- full suspension
- both front and back to be easily lockable
- well balanced and easy to ride
- tough and able to take a lot of abuse (even with all the serious riding I've done i still have a lot of spills)
- cost sub £3800
So, what's out there and what do people recommend?
You may have seen my post elsewhere but if not my Scott Genius MC20 was recently stolen.
This bike has been everything i wanted it to be, i'd given it some serious abuse and everytime it shrugged and asked for more from climbing 1500m vertical, descending 2500m vertical on tracks and trails to long rides of 100km.
It never faultered and the day i went into the garage and saw the empty hooks on the wall i'll admit is was a tad sad
The good news is that the insurance assessor has been today and confirmed that he can see no reason whynthey won't pay out and just needs to check on the replacement cost.
So, what do i replace it with, there's a chance this topic may be academic as they might just supply a replacement but he thought more than likely they wouldn't.
Basic criteria are;
- Mountain bike
- Light (as i do like climbing)
- full suspension
- both front and back to be easily lockable
- well balanced and easy to ride
- tough and able to take a lot of abuse (even with all the serious riding I've done i still have a lot of spills)
- cost sub £3800
So, what's out there and what do people recommend?
Suspension - both front and back to be easily lockable
Suspension that you can properly "lock out" effectively limits you to Scott bikes. If proprietary, not-serviced-by-anyone rear shocks are your thing, then you're sorted.
Go for a Pro-Pedal (or similar) system (which isn't fully lockable, but works well) and you've a much, much greater choice. Especially for this budget! There is no "best" MTB at this price point (despite what the marketing departments would have you believe) so go for what fits, what rides to your liking and your preferred spec, and you won't go wrong. Top Fuel EX-9, Epic, Anthem etc, etc
Suspension that you can properly "lock out" effectively limits you to Scott bikes. If proprietary, not-serviced-by-anyone rear shocks are your thing, then you're sorted.
Go for a Pro-Pedal (or similar) system (which isn't fully lockable, but works well) and you've a much, much greater choice. Especially for this budget! There is no "best" MTB at this price point (despite what the marketing departments would have you believe) so go for what fits, what rides to your liking and your preferred spec, and you won't go wrong. Top Fuel EX-9, Epic, Anthem etc, etc
Jimbo. said:
Suspension - both front and back to be easily lockable
Suspension that you can properly "lock out" effectively limits you to Scott bikes. If proprietary, not-serviced-by-anyone rear shocks are your thing, then you're sorted.
Go for a Pro-Pedal (or similar) system (which isn't fully lockable, but works well) and you've a much, much greater choice. Especially for this budget! There is no "best" MTB at this price point (despite what the marketing departments would have you believe) so go for what fits, what rides to your liking and your preferred spec, and you won't go wrong. Top Fuel EX-9, Epic, Anthem etc, etc
Cheers, will look into Pro-pedal systems and whatthe difference is.Suspension that you can properly "lock out" effectively limits you to Scott bikes. If proprietary, not-serviced-by-anyone rear shocks are your thing, then you're sorted.
Go for a Pro-Pedal (or similar) system (which isn't fully lockable, but works well) and you've a much, much greater choice. Especially for this budget! There is no "best" MTB at this price point (despite what the marketing departments would have you believe) so go for what fits, what rides to your liking and your preferred spec, and you won't go wrong. Top Fuel EX-9, Epic, Anthem etc, etc
pablo said:
pro pedal doesnt lock out the suspension at the rear, it just allows a very small amount of travel which increases traction when you are sat down on climbs.
have a serious look at the Pace RC405, for that sort of money you could build the Cheryl Cole of bikes...
Why would you want a bike that looks far too bling and has an annoying whining noise coming from the headset?have a serious look at the Pace RC405, for that sort of money you could build the Cheryl Cole of bikes...
At that price point ignore what people tell you should buy. Go to some demo days / trail centres and hire the bikes that fit your on paper criteria. Pick the one that rides best FOR YOU.
Different bikes suit different people and getting on for 4k is a lot of money to chuck away if you base your purchase choice on a car park ride and it turns out you hate it when you get it off road.
Different bikes suit different people and getting on for 4k is a lot of money to chuck away if you base your purchase choice on a car park ride and it turns out you hate it when you get it off road.
rhinochopig said:
pablo said:
pro pedal doesnt lock out the suspension at the rear, it just allows a very small amount of travel which increases traction when you are sat down on climbs.
have a serious look at the Pace RC405, for that sort of money you could build the Cheryl Cole of bikes...
Why would you want a bike that looks far too bling and has an annoying whining noise coming from the headset?have a serious look at the Pace RC405, for that sort of money you could build the Cheryl Cole of bikes...
Rob_T said:
rhinochopig said:
ignore what people tell you should buy
i don't think that was quite the answer the OP was looking for when he posted... 
Marcellus said:
what's out there and what do people recommend?
Is my recommendation any less valid? No. I didn't state ignore the recommendations, simply ignore people saying you should buy this.
What works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another and 4k is a lot of cash to blow on something that may not work for you but looks shiny and rides ok around the bike-shop car park.
I think its safe to say that very few of us will have ever ridden a £4K mtb let alone enough of the current models to compare them against each other hence the comments about not buying based on the recommendation of someone else who may/may not have ridden it around a shop car park/for a week in the alps... thus its important to try a few in the proper surroundings (unless of course, dropping £4K on a bike is not big financial decision - in which case its your round and I'm having the lobster....)
Mr E said:
pablo said:
I think its safe to say that very few of us will have ever ridden a £4K mtb let alone enough of the current models to compare them against each other
I've sat on a top fuel and ridden it round a car park. Felt expensive....
pablo said:
I think its safe to say that very few of us will have ever ridden a £4K mtb let alone enough of the current models to compare them against each other hence the comments about not buying based on the recommendation of someone else who may/may not have ridden it around a shop car park/for a week in the alps... thus its important to try a few in the proper surroundings (unless of course, dropping £4K on a bike is not big financial decision - in which case its your round and I'm having the lobster....)
mmmm yes, but I know that a lot of people on PH like to read up on these sorts of things and therefore have a better idea as to what the bike reviewers are recommending and mmmmm yes, everyones suggestions are welcome!!
As for the lobster.. I wish.. but I'm not getting any real choice in the matter.... insurance policy payout, they're not going just to give me a cheque but will deal with my choice of LBS to supply the replacement so I may be able to change models but even if I don't spend the full value I won't get any change!
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