What AM bike?
Author
Discussion

Maxwell90

Original Poster:

99 posts

199 months

Wednesday 8th October 2014
quotequote all
I'm going to get back into riding again. I was originally wanting a DH bike but, seen sense and now looking for a decent all rounder for around £2.5k? Going to be doing a mix of riding, mostly at Glentress. Been a while since I've been into bikes so not really sure what's good these days!

Currently looking at the new canyons, Strive AL 7.0 or the Torque EX Vertride. Both have really good spec's and I can get 10% off so comes in at £2519.

Been looking at the Trek Slash, Nukeproof AM and Specialized Stuntjumped/Enduro also but, the spec is poor compared to the canyon.

Any one able to help?

Cheers

JonnyxM

185 posts

162 months

Wednesday 8th October 2014
quotequote all
Canyons are epic for the money. Just unsure about support after you purchase if things went wrong, since there is no UK shop to go to! From what I've heard and seen they are great bikes though.

The other bikes you listed are great too, any chance you can take some out for demo? You may find you like one more so over the others, or you dislike the way one rides etc.

Does it need to be new? Lots of bargains 2nd hand about on Singletrack and the like.

I assume you're going 650b?

Maxwell90

Original Poster:

99 posts

199 months

Wednesday 8th October 2014
quotequote all
JonnyxM said:
Canyons are epic for the money. Just unsure about support after you purchase if things went wrong, since there is no UK shop to go to! From what I've heard and seen they are great bikes though.

The other bikes you listed are great too, any chance you can take some out for demo? You may find you like one more so over the others, or you dislike the way one rides etc.

Does it need to be new? Lots of bargains 2nd hand about on Singletrack and the like.

I assume you're going 650b?
Seems to be mixed reviews online, some say the service is great and others rubbish. They do have a UK base in London I think!

I'm not sure to be honest, most of my LBS's only really stock road bikes and bikes under £1k for the Cycle to work scheme. I think you can rent bikes at Glentress but, I've no idea what they have.

I'd be happy with a second hand bike as long as it's been well looked after. I've been trawling Pinkbike for the couple of weeks but, haven't seen anything seen yet. Will take a look on singletrack too.

I think so, to be honest I'm a bit clueless about the wheel sizes although I have heard 650b is a good compromise between 26'' and 29''.

Cheers
Max

ysnnim

235 posts

260 months

Wednesday 8th October 2014
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Orange Alpine 160? If you're not fussed over 2nd hand, then ebay could help!

snorkel sucker

2,717 posts

232 months

Wednesday 8th October 2014
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This was my (long)shortlist...

Orange Five 27.5 / 29
Trek Slash
Orbea Rallon
Commencal Meta AM
On One Codeine
YT Industries Capra/Wicked
Kona Process
Whyte G150/T130
Nukeproof Mega
GT Sanction

and, what I eventually went for...

Specialized Enduro Comp 29.

Combination of reasons, mostly to do with the fact I got it with several hundred quid off. It also happens to go like stink and can handle anything from the CYB "enduro" to a proper enduro.

Mr Gearchange

5,892 posts

235 months

Wednesday 8th October 2014
quotequote all
I have a YT Wicked.

It's literally all the bike I could ever want. While it isn't the greatest uphill pedalling machine it manages fine and I have pedalled it to the top of some proper mountains.

But coming down is where it really excels - super fast and stable and if you need to chuck in some 12ft drops and 25ft gaps on the way to the bottom it happily eats those up too.

I really cannot recommend it enough - and I suspect the Capra is even better.

Maxwell90

Original Poster:

99 posts

199 months

Wednesday 8th October 2014
quotequote all
Mr Gearchange said:
I have a YT Wicked.

It's literally all the bike I could ever want. While it isn't the greatest uphill pedalling machine it manages fine and I have pedalled it to the top of some proper mountains.

But coming down is where it really excels - super fast and stable and if you need to chuck in some 12ft drops and 25ft gaps on the way to the bottom it happily eats those up too.

I really cannot recommend it enough - and I suspect the Capra is even better.
Just had a look on the website and they look like cracking bits of kit! Never actually heard of them before. Is it the same kind of setup as Canyon? Got any pictures of your bike smile?

Looks like I'll be tore between a Wicked/Capra or Strive AL 7.0. So much choice!

Mr Gearchange

5,892 posts

235 months

Wednesday 8th October 2014
quotequote all
Yes - its a buy direct model and the only issues I've had is with spare mech hangers which take a couple of weeks to arrive - and cost 18 EUR for shipping. The answer is to buy a load in one go.

Otherwise it's been faultless - I have swapped the Avid brakes for Shimano's but other than that no issues whatsoever. The magazines rated it 10/10 when it came out. They rated the Capra 10/10 also so YT clearly have got something right.

Photo's you say?









tuffer

9,009 posts

296 months

Wednesday 8th October 2014
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Strive CF would be top of my list, how are you getting 10% off? I just ordered a CF SLX for my misses and that would have come in handy frown

anonymous-user

83 months

Wednesday 8th October 2014
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http://www.commencal-store.co.uk/PBSCCatalog.asp?A...

Commencal Meta would be high up on my list, some big savings to be had if you buy direct at the moment too like a half price 2013 Meta AM 1


Herman Toothrot

6,702 posts

227 months

Wednesday 8th October 2014
quotequote all
pablo said:
http://www.commencal-store.co.uk/PBSCCatalog.asp?A...

Commencal Meta would be high up on my list, some big savings to be had if you buy direct at the moment too like a half price 2013 Meta AM 1
I love my Commencal Supreme FS, but as it shares essentially the same design as the meta it makes me wonder how the meta copes with up hill as even a slight incline means I push my Supreme. Bottomless travel, but it also swallows whole pedal strokes.

Really need to try one of these AM / Enduro bikes.

Woody

2,189 posts

313 months

Thursday 9th October 2014
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Mr Gearchange said:
Yes - its a buy direct model and the only issues I've had is with spare mech hangers which take a couple of weeks to arrive - and cost 18 EUR for shipping. The answer is to buy a load in one go.

Otherwise it's been faultless - I have swapped the Avid brakes for Shimano's but other than that no issues whatsoever. The magazines rated it 10/10 when it came out. They rated the Capra 10/10 also so YT clearly have got something right.

Photo's you say?








Sweet ride!

Wish I had the bottle to throw myself of a jump!

Is that Stile Cop by any chance?

yellowjack

18,438 posts

195 months

Thursday 9th October 2014
quotequote all
Pick up the phone and call Ben, Dan, or Dave at Bird... http://shop.birdmtb.com/about-us

Tell them what you want from a bike, and see if they can tailor a build for you. Test winning full sus and hard tail frames built up to order with a pretty darned good self selection of customisable components. Some free alternatives, some cost upgrades, everything from the choice or forks and rear shocks, to handgrips, bar width, and 1x10 or 2x10 drivetrain. Beautifully finished bikes too. It'll do no harm to give them a look, anyway.

The hard tail (Zero) models are available now (3 to 5 days to build/ship), the only drawback is the new full sus (Aeris) frames are not available until the spring, although they are taking pre-orders now, with your choice of rear shock, then, reading between the lines, you can choose the build kit and alter the spec nearer the delivery time. Two 'Zero' builds aimed squarely at the AM rider - the AM, and the AMX. Or an Aeris if you can wait 'til early next year.

Justin Cyder

12,624 posts

178 months

Thursday 9th October 2014
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Can someone explain to me what's so good with YT bikes? I'm sorely tempted to buy one based on all the ratings but it is a chunk of change & I was thinking of a Lapierre Zesty instead, so I'd be interested to know how & even if a YT edges out a Lapierre?

Herman Toothrot

6,702 posts

227 months

Thursday 9th October 2014
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The Capra has great reviews, carbon frame low weight, it's supposed to pedal as well as it descends topped off with really good components. Other bikes the same price from main stream manufacturers either have lesser frames or components. The Capra with rock shox setup looks amazing value for the price it's more inline with Trek remedys that cost £1500 more.

Gruffy

7,212 posts

288 months

Thursday 9th October 2014
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Maxwell90 said:
Currently looking at the new canyons … and I can get 10% off
ears
Is this a publicly available discount code?

Mr Gearchange

5,892 posts

235 months

Thursday 9th October 2014
quotequote all
Woody said:
Sweet ride!

Wish I had the bottle to throw myself of a jump!

Is that Stile Cop by any chance?
No that's Tony Doyle's coaching facility in Herts. Highly recommended as he really gets you pushing your limits and brought my riding on miles in a few hours.

I do like Stile Cop though - great fun and very friendly bunch over there.

Westy Carl

178 posts

279 months

Thursday 9th October 2014
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Mr Gearchange said:
No that's Tony Doyle's coaching facility in Herts. Highly recommended as he really gets you pushing your limits and brought my riding on miles in a few hours.
Now I'm scared yikes

I've got a jumps course booked with him early Nov.

Mr Gearchange

5,892 posts

235 months

Thursday 9th October 2014
quotequote all
Westy Carl said:
Mr Gearchange said:
No that's Tony Doyle's coaching facility in Herts. Highly recommended as he really gets you pushing your limits and brought my riding on miles in a few hours.
Now I'm scared yikes

I've got a jumps course booked with him early Nov.
Don't worry he doesn't start you off on the big stuff - you work your way up to those.




It's brilliant - you'll have an absolute blast and end the day a far better rider than you started.
After a day with him and Nathan big drops and gaps hold no fear - they nail your technique and you can then happily throw yourself over/across anything you fancy!

Westy Carl

178 posts

279 months

Thursday 9th October 2014
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I'm hoping his definition of big stuff is over 1ft.

I've heard nothing but good things about his courses though, roll on Nov 6th.