XC/Trail bike - Giant or Trek?
Discussion
Looks like I can finally get back in the off road saddle again. As a rule I prefer slightly less common brands if I can, I fantasise about Santa Cruz, Yeti, La Pierre, Commencal etc. But the more I look into it, the less I can escape the value offered by either the Giant Anthem Advanced 1 or the Trek Fuel EX 8. I have ridden both (though not back to back), I like both. I suspect for me the Giant edges it through less slack geometry (here speaks an old skool xc racer). To be honest, the different types of bikes now for every nuance of riding is so bewildering, I don't have the time or patience to get up to speed on all of it.
The Trek
The Giant
My riding will be recreational (to the pub or with the Missus), a few sportives a year, but mainly with riding mates in the New Forest, Purbecks and Surrey Hills. I want full sus but with a sharp, responsive back end. Don't need more than 120mmm of travel, not fussed about a dropper post really, 27.5" is a must, remote lock out for suspension is preferred.
I *think* I'm looking in the right place with the two bikes listed but are any other good options I've missed? Already discounted is the Scott Spark (frame is dead), Cube (same reason), Whyte (I think the geometry will be too slack) .
The Trek
The Giant
My riding will be recreational (to the pub or with the Missus), a few sportives a year, but mainly with riding mates in the New Forest, Purbecks and Surrey Hills. I want full sus but with a sharp, responsive back end. Don't need more than 120mmm of travel, not fussed about a dropper post really, 27.5" is a must, remote lock out for suspension is preferred.
I *think* I'm looking in the right place with the two bikes listed but are any other good options I've missed? Already discounted is the Scott Spark (frame is dead), Cube (same reason), Whyte (I think the geometry will be too slack) .
Edited by 308mate on Tuesday 3rd October 13:47
I bought the Trek Fuel EX 7 last year, so slightly lesser model than you are looking at. I also only wanted a 27.5inch wheels as didn't like the 29ers (being less than 6ft I thought it was too high). Used it a few times in Bike Park Wales for downhill, used it recently on a South Wales Evans Ride it event and use it for lots for little blasts around the country. I also have a Cube Acid 2x Hard Tail which I prefer for around town and more flat rides as faster. Can't fault the Trek, nothing has gone wrong and I've used it pretty hard, even had the kids weehoo's bike trailer attached to it for a while.
moonigan said:
Why is 27.5 a must? The only real advantage a 27.5 bike has over a 29 is when things get really technical everywhere else a 29er just blows a 27.5 into the weeds.
Because I feel like I'm steering the Titanic when I ride a 29er. Its like a clown bike. But I understand the benefits so a 27.5 is the compromise. 
Slightly O/T but a dropper post is well worth the investment, I'm not very good and still notice a big difference in having the option to drop the seat down for the downhill bits. It's one of those things you don't notice if you haven't got it, but once you have it you wouldn't be without.
The Trek was on my shortlist when I was looking at bikes earlier in the year, but I could find one to try out. I was also considering the Cube 120 and Bird Aeris 120, although I suspect you won't be keen on the modern geometry on that.
In the end I went for an Orange Four, as to me, it felt so much better when I rode it, again it has quite slack geometry, which I like. I will also echo the comments about a dropper post being worthwhile if you are riding off road.
In the end I went for an Orange Four, as to me, it felt so much better when I rode it, again it has quite slack geometry, which I like. I will also echo the comments about a dropper post being worthwhile if you are riding off road.
Zippee said:
Theres a chap on one of the Facebook sales sites selling a 2016 27.5 EX8, brand new and never ridden for £1300. I'm not sure how to link it as it's a closed group but I can try if you're interested?
Wow, that seems almost *too* cheap. Would be keen to see a link if you can find it, although I don't have Farcebook so may not be able to see it anyway.308mate said:
Zippee said:
Theres a chap on one of the Facebook sales sites selling a 2016 27.5 EX8, brand new and never ridden for £1300. I'm not sure how to link it as it's a closed group but I can try if you're interested?
Wow, that seems almost *too* cheap. Would be keen to see a link if you can find it, although I don't have Farcebook so may not be able to see it anyway.
It might be too slack (not my opinion obviously) but I wouldn't discount the Whyte; https://www.whyte.bike/t130sr
More fun than those two with the possible exception of the Trek (not ridden a Fuel, but the Remedy is a hoot).
I've done 50 mile days on my Whyte hardtail, if its too slack then I haven't noticed or are past caring on the descents anyway.
More fun than those two with the possible exception of the Trek (not ridden a Fuel, but the Remedy is a hoot).
I've done 50 mile days on my Whyte hardtail, if its too slack then I haven't noticed or are past caring on the descents anyway.
moonigan said:
Why is 27.5 a must? The only real advantage a 27.5 bike has over a 29 is when things get really technical everywhere else a 29er just blows a 27.5 into the weeds.
Not IME - it really doesn't take much in the way of gnar to appreciate how much more responsive and manoeuvrable a 27.5 is. I find the inherent inertia around corners and changes of direction is very unpleasant IMO on a 29. The only advantage I can see of 29 is if you race or are not very confident and need a lot of stability.OP, you'll be happy with either but a dropper is far more important than any differences between the two.
And dont get caught up with thinking "slack" is bad. Unless you buy a downhill bike it wont make much difference to normal riding and you will still be able to do miles and miles of riding like on an xc bike. You legs and fitness will be more of a limiting factor than slackness.
Oh and once you go dropper you wont go back, if you do any kind of non flat riding and fun stuff.
Oh and once you go dropper you wont go back, if you do any kind of non flat riding and fun stuff.
AndyWoodall said:
It might be too slack (not my opinion obviously) but I wouldn't discount the Whyte; https://www.whyte.bike/t130sr
More fun than those two with the possible exception of the Trek (not ridden a Fuel, but the Remedy is a hoot).
I've done 50 mile days on my Whyte hardtail, if its too slack then I haven't noticed or are past caring on the descents anyway.
More fun than those two with the possible exception of the Trek (not ridden a Fuel, but the Remedy is a hoot).
I've done 50 mile days on my Whyte hardtail, if its too slack then I haven't noticed or are past caring on the descents anyway.
Mine's a revelation after a Scott racing. No harder to climb on and noticeably quicker and more confident (no doubt fatter 27.5" tyres help) everywhere else.Try a Whyte 901 at Frimley, it's odd/different initially but so much better.
Here's an old thread of my experiences buying, and riding a 2015 Giant Anthem 27.5" 3...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
...currently at 4,412 miles ridden, in a year and a half, and still the love for this bike is strong. Done a bit of racing on it, but just 2 x Battles On The Beach and some local winter XC series. Nothing to trouble the leaders either, but my training regime and "out for the craic" rather than "in it to win it" attitude more to blame than the bike for any lack of 'success'.
Is it really only a year and a half since I bought that bike? It really does feel like I've had it forever, and I mean that in a good way!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
...currently at 4,412 miles ridden, in a year and a half, and still the love for this bike is strong. Done a bit of racing on it, but just 2 x Battles On The Beach and some local winter XC series. Nothing to trouble the leaders either, but my training regime and "out for the craic" rather than "in it to win it" attitude more to blame than the bike for any lack of 'success'.
Is it really only a year and a half since I bought that bike? It really does feel like I've had it forever, and I mean that in a good way!
Bazzon said:
something from the Scott spark 2017 range,
New geometry decent specced from a big name and a light fast bike, my Spark 730 is a great bike 120mm travel, ive raced it, do trail rides with mates and done big mountain rides on it.
I like the Scott brand and the look of the bikes but when i tried one last year back to back with a Trek Fuel, the difference was night and day. The Scott left me cold. New geometry decent specced from a big name and a light fast bike, my Spark 730 is a great bike 120mm travel, ive raced it, do trail rides with mates and done big mountain rides on it.
308mate said:
I like the Scott brand and the look of the bikes but when i tried one last year back to back with a Trek Fuel, the difference was night and day. The Scott left me cold.
I can't speak from personal experience, but I was out riding a few weeks ago and bumped into an acquaintance who works for a local bike shop. He was out on their demo Scott Spark, having been recommended to try it by other staff at the shop. His verdict? "I can't wait to get this back to the shop so i can have my old Giant XTC back!"
yellowjack said:
308mate said:
I like the Scott brand and the look of the bikes but when i tried one last year back to back with a Trek Fuel, the difference was night and day. The Scott left me cold.
I can't speak from personal experience, but I was out riding a few weeks ago and bumped into an acquaintance who works for a local bike shop. He was out on their demo Scott Spark, having been recommended to try it by other staff at the shop. His verdict? "I can't wait to get this back to the shop so i can have my old Giant XTC back!"
Mines a 2015 and I tried an equivalent Scott at the time and also found it wooden compared to the Giant.
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