Getting back into it...
Discussion
Hi All,
I've been thinking about getting back in the saddle, so to speak, a bit more regularly as I used to cycle a lot when I was younger. I've been going out with some mates occasionally with my 15 year old Kona Stuff but it's starting to get a lot of problems. It has a loose headset, loose chainset (no matter how many times I re-tighten it) and buckled wheels. Therefore the only natural thing to do is to buy a new one right?!
So, having not been in the game for many years and getting lost regarding all the latest terminology - 29ers/1 x 10 drive chains, full suspension and seat droppers, I'd like some recommendations from the PH Massive. My riding is mostly Surrey Hills/local woods so I think I want a full suspension (as I've never owned one) 29er? Or should I still go with a hardtail?
Thoughts on the type of bike and then recommendations for what I should consider make/model wise - budget is in the region of £1500 - 2000.
Thanks in advance!
I've been thinking about getting back in the saddle, so to speak, a bit more regularly as I used to cycle a lot when I was younger. I've been going out with some mates occasionally with my 15 year old Kona Stuff but it's starting to get a lot of problems. It has a loose headset, loose chainset (no matter how many times I re-tighten it) and buckled wheels. Therefore the only natural thing to do is to buy a new one right?!
So, having not been in the game for many years and getting lost regarding all the latest terminology - 29ers/1 x 10 drive chains, full suspension and seat droppers, I'd like some recommendations from the PH Massive. My riding is mostly Surrey Hills/local woods so I think I want a full suspension (as I've never owned one) 29er? Or should I still go with a hardtail?
Thoughts on the type of bike and then recommendations for what I should consider make/model wise - budget is in the region of £1500 - 2000.
Thanks in advance!
maccas99 said:
Kermit power said:
Unless you're very tall, is there any particular reason you're looking at a 29er rather than 27.5?
I'm 6ft 2", does that qualify? 
Get to some demo days, at 6ft 3 I thought I'd end up with a 29er but every time I rode a 27.5 I preferred it.
There's lots of choice at your budget, Vitus escarpe, YT jeffsy, canyon spectral, bird, and so on.
I've also come back to MTB after about 15 years so droppers, 1x, and suspension systems that actually work were all new to me!!
Modern FS trail bikes are bloody brilliant. Get something with 140 rear/150 front travel (ish) and you'll be grand. I've just bought a Vitus escarpe VR 27.5.
It's currently on offer for £1350 if you're quick, best value FS out there at the moment, IMO.
Oh and 27.5+ (2.5/2.6" or bigger) tyres are awesome, nearly as big as 29x2.3 but loads more grip.
There's lots of choice at your budget, Vitus escarpe, YT jeffsy, canyon spectral, bird, and so on.
I've also come back to MTB after about 15 years so droppers, 1x, and suspension systems that actually work were all new to me!!
Modern FS trail bikes are bloody brilliant. Get something with 140 rear/150 front travel (ish) and you'll be grand. I've just bought a Vitus escarpe VR 27.5.
It's currently on offer for £1350 if you're quick, best value FS out there at the moment, IMO.
Oh and 27.5+ (2.5/2.6" or bigger) tyres are awesome, nearly as big as 29x2.3 but loads more grip.
Calibre Boss Nut gets great reviews, from Go Outdoors.
I still ride a 26er, so you can take what I say with a pinch of salt! I tried a 29 er once, and found the biggest difference I noticed was downhill. I already go fast enough to scare myself and the 29er seemed to up the anti by about 10%, it just smashed its way down the bumpiest trails, but I don't want to go any faster. I also thought it was less agile and a bit harder to climb.
I still ride a 26er, so you can take what I say with a pinch of salt! I tried a 29 er once, and found the biggest difference I noticed was downhill. I already go fast enough to scare myself and the 29er seemed to up the anti by about 10%, it just smashed its way down the bumpiest trails, but I don't want to go any faster. I also thought it was less agile and a bit harder to climb.
Tall_Paul said:
Get to some demo days, at 6ft 3 I thought I'd end up with a 29er but every time I rode a 27.5 I preferred it.
There's lots of choice at your budget, Vitus escarpe, YT jeffsy, canyon spectral, bird, and so on.
I've also come back to MTB after about 15 years so droppers, 1x, and suspension systems that actually work were all new to me!!
Modern FS trail bikes are bloody brilliant. Get something with 140 rear/150 front travel (ish) and you'll be grand. I've just bought a Vitus escarpe VR 27.5.
It's currently on offer for £1350 if you're quick, best value FS out there at the moment, IMO.
Oh and 27.5+ (2.5/2.6" or bigger) tyres are awesome, nearly as big as 29x2.3 but loads more grip.
Thanks for your feedback, I was thinking about getting a couple to try out for a bit and you've now confirmed that it will be worthwhile. That Vitus escarpe looks great, where is it on offer for that price? There's lots of choice at your budget, Vitus escarpe, YT jeffsy, canyon spectral, bird, and so on.
I've also come back to MTB after about 15 years so droppers, 1x, and suspension systems that actually work were all new to me!!
Modern FS trail bikes are bloody brilliant. Get something with 140 rear/150 front travel (ish) and you'll be grand. I've just bought a Vitus escarpe VR 27.5.
It's currently on offer for £1350 if you're quick, best value FS out there at the moment, IMO.
Oh and 27.5+ (2.5/2.6" or bigger) tyres are awesome, nearly as big as 29x2.3 but loads more grip.
Daveyraveygravey said:
Calibre Boss Nut gets great reviews, from Go Outdoors.
I still ride a 26er, so you can take what I say with a pinch of salt! I tried a 29 er once, and found the biggest difference I noticed was downhill. I already go fast enough to scare myself and the 29er seemed to up the anti by about 10%, it just smashed its way down the bumpiest trails, but I don't want to go any faster. I also thought it was less agile and a bit harder to climb.
That's also a good point, the guys I go out with go quite quick and I'll need to build up to their speed plus I wear prescription clear lenses so it takes a bit of getting used to again.I still ride a 26er, so you can take what I say with a pinch of salt! I tried a 29 er once, and found the biggest difference I noticed was downhill. I already go fast enough to scare myself and the 29er seemed to up the anti by about 10%, it just smashed its way down the bumpiest trails, but I don't want to go any faster. I also thought it was less agile and a bit harder to climb.
maccas99 said:
Tall_Paul said:
Get to some demo days, at 6ft 3 I thought I'd end up with a 29er but every time I rode a 27.5 I preferred it.
There's lots of choice at your budget, Vitus escarpe, YT jeffsy, canyon spectral, bird, and so on.
I've also come back to MTB after about 15 years so droppers, 1x, and suspension systems that actually work were all new to me!!
Modern FS trail bikes are bloody brilliant. Get something with 140 rear/150 front travel (ish) and you'll be grand. I've just bought a Vitus escarpe VR 27.5.
It's currently on offer for £1350 if you're quick, best value FS out there at the moment, IMO.
Oh and 27.5+ (2.5/2.6" or bigger) tyres are awesome, nearly as big as 29x2.3 but loads more grip.
Thanks for your feedback, I was thinking about getting a couple to try out for a bit and you've now confirmed that it will be worthwhile. That Vitus escarpe looks great, where is it on offer for that price? There's lots of choice at your budget, Vitus escarpe, YT jeffsy, canyon spectral, bird, and so on.
I've also come back to MTB after about 15 years so droppers, 1x, and suspension systems that actually work were all new to me!!
Modern FS trail bikes are bloody brilliant. Get something with 140 rear/150 front travel (ish) and you'll be grand. I've just bought a Vitus escarpe VR 27.5.
It's currently on offer for £1350 if you're quick, best value FS out there at the moment, IMO.
Oh and 27.5+ (2.5/2.6" or bigger) tyres are awesome, nearly as big as 29x2.3 but loads more grip.
I'm extremely happy with mine, and I paid £1565!!
It's a little portly at 32lbs (33lbs with pedals) stock in an XL, but it pedals well and tbh the only thing that needs changing is the rear Minion SS tyre. It's only this price until Thursday BTW. 
I've demo'd a few bikes over the past few months - a Whyte S150 and T130 (29 and 27.5 respectively) and then a Stumpjumper 29 and Canyon spectral 27.5 plus. I preffered the 27.5 bikes over the 29ers, and the Canyon is right at the top of my list for my next bike, it's awesome.
If I hadn't bought the Vitus, these 2 were high on my list:
https://www.yt-industries.com/uk/detail/index/sArt...
https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/mtb/spectral/spectral...
But working it out, for the extra £400 the spec wasn't that much better and that £400 gets me a lot in terms of upgrades.
Edited by Tall_Paul on Tuesday 1st May 22:59
Edited by Tall_Paul on Wednesday 2nd May 22:16
Tall_Paul said:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-escarpe-v... - get british cycling membership for £23 which gives you 10% off, that makes it £1355 total.
I'm extremely happy with mine, and I paid £1565!! It's a little portly at 32lbs (33lbs with pedals) stock in an XL, but it pedals well and tbh the only thing that needs changing is the rear Minion SS tyre. It's only this price until Thursday BTW.
I've demo'd a few bikes over the past few months - a Whyte S150 and T130 (29 and 27.5 respectively) and then a Stumpjumper 29 and Canyon spectral 27.5 plus. I preffered the 27.5 bikes over the 29ers, and the Canyon is right at the top of my list for my next bike, it's awesome.
If I hadn't bought the Vitus, these 2 were high on my list: https://www.yt-industries.com/uk/detail/index/sArt... but working it out, for the extra £400 the spec wasn't that much better and that £400 gets me a lot in terms of upgrades.
Thanks for all the info, not sure I'll be in a position to buy a bike in 2 days! Need to do some test rides first! That Canyon looks decent, I've also heard good things about the Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt but that's a bit too pricey for me right now. Also any opinions on the Lapierre Zesty?I'm extremely happy with mine, and I paid £1565!!
It's a little portly at 32lbs (33lbs with pedals) stock in an XL, but it pedals well and tbh the only thing that needs changing is the rear Minion SS tyre. It's only this price until Thursday BTW. I've demo'd a few bikes over the past few months - a Whyte S150 and T130 (29 and 27.5 respectively) and then a Stumpjumper 29 and Canyon spectral 27.5 plus. I preffered the 27.5 bikes over the 29ers, and the Canyon is right at the top of my list for my next bike, it's awesome.
If I hadn't bought the Vitus, these 2 were high on my list: https://www.yt-industries.com/uk/detail/index/sArt... but working it out, for the extra £400 the spec wasn't that much better and that £400 gets me a lot in terms of upgrades.
Edited by Tall_Paul on Tuesday 1st May 22:59
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