Bike stolen - new XC bike - budget £2070

[Henry Hawthorne]

Hi guys,

Unfortunately some massive tt has stolen my beautiful Klein Attitude XV from my garage at home but on the flipside the insurance company have given me £2070 to spend on a new bike which was quite lovely of them. They're recommending a LaPierre Pro Race 400 which does look rather tasty, but I'm a bit out of touch with MTBs at the moment so I could do with some advice.

I've always ridden hardtails but I am rather tempted by a few full sussers. I want a full bike - I don't want to buy bits and build it up. Other than that any advice is appreciated.

Cheers

[anonymous-user]

full sus, no question. i think the new generation of full sus xc bikes are incredible, they just generate so much traction and the better rear suspension designs are now so good at putting power down now that you dont realise that its a full sus. even the short travel bikes have just enough bounce to take the sting out of the larger hits too so you can just keep pedalling.

i rode a friends specialised epic http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?pro... through afan when i still had a hardtail and was in the same position as you and was amazed. it did everything i just described and it convinced me that full sus was the way to go. its a proven design and the bike is well specced.

the giant anthem x1 won the what mtb "bike of the year" award http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?pro... and if you are lucky to get one in your size, the 2009 models will be reduced. i think its <24lbs too.

i love my commencal and would recommened one to anyone, i have the 4.2 but you should be able to get a 4.1 in the sales easy enough.
http://www.singletrackbikes.co.uk/product/2787/Com... again it should be a few pies under 25lbs and the ride is sublime, very responsive and a nice long top tube so when it does get a bit exciting you can move your weight around and not feel cramped. Commie......do it!!....

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 15th October 09:28

[ezi]

http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/bikes/2010/st4_s/

for a full sus'er ?

[JPJ]

I'd second the Giant Anthem. Incredible lightweight XC bike, but also a very capable trail bike too. The other advantage is that it seems to be incredibly reliable, where the Epic has had a few issues over the past year with Specialized shocks and forks.

[anonymous-user]

ezi said:

http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/bikes/2010/st4_s/

for a full sus'er ?

i have no idea where the money is on this bike but for just shy of £2K, i would be expecting something more than 317 rims, deore and slx groupset...

[snotrag]

If you'd come to me in when i worked in the shop and asked that - the Giant Anthem is what I would have pulled out first.

Cant remember exactly which modes fall at whicch prive points, but for £2000 you will get a great spec.

But the most important asepct is the frame 0- and Giant frames are superb. Maestro is the best suspension setup out there, and the 09 Anthem X frame weight less than last years (carbon fibre) anthem advenaced.

Giant are the Daddies in terms of what they can do with Aluminium.

[nicks1]

+1 for the anthem .... or maybe a spark