A quick what bike thread
Discussion
Morning all.
Right, today I'll be buying a new bike. The only slight problem is I haven't the foggiest idea what I want. I'm torn between going for a full susser or a hardtail. Whatever I get it'll be used for a wide variety of riding, some faster trails, some longer rides out, and some moderate descents etc. It's not a big deal which I go for given the variety of trails round these here parts, but the catch is I'd like it to come from Evans as there's one locally and my LBS' are pap, and I want it today or tomorrow ready to rock for the weekend.
I'm erring towards a full susser, be it XC or DH/FR. It can't be *too* crap at uphill stuff, but I don't mind suffering a little bit, things are a lot lighter than my last proper DH bike was!
So here's the few that I've been pondering...
Full Sus:
Norco Shore three - are Norco any good? I've not really heard much about them but they seem to do well in reviews
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/shore-th...
Norco Fluid LT2 - again looks a nice all rounder, and single clamp forks seem a better idea, but I have my reservations about the fox rear shock
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/fluid-lt...
Felt Redemption 2 - always liked felt and this seems a decent all rounder
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/felt/redemptio...
Hardtail:
Felt Q920
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/felt/q920-2010...
Gary Fisher Big Sur - had one of these about 10 years ago, loved it, so no reason other than nostalgia for wanting it
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gary-fisher/bi...
I'm off through to the local store just now to take a peek at what they've got in stock. I shall report back!
Any thoughts?
Right, today I'll be buying a new bike. The only slight problem is I haven't the foggiest idea what I want. I'm torn between going for a full susser or a hardtail. Whatever I get it'll be used for a wide variety of riding, some faster trails, some longer rides out, and some moderate descents etc. It's not a big deal which I go for given the variety of trails round these here parts, but the catch is I'd like it to come from Evans as there's one locally and my LBS' are pap, and I want it today or tomorrow ready to rock for the weekend.
I'm erring towards a full susser, be it XC or DH/FR. It can't be *too* crap at uphill stuff, but I don't mind suffering a little bit, things are a lot lighter than my last proper DH bike was!
So here's the few that I've been pondering...
Full Sus:
Norco Shore three - are Norco any good? I've not really heard much about them but they seem to do well in reviews
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/shore-th...
Norco Fluid LT2 - again looks a nice all rounder, and single clamp forks seem a better idea, but I have my reservations about the fox rear shock
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/norco/fluid-lt...
Felt Redemption 2 - always liked felt and this seems a decent all rounder
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/felt/redemptio...
Hardtail:
Felt Q920
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/felt/q920-2010...
Gary Fisher Big Sur - had one of these about 10 years ago, loved it, so no reason other than nostalgia for wanting it
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gary-fisher/bi...
I'm off through to the local store just now to take a peek at what they've got in stock. I shall report back!
Any thoughts?
Just had a look at all the bikes on Evans from £1100 to £1500 and the one that jumped out at me was this http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/pi...
Light enough to climb (better than that Norco Shore anyway) and geometry suited to descending. If I had to replace my Prophet with something that is still made it would be one of these.
If you want a Hardtail and are up for something a bit out there then what about a 29er? http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gary-fisher/x-...
These would be the two bikes on my shopping list if I was you (but I'm not so you can ignore all this if you want).
Light enough to climb (better than that Norco Shore anyway) and geometry suited to descending. If I had to replace my Prophet with something that is still made it would be one of these.
If you want a Hardtail and are up for something a bit out there then what about a 29er? http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gary-fisher/x-...
These would be the two bikes on my shopping list if I was you (but I'm not so you can ignore all this if you want).
There is a lot of stuff on the net about 26" Vs 29" wheels, have a read of some of that and see what you think. If I was in the market for a racy hardtail I would consider a 29er I think. I've never ridden one though so would be looking for a test ride first mind you.
If you want a do everything bike then I think the specialized is the best on the Evans site. It wont be as fast as a whippet bike up the hills though and not as fun as a DH bike on the steep descents but it will be a lot of fun for a lot of the time.
If you want a do everything bike then I think the specialized is the best on the Evans site. It wont be as fast as a whippet bike up the hills though and not as fun as a DH bike on the steep descents but it will be a lot of fun for a lot of the time.
Cheers Floor Tom.
Just popped in on my way back and had a peruse around. Think it's definitely got to be a full susser, I can't say no
The two that are stuck in my mind now are a 2009 Felt Compulsion 2, and the aforementioned specialized. Tough call really. Still tempted to spank the budget and go for the Lapierre I want but I think I'd best not!
Just popped in on my way back and had a peruse around. Think it's definitely got to be a full susser, I can't say no
The two that are stuck in my mind now are a 2009 Felt Compulsion 2, and the aforementioned specialized. Tough call really. Still tempted to spank the budget and go for the Lapierre I want but I think I'd best not!
the pitch is a bit of a big bike in terms of travel for racy xc stuff. it fits somewhere between xc and downhill in this nice category the manufacturers created called all mountian meaning it can go up and down big hills. this is essentially, what we have all been doing for years but these bikes tend to be better at the going down bit than the flat and the uphill bits.
the specialised fsr is a far better bike unless you are planning some big trips (Alps etc) i have a friend who chose the fsr over the pitch and is adamant he made the right choice.
to be honest for the money, the fsr xc comp?(the white one) is a great bike and more than capable of making you grin on the trails. full sus all the way though.
norco are good bikes and under rated because their profile in the UK is small compared to the likes of specialised and trek.
buy what mountain bike and scan through what they recommend in the back.
the specialised fsr is a far better bike unless you are planning some big trips (Alps etc) i have a friend who chose the fsr over the pitch and is adamant he made the right choice.
to be honest for the money, the fsr xc comp?(the white one) is a great bike and more than capable of making you grin on the trails. full sus all the way though.
norco are good bikes and under rated because their profile in the UK is small compared to the likes of specialised and trek.
buy what mountain bike and scan through what they recommend in the back.
There is a fair bit difference in the bikes you linked to, I think you need to decide how much travel you want first, the 3 FS you linked will be hard work uphill and long rides with that much travel. I wouldn't go above 5.5in travel, but it depends where and what you are planning on riding. Preferably demo them if you can.
Sorry for the late reply folks. Weather kind of stopped play the last couple of days and put a damper on my bike buying, but it's been a lovely day so I hit the bike shops this morning, and the trails this afternoon!
I tried the specialized pitch, FSR pro something or other, A lapierre XC. All kind of felt nice, but I happened to spot a 2009 felt compulsion 2 with 500 quid off. Had a play with that and it felt great!
So I nabbed the Felt
I'm still not quite sure about the rear shock, I'm quite heavy so it's going to need some more preloading than it's got at the minute, and I opted for a 17.5 inch frame which is way small for someone my size, but I think if I drop the seat back a touch, and fit a longer stem it's going to be perfect. I like the agility the smaller frame affords, and after 3 hours in the saddle, I'm not really feeling any major aches or pains.
Stuck some DMR V12's on because I love 'em, and picked up some spiffy new clobber while I was there, so bring on some more (preferably downhill orientated) trails!
Quick summary of the spec can be found here ( http://bit.ly/cWGwEW )but I think I picked a beauty based on first impressions, for 1400 quid (albeit reduced from 1900) it seems a decent enough spec I thought?
I'm going to get a hardtail to go with it, just for the longer, less off roady rides out as we're doing the coast to coast in the summer and I can't see this being ideal by some stretch.
Thanks for all the help guys, really appreciated.
I tried the specialized pitch, FSR pro something or other, A lapierre XC. All kind of felt nice, but I happened to spot a 2009 felt compulsion 2 with 500 quid off. Had a play with that and it felt great!
So I nabbed the Felt
I'm still not quite sure about the rear shock, I'm quite heavy so it's going to need some more preloading than it's got at the minute, and I opted for a 17.5 inch frame which is way small for someone my size, but I think if I drop the seat back a touch, and fit a longer stem it's going to be perfect. I like the agility the smaller frame affords, and after 3 hours in the saddle, I'm not really feeling any major aches or pains.
Stuck some DMR V12's on because I love 'em, and picked up some spiffy new clobber while I was there, so bring on some more (preferably downhill orientated) trails!
Quick summary of the spec can be found here ( http://bit.ly/cWGwEW )but I think I picked a beauty based on first impressions, for 1400 quid (albeit reduced from 1900) it seems a decent enough spec I thought?
I'm going to get a hardtail to go with it, just for the longer, less off roady rides out as we're doing the coast to coast in the summer and I can't see this being ideal by some stretch.
Thanks for all the help guys, really appreciated.
Stu R said:
Had a play with that and it felt great!
Most important factor in buying a bike.Have you set the seatpost height as in pictures? If you have then I'd say the size is (generally) about right.
As for the shock. Looks like it's got a High Volume air can so you should be able to get the spring rate just right. What I would consider is getting it custom valved when it goes off for a service next year. Doesn't cost a lot and the shock will be in bits anyway. Mojo Suspension are the Fox divas (although TFTuned are also good, they're just not the Fox importer). As for the Pike's, get them Push'd as part of their service next year - TFTuned are the Rock Shox divas. I wouldn't bother getting the shock Push'd.
Seat's a smidgen higher than that, maybe an inch at the most, at that height I wasn't extending my legs quite enough. It does indeed have the High Volume air can 
Just picked up a shock pump so I should be able to get the suspension setup properly today if I can be bothered. If the weather stays like it is currently I'll get it done and get out on it for another hour tonight down the woods. Then I think it'll just be a case of getting the longer stem and I'll be sorted!
Can't wait to get it on some proper trails and start abusing it
Just picked up a shock pump so I should be able to get the suspension setup properly today if I can be bothered. If the weather stays like it is currently I'll get it done and get out on it for another hour tonight down the woods. Then I think it'll just be a case of getting the longer stem and I'll be sorted!
Can't wait to get it on some proper trails and start abusing it
Edited by Stu R on Monday 22 March 12:56
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