Advice of new bike; Slack, AM and big

Jesterarts

Jesterarts

Likes Dirt
Hi all,

So I sold my beloved Lapierre DH720 yesterday as given the nearest trails to my place is Lysterfield, I want something more usable there.

I'm googling around to see what is about, but really struggling to find anything that suits the bill.

So here are my criteria:

1. Has to be something that will work at Lysterfiled, but will also be able to take on Cressy @ YY and Red Hill on the odd occasion. So slack and travelly
2. 27.5, 650b or 29er
3. 160mm travel at least. (I'm not the smoothest rider)
4. Has to be something that comes in a Large or X Large frame. I am 6 foot 4 and the Lapierre looked like a BMX under me.
5. Have to not look like a retard wearing a FF on it. :p

Budget wise, I have $2300 as far as the wife is concerned... but in 'reality' I would be able to stretch that as far as $2600 for something really worth it.

This will result in some couch time, so it will have to be worth it.

Nothing really standing out in the RB FS section. And I am struggling to find much on Gumtree or eBay, though that's because I am doing broad searches rather than targeting specific bikes.

Cheers!
 
Mywifesirrational

Mywifesirrational

I however am very normal. Trust me.
I'm 6.3, you'll need an XL, which is good as they are cheaper (less people competing to buy), but less for sale second hand.

Slack and longer travel is going to be pretty average at Lysty, which is really only an issue if that's were you ride mostly and aren't happy with a sluggish bike there. I go there occasionally and both my Nomad and Rune are pigs there.

The 140-150mm travel range would give you a more versatile bike, and arguably would actually be better on tracks like Cressys. With a quality shock 140mm on the right bike is pretty sweet. Trance?

Something like a XL Rune or Spitfire may fit the bill, as then you could play with geometry a bit to maximize more XC orientated days with more shuttling days - perhaps use some old 26 and buy 27.5 later on. Although how long would you wait for an XL to pop up on RB. I broke my Rune down and sold it for around your stretched budget so it's possible to go that way and stay in budget.

just my morning tea ramblings.
 
slippy

slippy

Likes Bikes and Dirt
If you find a 29er with 160mm or more travel post it up. Never seen or heard of one. Niner WFO is the closest thing that springs to mind initially.
 
Beaker74

Beaker74

Likes Dirt
There is only one option.

Specialized Enduro 29er.

Best bike ever, :behindsofa: and it comes in an XL.
 
moorey

moorey

call me Mia
Beaker74 said:
There is only one option.

Specialized Enduro 29er.

Best bike ever, :behindsofa: and it comes in an XL.
Click to expand...
Said no one ever...

Try a banshee spitfire. The 140mm with CCDB feels more like 160 on the rough stuff, but more like 120 on the climbs. Mine has totally killed my quiver.

or the rune. If anything like the spitty, the 160 will feel like 180 but pedal like 140 :woot:
 
Jesterarts

Jesterarts

Likes Dirt
I see. So I should stay away from the Enduro 29er?

I was reading up about the recent one and it seemed to have positive reviews. But i guess once you actually own it you get an insight into how good it is that a one ride review wouldn't.
 
L

lachlanjw

Likes Dirt
+1 for both Banshee and bikes around the 140-150 mark. I ride a 140mm bike and when set up properly is extremely capable. Short stem, good quality suspension, geo that suits you and your ridding is more important than 20mm.. I rode my 140mm 26" trail bike over in queenstown and it was more than capable and I hit pretty much everything. A Spitfire with a ccdb cs would be high on my list. I love the Kona process bikes! Those guys seem to be doing things right.
 
Jesterarts

Jesterarts

Likes Dirt
I see.

Looking around for Banshee's and not a great deal floating around at the moment.

All I can find is new frames, but those are 2K a pop alone. :(
 
H

higiff

Likes Dirt
160mm is over kill for lysty.
But if that's what your keen on the bike shop in lysty have demo bikes and I think they got an enduro
 
Beaker74

Beaker74

Likes Dirt
moorey said:
Said no one ever...
Click to expand...
I just did :wave:

I haven't ridden that many different bikes, but the Enduro is very good.

Climbs and pedals well, descends very well. It is overkill for my needs though, the price was too good to pass up.

Definitely better than my old Trance. Having said that the new Trances are very good, and would do what you want, at around your budget.
 
Jesterarts

Jesterarts

Likes Dirt
Yeah, I was thinking that 160mm would be a good balance of something that will work for Lysty and still handle YY, Red Hill.

Though it is looking like most 29er's are 150 or 155 max.

Keen to get some thoughts on the Specialised Enduro 29er as I've found one that is around my price range.
 
Quintin

Quintin

Eats Squid
if you are a heavy, rough rider and plan on belting it down a proper DH track or even a semi DH track i would hang the 29er idea. the strength just isnt there in the wheels and the 29er geo is not as capable as the 650b AM lineup
 
Jesterarts

Jesterarts

Likes Dirt
Interesting point, and thus my dilemma.

If I look back over the last 12 months of owning the Lapierre, the 'belting downhill' was something that happened maybe 12 times or so across YY, Red Hill, Barjarg and one other place I can't even remember the name.

At the same time, I probably went out to Lysterfield every second weekend during the cooler months, and would have gone more if I had a more suitable bike.

I mean, If I can do Lysterfield, Cressy and Red Hill. I will be happy as Larry.
 
Quintin

Quintin

Eats Squid
i have a trail bike with a 65.5 head angle and i ride our local QLD trails which are geared towards entry level riders, mostly XC only, just fine. no serious rocks or jumps, total waste of a bike but i dont call it a pig. i reckon go for the best 650b AM you can get (it will be good for that money) and you will be happy
 
Duane

Duane

Likes Bikes and Dirt
I ride my 29 Enduro at Lysty often, use it for trailriding, gravity enduro and have riden some DH tracks. If you are a bigger guy it's a perfect bike. The standard wheelset is flexy though so if you are serious about gravity then I'd suggest a wheelset upgrade in the future. I run 35 Zelvy s and have no complaints. The shock on the comp model is a little basic and the 2014 C1 brakes are underwhelming for gravity tracks, I upgraded to Zees and a CCDBCS. For shorter pilots the 29s might be a bit of a handful, they are mansize, not women or childsize bikes. I'm 6'2 and a large is my preference. I shortened up the cockpit with a 50mm stem and can throw it around easily, though it does take a little more effort than the smaller wheels it makes up for it once the terrain gets serious. If I were vertically challenged I might opt for the smaller wheel variety but I love the versatility of my Enduro, it's no weight weenie though at mid to low 14s depending on what tires I'm running at the time, I run alot of different combinations and change them for where I'm riding.
 
JTmofo

JTmofo

XC Enthusiast
In reality you can give anything a go on any bike.... with mixed results

The elusive "one bike for all" is a raging debate and probably un-achievable... there must be compromises made no matter what.
Anyone that tells you a big slack 160mm+ Enduro rig can pedal uphill like a "mountain goat" is full of shit.... It may be fair or even good, but not exceptional and not what its designed for.

As Moorey pointed out, a Spitty or Rune are very good all rounders, and yes, they are expensive, but worth every penny in my opinion.
You can get them for less than your budget.... I did (even though wasnt the spec I wanted) and I spent some time changing components over time to suit me.

If you're looking for something into the 160mm range, a 29er's not the go. Generally flexy wheels (unless you shell out for some wide enduro stiff carbon jobbies) due to diameter, most 29ers are marketed at XC.
 
Quintin

Quintin

Eats Squid
JTmofo said:
Anyone that tells you a big slack 160mm+ Enduro rig can pedal uphill like a "mountain goat" is full of shit.... It may be fair or even good, but not exceptional and not what its designed for.
.
Click to expand...
agree fully here, they arent great uphill... BUT if you arent an experienced strong climber you will barely, if at all, tell.
 
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