Which bike would you recommend for riding in Victoria?

[alex1019]

Hi All,

Just wondering what you guys would recommend out of the following:

1) YT Capra AL https://au.yt-industries.com/detail/index/sArticle/552/sCategory/342
2) Canyon Strive AL 6.0 Race https://www.canyon.com/en-au/mtb/strive/2016/strive-al-6-0-race.html
3) Specialized Enduro Elite 650B http://www.specialized.com/au/en-au/bikes/mountain/enduro/enduro-elite-650b

Currently ride in Victoria: Plenty Gorge, Red Hill, Lysterfield, and You Yangs.

Do these bikes seem appropriate for where I ride? Any other bikes you guys think I should look into?

Cheers,

Alex

 

[Jam0864]

double posted ignore me

 

[Jam0864]

There's a specialised demo day on at lysterfield this weekend and you yangs next weekend. It's well worth actually riding some bikes to see what you like and what you don't like.

 

[Jam0864]

Also check out the giant reign, it's priced very competitively here.

 

[teK--]

If I could only pick out of those 3 I would go Capra. Purely because it doesn't have a proprietery shapshifter system, or custom yoke/weird shock length like the other 2 choices.

 

[dynamitedread]

I ride the same places and really thought a 140mm bike was best suited but ended up with a Rocky Mountain Altitude (150mm). Still think a lot of the 160mm bikes are to much for local Melbourne trails (I'm skinny so you might use more travel than me). Altitude is quite an adaptable geo wise so can set up to personal taste or to suit trail.
Ps saw heaps of YT's when on holiday in France and they look outstanding in the flesh

 

[deej]

I agree, try out a few of the models you've mentioned, read reviews too, there's heaps of quality info, Flow Magazine have covered most of those bikes, other factors to consider are budget, what kind of riding you do, or perhaps intend to do (progression), there's heaps of great options available now.

I've heard and read great things about the Reign but never tried one myself. I love the look and design of the Canyon Strive and the YT's, great bikes at a great price, the only catch may be availability of special parts and warranty/servicing etc if something goes wrong. However i'm sure as the companies gain traction here in Aus they'll be taking care of that. All of these bikes have strong reviews online and in magazines.

A friend of mine has just moved from a Norco Sight Carbon 140mm to a Specialized Enduro 650B (160mm) and he can't get enough of it, hands down his favorite bike, it rides really well.

For me, I already own an amazing bike, a 2015 Norco Range 7.2C (160mm), which I would definitely recommend, I find it to be a very capable machine for all types of riding, it climbs extremely well, i've used it at almost every track in Victoria including those you've mentioned & Mount Buller, Barjarg etc, i've taken it up Stone Fly and the Epic trail. Recently I traveled over to NZ and took it down the Skyline steeps & up and through the back-country of Queenstown.

Last year I was lucky enough to experience the mountains & single tracks in the French Alps, I even raced Megavalanche on it and it never let me down. I've got an old thread somewhere here that got moved...

http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/sho...-5-Enduro-Work-Horse-Upgrades-Overseas-Travel

I believe with what's available now a 160mm bike isn't too much travel, they are quite versatile, I don't think you wouldn't regret getting one.

Ride/Demo days are good but go check out some stores and chat to the staff about their stock too. If you end up thinking about a Giant/Norco, chat to Mat and the crew at Life of Bikes Pakenham, they've got a great attitude toward riding and helping people get out on a bike, they have demo bikes available and are really competitive on price.

If you have any other questions please let me know, i'll also see if I can get my friend with the Spec Enduro to throw in some info.
I hope you find a rad ride!

 

[James Adam Theinert]

Hey Alex,

Agree with all the options. They key is getting the opportunity to test the Capra and the other bikes that are ordered off the net. Can definitely recommend a 160mm bike. If you are just riding for fun and want to keep your options open it is the way to go. The technology in the suspension and geometry is so dialed that all the bikes will be awesome. All comes down to the sizing and the colours that you connect with. I had a 140mm Norco Sight 7.1 carbon. Awesome bike, but, have recently bought a Specialized Enduro S-Works frame and have not looked back. Climbs like a mountain goat, descends like a beast. After 1 ride i was already getting PB's on Strava.

Enjoy the hunting!

 

[Duane]

I have a Norco Range '16 C.2 but ride most of the trails at the places mentioned on my Giant Anthem SX. The big bikes are a lot of fun but overkill. If it's your only bike though a modern 160mm will do it all. I actually take the Range for most shuttle/DH riding over my Glory as it's such a fun bike to ride. On the trails you mention though with exception of a few black runs my SX is faster, just a lot more on the edge, which sometimes is appealing too.

 

[iUDEX_nCr]

Honestly, those bikes are overkill.

I think a 130mm/140mm bike is perfect. Not only are the trails not that hard. For example I was at Lysterfield (first time in over 5 years) earlier today, and hit all the A-line/double diamond marked options on Follow Me today blind on my Altitude, and throughout most of the ride I was on trail mode, and wishing for a 120/130mm bike. Most of the singletracks can be done on a hardtail. Also, there is a fair bit of climbing, you'll enjoy the climbing with a "mid-travel" bike plus on the flatter sections it'll just be more enjoyable.

But if you really want a bigger bike, go for it just get whichever takes your fancy.

 

[nitro01]

Just had an event down in Bright and I reckon a 160mm bike can do pretty much everything down there. Maybe add a Focus SAM to your list?

 

[Mrlinderman]

Just had an event down in Bright and I reckon a 160mm bike can do pretty much everything down there. Maybe add a Focus SAM to your list?

+1 for the SAM, I've been running mine now for a few months and its rocking, can do everything at youies, everything at lysterfield, only thing I struggle with is the climbs but that is my fitness more than the bike, with a locked out rear susp its pretty decent on the climbs.

 

[Zam]

Honestly, those bikes are overkill.

I think a 130mm/140mm bike is perfect. Not only are the trails not that hard. For example I was at Lysterfield (first time in over 5 years) earlier today, and hit all the A-line/double diamond marked options on Follow Me today blind on my Altitude, and throughout most of the ride I was on trail mode, and wishing for a 120/130mm bike. Most of the singletracks can be done on a hardtail. Also, there is a fair bit of climbing, you'll enjoy the climbing with a "mid-travel" bike plus on the flatter sections it'll just be more enjoyable.

But if you really want a bigger bike, go for it just get whichever takes your fancy.

Agreed with all of this if you are just riding Lysterfield, there is nothing really there which requires big travel and in most cases a hardtail is sufficient, although the trails are getting more and more chopped up so a small travel XC bike makes it a little more comfortable....

 

[ozzybmx]

Honestly, those bikes are overkill.

I think a 130mm/140mm bike is perfect. Not only are the trails not that hard. For example I was at Lysterfield (first time in over 5 years) earlier today, and hit all the A-line/double diamond marked options on Follow Me today blind on my Altitude, and throughout most of the ride I was on trail mode, and wishing for a 120/130mm bike. Most of the singletracks can be done on a hardtail. Also, there is a fair bit of climbing, you'll enjoy the climbing with a "mid-travel" bike plus on the flatter sections it'll just be more enjoyable.

But if you really want a bigger bike, go for it just get whichever takes your fancy.

After a few years of suffering suspension envy and getting bigger and bigger, I went fully rigid SS then fully rigid HT. Rode the You Yangs ect on the HT with no squish. Just got myself a 100mm FS bike again after no suspension in 4-5 years, my opinion is go as big as you like but if you want to do some races, endurance events and have a bit of fun including decent climbs, 100-120mm max.

 

[kx3]

what did you end up going with ?

 

[mrjubei]

I personally find a 140mm bike pretty much spot on for me. And have just received my Canyon Spectral CF 9.0 EX. I'm amazed at how fast it is on the ups and downs...

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