Scottish Elises

Right guys i know a few of you are into your mountain bikes so after a bit of advice/guidance

I am after a do it all 5-6" bike to either replace my heavy weight Specialized SX or i might keep it and use it for down hill but i would rather have one bike to do all

So far i have been looking at the Specialized Pitch Pro 09 or maybe a bottom spec 08 Lapierre Spicy

I've got an old Trek Fuel 90, it's been rock solid for about 6 years so I would reccomend a Trek, something like...

http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/mo ... /topfuel8/
or
http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/mo ... /fuelex8e/
or
http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/mo ... y/remedy7/

They both look nice. The speciaixed seams to have slightly better spec but only just really. Can definately vouch for sram running gear, Ive got the x7 stuff on one bike and the x0 stuff on the other and both run brilliantly and Ive had no trouble with any of it over the last couple of years. Also have a couple of mates with rockshox forks an they seem to be he ones to beat just now.

A ouple of others that would be on my list would probably be an orange patriot, especially if your looking for something to do everthing, I love my 5 and if it was just a little tougher and had a sligtly slacker head angle then I dont think Id need a second bike and the patriot is based on exactly the same platform. A mate has one and they are great for all sorts of riding, light enough to pedal uphill but still enough travel and the adjustable geometry to hit the bigger suff if you do get rid of the sx. Also I beleive the Comencal Meta is supposed to be a really great all rounder too with some pretty good running gear on it.

Have to say Im very jealous, there are some very nice bikes out there just now, if only I could somehow justify a new one but I have no chance. Look forward to seeing pics of whatever you do get.

I don't know huge amounts about speicific bikes, but the best advice I have been given regarding MBs is (subject to budget) to go for less spec and better quality, with the option to upgrade the spec over time.


P.S. (is mountain not one word?.. MB/MTB?)

Dominic wrote:I don't know huge amounts about speicific bikes, but the best advice I have been given regarding MBs is (subject to budget) to go for less spec and better quality, with the option to upgrade the spec over time.


P.S. (is mountain not one word?.. MB/MTB?)

Mountainous Terrain Bicycle?



Mac

Ive got both a Specialized Enduro and Specialized Epic, and Ive got to say that on a day to day basis its the Epic that gets used more.
I know that the Enduro is supposed to be an all day bike - but the upright riding position is just too draining on long climbs and flat ground. The suspension travel on the Epic has increased over the years too - I think its a great compromise between hard tail XC ability and downhill fun (plus the rear lock out is as trick as you get!!)

My Epic is quite old now - but Ive been looking at a new Carbon Epic for some time. I think you are wise to be looking at the Specialized - ive always thought that they were a good compromise between quality/ spec and value for money. I would certainly look at the Epic if I were you - or maybe even a higher spec Stumpjumper FSR? - the Enduro is nice, but I think abit of a hack/ fun/ downhill bike for wannabies.

However, you could get yourself a roadbike like I just have and pretend that your out in the Lotus every time you go for a ride

Had a look around the shops this afternoon and had a little play on a 08 Spicy 316 around the streets and to my surprise it pedaled really well for a 6" bike, 30lbs ish! compared to my 36lbs Sx.......no surprise really! But after reading a couple of reviews it seems that it won't take the big hits as well as i hoped. I do a few up lift days a year along with Fort Bill plus normally spend a week in the French Alps so the bike will be used and abused.....along with my body normally

So the master plan now is to get a Santacruz Chameleon and keep the Sx as i really don't think you can get 1 bike to do it all now. I had a demo Chameleon out in the summer from Bothy Bikes and was very impressed with the way it climbed and the way it soaked up the hits on route back down. Also if i get a Chameleon i won't mind taking it for a blast on the roads depending on what tyres i fit there for getting more use out of it where as the Spicy it just won't happen. Plus i can use it at Glentress jump park......a do it all bike



Movry i have read a view good reviews on the Comencal Meta 5.5.2 but i just don't like the look of it

Anthony my mate used to have a Epic with road/xc tyres and it was rapid on the roads. I used to have a old Enduro S-Works with the brain on the back and it was also very good. My Sx is very similar to a Enduro but it has a heavy finishing kit with a E-13 twin chain ring, along with 66's on the front and the rear up graded to 7" plus my now out of date Hope 6ti's

Keep the ideas coming,

Mike, wannabie

hello,

If you are happy going with hard tail (like the chameleon), then you should look at something a bit lighter for the same money. Santa Cruz frames are not cheap, built like the QE2 just not cheap.

I ride a Commencal supernormal deluxe, 10.8kg fully built. F32's, X9 gear and Formula Oro brakes. Can handle anything that I throw at it.

I would suggest the new Skin 2, or the speckled eyes stumpy HT comp / pro (budget dependant).

Only a thought..

scib4 wrote: So the master plan now is to get a Santacruz Chameleon and keep the Sx as i really don't think you can get 1 bike to do it all now. I had a demo Chameleon out in the summer from Bothy Bikes and was very impressed with the way it climbed and the way it soaked up the hits on route back down. Also if i get a Chameleon i won't mind taking it for a blast on the roads depending on what tyres i fit there for getting more use out of it where as the Spicy it just won't happen. Plus i can use it at Glentress jump park......a do it all bike



Movry i have read a view good reviews on the Comencal Meta 5.5.2 but i just don't like the look of it

Looks very Im a big fan of santa cruz, even if they do cost a little extra. Have to agree that its important you like the look of the bike, my Cove was probably not the best choice of bike for someone as light as I am and I could have got something a bit cheaper to do the same job but when I saw it I knew I had to have one. The hardtail alongside the sx sounds like a great plan, should give you the choice of bikes to do whatever you like.

Hiya,

I have got an 08 spesh enduro which suits me perfectly. Good all rounder and takes serious abuse.

However, friend has a Trek fuel EX8 and it is very good indeed. I would have it in an instant......but I do like my enduro

Cannot go wrong with a Trek Ex or a Remedy.

Bob

Littlemorvy - Which model of cove do you have? I ride a G-Spot. Hoped the nice girl in the shop would thrown in a HandJob as a Stiffee was on the cards at the time. Mods, these are all models of Cove bikes

Oh, those wacky 'rad' MTB companies...

Shug wrote:Oh, those wacky 'rad' MTB companies...

Shug- You forgot to say Dude, Dude!

There was a big kick up in some of the MTB magazines about the naming of cove bikes. Their response was to give out a free day glow orange sticker kit to anyone with a cove bike.

Their old brochure was comedy genius. Every bike had a tag line. The ones I can remember were.

The G-Spot - Providing pleasure for the last 10 years
The Hooker - Come rain or shine. Nothing works the corners like the Hooker
The Stiffee - Always up for action
The Handjob - Pleasing yet affordable

It was 'interesting' to go into the insurance brokers to add my G-Spot onto my insurance policy. The old woman serving me was totally impervious to it all. All the younger girls were in stitches.

I was looking at a Cove Hustler frame, but damn near as heavy as my Ransom. Nice bikes though. That was until I was handed an Intense Tracer to fondle..

Its a Playmate I have, bit too heavy really but I like it and the bonus is you hardly ever see anyone with them on the trails, I believe mines one of only 2 in its colour in the uk . Have to admit I do love the Cove guys sense of humour when naming their bikes, its always interesting to see what they will come up with each time they bring out a new bike