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Trail Shredder for the Downhill Rider

ridea

Monkey
Oct 30, 2006
354
1
south west of England
Ok boys and girls, need some suggestions, I've been off the scene for a few years and it seems I've missed mountain bike marketing having a field day.

I'm looking for a mid range, trail shredder, around 140mm travel but reasonably low and slack with a bit out front to help with the addition of a short stem. I currently have a prophet however at 180cm (5'11") the medium is a bit short with a short stem. I also have problems with the regressive rate which with the pearl makes it feel twitchy or wallowy. Now I want something with a progressive rear end that will take up some chatter but when hammered into a berm doesn't give way. Something that feels stable, planted and jumps well. Of course it still needs to be fun for blasting on trails. I dont want some monster mini dh so Sub 14kg (30lb) is pretty important as this will be used for xc loops as much as riding little local downhill sections.

I'm thinking of trying to pick up a 2015 completed build at reduced prices as none of my parts are much use anymore, I have around 2000GBP to spend on this however including discount that would probably mean looking at 2500-3000gbp retail. I'm open to building myself however as I said lack of existing parts means this could be quite costly so I may have to go 2nd hand.

Cheers Monkeys
 

supercow

Monkey
Feb 18, 2009
969
128
You're quite prescriptive about the "discount" and the fact it needs to be a full build, so you're probably stuck with one of the bigger name brands (who tend to drop prices because a new paint colour comes out the next year)

Also, being 140mm, one of the only ones that jump to mind is the Giant Trance / Giant trance SX.

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Trance-SX-27-5-Mountain-Bike-2015-Full-Suspension-MTB_73885.htm?sku=231931&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=AdwordsProductAds&utm_campaign=Adwords&gclid=Cj0KEQjwr8uuBRCcg6-s-4TrmIsBEiQAN1TdEbeihvbzodgveR0XnzYBTdhXpwdvTX-evlq7H9xCwqMaAizj8P8HAQ#

Would be my choice (and it's a brilliant bike at that)...the extra 20mm travel up front won't make it less pedal able it's just the first search result to come up, I'm sure you can get it even closer to your budget.

A mate of mine has one, and it's a rapid little bike capable of a lot.
 
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Sandro

Terrified of Cucumbers
Nov 12, 2006
3,224
2,537
The old world

supercow

Monkey
Feb 18, 2009
969
128
AH, I almost forgot.

Apart form the Giant, this is another no brainer:
http://www.birdmtb.com/aeris-150-2/

Just configure to your needs. They don't do model year paint discounts though, which is a good thing imo. (i.e: your bike won;t suddenly lose value because of a paint change)
 

Mo(n)arch

Turbo Monkey
Dec 27, 2010
4,441
1,422
Italy/south Tyrol
Transition Scout maybe? I know it's on the lowest end of travel, but they seem to be really capable trailshredders. Also because the Transition guys seem to be as cool as it gets.
Long front end, low seat tube, relatively slack HA, short chainstays. 125mm rear, 140mm front

Just look at that bike...:cupidarrow:
 

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
85,570
24,185
media blackout
Don't come as full builds in the UK. Hard to build her up to 2k too (and impossible to do so under 30lbs on the budget), which is a shame, amazing bike.
ah gotcha. fwiw the 2015 models were going for almost 50% off here in the US. which was one of the big deciding factors for me.
 

Mo(n)arch

Turbo Monkey
Dec 27, 2010
4,441
1,422
Italy/south Tyrol
Vitus Escape or Nukeproof Mega TR?
They come both out of Ireland if I remember right?
Otherwise the Canyon Spectral EX offerings seem to be a real bang for the buck. Not sure about delivery times, though.
 

ridea

Monkey
Oct 30, 2006
354
1
south west of England
Cheers for the many good replies guys, may take me a sec to go through all and see which fit me (and if there's any local stockists). Seems its no longer slim pickings for slacked out trail slashers!

One bike I've seen a lot about is the Trek remedy, just wondered if there was a reason its not been mentioned as it seemed to get a lot of good press...

I'm always much more keen personally to go with something a bit less standard (bike tart at heart) so I am happy to and more than capable of building a bike up but like someone said its going to come down to money for the quality of bike I can get my hands on. Things like forks/shocks though I don't want to skimp on as they will only end up getting swapped out immediately, seems like build kits are pretty good generally now days though. What's the general consensus with the new bigger badder pikes? My 454's (32mm) always felt like they were lacking a little something when it got rough and fast but they're a long way away from the looks of the newer ones.
 

kickstand

Turbo Monkey
Sep 18, 2009
3,441
392
Fenton, MI
The remedy just feels funny, it's sluggish to pedal, it is difficult to find the sweet spot in the suspension set up, and overall just doesn't impress.

My personal opinion. Other's seem to love it. I rode a fuel for 2 years prior to trying multiple remedy's as possible "next bikes". Instead I went with a stumpjumper fsr 2013 26" and really liked it. This year riding a santa cruz 5010 and the vpp with 27.5" tires is completely unrideable, but besides the unrideable - ness of the bike I really like it so far.
 

toodles

ridiculously corgi proportioned
Aug 24, 2004
5,479
4,719
Australia
I had the Trance Advanced and found it a bit too twitchy and short (medium frame/5'9 rider). Traded it for the Transition Scout and haven't looked back. Awesome bike and rides like it has more travel than both the Trance it replaced and other bikes up to 150mm travel. If you can find one and test it, I'll think you'll enjoy.
 

ptd

Chimp
Oct 16, 2011
23
15
.... Traded it for the Transition Scout and haven't looked back. ......
toodles which forks are you running at what travel, Fox36 per chance?
I'm wondering what the bike feels like with 140/150/160 fork travel, seems people don't mind over-forking on this bike, the pic from Mo(n)arch post #6 looks like Fox36. Ability to easily change travel on Fox36 is appealing to me.

Toying between Transition Scout and Banshee Spitfire at the moment after coming off a Banshee Rune similar to the OP quest.

edit.. I reckon that pic in post #6 might be the Patrol based on the paint?
http://www.transitionbikes.com/2016/Bikes_Patrol.cfm?Token={ts_2015-08-20_05:17:22}-68f1657487c804af-EA215268-9EEA-5465-6A1AB6D4D6017A18
 
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Mo(n)arch

Turbo Monkey
Dec 27, 2010
4,441
1,422
Italy/south Tyrol
Not sure, the picture is from the Transition instagram site with this comment:
The Scout is the ultimate trail bike weapon as proven by Lars at Whistler. Dirt Merchant shred stick, dual slalom slayer, BC XC pedal crusher. Lars is truly in love with this bike.
Comparing the bikes on their website, it tells me that the smaller rocker and the downtube on Lars bike should be from a Scout.
Maybe he is rocking the 36 and the Float X for better damping performance and stiffness (in case of the fork)?
 

ridea

Monkey
Oct 30, 2006
354
1
south west of England
I had the Trance Advanced and found it a bit too twitchy and short (medium frame/5'9 rider). Traded it for the Transition Scout and haven't looked back. Awesome bike and rides like it has more travel than both the Trance it replaced and other bikes up to 150mm travel. If you can find one and test it, I'll think you'll enjoy.
The transition frame set is about 3/4 of my budget so I'm not so sure on that one! The advance is slightly different to the SX no? Do you think moving to the large would sort that out?

Looking at bike mag's video reviews they seemed to rate the trance SX the kona process and norco sight, strangely I've seen a lot that didn't seem to rate the Troy as much.
 

ridea

Monkey
Oct 30, 2006
354
1
south west of England
Doesn't work out as straight exchange rates unfortunately, bikes cost a bomb over here. That model is 2700GBP online/shop price.

Probably be cheaper to pay for the flights to pick one up!
 

toodles

ridiculously corgi proportioned
Aug 24, 2004
5,479
4,719
Australia
toodles which forks are you running at what travel, Fox36 per chance?
I'm wondering what the bike feels like with 140/150/160 fork travel, seems people don't mind over-forking on this bike, the pic from Mo(n)arch post #6 looks like Fox36. Ability to easily change travel on Fox36 is appealing to me.
Running Pike Solo Air set at 150mm. I've got the 140mm air leg ready, but haven't felt the need to put it in. The bike isn't 100% perfect, (I hate the internal cable routing) but its the best trail bike I've owned and for the travel it doesn't mind getting rowdy at all.
 

toodles

ridiculously corgi proportioned
Aug 24, 2004
5,479
4,719
Australia
The transition frame set is about 3/4 of my budget so I'm not so sure on that one! The advance is slightly different to the SX no? Do you think moving to the large would sort that out?
The trance wasn't 'that' bad, I just prefer a stiffer frame that can put up with me forgetting I'm not on the DH bike. I think the SX is a little slacker so it might be the go. A large with short stem could also work.
 

Sandro

Terrified of Cucumbers
Nov 12, 2006
3,224
2,537
The old world
The advance is slightly different to the SX no?
FYI, "advanced" just denotes that it's a carbon frame, so there are both regular and advanced Trance and Trance SX versions.
Can't say if find the Trance particularly noodly, but I'm rather lightweight. If I were to buy it again at my 5'10 height, I'd opt for the large instead of medium.
 

ridea

Monkey
Oct 30, 2006
354
1
south west of England
Ok thanks for the advice, seems like a lot of people are going large at just shy of 6' to allow for the use of shorter stems now, I made the mistake of buying my last trail bike in medium and its also pretty cramped.

Just a curve ball what do people thing of the Norco Sight, I can get one between 1700 and 2200 depending for the mid to low build kits in alloy or carbon frame, may require a drop down to revelations though.
 

kickstand

Turbo Monkey
Sep 18, 2009
3,441
392
Fenton, MI
Doesn't work out as straight exchange rates unfortunately, bikes cost a bomb over here. That model is 2700GBP online/shop price.

Probably be cheaper to pay for the flights to pick one up!
That particular bike at $2800 US came in under 2000GBP, have it shipped, might still come under budget or right at it was my point.

Unless converting in googles I did something wrong....

$3100 (let's include $300 for shipping) comes in at 1977 pounds.
 

kickstand

Turbo Monkey
Sep 18, 2009
3,441
392
Fenton, MI
Ok thanks for the advice, seems like a lot of people are going large at just shy of 6' to allow for the use of shorter stems now, I made the mistake of buying my last trail bike in medium and its also pretty cramped.

Just a curve ball what do people thing of the Norco Sight, I can get one between 1700 and 2200 depending for the mid to low build kits in alloy or carbon frame, may require a drop down to revelations though.
I really liked my revelation i had a few years back. I have a pike now, and both are pretty solid forks.
 

Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,915
1,200
Ok thanks for the advice, seems like a lot of people are going large at just shy of 6' to allow for the use of shorter stems now, I made the mistake of buying my last trail bike in medium and its also pretty cramped. Just a curve ball what do people thing of the Norco Sight, I can get one between 1700 and 2200 depending for the mid to low build kits in alloy or carbon frame, may require a drop down to revelations though.
I think it's really hard to go past Giant at the moment, particularly in terms of buildkit for price and suspension design. They have the progressive leverage curve you desire and also a decent anti-squat curve so they pedal quite well.

I think both the Trance and Reign could be stiffer in the rearend (with the Reign being better) but they're definitely somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. I found bikes like the Devinci Troy too flexy for my liking, with Evil being similarly poor. I'd pick the Trance/Reign over the Norco and Trek due to superior suspension as well as durability - the fully triangulated swing arm helps here.

At your height you'd definitely be a large in the Trance. Run a 150 or 160mm travel fork on it if you want it slacker, and invest in a good stiff rear wheel - some of the stock wheels particularly on the higher-end builds are very light, and flexy as a result.
 

Jeremy R

<b>x</b>
Nov 15, 2001
9,698
1,053
behind you with a snap pop
toodles which forks are you running at what travel, Fox36 per chance?
I'm wondering what the bike feels like with 140/150/160 fork travel, seems people don't mind over-forking on this bike, the pic from Mo(n)arch post #6 looks like Fox36. Ability to easily change travel on Fox36 is appealing to me.

Toying between Transition Scout and Banshee Spitfire at the moment after coming off a Banshee Rune similar to the OP quest.

edit.. I reckon that pic in post #6 might be the Patrol based on the paint?
http://www.transitionbikes.com/2016/Bikes_Patrol.cfm?Token={ts_2015-08-20_05:17:22}-68f1657487c804af-EA215268-9EEA-5465-6A1AB6D4D6017A18
Here ya go ptd.
Fox 36 set at 150mm on the Scout. It rides great in this setup. I would not want it any higher though. Running it at 160, you may as well be on the Patrol frame then.

 

Dogboy

Turbo Monkey
Apr 12, 2004
3,208
581
Durham, NC
I found bikes like the Devinci Troy too flexy for my liking, with Evil being similarly poor.
Just curious, what was it about the Troy that felt too flexy? Front or rear triangle? Alu or carbon? I ask because I had one for a while and it wasn't the stiffest bike I've owned, but it seemed adequate.
 

Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,915
1,200
Just curious, what was it about the Troy that felt too flexy? Front or rear triangle? Alu or carbon? I ask because I had one for a while and it wasn't the stiffest bike I've owned, but it seemed adequate.
The rear was hugely flexy, this was the Troy carbon. I'm not sure if the alloy is different though, and I didn't notice any problems with the front.
 

ridea

Monkey
Oct 30, 2006
354
1
south west of England
Ok trance is looking appealing, just may be a waiting game to see if I can get one reduced or a second hand job as they're still a few hundred above my budget.
 

Sandro

Terrified of Cucumbers
Nov 12, 2006
3,224
2,537
The old world
If you are going for the SX, don't give in to the temptation to save a few bucks by getting the '14 model, the 2015 edition is far better equipped, particularly in the suspension department. You'd want to replace the junk that comes on the 2014 SX within a few months anyways.
 

ptd

Chimp
Oct 16, 2011
23
15
Here ya go ptd.
Fox 36 set at 150mm on the Scout. It rides great in this setup. I would not want it any higher though. Running it at 160, you may as well be on the Patrol frame then.
Thanks Jeremy R.
How is the balance between the Fox 36 and the Inline? If you had the choice again would you stick with the combo?