Full suspension AM bike

Bot1

Hi

I'm in the market for a full suss all mountain bike.

I have a grand hardtail but it's just too damn small for me. A bad purchase really! I should have changed ages ago, I would have cycled more. So I'm a little older now so I'm going full suss and new modern geometry.

Budget is 1600 to 1800.

I'm interested in second hand, although there doesn't seem a huge market available.

I've just seen a second hand Lapierre zesty AM 327 for sale 1600 though. Any thoughts on this?

I'm also looking at the Vitus escarpe on CRC.

Any opinions?

boydkev

What Size of bike are you looking for?
I have a Transition Covert Full Suss, The bike has had very little use. The bike is well with in your budget €950.

Frame - Transition Covert 2011 - Medium
Forks - Fox Float 36 RC2
Brakes - Formula RX
Rear Shock - Fox RP23
Wheels - Mavic Deetrax
Cranks - Shimano SLX
Derailleur - Sram X7
Shifter - Sram X7
Bars - Answer Protaper 720 AM Riser Bar
Chain Ring - Hope Retainer Narrow Wide 36T
Grips - ODI Ruffian
Saddle - SDG Belair SL, I-Beam
Seat Post - SDG I-Beam
Stem - Sunline
Headset - Cane Creek Step Down
Brake Discs - Superstar Components 203mm F&R
Bash Guard - Hope
Bottom Bracket - Shimano SLX
Chain Guide - Bionicon C-Guide

fatbhoy

If I was you I'd be looking on the Facebook group entitled Buy & Sell MTB Ireland. There are frequently some great-specced bargain bike on there.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/490954040982138/?fref=nf

Peter T

Second hand is your best bet to get the highest spec for your budget. Marin bikes come with great reviews (not sure if there's anywhere in Ireland to try them) . Vitus are a decent bet (have a hardtail myself), I'm in the same boat as yourself but trying to get out and try a few different brands before I buy.

Bot1

Peter T wrote: »

Second hand is your best bet to get the highest spec for your budget. Marin bikes come with great reviews (not sure if there's anywhere in Ireland to try them) . Vitus are a decent bet (have a hardtail myself), I'm in the same boat as yourself but trying to get out and try a few different brands before I buy.

Would you consider ex-rentals?

Peter T

Personally once they have been maintained properly I would

Plastik

That's a great budget, there is absolutely loads of stuff out there s/hand at that price point. I've been keeping an eye for the last couple of weeks for a similar style M/L bike for a mechanically unsympathetic 16 year old, so about half that budget. Still decent pickings out there on 2014/2015 frames.

bogmanfan

Vitus Escarpe is a great machine, plus biking.ie rent them in Ticknock and Ballinastoe, so you can try before you buy.

Also worth keeping an eye on bikebargains.co.uk - they round up all the best offers from the likes of Merlin, Evans etc. And paulscycles.co.uk usually have good deals around this time of year.

boomdocker

Couple of Vitus Escarpe's in the group I ride with
Cracking machines for the money, my young fella has the VRX, lovely yoke to ride

You should also look at the new Calibre Bossnut, sold through Go Outdoors in the UK, are getting rave reviews and are around £1100
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15903684/calibre-bossnut-mountain-bike-15903684
With the ar$e falling out of stg might be worth a look

mad turnip

I have a Vitus Escarpe, absolutely worth the money I paid. No pedal bob at my weight 70kg, I'm faster than some of my friends on XC bikes. Suspension handles everything around Dublin great, nothing is too big. Upgraded the front brake recently after having the bike 6 months, although you can get on fine without it. Don't plan on touching any other component. I have a friend that have commented he would have gotten my bike over massive tag he paid at specialized for the evo comp carbon.

Got burned on a frame failure on a second hand bike after a owning it a few months, so wanted to switch to something new and cheapish.

Bot1

mad turnip wrote: »

I have a Vitus Escarpe, absolutely worth the money I paid. No pedal bob at my weight 70kg, I'm faster than some of my friends on XC bikes. Suspension handles everything around Dublin great, nothing is too big. Upgraded the front brake recently after having the bike 6 months, although you can get on fine without it. Don't plan on touching any other component. I have a friend that have commented he would have gotten my bike over massive tag he paid at specialized for the evo comp carbon.

Got burned on a frame failure on a second hand bike after a owning it a few months, so wanted to switch to something new and cheapish.

Which version of the Escarpe did you get?
Also 29er or 650b?

CramCycle

Another +1 for the Escarpe, girl in the office has one and I got to mess around on it, lovely bike.

barrymanilow

Get a Calibre Bossnut

maxamillius

boydkev wrote: »

What Size of bike are you looking for?
I have a Transition Covert Full Suss, The bike has had very little use. The bike is well with in your budget €950.

Frame - Transition Covert 2011 - Medium
Forks - Fox Float 36 RC2
Brakes - Formula RX
Rear Shock - Fox RP23
Wheels - Mavic Deetrax
Cranks - Shimano SLX
Derailleur - Sram X7
Shifter - Sram X7
Bars - Answer Protaper 720 AM Riser Bar
Chain Ring - Hope Retainer Narrow Wide 36T
Grips - ODI Ruffian
Saddle - SDG Belair SL, I-Beam
Seat Post - SDG I-Beam
Stem - Sunline
Headset - Cane Creek Step Down
Brake Discs - Superstar Components 203mm F&R
Bash Guard - Hope
Bottom Bracket - Shimano SLX
Chain Guide - Bionicon C-Guide

Any pics?

boydkev

maxamillius wrote: »

Any pics?

maxamillius

boydkev wrote: »

26 or 27.5?

boydkev

maxamillius wrote: »

26 or 27.5?

26

iwillhtfu

Bot1 wrote: »

Hi

I'm in the market for a full suss all mountain bike.

I have a grand hardtail but it's just too damn small for me. A bad purchase really! I should have changed ages ago, I would have cycled more. So I'm a little older now so I'm going full suss and new modern geometry.

Budget is 1600 to 1800.

I'm interested in second hand, although there doesn't seem a huge market available.

I've just seen a second hand Lapierre zesty AM 327 for sale 1600 though. Any thoughts on this?

I'm also looking at the Vitus escarpe on CRC.

Any opinions?

Bike Park Ireland are having a stock clearance sale at the minute and some serious bargains to be had.

Theres a Trek remedy 7 for €1600 which is an absolute bargain if it's your size and not already sold.

I don't know to much about Kona bikes but some nice ones there also.

IT'S POSSIBLE TO VIEW THESE BIKES (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY) THIS SATURDAY BETWEEN 10AM - 2PM, by calling Graham on 0872831454 or send us a fb message.

https://www.facebook.com/bikeparkireland/

Peter T

Instead of starting a new thread I'll jump in here. I've come across a decent deal on a full suss bike, 2017 frame, good spec, any suggested upgrades I've read about have been done. One thing I've only ridden 27.5 bikes and this is a 29er. Honestly I think 29er makes sense as I'm shifting to more enduro style riding and aim to put the name down for a few races next year. Is there much of a difference between the two ? Im kinda tight on time to get out on a 29er for a spin so kinda shooting from the hip

Wanderer78

Peter T wrote:

Instead of starting a new thread I'll jump in here. I've come across a decent deal on a full suss bike, 2017 frame, good spec, any suggested upgrades I've read about have been done. One thing I've only ridden 27.5 bikes and this is a 29er. Honestly I think 29er makes sense as I'm shifting to more enduro style riding and aim to put the name down for a few races next year. Is there much of a difference between the two ? Im kinda tight on time to get out on a 29er for a spin so kinda shooting from the hip

Seems like many are moving to 29, it ll probably be grand, what kind of money?

iwillhtfu

Peter T wrote: »

Instead of starting a new thread I'll jump in here. I've come across a decent deal on a full suss bike, 2017 frame, good spec, any suggested upgrades I've read about have been done. One thing I've only ridden 27.5 bikes and this is a 29er. Honestly I think 29er makes sense as I'm shifting to more enduro style riding and aim to put the name down for a few races next year. Is there much of a difference between the two ? Im kinda tight on time to get out on a 29er for a spin so kinda shooting from the hip

Go and test ride a 29r. I was similar before and when I rode a 29r I wasn't a fan at all. Just because they're the new trend doesn't mean they're necessarily for you. If you really want to be on point you'll be running 29r front and 27.5 rear

Peter T

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Seems like many are moving to 29, it ll probably be grand, what kind of money?

Talking around 1k, recently serviced, and has a few upgrades etc.

@iwillhtfu problem is I don't have the time to go test one out. I wouldn't really be one to follow a trend really but looking at them on paper they seem to suit the type of riding I intend to use it for. Mullet bike would be the ultimate alright

Wanderer78

Peter T wrote:

Talking around 1k, recently serviced, and has a few upgrades etc.

That's not bad at all, I'm 27.5 myself, it works for me but I certainly will be checking out 29 before the next purchase. I know experienced lads that have moved over already, and they seem to be very happy, but I am a check before you buy kinna person, only you will really know

Peter T

I'll take a look at it anyway. If it all goes tits up after buying I can sell it on or use the parts to build a bike more suitable... n+1 ftw

iwillhtfu

Peter T wrote: »

I'll take a look at it anyway. If it all goes tits up after buying I can sell it on or use the parts to build a bike more suitable... n+1 ftw

What bike is it?

Peter T

2017 Nukeproof mega Comp

iwillhtfu

Peter T wrote: »

2017 Nukeproof mega Comp

nice one and well worth a punt at €1k. A shame you can't get to test ride it, it would be handy if you could take it for a bit of a spin with the owner. Best of luck with it.