Which MTB

Okay, so I know this is a fell running forum but I know many of you MTB too!

I'm quite an experienced MTB'er though mainly XC for the last 12 years or so. Been riding a stumpy hard tail for quite a while. Looking to buy an additonal MTB and looking at options.

I'm looking for a bit of an all rounder. I still want to do XC but I've been getting into trails and more technical stuff in the last year and so want a bike that will cope with jumps and fast direction changes as well as be comfortable for longer days in the saddle.

Thinking carbon fibre full sus. Have ruled out 29'ers as not sure they would be so good on the technical stuff. Not after a female bike as I'm tall and long limbed.

Any recommendation for makes / models? Less then 3 grand would be good if possible.

Santa Cruz Superlight-Simple and effective-a true classic full sus.

Specialized Stumpjumper should be worth a look.

Doubt you'd get a carbon full susser for that budget.

http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbi...ke.html?b=2753

http://i.imgur.com/KwZk9y0.png

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Originally Posted by Will_B

Doubt you'd get a carbon full susser for that budget.

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Yeah you can, they've come down a bit in price. I may decide to go above that amount but want to be careful as I know MTB's can be a licence to print money! Weight is important to me though so want to get fulll sus without the weight.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by barrierfreeman

http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbi...ke.html?b=2753

http://i.imgur.com/KwZk9y0.png

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MTB have come on a bit since I was a lad when you took the back wheel out of a 3 speed tourer and shoe horned a moped back wheel in and away you went :o. My brother went all high-tech when he got a Raleigh Griffter. :D

Nice looking bike I have to say.

ATB

Tahr

To be honest this is an impossible question to answer! I guess there's a range of bikes that will fit your requirements, makes and models. Everybody has a prefered set of makers and I'm sure as you've got experience you'll know the major ones. My last few bikes I've bought off e-bay for pennies, but you need to know what you're looking at I guess (...there was a AMP Research full-suss for £250 the other day which didn't even get a bid!!?). I'm not particularly clued up on present day ranges which are vast these days. All I'd say is Boardman do a great range, well specc'ed for the price and generally are getting good reviews in the press. Good luck and have fun researching and agonising!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tahr

MTB have come on a bit since I was a lad when you took the back wheel out of a 3 speed tourer and shoe horned a moped back wheel in and away you went :o. My brother went all high-tech when he got a Raleigh Griffter. :D

Nice looking bike I have to say.


ATB

Tahr

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When the mountain bikes first started to filter into the UK and Muddy Fox brought out the Courier I remember being convinced you could build your own crosser which would do just as well. I built up a 'trasher' with a Sturmey Archer hub brake and crosser tyres. After about two rides trying to go through Guisborough Woods, and a subsequent go on someones Muddy Fox I give up and bought a Dawes Fat Chance after a couple of aborted attempts at other bikes!

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Originally Posted by barrierfreeman

http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbi...ke.html?b=2753

http://i.imgur.com/KwZk9y0.png

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Lovely looking bike this with a great kit list. A friend of mine has one similar to this one and it's changed his riding no end. Just wish I had the budget to buy one;) Guess I'll still be on my Kona Dawg for a while yet. She's a trusty steed and has definately been challenged by my riding!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Happy on the hills

Lovely looking bike this with a great kit list. A friend of mine has one similar to this one and it's changed his riding no end. Just wish I had the budget to buy one;) Guess I'll still be on my Kona Dawg for a while yet. She's a trusty steed and has definately been challenged by my riding!!

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There's an Ally version for a whole lot less that's still a sorted bit of kit.