I am considering upgrading my hardtail frame to a full suspension earily in the new year. I have narrowed my choice of frames down to Santa Cruz Superlight, Orange Sub 5 or Mr XC.
My riding is very mixed from XC racing to enurance events to all day epics in mountains. I weigh in at about 13 Stone and am therefore not the lightest of riders. In peoples experience which of the above would be the most 'inspiring' choice.

Well I've ridden all this lot and the only really good ones are the oranges . The Scruz is twitchy, and my mates had the frame snap after a fall . The Mr XC will be best for racing as it's lighter and has a better shock but the Sub 5 will take more abuse .

Never rode either Orange so can't comment on those. The SL is a great all day bike. Light, stiff, responsive and almost maintenance free. Not sure I would agree it's twitchy and if you do break them SC replace the frames for not much money.

I'd be inclined to try them all - if you're going to spend that kind of money you should be absolutely sure that you get the right bike.

I was dissapointed with the Santa Cruz I rode. I thought it was heavy, and climbed poorly. Have you considered a Klein Adept or Trek Fuel, these are both race spec xc bikes.

Test ride any bike you can lay your hands on and buy from a good shop.

I have considered the Trek Fuel 100. However, it dosen't have cartridge bearings and has multiple pivots, so I was a little concerned with possible maintainance.

I know that I always harp on about it but I really can't fault my Whyte PRST-1. Climbs great, descends great, steers great, bounces great. Not the lightest, but you really don't feel the weight. Bearings are warrantied and easy to maintain. End of story. Test ride one, see if you like it.

Hiya Mike,
I saw from your member's profile that you're over Walsall way. I'm other side of brum down @ Bromsgrove. If you want we can meet up and you can have a go on my mr xc, 18 inch frame - I'm 6foot 2 n+ 16 stone.

Haven't riden the SC's but the mr xc is a better climber than my Mount Vision was and descends very nicely too. Nice all round bike for trailquest/ xc riding /racing even if I'm not.

I weigh in at 15 1/2 and the Fisher Sugar 1 I had built up from the frame only with HOPE four pots is fantastic. I had the Fisher Pro-caliber before this which I loved but was starting to kill my back, so I needed to swith to the full sus - great bike and is no hassle. Try and get a ride on a demo, and remember that you can tune it in to match your weight with the Sid Air. I have the Sid XC on the front and it works really well also.

buy cannondale jekyll with lefty fork loads of suspension travel but with lockout front and rear for climbing or on the black stuff also its reasonably light
the suspension and fork angle can be adjusted to suit the type trail you are riding plus the whole package is bombproof

Mike, don't forget to consider the Aeon if you are going down the single pivot full suss route.

This isn't a recommendation as I havn't ridden the new ones, but why does everyone seem to be ignoring the new range of Marins? Is it because they're not as good as the previous incarnations or is it a case of "Mondeo Syndrome"? This isn't necessarily aimed at anyone in particular, more an observation.

I have to agree. While I ride an ancient Trek full susser, if I was to change it I would definately consider the Marin's along with Trek, Klein's and others. I don't remember every seeing a review where they were slated, definately worth consideration.

I've had a Marin Attack Trail for about 8 months now (university club sponsorship deal), and it must be said that it's pretty good. With discs its about 28lbs, so not hugely light,but that 4-6 inches at the back and Psylos at the front (up to 5inches). Rides eally well on singletrack and esp. down hills, ok on climbs. Bits all work fine, good spec. for the moeny. But it is grey. Don't think i'd buy one really, not for 1.9K anyway.

My Superlight isn't twitchy, climbs better than I deserve, isn't heavy, looks cool.

What more could you ask for?

Two Wheels in Stourbridge have a virtually new medium SL, Z1 forks, Race Face cranks, Hope Minis, Easton carbon bars and s'post. £1700. Bargain.

I agree with Tom, check out Ellsworth's Aeon and Joker frames, really nice ride, really well built. They do have a UK importer, I think it's Freeborn in Horsham.

Bought the low-end 2K1 Marin (forget name) and upgraded to XTR/Pace to save my back on Red Bull solo/Schwinn/Megavalanche type events. Obviously not the lightest, most pimpy bike around (Mondeo would be a good description) but it's done everything asked without complaint.

Superlight front end is super-responsive compared to anything else I've ridden, but that's a good thing once you get used to it.

Is also lighter than my racing hardtail and looks like being v. low maintenance...perfect for all-dayers, enduros and certain XC courses.

I love it, but haven't ridden the Oranges. Is more responsive and lighter than the Fuel though...

Have a new Marin Wolf Ridge with disc brakes and like it loads. Great climber and descender. Marin don't seem to be trendy these days but if they work well that's fine by me. I've not seen a bad review of them in any mag - infact they usually come out top marks and beat off the trendy models. What Mountain Bike has given one of their yearly awards to the Attack Trail which is an upgrade of the Wolf ridge. I think it's the "mondeo" factor that puts folk off.