I'm after a new bike to replace my trusty but worn trek fuel, Its a bit tricky buying a new bike as there is so many to choose from. Anyway I have narrowed the field to 3 bikes.
the short list is:
Santa Cruz heckler
Trek Fuel EX 8 or 9
Specialized Stumpjumper FSR elite
(Trek remedy and santa cruz nomad are also an outside chance)
I mainly ride 7stanes stuff with the odd bit of riding in the lakes and cheviots, I would like something thats good up and downhill
Have a look at the Lapierre and Canyon sites. You might find bikes with suspension systems as sophisticated as the Cruz and Spesh (let's face it the Trek is crude), alternative geometries, nicer shiny bits and for less notes.
'with suspension systems as sophisticated as the Cruz'
The Heckler is a single pivot, the Trek is actually quite a lot more clever with their 'Active Braking Pivot' although yes it is just basically a rocker actuated single pivot.
My money is on the Heckler. I love it. If you've shortened your list to these three then that's where my money would go - on the one that makes me smile the most.
The truth is though that I don't think you'll feel let down by any of these bikes. Yes, you can invest in all sorts of new suspension designs (every year it seems) but single pivot and four / faux bar seem to have stuck around forever. There's a reason for that - they all work.
The only 'problem' I've run into with a single pivot is the brake feedback / jack. It's easy to avoid - either don't brake or stop braking so hard on the back But to be perfectly fair I've had similar feedback from a Turner and I've never found that it compromised the ride.
Like I say, my vote is for the Santa Cruz but as you've been advised ride them all (if you can) and buy the one that makes you happiest.
1, You're replacing an old one. Assuming you had no major headaches with it why not update to a newer model
2 The new frames are much, much better than the older ones. Lighter stonger blah blah, but very noticeably so.
3 Better warranty, lifetime frame warranty versus 2 years for Spesh and SC
4 Price and spec. The Treks out spec the Santa Cruz at any given price point. Whilst the Spesh uses its own brand shock which will probably be harder (and more costly) to repair, service or replace than the standard Fox unit in the Trek.
(actually, does this year's elite come with the Future shock or Fox Triad? Either way, less common than an rp23)
5 I work in a Trek dealership.
Obviously go and ride them all, but I'd still vote Trek on practical grounds.
Those new Trek Remedy's look great but I just read an awful review of one, and even one of the staff members in Stif in Leeds warned me off them saying they were crap (they are a Trek dealer)
I always buy based on the bike I like the look of that has got the best reviews - never once had a test ride!! I just ordered an SC Chameleon on this basis because I think if you buy what you want and enjoy it you will get used to it and if not f*ck it off and get something else.....
Lol i was waiting for point 5. You really did sell that one.
What can I say, the sales training works. That and the 'demo only' 2008 EX8...
Although it may be telling that I ride my incredible-unkillable Diamondback hardtail more than all the other bikes I own put together. So maybe forget the expensive full sussers and get a £500 DB.
...Just bought a Stumpy elite meself... it's great.
They are a little short, but test one with the layback post that comes in the enduro. Evens it all out, and the shop would swap shopuld you wish to buy..
All specialized bikes come with a lifetime frame warranty and 2 year limited guarantee for everything else....but they are bloody ace as far as warranty and everything else is concerned. The fox triad it comes with is basically a re-jigged float rl, which fox have been making for Spesh for years. Mojo service them as they would a normal shock. Spec wise, even though the cranks and brakes are OEM, they are last years XT and avid ultimates, without the (stupid) carbon lever.
Yep, I work in a Specialized shop....but as above, ride them all and see which one you smile more on.
Those new Trek Remedy's look great but I just read an awful review of one, and even one of the staff members in Stif in Leeds warned me off them saying they were crap (they are a Trek dealer)
I always buy based on the bike I like the look of that has got the best reviews - never once had a test ride!! I just ordered an SC Chameleon on this basis because I think if you buy what you want and enjoy it you will get used to it and if not f*ck it off and get something else.....
Whack £2k or so on something you've never ridden??! madness!
Went into my LBS to arrange a test of a stumpy today, but the salesman (also a good mate) talked me into having a brief demo of a spesh Enduro SL and a trek fuel EX, both felt very good.....so i'm taking them both up to Kielder on thursday to see how they fair.
Unfortunately my LBS don't do Santa Cruz and I have a bit of loyalty to them as they've always sorted me out, so maybe the Heckler is a non starter....will see how things go on Thursday though
I travelled upto Glentress today instead of Kielder and rode both the Trek EX and Specialized enduro,
Both rode really well, neither climbed as well as my current fuel but both felt better downhill,
Me and my mate agreed that the enduro felt better and a lot more solid, was very fun to ride, was slower uphill but I'm never in a hurry to get to the top.
So I'll be ordering an Enduro tomorrow when I take the demo bikes back., thanks for all the advice!
Specialized warranty is absolutely the business, broke my Enduro Expert 02 frame in Chamonix in 2004 and got a new Pro frame that I still hammer in Morzine and Les Gets!
But to be perfectly fair I've had similar feedback from a Turner and I've never found that it compromised the ride.
