New Bike: Advice needed...

[Jonny]

Need some advice/opinions form the resident Gurus…or anyone really J
I’m in the market for a new bike.I’m currently on an Anthem 1 with a few upgrades (wheels/dropper/1X etc) it’s 100mm travel.
I have an opportunity to buy a Rocky Mountain Instinct 2016 similar to (http://www.bikes.com/en/bikes/instinct/2016#/models/instinct-999-msl) 130mm travel/Full carbon/carbon wheels – the lot..
I took it out last Sunday and was impressed, it felt perfect. It has a changeable geometry which can slacken the HA but I left it on the sharpest HA.
Considering I already have a pretty decent XC bike in the Anthem the 130mm travel  of the Instinct psychologically at least feels a little close to the Anthem and below the requirement for a good portion of the spins out there.
I suppose I’m looking for an aggressive trail /all mountain bike – good on the ups and on the downs and suits my fitness/skill level. I’m also considering canyon/yt/radon and other manufacturer’s bikes in the same general category.
I haven’t ridden any similar bikes and while I thought the Instinct was super that may be due to lack of comparison/experience and being a little star struck so to speak.
Anyone got experience with the Instinct? Would carbon drive me mad with paranoia  about scuffs,scraps & knocks?
Any thoughts or advice on buying something more aggressive than my XC?
 
Thanks
jonny

[Liam Phelan]

Don't know if I said it to you last Saturday but it's hard to beat the YT Jeffsy when it comes to value for money.


Both YT Jeffsy and Canyon Strive are winning plenty of awards and are both value for money.


But if you don't mind splashing out, I'm sure the Instinct will be fine.


You will need to get these though. ;-)

[muckwarrior]

Holy shit, the price on that Rocky Mountain 


If you had to have only one bike then it looks good. But I agree in that if you already have an XC bike that you're keeping, then I'd go a bit further up the spectrum and get something more aggressive.

[Jonny]

You can be sure i would never pay that price for a bike 


The Jeffsey definitely has my attention - haven't seen any real reviews of the 27.5 version though only the 29er and while I really liked the 29er wheels of the Instinct I'm not convinced they are the right choice for me.


must get one of those bottle cages though. two is a bit much really...


Jonny

[Mudslinger]

Jonny,  I just got a jeffsey recently after being on a hard tail for years. It sails over any rough stuff. Its well capable of long xc spins and no problem doing enduro type spins either.
Bit paranoid too about carbon and getting scratches,  but its a mtb at the end of the day.
Id be thinking about what type of spins you plan on doing and if you'll be racing any enduros where an extra bit of travel might help.
Heading to 3 rock on Monday if you want to try a rip on the jeffsey.


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[heyjay]

How's things Jonny, have you considered Commencal? The meta TR just received MBR trail bike of the year. Or if you want to go more aggressive again iv been using the Meta AM for the last few weeks and love it. Feel free to drop me a message sales@epic-cycles.ie or check out my website https://www.epic-cycles.ie

Also if you'd like to demo the Meta you're more then welcome. Again just drop me an email and we can sort it out. Discount for Mad members too

[Jonny]

Thanks Lads,
Ronan - I'll take you up on that - see you Monday.
Jay - yes was looking at the Commencal alright, only problem I saw was the travel on the TR is same as the Rocky mountain I am considering and the AM is probably a bit too aggressive for my needs. I'm keeping an open mind until I've had a chance to check out some bikes, so will be in touch should the Commencal become an option.




cheers
Jonny

[SoaringPanda]

I'd check out the Santa Cruz Bronson. Loads of build kits and it's available in Aluminium and Carbon. Plus with Santa Cruz you get a lifetime frame warranty and free replacement bearings for life. It's 150mm rear and either 150mm or 160mm fork. I'd also highly recommend the Hightower but it's carbon only for the moment.


Specialised Stumpjumper is another fantastic bike and is available in Aluminium/Carbon and 650b/29er. They no distributor in Ireland at the moment but you can get them from Evans Cycles in the UK or send Paddy Behan a message on social media, he ran their Enduro team and is setting them up again in Ireland I think. He offered me a test ride of a Stumpjumper when I was thinking of the 29er model.


Devinci Troy is another bike I'd consider. 140mm rear and 150mm fork. Again carbon or Aluminium and savage bang for your buck.


Anything with 130mm to 150mm rear travel and a 150mm to 160mm fork is going to be a great bike for Irish trails and will be incredibly versatile for a whole range of spins.


If you really fancied the Rocky Mountain have a look at the Instinct BC edition. It's the same frame but with a burlier and more aggressive parts spec. 

[Jonny]

Thanks Steven . Have checked out a few of those already and will take a look at the others you suggest. Haven't decided 29er/27.5 or Alu/carbon. So even more things in the mix there. I did see the BC edition of the instinct - too pricey new unfortunatley


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[Craigsy]

Devinci Troy is another bike I'd consider. 140mm rear and 150mm fork. Again carbon or Aluminium and savage bank for your buck.

I'm biased but the Troy is a savage bike. Punches well above its weight, can pedal all day long and take on the burliest of tracks. Mines hasn't been phased by all day long spins to EWS races. They've a range of models and builds on offer now and the prices have come down.

Mines there if ya want to check one out

[dom17]

I'm biased too Johnny


check out the reviews on the Transition Patrol
155 rear 160 fork
a beast of a bike

[SoaringPanda]

I'm biased too Johnny


check out the reviews on the Transition Patrol
155 rear 160 fork
a beast of a bike

Good shout. Another savage bike.

[muckwarrior]

At this stage it might be easier to list the bikes that aren't bleedin deadly

Couple of years now, but when I was buying nobody came close to Canyon and YT for value. They also happened to be two of the most highly regarded bikes around so it's not like it was a compromise. Very happy with the strive. It blasts down trails I was too scared to ride on my old bike, and is remarkably good on the climbs.

[Ratz]

Jonny, Paddy behan is enda's brother, I forgot about that. Have a chat with Enda. Could get you a test spin.

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[dom17]

At this stage it might be easier to list the bikes that aren't bleedin deadly

Couple of years now, but when I was buying nobody came close to Canyon and YT for value. They also happened to be two of the most highly regarded bikes around so it's not like it was a compromise. Very happy with the strive. It blasts down trails I was too scared to ride on my old bike, and is remarkably good on the climbs.

That sounds like a biased opinion to me