Bike choice for European Holiday

[mitzikatzi]

I am considering this holiday.
European Alpine Epics

Away From The Popular

A full suspension All mountain or Trail bike is recommended.
Which bike would you recommend? A $3000 budget. The bike needs to be ridden up hill as well as down.

[Mugglechops]

Santa Cruz Tall Boy

Scott Genius

Trek EX 9

[Duck!]

Giant Trance.

[mitzikatzi]

I had been thinking about an Anthem for the bike suitable to my current needs but worry it might not be enough for the trip. Apart from being downhill the trails on the trip seem non technical.
A Trance was in my thinking for the holiday bike but I worry that it might be to much bike for where I live (WA it is pretty flat).
The Trek EX 8 is also in my thinking. Damm that EX 9 is a great price.
Tallboy or Ridley outside budget.
I have noticed a number of heavily reduced Scotts.
Thanks for the links.

[silentbutdeadly]

I'd steer clear of the Anthem for the EU trip. Something with the capability of the Trance would be better...

However, since you are going to Europe why not pick up a very highly rated (and locally unobtainable) Canyon Nerve while you are there? 1600 Euros for the NERVE AL 7.0 with XT and full Fox...120mm travel https://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbike ... tml?b=3026" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or it's 29er cousin for an extra 100 https://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbike ... tml?b=3182" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[mitzikatzi]

Giant Trance X 29er 1 2013 $2500
Giant Trance X 29er 1 2014 $2500
Trek Fuel EX 8 29 2014$2600 to $3000
Norco Shinobi 2 2013 $2300 (was $3.5k)

Any standouts?

[Duck!]

Only difference between '13 & '14 Trances is in the brakes; '13 has Avid Elixir, '14 has Shimano non-series. While lacking some power of the highly-praised "groupset' brakes, they're still markedly better than the Avids. Giant's Maestro suspension platform is still one of the best on the market. 2x crank may go against it (see next paragraph).

Trek's dual-lockout system has mixed reviews about its ease (or not) of tuning. The triple-ring crank on the front gives a wider, more useable gear spread; sure a lot of people rave about the simpler 2x setup, but have a think about what part of the gear range you use most, 'cos 2x most certainly doesn't work for everyone!

Points against the Norco (at least for me) are Avid brakes and 2x crank, with a ghastly 14T difference between the two rings! That's got gear-hunting written all over it. Lack of dropper seatpost may be a consideration if technical descents are expected.

Of those, I would narrow it down to the '14 Trance & the Trek. Ride both to feel the setup of both cockpit and suspension performance and decide from there.

[toolonglegs]

Does the tour company do hire bikes? ... A lot of people prefer this as there is no transport worries, trash their bike instead of yours etc etc ... If not they should give you an idea of what you will need bike wise.

[mitzikatzi]

On Hiring

... Hiring is not particularly cheap...snip.

The riding we will plan is best described as ‘All-Mountain’ riding, and you will need to do a fair bit
of climbing to get the most out of the area, but it is worth it for the descents. We highly
recommend a good quality full-suspension bike, although many people manage perfectly well on
a hardtail. However this is NOT the place for ultra light bling carbon XC racing machines.

Hence the desire to find a bike model that climbs and descends.

[trailgumby]

I'd go the Trance X 29er ... and a roll of CF prepreg and a hair dryer in case you need to make repairs to the top tube in front of the seat post.

SC also make an alloy version of the Tallboy. The new Norcos look good. As far as the 2x front is concerned, I wouldn't be. I have it on my Scalpel and coming from 3x9 on 26" I only lack for gears in the extreme top end on the road. Just make sure you get a 24 for granny.

I was initially concerned about shifting after my experience on the Cannondale test day which was awful. But the LBS persuaded me to try it awhile and its been fine. 14T gap is fine, just like it is in road bikes.

Avid brakes.... yeah not great but you can get XTs for $220 landed and then flog off the Avids.

[trailgumby]

As for a 5" 29er being too much bike at home... perhaps. I know a few WA guys building 6" travel 26ers and 650b so there is technically demanding riding available in your area if you acquire the taste. I'm too old for that stuff. .. my bones are no longer made of rubber

[uglybob]

plenty of fun to be had in WA on bikes with 100mm+ travel.

i've got a Stumpjumper - 5" travel - and i have no troubles on the uphills, and even less on the downs. i think i'd be hard-pressed to get something with less travel anymore - the bikes i've had the most fun on out at Kalamunda (and been quickest on) have been my Stumpy, and a Yeti SB-95.

[mitzikatzi]

Thanks for the advice,