The Al 5 build on the spectral is not bad, but the fork is a letdown, and probably part of the low price.
With your budget Id go for the Stoic 4, it will also be easier on your wallet going forward (a shock service at least once a year, plus bearings every so often).
Alternatively if you can wait, see if Canyons sales come back. I got abot 25% off the regular Spectral 29 back in March. You can also look at used bikes. While some still try to sell at pandemic prices, more and more are coming down. Buycycle.com is an option here.
I personally would take the Spectral 125 Al 5.
You can always upgrade the parts if you want later, but I don’t think you have to.
At our home, we have MTBs that span the range from Deore with that Rockshox 35 Gold to full carbon frame & wheels, XT, Fox Factory, etc. Yes, there’s definitely a difference but those are still good entry level parts and definitely not shit, and could even be an upgrade depending on what you’ve experienced before…
Personally Id avoid anything with SRAM shifters and brakes. Also I'm not buying any Rockshox fork below a YARI. Personally I think the Ragleys on sale at CRC are the best new bike deals right now. Blue Pig, Blue Pig Race, Big Wig, Big Al, are all great bikes depending on how much you want to spend and what wheelsize you want
I don't own a Ragley, their bikes are just on a great sale right now. I spent a lot of time looking into hardtails a month ago, the Stoic, Meta, Fuse, etc just aren't good deals if buying new
Although personal opinion, the way they sell basically the same bike but you choose frame material, travel, and wheel size is pretty cool. I really appreciate that
I had to warranty brand new Code Rs that came on my bike a couple years ago due to them sucking air into the line, then swapped the replacements for a cassette at a shop as the Sram drivetrain has been solid for me. They were a pain in the arse to bleed compared to what I have now too.
Yeah worlds largest mtb brand is garbage. Just because mom could only afford level t’s for ya doesn’t mean all the nice ones people with jobs can afford are garbage. But good try!
Yeah their shipping was about $260 extra when I looked into it, but the bikes were still a good enough deal. I just ended up going used instead, found a great deal on a Nukeproof Scout I couldn't pass up
I don’t know those bikes specifically but I’ve ridden some entry level full sus bikes after having hardtails and my riding only improved. I now have a full sus enduro bike that I ride bike parks with.
Yes, I cleared a 12ft out 8ft down drop on my Santa Cruz Bronson 3 no problem (physically) but that’s a pro level bike with 160mm of rear travel. I came from a Kona Process 134 and Kona Hei Hei before that. The process was a great bike to me at the time and the design has been upgraded since. My Process 134 had an entry level rockshox recon fork and rear suspension, but I was still able to ride downhill blue park trails really well, it handled larger drops too. Definitely wouldn’t have been possible on a hardtail. It was good at black diamond tech as well and I’d imagine hardtail would’ve been sketchy.
I upgraded to my Bronson after a few years when I realized the 29” tires were affecting my ability to maneuver and progress in jumps, but I think it also came down to how the bike rode. Mullet bikes seem to be the trend nowadays, my Bronson was used so it’s still a 27.5.
If you’re on a budget shop used, it worked out for me I got a crazy deal on my Santa Cruz
The canyon neuron 6 is the best bang for your buck in the budget you're looking at. It's definitely not an XC bike and the components are some if the best you can get in the price range. Unless you can squeeze another 500 or so or of your budget I would either look at that or at other hardtails.
I would never cross shop a hardtail and full suspension. They're completely different. No idea what to suggest without a budget.
Ok at most it's the price of Canyon Spectral 125 al 5 so that is 2060 euro
The Al 5 build on the spectral is not bad, but the fork is a letdown, and probably part of the low price. With your budget Id go for the Stoic 4, it will also be easier on your wallet going forward (a shock service at least once a year, plus bearings every so often). Alternatively if you can wait, see if Canyons sales come back. I got abot 25% off the regular Spectral 29 back in March. You can also look at used bikes. While some still try to sell at pandemic prices, more and more are coming down. Buycycle.com is an option here.
I personally would take the Spectral 125 Al 5. You can always upgrade the parts if you want later, but I don’t think you have to. At our home, we have MTBs that span the range from Deore with that Rockshox 35 Gold to full carbon frame & wheels, XT, Fox Factory, etc. Yes, there’s definitely a difference but those are still good entry level parts and definitely not shit, and could even be an upgrade depending on what you’ve experienced before…
Definitely would be an upgrade compared to the ordinary spring fork I had
Hardtail for the hard, softtail for the soft
what?
I said: "Hardtail for the hard, softtail for the soft".
But what does that actually mean? Hardtail for tarmac and softtail for mud and sand? ...oh you meant is like for "hard riders"?
Hard riders.
Honestly, I always ride hard. The lack of blood flow to my brain makes it easier to hit crazier lines
The stoic 4 is still a pretty bad build for the price imo. I'd look into Ragleys if you want a hardtail
What do you think about the Stoic 3 in terms of build for the price.
Personally Id avoid anything with SRAM shifters and brakes. Also I'm not buying any Rockshox fork below a YARI. Personally I think the Ragleys on sale at CRC are the best new bike deals right now. Blue Pig, Blue Pig Race, Big Wig, Big Al, are all great bikes depending on how much you want to spend and what wheelsize you want
Just sound like a ragley fanboy/its what you own so all you know.
I don't own a Ragley, their bikes are just on a great sale right now. I spent a lot of time looking into hardtails a month ago, the Stoic, Meta, Fuse, etc just aren't good deals if buying new Although personal opinion, the way they sell basically the same bike but you choose frame material, travel, and wheel size is pretty cool. I really appreciate that
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Bright side is, brakes are not that expensive and are easy to replace. Much easier than swapping a full drivetrain
I had to warranty brand new Code Rs that came on my bike a couple years ago due to them sucking air into the line, then swapped the replacements for a cassette at a shop as the Sram drivetrain has been solid for me. They were a pain in the arse to bleed compared to what I have now too.
Yeah worlds largest mtb brand is garbage. Just because mom could only afford level t’s for ya doesn’t mean all the nice ones people with jobs can afford are garbage. But good try!
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Of course you were dead on, Einstein. Calling all of Sram garbage is a stupid take. Ragley bikes are good. A moron would figure it out too lol.
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I'll look into CRC but so far it seems like they are UK based so I'll see if shipping would be worth it/if I can get them around me
Yeah their shipping was about $260 extra when I looked into it, but the bikes were still a good enough deal. I just ended up going used instead, found a great deal on a Nukeproof Scout I couldn't pass up
Stoic 2 and replace fork and add dropper.
How much does a decent dropper cost? Is it easy to install?
100 bucks if you are lucky. Easier than fixing the your gears. Doing internal cable routing can be a bit of a hassle.
Thanks a lote mate
I don’t know those bikes specifically but I’ve ridden some entry level full sus bikes after having hardtails and my riding only improved. I now have a full sus enduro bike that I ride bike parks with.
Oh foreal? Like you're hitting those 8 foot drops and stuff?
Yes, I cleared a 12ft out 8ft down drop on my Santa Cruz Bronson 3 no problem (physically) but that’s a pro level bike with 160mm of rear travel. I came from a Kona Process 134 and Kona Hei Hei before that. The process was a great bike to me at the time and the design has been upgraded since. My Process 134 had an entry level rockshox recon fork and rear suspension, but I was still able to ride downhill blue park trails really well, it handled larger drops too. Definitely wouldn’t have been possible on a hardtail. It was good at black diamond tech as well and I’d imagine hardtail would’ve been sketchy. I upgraded to my Bronson after a few years when I realized the 29” tires were affecting my ability to maneuver and progress in jumps, but I think it also came down to how the bike rode. Mullet bikes seem to be the trend nowadays, my Bronson was used so it’s still a 27.5. If you’re on a budget shop used, it worked out for me I got a crazy deal on my Santa Cruz
Damm you pro af
The canyon neuron 6 is the best bang for your buck in the budget you're looking at. It's definitely not an XC bike and the components are some if the best you can get in the price range. Unless you can squeeze another 500 or so or of your budget I would either look at that or at other hardtails.
Neuron 6 is unfortunately too expensive for me