New bike time: £4-5k budget

[JLammy]

Could anyone provide some advice / suggestions on what you'd spend a £4-5k budget on?

I've currently shortlisted (not actually that short of a list!!!) the following, and it'd be great if I could have some help with choosing a bike that'd make easy work on some trails and reliable (I hear some bad stories on the Specialised motor, but their warranty is apparently really good).

• Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC SLX - £3.5k
• Trek Rail 9.5 Gen 4 - £3.8k
• Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon 2 - £4.2k
• Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon LT 2 - £4.4k
• Trek Rail 9.7 SLX Gen 4 - £4.5k
• Specialized Turbo Levo Comp - £4.5k
• Whyte E-160S - £4.7k
• Specialized Turbo Kenevo Expert - £4.75k
• Orbea Wild FS M20 - £5k

What would you spend this sort of budget on?

 

[Polar]

Could anyone provide some advice / suggestions on what you'd spend a £4-5k budget on?

I've currently shortlisted (not actually that short of a list!!!) the following, and it'd be great if I could have some help with choosing a bike that'd make easy work on some trails and reliable (I hear some bad stories on the Specialised motor, but their warranty is apparently really good).

• Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC SLX - £3.5k
• Trek Rail 9.5 Gen 4 - £3.8k
• Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon 2 - £4.2k
• Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon LT 2 - £4.4k
• Trek Rail 9.7 SLX Gen 4 - £4.5k
• Specialized Turbo Levo Comp - £4.5k
• Whyte E-160S - £4.7k
• Specialized Turbo Kenevo Expert - £4.75k
• Orbea Wild FS M20 - £5k

What would you spend this sort of budget on?

I highly recommend Specialized since that's what I have and doubt anyone would recommend a brand they don't have themselves

 

[irie]

I highly recommend Specialized since that's what I have and doubt anyone would recommend a brand they don't have themselves

To the contrary, I would recommend whatever brands are best supported by a LBS that you trust.

 

[Polar]

To the contrary, I would recommend whatever brands are best supported by a LBS that you trust.

That's my first priority when I'm considering buying a new bike

 

[JLammy]

All of the bikes I've shortlisted will indeed be available from one of the few LBS near me - whether they're reliable is open to debate, but online reviews seem to be good/decent for them all!

 

[irie]

All of the bikes I've shortlisted will indeed be available from one of the few LBS near me - whether they're reliable is open to debate, but online reviews seem to be good/decent for them all!

In which case the general consensus would, if available, because they appear to be the most reliable to go for a bike with a Bosch CX Gen4 motor.

 

[cozzy]

Specialized are top of my list as I like a cheeky speed delimit and they are super easy. Bosch smart is a pain, moreso with a rim magnet.

 

[Darren66]

Could anyone provide some advice / suggestions on what you'd spend a £4-5k budget on?

I've currently shortlisted (not actually that short of a list!!!) the following, and it'd be great if I could have some help with choosing a bike that'd make easy work on some trails and reliable (I hear some bad stories on the Specialised motor, but their warranty is apparently really good).

• Cube Stereo Hybrid 140 HPC SLX - £3.5k
• Trek Rail 9.5 Gen 4 - £3.8k
• Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon 2 - £4.2k
• Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon LT 2 - £4.4k
• Trek Rail 9.7 SLX Gen 4 - £4.5k
• Specialized Turbo Levo Comp - £4.5k
• Whyte E-160S - £4.7k
• Specialized Turbo Kenevo Expert - £4.75k
• Orbea Wild FS M20 - £5k

What would you spend this sort of budget on?

Mondraker Crafty R
2023 model was £5999 now £4295 at Biketart

 

[Money Pit]

I think I'd choose the cannondale LT or the levo comp. Cannondale is £3999 at freeborn bikes iirc

 

[Tonybro]

Some good deals on Merida full fat currently...

 

[NorthernDust]

I'm currently debating the same thing. Been biking for years and my current bike is a YT Capra.
So I'm looking for something just as a capable but can carry my old legs further and higher.
I'm leaning very much to the Whyte E-160; just need to decide which spec.
S is a definite consideration but I may go big...

 

[Healy]

I'm currently debating the same thing. Been biking for years and my current bike is a YT Capra.
So I'm looking for something just as a capable but can carry my old legs further and higher.
I'm leaning very much to the Whyte E-160; just need to decide which spec.
S is a definite consideration but I may go big...

I’ve got the e180 and am changing it soon for a e160 or heckler.

The 180 rides nice but can be a bit of a beast to pedal about and lifts on some tech climbs.

160 is a very capable bike

 

[Money Pit]

I’ve got the e180 and am changing it soon for a e160 or heckler.

The 180 rides nice but can be a bit of a beast to pedal about and lifts on some tech climbs.

160 is a very capable bike

Is there really much difference between the 180 and 160? I imagine if you get an angle adjust headset to steepen it 1 degree and reduce its travel a little and the 180 is probably almost the same bike.

Certainly might be cheaper than sinking 5 grand.

 

[Healy]

I’ve had 2 180s now both s builds. Lovely bike but honestly think a 160 will suit me better for where I ride.

They are brilliant bikes just going to try something 160 for my next one.

 

[Money Pit]

I’ve had 2 180s now both s builds. Lovely bike but honestly think a 160 will suit me better for where I ride.

They are brilliant bikes just going to try something 160 for my next one.

Consider a lighter ebike if you want something to feel a bit less of a tank. A full fat ebike around 20-22kg should feel a bit more lively than the Whytes pushing 27kg

 

[Mik3F]

Wish I hadn't ventured into this thread

I am now looking at a Whyte 160 RSX, very very tempted

 

[Healy]

That’s what I’m looking at or a Santa Cruz heckler

 

[Type1]

A number of YT Decoy models are in your budget. Both mullet and 29er.

 

[Healy]

Decent bike the decoy

 

[Astro66]

Some good deals on Merida full fat currently...

Merida are best bang for buck in Australia at the moment. I paid £3k for the Merida e160 700, 3 weeks ago.

Nice specs too :

Motor/Drive Unit	Shimano STePS EP6
Battery	Shimano EN806 630Wh

Fork	Marzocchi Z1 Ebike+; Air; 160

Rear Shock	FOX Float DPX2 Performance; platform

Brakes	Shimano SLX; 4 piston
Shifters	Shimano DEORE M6100 12
Derailleur Rear	Shimano XT RDM8100 Shadow+ 12
Cassette	Shimano M6100; 10-51 ATC; 12 GER

Front Travel	160mm
Rear Travel	150mm

I did upgrade the transmission to Electronic Di2 XT 12 speed. Cost £400.

 

[Mik3F]

Im still on the fence about the Whyte 160 RSX, specs are brilliant, but I don't really need a new bike for a few years at least, and by then I can only imagine what the same money will buy me

Think I have talked myself out of a 6 grand purchase now

 

[JonnyManc]

Im still on the fence about the Whyte 160 RSX, specs are brilliant, but I don't really need a new bike for a few years at least, and by then I can only imagine what the same money will buy me

Think I have talked myself out of a 6 grand purchase now

I really wanted an RSX but couldnt stump the extra coin.....so I bought the S and plan to replace the parts for RSX-esque ones as they fail.
THat said, I have already changed a few bits:

• Brakes - Had some Hope Tech 3 E4s on my S150 so swapped over
• Saddle - The stock saddle was horrific for me, so picked up an Ergon SM-E
• Rear Shock - Upgraded to the Float X PE as I couldnt find the sweet spot between harshness (too much air) and bottoming out (too little)
• Hope DRopper Lever - the stock Whyte one was not great for me....actually hurt my thumb on longer rides out

Overall the bike is awesome.......its is weighty, but you dont really feel it on the way down and eMTB means I dont really feel it on the way up

 

[Mik3F]

Id love to go and buy the RSX, but I have literally spent around a grand upgrading my Levo SL in the past 12 months

Yep definitely talked myself out of it

 

[RustyMTB]

Not much love for Cubes in here but bang for buck, they always turn my head. Bosch, 750 battery, Maguras, ok ish suspension, sub 4k easy if you look around. Ride all day long on one of those.

 

[JonnyManc]

Id love to go and buy the RSX, but I have literally spent around a grand upgrading my Levo SL in the past 12 months

Yep definitely talked myself out of it

For now.....

 

[Tubby G]

Everyone seems to love Bosch but every Bosch powered bike I have had has motor issues. My Canyon is currently with the bike shop with an unknown motor issue.

Rob has just posted this Privateer at a fantastic price. A lot of bike for your money:

Thread 'Privateer E161 now £3699!'
Privateer E161 now £3699!

 

[RoJo]

Strive:ON CFR Underdog

Soar up steep technical climbs before absolutely ripping it on the way down. This aggressive and race ready e-MTB is lightweight, bombproof and packs a punch with a powerful Bosch motor.

www.canyon.com

 

[RustyMTB]

Bosch are generally highly rated for user experience, Shimano have good reasons to avoid & Brose ties you to Spesh. No motors are trouble free, some are easier to own than others & manufacturers are never telling you the faliure rate, hence Bosch get well repped.

 

[Mik3F]

For now.....

Never say never

 

[Healy]

He’ll buy one on the weekend once he’s had a few beers