Riding trail requires a bike that can do it all with ease, take some hits, and be ready to come back for more. And when it comes to this, nothing outperforms our Stumpjumper Comp Carbon 29/6Fattie.
It features our FACT 9m carbon fibre for the bulk of the construction in order to provide an ultra-lightweight, strong, and stiff frame. The carbon moulding process also allowed us to revolutionize how you carry your trail essentials with the all-new SWAT™ Door found at the down tube. This compartment will fit a tube, a tool, and pump without rattling or compromising the structural integrity of the frame. And to make things even better, the Stumpy's design also allows you the opportunity to toggle between 29-inch wheels and 6Fattie wheels (not included), allowing the ultimate in configuration options for the trail at hand.
You'll also find a fast, aggressive geometry to complement the 29-inch wheels that features ridiculously short chainstays, a roomy top tube, a low bottom bracket, and a slacked out front end. And for the build, we spec'd SRAM's GX 11-speed shifting, a RockShox Revelation RC fork with 150mm of travel, a custom-tuned Monarch RT at the rear, and Roval Traverse 29 alloy wheels. It'll change the way you ride.
-
FACT 9m carbon fibre Trail Chassis with Stumpjumper FSR M5 alloy rear end blends stiffness with light weight to form the pinnacle of efficiency, while fully enclosed cable routing and an integrated SWAT™ Door create exceptional handling and zero-hassle storage.
-
RockShox Revelation RC fork features a 15x110mm Maxle Ultimate thru-axle, a Solo Air™ spring, and 150mm of plush travel to take on big hits and bumpy terrain with supreme speed and efficiency.
-
SRAM's 11-speed GX groupset features a wide gear range that delivers climbing and descending efficiency in spades. On top of this, the one-by setup is notorious for being next to impossible to drop a chain with, plus it provides a significant weight savings in comparison to a standard two-by setup.
Mountain biking has been revolutionised in the last few years with the introduction of larger wheel sizes and more sophisticated suspensions. Whether you are buying your first mountain bike, or you want to upgrade your ride, this is a quick guide to steer you through the occasionally confusing world of mountain biking. For a far more detailed guide, go to our BLOG on finding the mountain bike for you.
Where to start
Prices for a mountain bike that will last and give you a proper riding experience start around £400, which includes bike set-up and your first service. On bikes over £600, we include a free suspension set up, which is a £45 value. You can spend less on a bike, but you'll either get sub-standard components or be left on your own to build up the bike, fit it correctly, tune the suspension and service it once it beds-in.
What are you paying for?
£400 - £4,000 is quite a range, so how do you decide what's right for you? For example, is it more important to spend extra to get a carbon fibre frame or would you be better off with a less expensive frame and better gear shifters, brakes and wheels? If it's an upgrade from your current bike you are looking for, how do you choose the best frame, groupset and wheels for you?
1. Your Mountain biking objectives
The best place to start is understanding what you want to achieve with your bike. Are you riding local bridleways and towpaths, or will you be a regular on the red runs at Swinley Forest and the trail centres in Wales? Do you want to do big jumps, or be fast cross-country? The answers to these questions will guide you toward the right kind of bike. To keep it simple, we will refer to "Cross country", "Trail" and "Downhill". There is a more detailed breakdown in the BLOG
2. Frame materials
The most common material is aluminium, as it's light and strong, and it is less likely to be damaged in a crash than carbon fibre. Carbon fibre frames can offer improve weight and stiffness, but all carbon is NOT equal. Cheap carbon is like riding a plastic bike, and it is unlikely to survive many crashes.
3. Suspension & frame angles
"Hardtail" bikes have suspension forks and a rigid rear triangle, but "Full Sus" bikes have a rear shock absorber as well. Quality Full Sus bikes start at £1,000, as the parts and manufacturing costs are higher. The suspension "travel" is matched to the type of riding you will do. Cross country bikes generally have 100 - 120mm or travel, Trail bikes have 140 - 160mm, and Downhill bikes go up from there. Downhill bikes also have a fundamentally different frame design, and very heavy duty shocks, so it's a specialist area.
4. Wheel sizes
All quality mountain bikes now come with either 27.5" or 29" wheels. The "traditional" 26" wheel is slower over rough surfaces and has less grip due to the smaller contact patch with the ground. In general, 29" wheels are a good choice for medium and larger hardtail bikes, and 27.5" wheels are the best for smaller frames and full sus bikes.
Summary
We are here to help you match you with the best bike for your riding objectives and budget. We'll make sure you get the right size and set it up correctly for you in any case, but we can also discuss the trade-offs and pro & cons of your different choices. We are all cyclists and enthusiasts, so we are keen and able to help.