September looms. Yorkshire will swiftly be converted from dust-bowl to mud-bath. Time to switch from road bike to MTB again.

Since I became part-time this year I'm riding longer and harder. I'm thinking of replacing my C'Dale Scalpel with something a bit softer. A day swapping bikes with a new full susser made me realise that they have moved on from the bouncy (and heavy) designs of a few years ago.

So I want a sharp, light, shortish travel bike that will last me well, be a good all-day XC companion and that makes my days off a bigger grin.

Anyone got any thoughts/experience with the following on my shortlist so far-Santa Cruz Superlight/Blur XC, Nicolai Helius CC, Yeti AS-R? What would be on your list around £1500 frame only (I'm going to cannabalise the Scalpel for bits).

Bruce

PS One of my issues with the Scalpel is durability, the Lefty needs reg service-fine (it is a brilliant fork), but the rear pivots also need replacement 2-3x year, this is getting a real pain as my nearest dealer is now miles away. Are all suspension bikes this fragile?

I know a few people with Superlights and Blurs and while they love their bikes when they are working they seem to need a lot of bearing maintenance and two of the frames also cracked recently.

I've not had any problems with Epic and it's still on the original bearings after two years, however I tend to use a hardtail in the winter anyway.

I went from a trek soft-tail (v.short rear sus) to a blur. Bloody marvellous.I've not ridden every bike out there,so I don't pretend to have complete knowledge, But I much preferred it to to spesh.fsr/epic,kona's & trek fuel. Great build quality,weight,travel,ride,etcetc. It's basically a better bike than I am a rider. The one weakness is the rear mud clearance, but I believe that the newer frames have a rear triangle especially designed for the great uk outdoors, & so have probably beaten that problem as well.They also now come in 2 rear travel options, 4" or 6" I believe. You've got to try one.
matt.

I would recommend a taking a look at Be-One, and specifically the Hornet Plus. I ride it here in Vancouver on both cross country type trails and the hard core North Shore kind. It is relatively light and has 5 front 4 1/2 back (inches) of travel.

tw

Did a Santa Cruz test ride. Superlight tight and sharp, but just not the same thing as a Blur. You really can ride at things and they disappear. The key for me is that the suspension seems to be 'invisible' when climbing without any sag, the whole bike feels stiff and agile uphills as if locked out altgough actually it is active and working to keep the rear down.

Ordered it.

I'm sure there are other superb bikes out there. But you will never regret getting the blur. Good choice.
matt.

First long ride on my new bike yesterday; brilliant! I'll take a bit of convincing that the Fox Floats are as sweet as my old Lefty but the rear suspension feels great. The 5th element makes it feel absolutely locked when pedalling on the smoother stuff and even when the rear is active you have no real sensation of movement below you. Definitely not saggy/bouncy on the initial set up.

SRAM mech is taking a bit of tuning but overall I'm delighted.

Bruce