Unit2Sucks said:
Yeah I think it's a bad year to buy bikes because of the supply chain disruption and the spike in demand. I don't pretend to be an expert across the bike strata but if I were spending $3k I would probably get an Ibis Ripmo AF or a Giant Trance Advanced. Generally speaking I think Giant is the best value in the industry because of their vertical integration. I need to get new road bikes and have always ridden Giant but the prices are high now so I'm waiting until things somewhat return to normal next year.
Excellent advice. This is a TOUGH year to be buying bikes, especially the lower end ones. That said, even the high end stuff it hard to find. Look on YT's website (direct to consumer like Canyon) and many of their models are sold out across the entire size chart. A friend of mine had an email alert set for one full suspension bike he wanted. Got the alert, went to purchase online, put it in his cart and realized he didn't have his CC handy. By the time he got his card, the bike had been sold out from under him. That's how crazy it is right now.
We just got my wife a $3k Scott Spark 27.5" and she loves it. She's been on a really nice aluminum hard tail for 25 years and she cannot believe how nice her new bike is. The spec is decent with Fox fork and rear shock. The suspension is DW-link, which is considered THE suspension design that's dialed in really well.
Major difference from the old school stuff. Just body positioning alone is very confidence-inspiring. Today's larger wheels (27.5 or 29") are considered smoother-rolling for getting over stuff. In general, small riders, like my wife, should probably choose 27.5". It's hard to make an XS or S bike with 29" wheels and keep optimal geometry and avoid pedal/foot overlap. 2.3" tubeless tires make for a nicer ride as well. Lower pressures mean even better traction and shock absorption. So that PLUS full suspension means she's totally psyched riding now. She says she's riding much of our rooted redwood single track that she'd walk on her old bike.
I'm still in the dark ages (hard tail) and am DYING for an Ibis full suspension bike. I had actually decided that heading to Santa Cruz to demo both Ibis and Santa Cruz would be a great family outing this year.... NOT! Thwarted by Covid (obviously). So I haven't gotten to demo a Ripmo or Ripley yet. But I really want to get some trail time on a few bikes before putting down the $$$. Covid is delaying this plan, obviously.
Lots of YouTube content out there on bike reviews. But they seem to be pretty subjective. Who ISN'T gonna say their new $6k full suspension bike is awesome? Not many. That said, check out "Trail POV" for technical discussions of various full suspension designs. And if you're not sure about a certain carbon bike brand, check out "Leuscher Technik."
Canyon and YT, being direct to consumer, are pretty deal friendly - under normal circumstances.
Giant is one of the "big 3 or 4" producers, so they're a known quantity. But the brand lacks panache of Yeti, Santa Cruz, or Ibis (among others).
