buying a new bike

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May 24, 2012, 03:29:16 PM

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[elvinio]

hello,cant make up my mind? had a combi disc and thoght it was great but want a full susser,looking at 55xt had a go on one and thougt is was a nice ride,but until you you get it out on the trails and that dont realy no? IVE HEARD SOME GOOD THINGS,AND BAD, THE O7 WAS GREAT,IS THE THE 08 META AS GOOD OR BETTER,BUT OUT OF THE METAS I THINK THE XT IS BETTER FOR ME,ANY IDEARS WOULD BE GREAT THANKS.

[steveb]

Personally I think the 08 is better. It's returned to being what it was intended for in the first place: An all rounder.

When it was launched in 05 it was spec'd and aimed at the enduro market, but people (myself included) found it to be a very strong bike and loved to be chucked about, so we started spec'ing them with beefier parts, longer forks and bigger tyres and started pushing them harder. In 07 the mags picked up on them for this very reason, and given the fact that the fork manu's had moved from 125mm as standard for a five incher to 140mm it came with a considerably longer fork than it was designed for.

Thing is, many liked the effects of a longer fork: Slacker angles and more abuse ability, but really this is not what the bike was designed for.

In 08 the bike has returned everso slightly to it's roots: Although the travel has been upped slightly in the rear and it still sports the same length forks as the 07 (and it's actually stronger than the 07) The angles have been tightened to give it a ride closer to the original, which I think was the best version.

It can still be trashed on the DH runs, but it's back to being more of an all rounder, more XC based, more for long days in the saddle with the ability to take on the big stuff on when it meets it on the trail. Personally I think it's now one of the best incarnations of the Meta 5 ever.

The mags though have cornered themselves into a, erm, corner. Last year they raved about the Meta 5.5, cus of the angles, this year they've changed and the mags can't admit they were wrong last year so they've little choice but to say the new 08 Meta5 is still good, but just not as good as last years. Many are saying this without even trying the new 08 and few if any of them had any real time on the original 05, so really they've no idea how much better it will ride.

The best of the 08 range is by far the XT, but you'll be hard pushed to find any in stock anywhere now, I've only xl's left and I think most others are the same.

Hope that helps.

Steve

[Vic-Tim.com]

The XT is the best of the range as you get sooooo much for you money!

Also you got to love the 08 XT stuff....IMHO it is pretty much perfect. The only thing that Shimano can't make are chains!

Tim S

[steveb]

I think it's just that it's got new XT on it, which is kinda considered to be about the best out there at the moment.

Your right if you take out he price difference, but bear in mind your 551 is like 2-300 pound more.

[MussEd]

I know you've kind of got a vested interest in stating that the 08's better than the 07 Steve given that you sell the things for a living but it is refreshing to hear this point of view, rather than the magazine standard fayre you mention.   I've noticed on a couple of forums some negativity towards the new bike and the seat tube angle in particular - as usual not from people who've ridden one, but nobs who probably base their opinions on whatever they've read in mags.   I even had someone leave a post stating "misaligned Andorran tat" after a pic showed my bike propped against a rock, despite the fact the bike was clearly pointing uphill so skewiff anyway! see below



Anyway elvinio, if you want a bike that is strong enough to be thrown around by a 15 stone rugby player, be lightning quick on the downs but light enough to climb there in the first place go for it.  FANTASTIC BIKE whichever kit you stick on it.

[elvinio]

I know you've kind of got a vested interest in stating that the 08's better than the 07 Steve given that you sell the things for a living but it is refreshing to hear this point of view, rather than the magazine standard fayre you mention.   I've noticed on a couple of forums some negativity towards the new bike and the seat tube angle in particular - as usual not from people who've ridden one, but nobs who probably base their opinions on whatever they've read in mags.   I even had someone leave a post stating "misaligned Andorran tat" after a pic showed my bike propped against a rock, despite the fact the bike was clearly pointing uphill so skewiff anyway! see below



Anyway elvinio, if you want a bike that is strong enough to be thrown around by a 15 stone rugby player, be lightning quick on the downs but light enough to climb there in the first place go for it.  FANTASTIC BIKE whichever kit you stick on it.

thanks,sounds great for me,just need 2 more hundread and im there,cheers,

[Nippy]

From this months Mountain Biking UK mag:

[steveb]

At last, someone writing about the new 08 bike that has actually ridden the damn thing, and gets the point of the bike!

And, it's Doddy.

Scary.

[gravity-slave]

I was left utterly gobsmacked after picking up MBR in Morrisons (after getting my sarnie) and reading 3 columns about the '08 Meta.  The 'reviewer' tore apart the bike, whittled about the geometry - then in the last para admitted he's not even ridden it yet!  Absolute fool. Opinions differ, fine - but generally need to be backed up with fact and experience to count for anything.

The only way to review a bike is to ride it.  And ride is what I've done on the 55 XT more than any bike I've owned (lots!). I can't compare to the '07 - but what Steve says makes sound sense.

The 55 is the most fun, most competent and most versatile bike I've ever ridden.  I'm a downhill racer at heart and love the angles  - the 'ruined' steeper angles certainly don't slow me down.  This bike was pencilled in for me to ride the MegAvalanche on - sadly I can't make it but would have ridden the 55 there without a doubt.  It's equally at home on 4 hour Peak rides or practicing 'cutties' on fire roads.  At the end of the day, it's an XC bike (call it what you will) and a superbly capable one at all aspects of that.

[deertrackdoctor]

folks great thread thanks pissed off with the reviews in mags (or lack off as it turns out)
i don't want to hear there pish with regard protractor i want to know how it rides FFS)
Its really helped me choose what bike i am going for
I'm riding a 2006 meta 5 vip with revs and its all i would ever need however...
employers are offering cycle to work scheme  so 43 per cent off and 0 percent loan for 18 months so cant really say no
i dint  need any more of a bike as i can rattle down most of innerleithen( probably the most demanding place i ride my bike)
my size of balls are an issue long before the amount of travel becomes an issue!
So sorry if i bore you heres where my thoughts are

cant justify the extra 300 for the bling 5.5.1
comparing the specs of 5.5.2 + 5.5.2xt i can see why folk are justifying  extra £200 for everything xt
so was pretty convinced i would go 5.5.2 xt
then i was thrown a swerve ball
i noticed a company i use quite a lot and are doing cyclescheme are offering a custom build meta 5.5 2008 cheaper than the stock 5.5.2 with the following spec
Frame 2008 Meta 5.5 frame

2008 Rockshox Revelation 426 dual air with poploc

Full 2008 XT disc brake groupset

XT 765 disc hubs handbuilt with Mavic XM719 disc rims in black and black stainless steel double butted spokes

Race Face Deus bars, stem and seatpost

SDG BelAir saddle

Cane creek S2 headset

Panaracer Fire XC tyres

im pretty sold but as i am getting a good price i am considering 2 upgrades and would like your opinion on them please
1) pike air forks over revelation extra £155 ( of which  i will only pay about £80)
2) hope pro II hub back and front (not sure im convinced though)

so to sum up thanks very much for a great helpfull thread and if anyone would like to comment on potential upgrades please do so
i would also be grateful if you folks would post up a few pick of built up team vip meta frames please
cheers Tam frae Jedburgh Bonnie Scotland

[macadam]

Hope Pro II are very nice hubs, and loud .... . You can switch between all types of axles front and rear. So if you really want to use a 12mm TA rear axle you can do it with the PROs.

However if you don't plan to change forks and you are happy with a QR in the rear, the '08 XT hubs are ACE, best value for the money in my opinion. I have a set of '08 XT AM M776 wheels and I love them.

Cheers,
Adrian

[deertrackdoctor]

Bottom line is if i was paying cash up front i dont think i could justify the extra £ for the upgrades.As its a cycle scheme purchase and approx 1/2 price to me.
 i am seriously tempted with upgrading to hope wheels,breaks and headset
In your opinion will  mono mini 180 front 160 rear enough stopping power for a meta 5.5?
possibly consider M4 on the front?
cheers Tam