Posts
18
Joined
10/23/2020
Location
Seattle, WA
US
Edited Date/Time
4/12/2021 9:47am
Hey guys,
Hope everyone is doing well and keeping sane during pandemic.
I have been looking at these two bikes and was curious about how they compare. I am planning to demo them in future for sure but want to get opinions from experienced riders as all I have rode is hardtail and I am not sure if I would feel any difference between two bikes in a demo.
The numbers on the bikes turn out to be close to my current bike in size large (20") which I am very comfortable with (top tube length and stack height are close).
My current bike: https://www.cube.eu/en/2019/bikes/mountainbike/hardtail/reaction/cube-r…
I recently moved to Seattle from East coast and really like Duthie Hill park near me, it has completely changed mountain biking for me. I enjoy different types of trails but I enjoy drops and corners the most (not very good at jumps but they feel super fun as well). I go over almost all features in green and blue trails but not black diamond, I would like a bike that's capable of doing those when I get there. I don't care about time or speed. I want to stick to 27.5" wheels. Which bike do you think suits me better? Should I be considering something else as well.
Budget is up to 5-7k. I am specifically looking for Shimano drivetrain and Fox factory, so I might do custom build or buy top closed spec and change parts on Scout.
About me: I am 30 year old, 5'10" with 32-33" inseam, about 170 pounds.
Hope everyone is doing well and keeping sane during pandemic.
I have been looking at these two bikes and was curious about how they compare. I am planning to demo them in future for sure but want to get opinions from experienced riders as all I have rode is hardtail and I am not sure if I would feel any difference between two bikes in a demo.
The numbers on the bikes turn out to be close to my current bike in size large (20") which I am very comfortable with (top tube length and stack height are close).
My current bike: https://www.cube.eu/en/2019/bikes/mountainbike/hardtail/reaction/cube-r…
I recently moved to Seattle from East coast and really like Duthie Hill park near me, it has completely changed mountain biking for me. I enjoy different types of trails but I enjoy drops and corners the most (not very good at jumps but they feel super fun as well). I go over almost all features in green and blue trails but not black diamond, I would like a bike that's capable of doing those when I get there. I don't care about time or speed. I want to stick to 27.5" wheels. Which bike do you think suits me better? Should I be considering something else as well.
Budget is up to 5-7k. I am specifically looking for Shimano drivetrain and Fox factory, so I might do custom build or buy top closed spec and change parts on Scout.
About me: I am 30 year old, 5'10" with 32-33" inseam, about 170 pounds.
Poll
I have actually spent time demoing both of these earlier this year riding 20-30 miles on each bike over the course of several days. Demoed the Scout GX/Rockshox build and the SB140 XT/Fox Factory build. I'm 5'11, 165lbs kitted up, and rode a large in both models. Sizing felt right. Riding was in Pisgah and Dupont NC and my style is more aggressive and playful.
First off I would say to definitely take both out for a demo ride before pulling the trigger as the bikes felt very different to me.
I thought the handling on the Yeti was much more intuitive and was comfortable on it immediately. Climbing felt very efficient and it was very confidence inspiring on the downhills giving me more encouragement to get it in the air and try sketchy gaps. The scout felt a little too long wheelbase wise, and felt a little too slack. To me this translated to it not feeling quite as nimble in the air, and the slackness required extra effort to weight the front wheel in turns and going uphill.
I was glad to have demoed both before making a buying decision as I had been pretty set on the Scout being my next bike. I have to say I didn't end up buying the Yeti either as the pricing was outrageous for the build / setup I was looking for.
YMMV, so go try before you buy!
Look at Evil and Kona. With Kona, you’ll get more for your money and a quality frame.
Evil is great, too. I have the Evil Offering and Kona Process 153. Both are 29ers, but the Kona does come in 27.5.
That said get out there and demo some stuff. 29ers are sick. I ride 27.5 most the time but I love 29ers too. Any mtber should give 29er a solid shot before spending 5k on a new bike IMO.
Honestly with your price range and skill level it will be hard to buy a bad bike and hard to recommend the perfect one. You may just be best off picking the one that looks cool and just owning the decision. You are already looking at the perfect travel range for a do it all bike that isn’t owned by a straight up racer.
Seems like Evil is discontinuing 27.5" bikes or at least Calling which I was also looking at, some leftover bikes and frames are on sale at backcountry. And Kona Process CR 27.5 seems to getting discontinued as well, aluminum 27.5 is still there though.
I also looked at Canyon Spectral, pretty good value for money and looks playful.
At this point the wheelbase feels really normal. It feels as nimble as I felt on my old process. I'd go with the scout just for the wheelbase. It instantly feels faster and more stable and you get used to flicking around its size pretty quick.
I think it's worth pointing out that Yeti's tend to be race-oriented bikes, but they're still great. I think you'll get more for your money with Transition or Kona compared to the Yeti.
I would shoot for the $3-5k range and spend the money you have leftover on something that helps you improve as a rider. I always recommend aluminum frames and never buying anything nicer than a GX/SLX build. You'll burn that extra $2-4k quickly, I promise. Here are some ideas:
1. Riding lessons with Simon Lawton or another great coach in the area (there are lots). I took a 2-hour class with Simon 8 years ago and I use those lessons every single time I go riding. Lessons are priceless.
2. Cold wet weather riding gear. You live in Seattle, which means you can go mountain biking 365 days a year, but it won't always be pleasant conditions 365 days a year. With the right cold weather gear you can make the nasty days tolerable.
3. A hardtail dirt jump bike or BMX for the pumptrack and jumps. This is one of the quickest ways to improve as a rider. You can buy one new for $1200-ish or get one used on Seattle's FB marketplace or Craigslist for well under $1000.
4. Gas. You'll need to buy lots of this to go mountain biking.
5. A good hitch rack from Thule, Yakima, or One-Up. This will make you not hate your life when you have to drive home with a cold, wet, and nasty bike in January. And good racks ain't cheap.
6. Go somewhere far away to ride. Whistler next summer,Squamish, Couer d'Alene, Silver Mountain, Port Angeles, the Portland area, Leavenworth, wherever, just get out of Seattle and go experience some different terrain. Make a weekend or a whole week out of it.
7. A road bike or commuter bike. Ride your bike places and watch how quickly your fitness improves. You live in an extremely bike-friendly part of the world. It's great
Other things to consider - Transition is somewhat local, if you have an issue - they're less than 90 miles away and you can get immediate support. Not to take away from Yeti, I'm sure they have fine customer service, but having the company local to you is also nice.
It takes time to get into the weeds in any hobby, don't let forums and social media make you think that you need to expedite the process. It all comes naturally if you put the time into it.
Thanks for the info. I am waiting for all 2021 lineup now to see what's coming as things are changing.
I currently do ride only Green and Blue lines at Duthie but I intend to do more (start hitting black diamonds). I didn't have access to parks like these and I used to ride mostly green, this is my first year here and I am hitting all features in blue lines, so I hope to build skills to black in sometime.
I am with you on drivetrain, I do think I would be perfectly happy with Deore or SLX (I currently have a bike with NX and want to try out Shimano). I am still learning maintenance and would definitely prefer to afford my screw ups (replacing parts). I was looking for best frame (geo that suits me and my needs) and good suspension (as I believe it will be on bike for it's lifetime).
Bar height has always been my concern. I fall between Medium and Large size for most bikes. On Medium sized bikes after adjusting seat height for me the seat get's around 2 inches higher than handlebar which I hate, so I prefer Large bikes (with shorter top tube length/ reach). My current bike has 634mm stack, 621mm TT, 435mm reach and feels perfect to me compared to my previous bikes.
I took (basic) lessons from Evergreen this year. Planning to do some next year with both, Fluidride and Evergreen. I do have some gear (Patagonia Dirt Roamer Jacket and Fox Attack Fire Bike Pants) and looking in to more now (inner layers etc).
I have car on lease, when I got it I was thinking about buying it and adding a hitch mount but I decided to use it till lease end and get something else. So currently I don't have an option to get a hitch rack. Me lease ends next year and I would probably get something that fits my hobbies better. Right now I take the front wheel off, fold rear seats and out bike in back. It's a major inconvenience currently but I would end up paying 7-8k if I turn in my lease now instead of next year and I do really enjoy my car otherwise. I think for now I will just go for Yakima trunk rack.
My friend is giving me a full Carbon Spectral frame (for free), if I build it up it will end up costing me 3-3.5k for XT, Fox 36 factory, one up cockpit build. I think I would just go this route, ride bike for few years, test ride others, if I get a strong feel from some other bike then I will get that frame and swap parts.
Initially I wanted to spend no more than 3k on a bike then it was 5k and then I came up with these two options. Having money for trips and gas won't be any issue for me, most of my income goes towards savings any way. I am going to take your advice and dial it back. Thanks again.
I have always been concerned about riding on the road, I just don't trust drivers. I am not sure road/commuter bikes are for me. I am planning to get a trainer and hitting gym more often once they open.
The reason for Shimano is, if I move to India due to any unforeseen event, I would take bike with me and shimano would be easier to get parts for than SRAM. New Fox 36 really looked interesting to me and in last 5 years I had only SRAM and rockshox bikes (Diamondback overdrive, Diamondback Sync'r and Cube Reaction TM) and never tried a bike with anything else.
One up: Stem, carbon handlebar, 210mm dropper + remote
Fox: 36 Factory Fork 160mm
Industry 9: 101 wheels
Shimano: XT drivetrain and brakes
Chris king: Headset + spacers
Ergon: Saddle + grips
Maxxis: DHR 2 Front, Dissector rear both 2.4"
Deity: Comosite pedals Deftrap
Won’t disappoint
Fun
Stable
Decent price for what you get
Thank you for initial advice one more time. I got some (much needed) winter riding gear (Neck Gaiter, Thermal inner wear top and headband). Also made my commute convenient with yakima trunk rack, I will get outback or something similar when my lease ends so I can put a hitch on it.
Post a reply to: Scout vs SB140 vs similar bikes