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Post by dirkpitt74 on Sept 2, 2015 8:15:48 GMT
Guys, Now that I don't have to go 'under the knife' any time soon I think it's time for that new bike I was promising myself.......
Have narrowed it down to 3 but need some opinions/man maths help lol
The contenders are:
Bird Aeris 3 Vitus Escarpe - Spec Calibre Bossnut - Spec/Review
In true 'man-maths' style I've done a spreadsheet showing the specs:
Specs are all fairly comparable for the main components - just finishing kit that varies; but that'll probably get changed over time anyway.... Advantage of Bird and Vitus is that I can use my existing dropper post.
Looks like non of them have a lockout on the rear shock - is this going to be a problem?
The company uses CycleScheme which technically only the Calibre is available on. Which means that instead of £1k it'll cost me around £600. Question is - are the others really worth the extra £1k???
Now I'm a huge fan of Bird and have followed them since they started - and having poked around Zulu's Bird (zero) briefly they are very well built/finished and great spec. Reviews of the Vitus are very good - think it won the £1500 category not so long back in one of the mags. The Calibre is a bit of an odd one though - British Design (Sheffield iirc) and only sold through Go-Outdoors. Their previous Hardtails have had rave reviews and quite frankly you have to wonder how they've com up with the spec for £1k. Ok so it's got a stupid name - but is that an issue??
Only one I can reasonably get a test ride on is the Bird, but will mean travelling to Swinley. Have noticed a couple of guys over the Chase with the Vitus so could possibly put a shout out for a look/sit on.
Here are the contenders:
Bird: 
Vitus: 
Calibre: 
Looks wise I think the Bird wins as I can spec it in Orange  The Vitus is soon to be replaced with the 2016 model so no idea what the new colour scheme will be..... The Calibre isn't a bad looking bike though....
Now my head says Calibre as that's the cheapest.... Vitus is a cracking bike for the price and can get a 10% discount on CRC with my British Cycling membership. But the rest of me is shouting BIRD!!!!!
If I get the Calibre am I going to think in 12 months - wish I'd gotten the Bird/Vitus or if I get one of the others am I going to think what did my extra £1k get me??
Also the Bird is out of stock until mid October, the Vitus is out of stock until the new one is released and the Calibre would take a while due to company being slow on cyclescheme vouchers..... so no rush as all on same sort of lead in times!
Cheers!
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Post by marsbarman on Sept 2, 2015 8:44:49 GMT
The Bird is the word.
Month and a half isn't too long to wait for a bike. I did the same. I think if you bought either of the other 2 you may regret not treating yourself.
Saw an Aries at FoD a while ago, the looks insanely good. As for thexample lack of lockout? You may notice it at first but then you'll get used to it and just get better at climbing without it!
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Post by Jan on Sept 2, 2015 9:18:15 GMT
The Bird would be my choice. Have a word with Motozulu, I'm sure he used the cycle to work scheme and just paid the extra.
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Post by dirkpitt74 on Sept 2, 2015 9:22:39 GMT
The Bird would be my choice. Have a word with Motozulu, I'm sure he used the cycle to work scheme and just paid the extra. Have already spoken to the guys from Bird  |
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Post by roundie1981 on Sept 2, 2015 9:30:48 GMT
I'd say the bird pips it just for me, but it is the more expensive of the three, it's 150 travel front and rear which would mean your not under gunned for anywhere, you could upgrade like you say and it would be a cracker of a bike.
Looks wise I think the vitus wins but that's just me.
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Post by hodgy on Sept 2, 2015 10:11:45 GMT
I've always had an eye for a tasty bird ....
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2015 11:45:00 GMT
I'm biased of course, but you sound like you really want the Bird anyway. I'd say just go for it, build quality and attention to detail is second to none. I bloody love my Bird. Plus, I'd get to have a go on an Aeris if you get one  |
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Post by kirky72 on Sept 2, 2015 12:11:29 GMT
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Post by dirkpitt74 on Sept 2, 2015 13:52:20 GMT
I'd lean to the Norco as well. But if the choice is just those three, the bird for me too. How come? Can't see a massive difference.
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Post by glynnsixo on Sept 2, 2015 14:57:41 GMT
i called into our local go-outdoors last week to have a look at the bossnut. it didnt happen! there wasnt one in store, its only available on line to order. so basically, apart from a magazine review in MBR, you'd be expected to order a brand new bike for a grand without even sitting on one, let alone trying one on the trails.
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Post by beansontoast on Sept 2, 2015 15:33:31 GMT
The Bird gets my vote although Bossnut is a superb name for a bike..
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Post by dirkpitt74 on Sept 2, 2015 17:21:25 GMT
I'm biased of course, but you sound like you really want the Bird anyway. I'd say just go for it, build quality and attention to detail is second to none. I bloody love my Bird. Plus, I'd get to have a go on an Aeris if you get one Cheers Zulu. We need to try and finish that ride we started lol. You're welcome to have a blast on the Aeris if I get it |
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Post by beansontoast on Sept 2, 2015 17:35:12 GMT
If the Aeris rides as nicely as the Zero, you're on to a winner.
Like Poozu said, it sounds like your mind is made up.. Would you be happy and/or able to settle with one of the others!?
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Post by dirkpitt74 on Sept 23, 2015 17:19:12 GMT
These seem to have appeared in the post today.....   Guess that rules out a yellow or blue bike....... |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2015 18:24:29 GMT
B B B B B B bbbbbb bird bird bird...(orange) bird is the word.....  oooh, oooh whens it coming, whens it coming?.... |
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Post by dirkpitt74 on Sept 23, 2015 18:42:38 GMT
Not yet. Sorting the extra cash and then got to wait for work to sort voucher out.
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Post by Marmite on Sept 23, 2015 21:01:51 GMT
I like the look of the vitus but that's just me |
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Post by Marmite on Sept 23, 2015 21:02:41 GMT
I like the look of the vitus but that's just me |
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Post by barffy on Sept 24, 2015 8:33:52 GMT
Shall I leave this here?  Vitus looks betterer to me. The Bird's are good value but I hate the finish on the frames, they look a bit cheap. I think it's because they are such a high gloss. Mattoc forks get great reviews too plus it comes with a dropper. |
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Post by barffy on Sept 24, 2015 8:34:50 GMT
And 1x11!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2015 8:44:59 GMT
That does look nice.
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Post by dirkpitt74 on Sept 24, 2015 11:10:48 GMT
Is that the new Escarpe VR?
I really wish you hadn't posted that.....
And just over £1500 with british cycling discount.....
Damn it!!!!!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2015 12:42:35 GMT
All I would say is that for just a 100 quid - with the Aeris you'd be getting a slightly more 'capable' bike as it has the longer travel - only a real consideration if you think you might be doing Peaks or wales much though, tbh.
If it's mostly Cannock and other trail centres though, the Vitus would be fine.
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Post by dirkpitt74 on Sept 24, 2015 13:28:27 GMT
Thinking it'll still be the Aeris tbh as I wouldn't be able to get the Vitus on cyclescheme....
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2015 16:24:18 GMT
Vitus looks a great bike and well specced - I'd still say Aeris though, just because I haven't heard a bad word about one yet. Eurobob knows a test rider for one of the MTB mags and this tester said it's the best bike he's tested this year - when you imagine the kind of bikes he's tested...high praise indeed.
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