$4K Trail Bike

[El Chupacabra]

PSA: Intense has a coupon for $1,000 off any bike: IFR1K

That makes "Expert" builds of the Tracer/Sniper/Primer all in the 3500-3700 range.

Or you can take that coupon code over to the open-box sale at Intense 951: https://intense951.com/collections/sale

The 951XC is a re-painted Sniper T with a rhythm fork and NX build for $2500
The 951 Trail is a re-painted Primer with a rhythm fork and NX build for $2600.

I had a Trail last season and got along with it OK. I liked the TRP Slate T4, and the NX group worked fine for me. Wanted to upgrade the wheelset, wasn't in love with the 36 rhythm, and could have used a touch steeper seat tube, but overall it worked for me. Cracked the top-tube though, from forum posts elsewhere it seems like the top tube might be a little fragile--otherwise I'd still be riding it.

For $2500 I'm kinda considering the XC for my wife to get her on a full suspension. Build kit compares pretty favorably to the YT Izzo Core 2 for $3300 although seat angle is way slacker and I kind of worry about the standover and dropper insertion since my wife has short legs and long torso (Izzo standover is 5.4CM lower)

Interesting. Thanks for posting that -- I'll pass it along to someone I know who's shopping.

FYI - Intense's website says that code also applies to any frame, but that doesn't seem like such a great deal -- the Primer 29 frame is $3299 before code, but as you wrote above, a complete 951 Trail is $3600 before code, and there's easily $300 of parts hanging on that bike if you didn't really want what it came spec'd with.

[singlesline]

Interesting. Thanks for posting that -- I'll pass it along to someone I know who's shopping.

FYI - Intense's website says that code also applies to any frame, but that doesn't seem like such a great deal -- the Primer 29 frame is $3299 before code, but as you wrote above, a complete 951 Trail is $3600 before code, and there's easily $300 of parts hanging on that bike if you didn't really want what it came spec'd with.

I did the same calculus when I bought the 951 Trail for $3250 from Costco in 2022...was basically just paying for the frame and getting the rest of the bike for free.

The gravel bike seems like a decent deal as well assuming the code works (it is listed as "preorder" but the shipping date is 2 weeks ago). $2k for a carbon GRX build is not bad.

I'd consider the XC for myself as a short-travel bike to replace my hardtail, but I know it is not really the right bike for me and I'm not gonna let a big "CLEARANCE" sign sway me here. I want a little brother for my Ripmo, but I want it to feel like a lightweight rocket ship and I don't think the wheels, fork, and seat tube angle of the 951 XC will do it for me. Even though they are essentially "free parts" on top of the frame, the Sniper T frame is NOT what I would choose.

[Meconium]

This thread should now be $5000-$6000 trail bike for about 3.5-4K. Strangely fs xc bikes have less discount and "Enduro" have extra discounts. Everyone wants aggressive 120-135mm purple bikes nowadays. Are colored bike jerseys still a thing?

[Meconium]

"collared"

[Meconium]

Occam M30 or M30 LT can be bought for about $3500. Not bad If it floats your boat. I'm guessing get popular sizes while available versus steeper discounts down the road. Frame size selection will sell out before Steeper discounts. I think components will continue to drop and be available. One could probably buy an M30 complete now and upgrade to a better then complete M10 for less money in the fall. With any brand, it's almost like shop for a complete bike with the frame you want vs the component specs, upgrade that in the fall. The used Specialized market in a few years is going to be so flooded. Companies with new carbon frame tooling for 2024 are probably shiting a brick about 22/23 stock.

[dcpnz]

I hesitated just long enough on a YT Izzo core 4 for my size to sell out.
As yet undecided if that is good or bad - good but my wallet, bad cos now it’s unavailable I actually want it more…

Thread bump

YT Izzo Core 4 back available on US site for september delivery @ $3800 in select colors and sizes.
Mechanical X01, dt swiss xmc carbon on dt 240s, Race face carbon bar.
Not UDH though.

Even in a world where damn near every bike is on sale I find this a pretty compelling value do it all trail bike.

[singlesline]

Thread bump

YT Izzo Core 4 back available on US site for september delivery @ $3800 in select colors and sizes.
Mechanical X01, dt swiss xmc carbon on dt 240s, Race face carbon bar.
Not UDH though.

Even in a world where damn near every bike is on sale I find this a pretty compelling value do it all trail bike.

That's a heck of a good value if the Izzo fits your needs.

Core 3 at $2,999 is compelling as well, although the upgrades you get for an extra $800 seem worthwhile. Core 2 at $300 cheaper seems hard to justify.

[smmokan]

Thread bump

YT Izzo Core 4 back available on US site for september delivery @ $3800 in select colors and sizes.
Mechanical X01, dt swiss xmc carbon on dt 240s, Race face carbon bar.
Not UDH though.

Even in a world where damn near every bike is on sale I find this a pretty compelling value do it all trail bike.

Non-UDH doesn't matter at all, that mechanical X01 drivetrain will last forever. That's a ridiculous deal for $3800.

[WaistDeepGroomers]

Got a Trek Top Fuel about a month ago, used, for $3k, 8 series build (alumninum frame). Have not ridden it nearly enough, but enjoying the hell out of it so far and having a very capable 120 bike again but much more designed to excel at the flat-up-down-up-down coastal New England stuff I always was loathe to actually get a bike for. Very sturdy and playful once you get a little speed under it.

[comish]

Thread bump

YT Izzo Core 4 back available on US site for september delivery @ $3800 in select colors and sizes.
Mechanical X01, dt swiss xmc carbon on dt 240s, Race face carbon bar.
Not UDH though.

Even in a world where damn near every bike is on sale I find this a pretty compelling value do it all trail bike.

If I hadn't bought a Rocky Mtn Element C50 a few weeks ago I would have to think hard about that one...

[dcpnz]

If I hadn't bought a Rocky Mtn Element C50 a few weeks ago I would have to think hard about that one...

How you liking the Element?
I’ve ordered the Izzo but that’s definitely one of the alternatives I was looking at.
More money for lesser components but worth it if its a better ride……….

[Duffman]

Any thoughts on the Norco Optic C3. Really a $3k trail bike now on sale. I haven't seen any locally at all, but came across it while looking for the wife. How does it compare to the Ripleys ,top fuel , and other shorter travel 29ers talked about here?

[hick]

Any thoughts on the Norco Optic C3. Really a $3k trail bike now on sale. I haven't seen any locally at all, but came across it while looking for the wife. How does it compare to the Ripleys ,top fuel , and other shorter travel 29ers talked about here?

No input besides, that seems like a really good value, probably can’t go wrong with any of them these days.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[adrenalated]

Any thoughts on the Norco Optic C3. Really a $3k trail bike now on sale. I haven't seen any locally at all, but came across it while looking for the wife. How does it compare to the Ripleys ,top fuel , and other shorter travel 29ers talked about here?

I have an Optic (2021, AFAIK same geometry as current). The more I ride it, the more I like it. It's not the most efficient bike in the class but efficient enough for me, and ridiculously capable for a shorter travel bike. I have to remind myself sometimes that I'm only on a 125mm bike and perhaps I shouldn't huck to flat all the time.

Build-wise, I have the C2, so slightly nicer. I did upgrade the Pike to a Fox 36 and feel that the bike is more balanced overall with the beefier fork (not that the Pike was bad, but the 36 is better). Looking at that C3 build, the only things that jump out as a question just because I don't know anything about them are the Bear Pawls hubs and the TRP brakes. Everything else looks like pretty standard stuff and a good value.

Edit to add: the Optic C2 SRAM at $3500 is a solid deal too. I think that's less than I paid for a used one.

[::: :::]

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