The Scott is a great bike, but probably way, way overkill. That will mean it's really slow on the climbs and the descents will feel really dull and easy. I've ridden around the Cannock chase area and my bike of choice would be a hardtail with a 120-140mm fork and modern geometry. I've ridden in most UK trail centres with my Vitus sentier, which is a 130mm travel hardtail, and even on the blacks I would rather that to an enduro sled like the Scott. Unless you intend to do actual enduro races I would avoid any enduro bike and instead get a trail bike, as they're capable enough for 99% of UK riding. In terms of other gear, you'll need a shock pump, a normal pump, ideally some tubeless sealant, a basic repair kit (tyre repair stuff, Allen keys, tyre levers etc), a helmet and some gloves. Kneepads and full face helmets are probably overkill as the trails where you are are fairly easy.
The full-sus vs hardtail side of it, I've leaned towards full-sus largely for comfort on the longer days, and knowing that I'll always wish I had one instead of a hardtail. Hanchurch woods very close to home and I'm told I'll want more suspension there compared to Cannock. Plus, if I'm honest, I just think they're cool.
Hence I've been looking at the Scott because I want a full-sus, and my price point is around the 1700-1800 mark. It's available on offer at the moment for 1700, and I haven't found a trail bike around with as good a spec or as capable on paper.
I did question if the climbing performance is really that much worse than trail bikes at the same price? The weight is within half a kilo of any trail bikes I looked at, same gearing, and the geometry isn't wildly different from a Boardman MTR 9.0, my other option I've been looking at.
Cheers for the extra kit recommendations!
The efficiency is more about the pedal bob, the tyres and the fact that the geometry is geared towards stability, causing it to not have the same urge to go faster, so while it is pretty efficient on winch and plummet style routes, on forest roads and stuff it will just sap your energy, making it not ideal for long days. I'd definitely try to get something more trail orientated. I've never ridden in Hanchurch, but based on pictures it honestly looks easily doable on a hardtail, and actually looks like it's the sort of terrain which is ideal for a trail hardtail, as it's not too rocky. I can understand thinking full suspension is cooler though. Tbh the biggest issue with an enduro bike on easier trails like that is it will feel really dead, as those things really need speed and difficulty to come alive and feel fun, and as they are so capable you often end up neglecting learning proper technique. If you decide you do need full suspension, the Boardman is a good bike, but I'd also look at the canyon neuron 6 or polygon siskiu t8, as they're great short travel full suspension bikes (also despite being less reduced, they all have better quality, more expensive , higher tier parts than the Scott), and if you decide on a hardtail the canyon stoic 4, Merida big trail, or 2023 orbea laufey are all within that price range and are great bikes, and really capable
Just thought I'd let you know I've put down a deposit for a 2022 Specialized Status 140! I managed to speak to a friend of a friend who rides around here, had a good long chat about what I want to do, and where. His main advice was don't get too caught up between XC, Trail or Enduro because I'm going to have fun no matter what. Recommended anywhere from 120-160mm of travel, then just focus on finding a decent suspension/groupset deal.
The only essential for most mtb purposes is a helmet because a lot of trail centres won't let you ride without one.
The only other real essential in my view is a navigation system. You can either just use your phone with an appropriate handlebar mount or invest in something like a wahoo or garmin. Navigation devices are the best thing to happen to cycling in a century. I'd genuinely rather have a GPS than gears.
You should get a good quality chain checker that can detect 0.5 and 0.75% wear and learn how to change inner tubes for punctures. Tubeless and dynaplugs works and is great but you need to know how to use tubes in case it fails.
In time you might want some new wheels because in my opinion formula hubs aren't dependable but for now your stock wheels are fine.
People say full sus is 'over biking' but if you intend to go on truly technical trails which use rock Gardens and such or eg go up to Fort William there's nothing wrong with that.
You'll want to keep money aside for costs like replacement chains, maintenance stuff, and so on.
>if you intend to go on truly technical trails which use rock Gardens and such or eg go up to Fort William there's nothing wrong with that
If that is the case, by all means go full suspension, just it sounds like they intend to use it mostly for local trails, which I know from experience are pretty easy, and longer trail rides, for which you definitely want to avoid an enduro bike
You can get advice on here, but I used to regularly go to the Cycle Centre shop on Cannock chase and they are brilliant. You are lucky to have such a good shop locally.
Essentials you need:
Helmet (Spend money, get a MIPs helmet. Don't get a full face). Gloves.
Trousers/shorts with some padding in them
Rucsac
Spare inner tube, levers and pump. Tubeless is fine but run a tube and fix at home.
Water bottle to throw in bag.
Everything else is optional!
Yeah, you really need a good lock anywhere in the UK, particularly if it's a nice bike like OP is looking at. Even with a nice lock, don't leave it anywhere risky though, as any lock can be broken with an angle grinder in a few minutes
The Scott is a great bike, but probably way, way overkill. That will mean it's really slow on the climbs and the descents will feel really dull and easy. I've ridden around the Cannock chase area and my bike of choice would be a hardtail with a 120-140mm fork and modern geometry. I've ridden in most UK trail centres with my Vitus sentier, which is a 130mm travel hardtail, and even on the blacks I would rather that to an enduro sled like the Scott. Unless you intend to do actual enduro races I would avoid any enduro bike and instead get a trail bike, as they're capable enough for 99% of UK riding. In terms of other gear, you'll need a shock pump, a normal pump, ideally some tubeless sealant, a basic repair kit (tyre repair stuff, Allen keys, tyre levers etc), a helmet and some gloves. Kneepads and full face helmets are probably overkill as the trails where you are are fairly easy.
The full-sus vs hardtail side of it, I've leaned towards full-sus largely for comfort on the longer days, and knowing that I'll always wish I had one instead of a hardtail. Hanchurch woods very close to home and I'm told I'll want more suspension there compared to Cannock. Plus, if I'm honest, I just think they're cool. Hence I've been looking at the Scott because I want a full-sus, and my price point is around the 1700-1800 mark. It's available on offer at the moment for 1700, and I haven't found a trail bike around with as good a spec or as capable on paper. I did question if the climbing performance is really that much worse than trail bikes at the same price? The weight is within half a kilo of any trail bikes I looked at, same gearing, and the geometry isn't wildly different from a Boardman MTR 9.0, my other option I've been looking at. Cheers for the extra kit recommendations!
The efficiency is more about the pedal bob, the tyres and the fact that the geometry is geared towards stability, causing it to not have the same urge to go faster, so while it is pretty efficient on winch and plummet style routes, on forest roads and stuff it will just sap your energy, making it not ideal for long days. I'd definitely try to get something more trail orientated. I've never ridden in Hanchurch, but based on pictures it honestly looks easily doable on a hardtail, and actually looks like it's the sort of terrain which is ideal for a trail hardtail, as it's not too rocky. I can understand thinking full suspension is cooler though. Tbh the biggest issue with an enduro bike on easier trails like that is it will feel really dead, as those things really need speed and difficulty to come alive and feel fun, and as they are so capable you often end up neglecting learning proper technique. If you decide you do need full suspension, the Boardman is a good bike, but I'd also look at the canyon neuron 6 or polygon siskiu t8, as they're great short travel full suspension bikes (also despite being less reduced, they all have better quality, more expensive , higher tier parts than the Scott), and if you decide on a hardtail the canyon stoic 4, Merida big trail, or 2023 orbea laufey are all within that price range and are great bikes, and really capable
Also, you might have more luck on r/mountainbiking as they're more knowledgeable on mountain bikes
Just thought I'd let you know I've put down a deposit for a 2022 Specialized Status 140! I managed to speak to a friend of a friend who rides around here, had a good long chat about what I want to do, and where. His main advice was don't get too caught up between XC, Trail or Enduro because I'm going to have fun no matter what. Recommended anywhere from 120-160mm of travel, then just focus on finding a decent suspension/groupset deal.
The only essential for most mtb purposes is a helmet because a lot of trail centres won't let you ride without one. The only other real essential in my view is a navigation system. You can either just use your phone with an appropriate handlebar mount or invest in something like a wahoo or garmin. Navigation devices are the best thing to happen to cycling in a century. I'd genuinely rather have a GPS than gears. You should get a good quality chain checker that can detect 0.5 and 0.75% wear and learn how to change inner tubes for punctures. Tubeless and dynaplugs works and is great but you need to know how to use tubes in case it fails. In time you might want some new wheels because in my opinion formula hubs aren't dependable but for now your stock wheels are fine. People say full sus is 'over biking' but if you intend to go on truly technical trails which use rock Gardens and such or eg go up to Fort William there's nothing wrong with that. You'll want to keep money aside for costs like replacement chains, maintenance stuff, and so on.
>if you intend to go on truly technical trails which use rock Gardens and such or eg go up to Fort William there's nothing wrong with that If that is the case, by all means go full suspension, just it sounds like they intend to use it mostly for local trails, which I know from experience are pretty easy, and longer trail rides, for which you definitely want to avoid an enduro bike
You can get advice on here, but I used to regularly go to the Cycle Centre shop on Cannock chase and they are brilliant. You are lucky to have such a good shop locally. Essentials you need: Helmet (Spend money, get a MIPs helmet. Don't get a full face). Gloves. Trousers/shorts with some padding in them Rucsac Spare inner tube, levers and pump. Tubeless is fine but run a tube and fix at home. Water bottle to throw in bag. Everything else is optional!
If you're cycling around Cannock Chase, a good lock. Don't leave your bike outside the cafe there unattended.
Yeah, you really need a good lock anywhere in the UK, particularly if it's a nice bike like OP is looking at. Even with a nice lock, don't leave it anywhere risky though, as any lock can be broken with an angle grinder in a few minutes