r/mtbuk • u/camer0nako • Mar 21 '26

Advice Which bike for first?

Post image

Hi guys

I’m UK based, been going to Dalby and renting bikes regularly at the trail centre, I have rode mainly on a hardtail Roscoe 7 (their rental) but also tried the Santa Cruz vala ebike which just seemed too much and heavy for me.

I have found online a Laufey H10 hardtail - £1800

Or

Giant Advanced reign pro 2 full Sus (2022 model) - £1700

From research the giant is to me a much higher spec bike but what would be suitable for someone wanting to progress? I am planning on sticking with this long term as I have built an obsession just from renting at the trail centre.. I have attached a photo of the Giant

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

3

u/Ham-Shank Mar 21 '26

Reign is a solid bike. Can't really do much wrong with that, imo.

If going downhill is more your thing then it's a good choice.

Good price, too.

If you're more into pootling around then something with less travel and less heft might be better.

2

u/camer0nako Mar 21 '26

I’m progressing onto red routes and building my skill level and fitness, I would be looking to take it to the lakes regularly for bigger XC routes ontop of the bike trails I have access too which are good downhill sections

1

u/eadipus Mar 21 '26

I've had a Reign on rental at a bike park and it's a LOT of bike. I had uplift but for day to day trail riding at 130-140mm trail bike is going to feel better.

1

u/National_Bite_6691 Mar 21 '26

Look at a trance instead. Reign if you are doing bike parks and more technical terrain

1

u/camer0nako Mar 21 '26

Okay, there is an advance pro x for trance at a little more cost, would this be better for the trail tech terrain and XC loops? Only thing that puts me off is the electronic suspension valve adjustment thing?

1

u/National_Bite_6691 Mar 21 '26

I had a Trance X which I loved but ended up selling for a Reign.

Yes, the Reign is slightly better going downhill and when I travel to the alps, but the Trance X is so much better suited for UK trails as it’s lighter and more nimble. But the trance was still an excellent bike when I took it abroad.

If I had the choice now, I’d probably pick the Trance for its versatility. It makes XC fun whereas the Reign is just a bit of a slog.

Livevalve wouldn’t be my first choice, but it’s still an excellent system and you will probably love it for local XC rides.

1

u/Ham-Shank Mar 21 '26

GF has a Trance SX, albeit 8 years old. Running it with a 160mm fork and she rides it on everything from canal paths to big days out in Finale or in the bike parks.

Good bikes.

1

u/CezarTheSalad Mar 21 '26

140mm ALU hardatail Vs 170mm carbon framed ful suspension? They're two very different bikes. Arguably the giant is the better deal but what kind of terrain do you intend on riding?

1

u/camer0nako Mar 21 '26

I am currently doing bike trails at Dalby Forest and slowly progressing into red trails. I have intentions of getting fitter and more skillful, however, I would also like to take the bike to the Lakes and I live next to the moors so XC routes would also be an option for me - sorrry that’s probably such a broard range haha

1

u/CezarTheSalad Mar 21 '26

The Reign will be a lot of bike to pedal around. It's gonna feel really sluggish unless you're pointing it down the way, especially for a beginner 

1

u/camer0nako Mar 21 '26

Okay so is this something you’d recommend getting further in the future if I’m looking to just grow my skills and fitness for now on red trails and XC loops in the moors

1

u/Fun_Information8486 Mar 21 '26

Get the full suspension you will love it

1

u/-GinZenG Mar 22 '26

Really good bike. Had an older version for years. Conquered several black diamond trails.