Nice @182_BLUE, love that colour. I was trying to get a Voodoo Bokor in a similar scheme after seeing the factory treks that Katy Winton and co. use in world enduro! (I realise that sentence suddenly makes me seem sort of knowledgable but I'm not!)
I saw in an earlier post you mentioned invisiframe - how has it held up? Worthwhile purchase?
Well, after working with one or two athletes/participants during my sports science studies and befriending a couple people into their bikes I have decided to take the plunge and buy my first bike in what must be 15+ years. Last time I rode a bike was around 2010-2011 and I hated it.
Anyway, plumped for this through the cycle2work scheme: Marin Nail Trail 7
I think I've bagged a good deal? I quizzed a few peers and read/watched plenty reviews. I was nudged towards 29" wheels over 27.5" but Chain Reaction Cycles confirmed the bike although advertised as 27.5" would come with 29" wheels for the L/XL frames (as per manufacturer website info).
It originally retailed for £1600 but due to another retailer going bust I believe CRC have stock to clear... meaning I picked this up for £959. I rounded the figure up to £999 by purchasing pedals to meet my borrowed amount on the cycle2work scheme - at the end of this I'll have paid £600 so quite chuffed so far.
Anyway, the bike arrived last week! With 27.5" wheels. I emailed the manufacturer UK rep to see if they were interchangeable or anything but alas no. I asked a few peers again and since I've a novice really they reckoned the difference between sizing in wheels would not affect me by much and to not lose sleep over it - my overall aims for this bike is to help me lose weight by nailing local trails and paths as well as the odd commute. It's also good rehab for recent knee surgeries. With that sort of reasoning I was able to moan/discuss with CRC customer support who nicely gave me a £100 voucher to make up for it if I was happy to keep it.
Delighted with that, I bought myself padded shorts and a Polar H10 heart rate monitor since I am struggling with accuracy on my wristworn Garmin device. Now I just need to get the brakes sorted out, a general check over by local bike shop and some good weather! Hoping I get stuck right into it!
Residing in my living room for now until I get some security measures in place!