What XC bike for £2k-£2.5k

[Beancounter]

Obviously not for me, it's road-riding mate looking for an XC bike to ride around the lanes of Essex. Must be full suspension "as that's more veresatile". Budget is a couple of grand but knowing his other bikes he could easily be pushed to £2.5k. His suggestions are Santa Cruz Blur or a Scott Spark. I've suggested a BMC Fourstroke.

Anything else he should consider before parting with his cash?

[weeksy]

Depends really how XC his XC wants to be.
Trek Top Fuel is a candidate as it a Supercalibre. Then you've got like the Specialized Chisel.

For some bizarre reason i'd go Santa Cruz, but i'd arguably end up on a Top Fuel

[Beancounter]

Depends really how XC his XC wants to be.
Trek Top Fuel is a candidate as it a Supercalibre. Then you've got like the Specialized Chisel.

For some bizarre reason i'd go Santa Cruz, but i'd arguably end up on a Top Fuel

It's a fair point. He's already got a gravel bike which doubles as a winter bike, he wants an XC full sus "to get through the really crappy bridleways, nothing rocky but I do want it to be versatile enough that I can chuck it in the boot and go to Surrey".

I think a hardtail would be more than enough for his riding, even for Surrey.

[MingtheMerciless]

My LBS say that the 150-180mm Enduro sleds are more popular than HT's or short travel full suss as that's apparently what you need for the "Sarf Dahns Alps". I'd be looking at local market place and seeing what's there. There are loads of mint condition hardly used COVID purchases on there.

[Taff]

This is a recommend your bike thread init?
Canyon Neuron.
140f, 130r.
All you need for XC and very comfy for longer rides.

[mboy]

Does it have to be new, or would VGC nearly new be a consideration?

How tall is said friend?

[Beancounter]

Does it have to be new, or would VGC nearly new be a consideration?

How tall is said friend?

He'll probably want new, I suspect this will a 0% interest purchase on his credit card but I could be wrong.

Couldn't tell you his height but he's between medium and large but usually drops down for road bikes.

[mboy]

Does it have to be new, or would VGC nearly new be a consideration?

How tall is said friend?

He'll probably want new, I suspect this will a 0% interest purchase on his credit card but I could be wrong.

Couldn't tell you his height but he's between medium and large but usually drops down for road bikes.

Ok cool

If he’s happy with 2nd hand, albeit it’s only been used twice, i have a Medium Mondraker Raze for sale (130mm trail bike, around 28lb all up) that I’ll be advertising for sale very soon… I bought it on a bit of a whim to get back into regular MTB, but gonna stick with eBikes for the forseeable… Original RRP on it was over £6k, I didn’t pay anything like that for it to be fair though, ideally just like to get my money back… Selling for £2500 with original Crossmax wheels on or will sell for £2100 with some WTB wheels I have kicking about… This is the bike here…

https://mondraker.com/uk/en/2023-raze-carbon-r

Being a Mondraker, it’s a little longer than most for its size. I’m often between a medium and large with many bikes, usually sizing up to a large, but went with the medium for this as it’s a touch longer than normal for this kind of bike…