In reply to kevin stephens:
Thanks everybody. A wet afternoon around Greno and Wharncliffe woods:
Despite putting a longer stem on and trying to get my weight well forward the front wheel unweights or even lifts off on steep climbs (forks locked out), especially if rocky making accurate steering a lot more difficult - not sure how much of this is down to me or the bike geometry. I wouldn't like a bike that's a lot heavier and refuse to push uphill but not as fit as I should be at the moment so sometimes stop for a breather - only more riding (road and MTB) will help. I'm planning to do some longer technical cross country riding over the winter as road biking becomes less attractive.
Picked a descent I'd not done before which turned into a steep narrow gulley with lots of loose rocks and a few steps - I think bigger wheels, better forks and an auto seat post would have helped a lot and not got me so scared and eventually bailing out (as would of course better technique, confidence and experience)
On a fast flowing man made red trail I've done a few rimes before forks feeling harsh and bottoming out sometimes (I lost my shock pump a few years ago and not checked the pressure recently).
So all of this makes me think I should really be considering a new bike. Needs to be good for climbing and descending. I'm a bit vague about the difference between "trail", "enduro" and the other classifications that bike shops use but I'm guessing a "trail " bike with 130-150 forks, 27.5 inch wheels (I 'm 5'4" so not keen on 29s) and one of the modern 1 x 11 gearing systems?
I don't mind spending for good components, forks, shocks, tyres etc but not on the bling of a carbon frame. Budget may be £2.5 k +/- depending on value
Looking around (including some apparently very attractive end of season deals) some of the recommendations include:
Whyte T130 RS
Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Elite
Orange four/five pro/RS
What's the view on these and any other recommendations or suggestions?
Are there any specific components I should be looking for?
Which bike shop in or near Sheffield has the most knowlegable and helpful staff for MTB?
Thanks again
Post edited at 21:06