Bang for buck 29er

[Evetsllub]

My Mountain bike was flogged yesterday (Avanti Barracuda), after going through all the emotions of the grieving process I'm now looking to the future, and am thinking a 29er might be the way to go... couple of buddies are on them now and rate them and i am a relatively big guy.

The barracuda was a bang for buck sort of bike ($1,200 odd) and has served me well in its short 12 month life. Plenty of people say it was one of the best bikes in that price range. So the question is will I get on a decent 29er for similar money? My riding is mostly singletrail stuff on the weekend, just out to have a good time for a couple of hours, i'm not really interested in racing. I'm not keen on spending big money, but dont want to be taking a step backwards from what i've got.

Anyone have any suggestions or ideas of bikes that might suit?

[toolonglegs]

You probably can't beat Giant for bang for buck... http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-AU/bik ... 285/44213/
Maybe Merida?.

[trailgumby]

I think Avanti might be doing a 29er that is excellent bang for buck, actually. Seem to recall one reviewed in a recent issue of Mountain BIking Australia (not to be confused with AMB)

[Evetsllub]

Thanks fellas.

I dont know if i could do a Giant, even if they are value for money.

I'll have a look into the Avanti though, and will even consider the Giant...

[flashrider]

Aaaw get over the anti Giant snobbery!!! I know what you mean, but I have a Trance X2 and it's the shizz. I do drive a Toyota though.....

[Evetsllub]

I dont think i can ride a giant or drive a toyota, although i do drive a holden.

I'm leaning towards the Gary Fisher X-Caliber. seems to be the best in my sub $2k budget.

[Gabe]

I drive a holden and have a Giant.

Although the Holden is technically german.. but that's a good thing

[aeroslave]

Kona Big Kahuna. Its was reviewed by MTB Aus and was the best value for money there while the Gary Fisher Paragon if I am not mistaken was the best of the lot.

The Avanti someone posted here was also getting good reviews HOWEVER the seatstays have very little space for wider tyres. Thats their review otherwise a very competent 29er.

[thecaptn]

my LBS has new specialized 29er for only $590, it's pretty well specked for a cheap bike so i wonder what specialized might do in the $1200 bracket?
could be worth checking out?

[Evetsllub]

havent looked at the Kona, will check em out.

Yep i like the specialized, the Rockhopper (AT) about $1,500 looks like a decent bike, but i think i want somethign a bit better, and the Stumpjumper (AT) $2,500 is getting up there.

[mtb101]

Thanks fellas.

I dont know if i could do a Giant, even if they are value for money.

I'll have a look into the Avanti though, and will even consider the Giant...

hmm better look again at the Giant XTC 29er Hard Trail, under 2 grand, super stiff frame, fox qr15 forks 100mm, hollowtech cranks, xt rear, weight about 11.7, no matter what you look at you won't find a better bike for price point. It's a killer on the trail, had mine for 4 months now, just a brilliant bike. Once I sell my yeti 575, I am going for the full suser giant 29er X as well, sadly the 575 hasn't been ridden since I got the XTC 29. The quality and finish on the giant is very impressive. good luck.

[Evetsllub]

Well the insurance company has written the quote for the Trek dealer, so Gary Fisher it is... unfortunately they are still a month away!!

[Evetsllub]

Picked up my Gary Fisher X-Cal this week and took it out for its first hitout today.

Awesome bike! Couldnt be happier, i am now a 29er convert. Its fast, i feel more confident cornering and it just loves to climb!

[jchamp51]

[quote="Gabe"]I drive a holden and have a Giant.

Should I paint over the Giant stickers on my two bikes, by the way the 29'ers is a dream to ride.
Upgraded the rear mech to Sram XO and XO twist grip, change due to a hand injury.
Ho also drive a German car.
John

[Cinder]

Would love to hear more now that you've had the bike for a little while.

Also, for any potential people reading this thread in the future, GT look to have some good value 29er rides in their 2011 range!

[petie]

Would also love to hear a longer term review if you are able. I always get caught on the price of Gary fishers and don't know anyone who's owned one for long term feedback.

[Evetsllub]

Hey guys,

well had the Gary for a couple of months now. In short, love it!

Havent been on it as much as i'd like, but have ridden Glenrock (newcastle), Awaba, Ourimbah, Yellomundee, Telegraph Point (Port Macquarie), Manly Dam and the fire trails in Royal National Park.

Still loving it. Was getting some numb hands, but changed the grips and it fixed that. It eats up the fast flowy trails like Awaba and Ourimbah. One day at Ourimbah was a little wet and no probs at all, it stuck like glue. Personally i find it handles tight technical climbs really well, struggled a little bit at Manly dam in the tech sections, but it was the first time i rode it, so i reckon if i did it againfire tr i'd be more confident.

The only time ive been disappointed is on Sandy and gravelly fire trails (particularly Royal NP). It seemed to bog down and wash out on corners easily... not sure if it is the tyres that are on it, but another mate with a 29er said he's had similar probs and he solved it by taking some air out of the forks when he was riding that sort of stuff

As far as ride, it is definitely smoother than a 26er hard tail, but its still not a dually. Did a 40km fire trail ride the other day and wasnt sore but 40kms on single trail you'll still be sore.

The SRAM gearset is AWESOME! I dont think i'll go back to SHimano again. I dont think the triple ring is really necessary up front and if i was a weight weiner i reckon i'd change to a double.

I got the next one down (CObia i think) for my +1 and whilst it is a decent bike (fire trails are about all she's up to), the X-Cal is a huge jump and if you're serious (or just want a good bike for offroad) i think the extra $500 or so is well worth it for the X-Cal.

[trickle]

Would also love to hear a longer term review if you are able. I always get caught on the price of Gary fishers and don't know anyone who's owned one for long term feedback.

There is a good reason for that, no one owns a Fisher or a Trek for that matter long term. In short, they crack. A lot!

The only time ive been disappointed is on Sandy and gravelly fire trails (particularly Royal NP). It seemed to bog down and wash out on corners easily... not sure if it is the tyres that are on it, but another mate with a 29er said he's had similar probs and he solved it by taking some air out of the forks when he was riding that sort of stuff

Fork PSI will have little to do with your front end washing out, check your tyre pressures first. What tyre combo are you running?
If anything I have found the change from silly little 26inch wheels to proper sized wheels is the better through corner grip, load up the outside pedal and shove the front end through BMX berm style!

[trailgumby]

The SRAM gearset is AWESOME! I dont think i'll go back to SHimano again. I dont think the triple ring is really necessary up front and if i was a weight weiner i reckon i'd change to a double.

Glad you like your new ride. Reminds me of when I first got my dually and got it dialled.

When you say how much better you like SRAM, are you comparing apples with apples?

I used to think SRAM sucked and went to Shimano, then tried some later SRAM stuff at a comparable level on a bike I tested last year and was forced to admit that SRAM was pretty good too. The Shimano XT felt smoother, but the SRAM X-0 stuff was more crud tolerant in the cabling and the shifting didn't turn to toast as easily in the wet. This was for 3x9 systems.

Now the 2 and 3x10 setups are out, and my mates are saying how much better the Dynasys XT is than SRAM.

I reckon it changes each year as each manufacturer comes out with little tweaks to improve their systems, but for comparable points in each manufacturer's range there isn't a whole lot in it. Well, not for very long anyway.

[TrekWrekka]

Would also love to hear a longer term review if you are able. I always get caught on the price of Gary fishers and don't know anyone who's owned one for long term feedback.

There is a good reason for that, no one owns a Fisher or a Trek for that matter long term. In short, they crack. A lot!

Harsh words for the Trek. I have owned a Trek Fuel Ex7 for the last 2 1/2 years, competed in countless enduros , club races and clocked up thousands of kays with singletrack cruising and some gnarly freeriding and the Fuel hasn't missed a beat (it is sporting a decent ding near the bottom bracket courtesy of a fist sized peice of granite but).Frame is A-ok and two other mates with Ex8's have also been stoked with the overall performance of the Treks.

[aeroslave]

The latest Giant Talon 29er. End of story.

[celeste boy]

I had the loan of an older type (steel I think) SS Trek 29er the other day (no shocks). What a great bike! I was worried I would be left behind not having the gears but I kept up somehow. Thinking about the trek 'Paragon'- lighter frame with Fox shocks and gears. I'd welcome any comments.

c b

[trickle]

Would also love to hear a longer term review if you are able. I always get caught on the price of Gary fishers and don't know anyone who's owned one for long term feedback.

There is a good reason for that, no one owns a Fisher or a Trek for that matter long term. In short, they crack. A lot!

Harsh words for the Trek. I have owned a Trek Fuel Ex7 for the last 2 1/2 years, competed in countless enduros , club races and clocked up thousands of kays with singletrack cruising and some gnarly freeriding and the Fuel hasn't missed a beat (it is sporting a decent ding near the bottom bracket courtesy of a fist sized peice of granite but).Frame is A-ok and two other mates with Ex8's have also been stoked with the overall performance of the Treks.

I and a good friend still have the bad taste in our mouths that Trek Australia left with their handling of 2 frame repalcements and 5 bontrager rear wheels...

[TrekWrekka]

Wow.Ok.That's a good reason to hate on the Trek.Out of morbid curiousity what model Treks did you have the frame fails on? Please tell that the wheels weren't Bontrager Selects??

[silentbutdeadly]

The latest Giant Talon 29er. End of story.

Not quite end of story....but a bloody good book nonetheless. At $1,200 RRP it's a damn fine entry level option