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New Bike time, please help me decide, PLEASE

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 1:42 pm
by Eugene
Hi,

I am going to get myself a mountain bike, price range will be sub $2k, around $1500. would be better, but if something else comes along I would look at it.

It is going to be used for a mix of riding, no road stuff, just dirt, we live not to far from Glenrock and plan to ride there with sons when I can, fire trails, general riding about.

I am in a bit of a state as what to buy.

Options I am looking at so far.

29er hard tail, Cannondale, Giant and Felt make some nice 29’s in the price range.

26” Hardtail, there are just too many here to look at, my LBS, where I have bought our last 3 bikes has offered a great price on a run out GT Avalanche Expert, Giant have too many to choose from.

26” dual, I don’t know if I need a dual sus bike, I like the idea of one as I also ride a KTM 525 dirt bike and know just how good well set-up suspension can be.

In the dual Sus bike I am looking at a couple, the GT Sensor 4.0, entry level bike, but still decent spec for intended use, can get around $1350. or the Giant TranceX3, again, entry to mid, I can get 2011 for $1699 or 2012 for $1900.

Then there is ebay with so many used bikes, I am a bit worried about buying a used dual sus bike, but if it was a decent brand I would have a look.

Any recommendations would be good.

I am 5’11” tall and 100kg, slowing dropping to 90kg,

I was thinking a medium so I am not stretching too far.

Am leaning towards the Trance 2011, as it seems to have a pretty decent spec for the price, but happy to look at any recomendations

Re: New Bike time, please help me decide, PLEASE

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:39 pm
by Matthewb
Hi,
I've been obsessing over a similar decision for the past few months, like you I loved the idea of a Trance X3 although then I started looking into all the 29ers. I'm still not convinced I need rear suspension (especially on a 29er) so I looked at a range of hardtails. Today I decided to finally stop obsessing and try to make a decision at the bike shop, I *really* liked the look of the Giant XtC 29er for $1500 (Alivio/Deore drivetrain so not amazing, but certainly better than anything I've ever used before!).

I'm thinking about it tonight, but I'm hoping to head down to the LBS tomorrow morning, buy it, and then race around the local pine forest all weekend. Assuming I do actually make up my mind I'll report back with my thoughts...

Re: New Bike time, please help me decide, PLEASE

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 9:26 pm
by trailgumby
29ers are awesome. Will be my next mtb purchase.

Not so sure yet on the hardtail, but would seriously consider it as a 29er race bike, especially if I could get a steel or Ti frame at a reasonable price and a test ride to compare with my current FS enduro/trail bike just to settle my mind. Don't think I'd do it for an alloy frame 29er, though, unless it was somethign like a Yeti Big Top with a carbon rear triangle. Too harsh for the kinds of trails I typically ride.

The one I've got my eye on is the 2012 Cannondale Scalpel 29er, but it has one too many zeros in the price tag for me at the moment, especially since I bought a Rize this year. :D

Re: New Bike time, please help me decide, PLEASE

Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 11:49 pm
by Mulger bill
I not long ago got meself a 2011 Trance X2 for $1990 after being a hardtail holdout for years. Amazing bike! 8)

Mind you the gap between my abilities and my bikes just got even bigger.

I looked at the Anthem 29er but my stumpy little legs ruled it out :(

Re: New Bike time, please help me decide, PLEASE

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 9:09 pm
by Eugene
Well, at 9am this morning, went into LBS, looked at the Dual jobs, To heavy and to low spec for the price range.

Ended up with the GT Avalanche Expert, such a good spec, really sweet hydraformed frame, Juicy brakes are sooo good, never had disc before, they are great.

They put on a set of GT alloy pedals so I can ride in shoes until I get the hang of the dirt, then I will stick the SDP dual side jobs on it came with.

Took the young bloke down to Glennrock today and had a blast, I am glad I didn't get a low spec Dual, this rides so well, 5" travel on front is so smooth,

Got it at a Nice price with awesome service like I always get form Steads at Beresfield. so friendly, nothing is an issue, took an hour to decide, never rushed or pushed, just offered options, really nice people. Family run for over 25 years, love to send money their way.

I love it, I was so much happier riding in the bush, not worried about cars, felt just like doing single track on my KTM dirt bike, love it.

Re: New Bike time, please help me decide, PLEASE

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 1:24 pm
by Matthewb
Glad we both made up our minds! I ended up with the XTC 29er and spent the weekend tackling trails and also sealed roads (to get to the forests). It feels like a bike equivalent of a monster truck, just rolls over anything but I am also stunned at how well it handles the bitumen!

I ended up in the middle of some lycra clad road bike guys going up a slight slope and somehow managed to keep up with them, one guy saw me and did a double take of the bike and said 'how the bloody hell are you keeping up!?'. Of course once it flattened out I lost them due to my low gears but I was still pretty amazed (although I guess my bike had a pretty good engine :wink: ).

First time I've used clipless pedals too, managed to avoid clipstacks and I don't think I could go back to flats now especially offroad - being attached to the bike makes me feel way more confident on rough downhill sections!

Here is a picture next to my commuter (with 700c wheels), the LBS had stuck in some platform things to the pedals which I tested and promptly tossed on the floor as they are terrible!:
Image

Re: New Bike time, please help me decide, PLEASE

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 3:46 pm
by silentbutdeadly
Swap your commuter wheels on that XTC and really give the roadies a fright! Works on the Anthem... :D