Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

I just bought a new MTB with the same budget. I'll cut it short and just say that everyone I talked to/asked said buy a 29er. I ended up grabbing a Giant XTC 2 for $1,250.00 and I'm loving it!

Go the Cube, better spec overall. Shimano does much better entry level stuff than SRAM. Have used both, Shimano shifters are much easier on the thumbs and fingers at that price point. Fork on the Cube is also much better - platform damping.

Much better value from the Cube.

trailgumby wrote:Go the Cube, better spec overall. Shimano does much better entry level stuff than SRAM. Have used both, Shimano shifters are much easier on the thumbs and fingers at that price point. Fork on the Cube is also much better - platform damping.

Much better value from the Cube.

I must agree i prefer shimano shifts just for ease of use,
i as well bought a Giant XTC2 2013 for that budget range, seems to be more value if you compare the overall specs

Good to know re entry level groupset on mtb. Looking at an mtb myself...

poohbear wrote:

trailgumby wrote:Go the Cube, better spec overall. Shimano does much better entry level stuff than SRAM. Have used both, Shimano shifters are much easier on the thumbs and fingers at that price point. Fork on the Cube is also much better - platform damping.

Much better value from the Cube.

I must agree i prefer shimano shifts just for ease of use,
i as well bought a Giant XTC2 2013 for that budget range, seems to be more value if you compare the overall specs

Have you shrunk that photo? The bike looks squashed.

Thanks lads keep it coming ..... I meant to put giant in my first post

So no one has anything good to say about the trek ???? Because I road ride with the shop owner of the trek lbs and he really takes care of me with stuff I buy and doesn't charge me for little work like tune up stuff. For example we were road riding the other day and once we stopped he said something about my rd being slightly too tight ...

He says Bring it to the shop . Tunes it up for no charge. I know that makes good business sense for him but you like to give my cash to people that take card of you not just the bike supermarkets

And I'd prob spend 50% of the MTB riding with this lbs owner and most road riding. Honestly he prob wouldn't care that much but I'd feel like a prick but in saying that I want the best MTB I can get

I have a Cobia. I'd call myself a confident newbie and the Cobia is great for me. I ride mostly firetrail and some singletrack. Really happy with the bike - it's not the lightest or most flash but it's dependable and I have a blast on it.

I was going to upgrade to a dual suspension but I've changed my mind - the Cobia does everything I want it to.

Mugglechops wrote:

poohbear wrote:

trailgumby wrote:Go the Cube, better spec overall. Shimano does much better entry level stuff than SRAM. Have used both, Shimano shifters are much easier on the thumbs and fingers at that price point. Fork on the Cube is also much better - platform damping.

Much better value from the Cube.

I must agree i prefer shimano shifts just for ease of use,
i as well bought a Giant XTC2 2013 for that budget range, seems to be more value if you compare the overall specs

Have you shrunk that photo? The bike looks squashed.

Hasn't shrunk, it's just a small frame.

I think the lbs I like could get a GT Karakoram 1.0 or Zaskar 9R Comp ?



Anyone with experience with these as well ?

Mugglechops wrote:
Have you shrunk that photo? The bike looks squashed.

Nah i'm short...so...small frame...

i wonder if the recon is better than the xc, do they both have air in them?