Bike Recommendations - Hard Tail, 29er, XT Spec

[mitzikatzi]

Both those bikes look good. What is the warranty like?

[4xsama]

Both those bikes look good. What is the warranty like?

Apparently 5 yrs on the mtb and 10 on a road bike.

I spoke to the retailer today who told me they are the French equivalent of Giant and have been making bikes since the '40's. I'm off to look at one on Saturday

[Duck!]

...deore works fine but brakes are crap, anything below xt brakes are basically rubbish...

Maybe you would be interested to know that only two bolts and a shiny chrome cap differentiate XT from SLX brakes. One bolt "preloads" the master piston to alter the pad contact stroke in the XT lever, the other holds the pads in the caliper (SLX uses a split pin). Everything else is identical. Deore are exceptionally close. I wouldn't go so far as to call sub-Deore brakes "rubbish" (I reserve that term for Avid), but they're definitely not as brutally effective. At least they work reliably.

[lardass71]

Yes I am aware of that, when I say deore I meant the low class deore such as 3 and 4 series brakes as there are no alivio brakes which is still in the deore class same as the deore xt

[trailgumby]

SLX is great. Missing only the pad contact point adjustment compared to XT?

Plain Deore has improved in the more recent incarnations, but I understand still use organic pads, and cheap soft rotors that die fast with metallic pads.

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[ozdavo]

Not all 29er HT's are created equal... There are outright XC race bikes through to full on HT Trail bikes with 140+mm forks and ego to suit.
Work out what you want before you lay down your hard earned!


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[mitzikatzi]

SLX is great. Missing only the pad contact point adjustment compared to XT?

,,snip,,

Posts on MTBR show how you can add the missing screw to the SLX to make them perform like the XT.

[4xsama]

Not all 29er HT's are created equal... There are outright XC race bikes through to full on HT Trail bikes with 140+mm forks and ego to suit.
Work out what you want before you lay down your hard earned!


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XC Race setup not Big Hitters. Never been one for bashing bush - more stringing some corners together

[holmesy]

I'll jump in on this post..

I originally wanted dual suspension, but after research, talking to local bike shop, bike exchange, doing a test ride at a specialized event that entry level is not what I want, so in order to get deore / x5&x7 or above, double ring (I doubt I will need a triple- heck I might even get away with a single the way I ride!) and air shocks at the front, all within a realistic budget less than 1.5k I am going to have to compromise and go 29er hard tail.

Bike exchange comes back with a few results, but I'm looking for any tips on a 29 hard tail, with in order of preference: xl size, good front shocks, double ring, predominately x5/ deore stuff or above. Local dealer is a giant/specialized, which at the moment the rockhopper pro seems to be the pick of the bunch for $1,399. The other dealer has ktm or felt. Otherwise it's a 2 hour drive or internet purchase.

[mitzikatzi]

I'll jump in on this post..

I originally wanted dual suspension, but after research, talking to local bike shop, bike exchange, doing a test ride at a specialized event that entry level is not what I want, so in order to get deore / x5&x7 or above, double ring (I doubt I will need a triple- heck I might even get away with a single the way I ride!) and air shocks at the front, all within a realistic budget less than 1.5k I am going to have to compromise and go 29er hard tail.

Bike exchange comes back with a few results, but I'm looking for any tips on a 29 hard tail, with in order of preference: xl size, good front shocks, double ring, predominately x5/ deore stuff or above. Local dealer is a giant/specialized, which at the moment the rockhopper pro seems to be the pick of the bunch for $1,399. The other dealer has ktm or felt. Otherwise it's a 2 hour drive or internet purchase.

I linked this on page 1 Scott Scale 960 29er XC MTB 2014

Easy enough to turn a triple into a double. It has a lower level air Fork. Might be worth a look.

or
Specialized Crave Comp 29er 2014 Better Fork

[holmesy]

I linked this on page 1 Scott Scale 960 29er XC MTB 2014

Easy enough to turn a triple into a double. It has a lower level air Fork. Might be worth a look.

or
Specialized Crave Comp 29er 2014 Better Fork

Cheers- both on the radar now

edit -

now after hitting a couple of shops hunting last year stock for a bargain (which is bloody hard to do for an XL size), all 26" (which for a bargain I am willing to consider)
2013 stock:
I have a Scott Scale 640 26" for$1,549 http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/p ... -640-bike/
I liked that one, until I was shown:
Scott Scale 650 26" for $1,299 http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/p ... le-650-xl/ - apparently the exact same as the 640 but a lower spec derailer and handlebars. Cheaper price for the exact same bike pretty much? To me, this represents more of a bargain and has high potential. I assume this is slightly better than the scott Scale 960 that was linked above if you don't care about 26 vs 29.

over budget, but a scott spark 640 dually $2,200 http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/p ... -640-bike/ - if only it were cheaper!

2012:
Avanti Vapour 26.2 dually which may be for $1,900 (need to be confirmed tomorrow, seems a big discount but you never know) http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/26-dua ... /102071417 - dually under $2k, maybe I should stretch........

So my question now is a 2013 scott scale 650 26" at $1,299 any better or worse than ordering in a new 2014 specialized rockhopper Pro 29" for roughly the same price? (or should I just stretch to the Avanti!)

[ozdavo]

I'll jump in on this post..

I originally wanted dual suspension, but after research, talking to local bike shop, bike exchange, doing a test ride at a specialized event that entry level is not what I want, so in order to get deore / x5&x7 or above, double ring (I doubt I will need a triple- heck I might even get away with a single the way I ride!) and air shocks at the front, all within a realistic budget less than 1.5k I am going to have to compromise and go 29er hard tail.

Bike exchange comes back with a few results, but I'm looking for any tips on a 29 hard tail, with in order of preference: xl size, good front shocks, double ring, predominately x5/ deore stuff or above. Local dealer is a giant/specialized, which at the moment the rockhopper pro seems to be the pick of the bunch for $1,399. The other dealer has ktm or felt. Otherwise it's a 2 hour drive or internet purchase.

XL frames do pop up second hand occasionally such as:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2327457 ... 317961363/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- not mine and I have no connection.
But you could get something like this, then get a "Doner" bike such as:
http://www.bicyclesonline.com.au/polygo ... xxmmMsazCQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Or scout the second hand market and online sellers to build your own beast.


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[mitzikatzi]

26" bikes will have VERY LITTLE resale value.

Both those Scotts look good at a glance. My choice might get down to the brakes.

[mitzikatzi]

2014 specialized Rockhopper Pro 29" What Fork and brakes does it have?

[cancan64]

I recently purchased a 2014 Cube LTD Race 29 which I am very happy with (although lge size -19)

This is my first foray into mountain biking and I thought it was the best bank for buck at the time...had a budget of $1500 which I just went over

Edit: I did purchase this over the boxing day sales which could explain the discount that I received

http://99bikes.com.au/cube-ltd-race-29-blackline-2014

[4xsama]

Well............

I ended up getting a bike but a bit different and a bit more than budgeted. My new ride is a Pivot 429.

Big thanks to Cycles Bespoke in Bayswater who went above and beyond.

Now its up to me to make the bike shine. When I work out how to post some pics I will do so.

Cheers

[trailgumby]

Nice!

[mitzikatzi]

My computer must be broken Still I can't see pictures

[4xsama]

FAIL! Will try again soon

[trailgumby]

If there are no pics, did it really happen?

[4xsama]

Yeah yeah. Actually prouder of my pic post at the mo but that will pass.

[trailgumby]

Very nice. I'd love to demo one of those. Pity you're on the other side of the country