New 29er MTB which one?
- bosvit
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New 29er MTB which one?
Postby bosvit » Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:26 pm
I am thinking about crossing over to the dirty side.
Looking at getting a 29er and I am going to buy from my lbs due to such a good track record in the past.
Giant's are not offering enough for the money IMO
Bianchi?
Cannondale, well my money pit it not full enough
Apollo seem to offer the best deals atm.
$1000 for this one. xpert290 mostly sram x7, alex rims
http://www.apollobikes.com/bikes12/29er/xpert290
or $1500 for this one. xpert291 mostly slx, easton povo rims, better forks
http://www.apollobikes.com/bikes12/29er/xpert291
I've basically got $1300 in the kitty so is the 291 $500 better value?
Cheers ya dirty buggers!
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby Mugglechops » Thu Jan 12, 2012 10:27 pm
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby trailgumby » Thu Jan 12, 2012 10:53 pm
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby bosvit » Thu Jan 12, 2012 10:58 pm
Thanks guys.trailgumby wrote:Definitely the 291. Dramatically better spec... although I would prefer a 100mm fork, but that's just me and probably my local terrain.
trailgumby locally I did notice a 100mm rock.......
If mountain biking in Pt Lincoln was graded the same as skiing there would be a hell of a lot of green beginner circles....
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby mitzikatzi » Thu Jan 12, 2012 11:20 pm
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby A_P » Fri Jan 13, 2012 12:41 am
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby silentbutdeadly » Fri Jan 13, 2012 9:51 am
Tyres should be fine round there though I'd think about going to a Maxxis Crossmark style pattern in the rear as the small block Kenda type patterns don't fancy cornering on fine loose gravel over hard pack
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby sblack » Fri Jan 13, 2012 11:27 am
1. I didn't have the extra money so it was either save longer or go interest free for the 291 (interest free means paying sticker price so it would be $600 more than the discounted 290)
2. The 290 was in stock, I'd have to wait around a month for the 291 which meant I wouldn't have had it until after my holidays.
3. The primary role would be for towing my son with some added options for the commute and trying out some off roading being bonuses to that. I reasoned if the off roading took off then neither bike would satisfy me for long and I'd be looking to upgrade anway. The money saved in going for the 290 means the upgrade will be affordable that bit sooner.
So now onto the bike, I've been happy with it as an entry into the off road world. As you've said in terms of value the Apollos are hard to go past with others in the same price range that I looked at all having lower spec components and 9 speed drivetrains. My skills need a lot of improvement before I feel it's worth considering what makes a better bike and my guess is the only difference I'd notice in the 291 is that the Shimano shifters aren't the same as the SRAM. The one thing I'd be interested in seeing is whether the different fork and wheels have less flex. This is not something I notice in the feel of the ride but when braking hard the top of the wheel visably moves closer to the left fork arm. I've only noticed it on road so far but I'm not sure if that's because it doesn't happen off road because traction becomes and issue first or because I'm too busy concentrating on the trail ahead to see it.
- bosvit
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby bosvit » Fri Jan 13, 2012 3:27 pm
It is mostly going to be used on firetrails and dirt roads as there are quite a few good rides around here that are dirt road only and not in good enough condition for my roadie.
But hopefully I will get to go to Melrose occasionally where there is much better MTB riding.
I suffer from a severe case of Co-ordination Deficiency Syndrome, commonly known as CODS, and I was always the worst rider eg slowest and the most stacks when I used to ride my XR250 with my mates. So I can't see the point in buying anything better than this level of bike, plus the pain inflicted by the wife would not be worth it IMO LOL
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby Mugglechops » Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:31 pm
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby gcouyant » Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:55 pm
Bosvit, if I were you I'd be looking past the spec level and looking for a bike that isn't going to try to kill you if you have a bit of a moment. CODS and mountain biking isn't a loving combination but good on you for giving it a red hot go.bosvit wrote:Thanks guys good points to think about there.
It is mostly going to be used on firetrails and dirt roads as there are quite a few good rides around here that are dirt road only and not in good enough condition for my roadie.
But hopefully I will get to go to Melrose occasionally where there is much better MTB riding.
I suffer from a severe case of Co-ordination Deficiency Syndrome, commonly known as CODS, and I was always the worst rider eg slowest and the most stacks when I used to ride my XR250 with my mates. So I can't see the point in buying anything better than this level of bike, plus the pain inflicted by the wife would not be worth it IMO LOL
Both of those bikes have pretty steep steerer angles and I doubt that either will have the balls to keep your face out of the dirt. Why a 29er? At that price point, would you consider a 26" bike with stiffer wheelset and tapered steerer? I reckon that you may be better off and spend more time on the trails and less time moaning. Mind you, if you survived an XR250s nervousness and you're here to talk about it, you've done very well.
I reckon that the pick of the bikes for someone with coordination issues is a fat bike like a Mukluk or a Pugsly. A bit out of the price range though, but not by much. You'd ride around with a big grin like a king d!#k and have nothing to prove
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby sblack » Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:12 pm
I wasn't convinced the geometry charts where correct in this regard. Getting my seat right seamed to take far too much setback for the indicated 68.4 degree seat angle and visually I would have said the head angle looks to be less than the seat angle. So I just went and measured using my phone and got the seat tube as 19 degrees off vertical and the head tube as 22 degrees off vertical which works out as a seat angle of 71 and head angle of 68, I only had measurement to the nearest degree so I'm happy to call that 68.4 and say the chart has them the wrong way around.gcouyant wrote:Both of those bikes have pretty steep steerer angles
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby antipodean » Mon Jan 16, 2012 2:11 pm
http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/KHB ... h-mtb-2012
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby trailgumby » Mon Jan 16, 2012 2:20 pm
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby Mapomatic » Mon Jan 16, 2012 2:32 pm
Why not try a dually with 120mm + of travel? They are a lot more forgiving than hardtails,, let you choose bad lines and generally ride pretty sloppily and still not through you off. Plenty of bikes fitting this bill 2nd hand on rotorburn.I suffer from a severe case of Co-ordination Deficiency Syndrome, commonly known as CODS, and I was always the worst rider eg slowest and the most stacks when I used to ride my XR250 with my mates.
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby DaveOZ » Mon Jan 16, 2012 2:47 pm
Wow that is cheap. Tempted.antipodean wrote:I ordered this today, looks like a bargain to me.
http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/KHB ... h-mtb-2012
- silentbutdeadly
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby silentbutdeadly » Tue Jan 17, 2012 8:59 am
Could do a lot worse. That's a heck of a lot of gear and a free frame at that price. However, I'd be looking at bigger chainrings. 38/24 is too small for the flatness that I am surrounded with...DaveOZ wrote:Wow that is cheap. Tempted.antipodean wrote:I ordered this today, looks like a bargain to me.
http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/KHB ... h-mtb-2012
- sblack
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby sblack » Tue Jan 17, 2012 4:36 pm
At that price is probably cheaper than converting the LynskeyDaveOZ wrote:Wow that is cheap. Tempted.antipodean wrote:I ordered this today, looks like a bargain to me.
http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/KHB ... h-mtb-2012
- bosvit
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby bosvit » Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:51 pm
+1silentbutdeadly wrote:Could do a lot worse. That's a heck of a lot of gear and a free frame at that price. However, I'd be looking at bigger chainrings. 38/24 is too small for the flatness that I am surrounded with...DaveOZ wrote:Wow that is cheap. Tempted.antipodean wrote:I ordered this today, looks like a bargain to me.
http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/KHB ... h-mtb-2012
That's the first thing I noticed when I looked at it.
It's going to do a lot of road work so 38/11 is just not a tall enough gear.
Same with a dually, really I am only going to see decent tracks/trails maybe once or twice a year if I am lucky the rest of the time it's pretty tame stuff over here.
After closer inspection of specs I am very much leaning towards the 291 even though it has pretty low spoke count wheels. If they start getting out of shape at all I will get a second set (which is my preference anyway) and keep the Eastons for slicks that I will use on all the dirt roads over here.
Thanks for all the replies peoples
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby mitzikatzi » Wed Jan 18, 2012 4:58 am
bosvit wrote:...snip...It's going to do a lot of road work so 38/11 is just not a tall enough gear....snip...:
38/11, 29 inch wheels, 100 rpm Pedalling cadence
gives 48 kmh or close enough tp 30 mph
bicycle-gear-inch-calculator
Rabbit, a singlespeed and fixed-gear cycling calculator.
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby DaveOZ » Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:26 am
Too late, the parts are already at the bike shop. I'm keen to see how it works out.sblack wrote: At that price is probably cheaper than converting the Lynskey
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby ndc » Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:09 am
I currently ride a 54 road frame http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/esantipodean wrote:I ordered this today, looks like a bargain to me.
http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/KHB ... h-mtb-2012
What size KHS (S, M, L) do you guys reckon would suit me? http://www.khsbicycles.com/Images/Geome ... tucson.jpg
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby antipodean » Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:16 am
Had to email KHS for the sizing of the small which is as follows,
Seat tube 15â€
Head angle 71
Seat angle 75
Top tube 22.8â€
Stand over 29.7â€
Head tube 3.9â€
This is the link to the geometry of the 2012 Yuma slightly different to your link.
http://www.khsbicycles.com/Images/Geome ... tucson.jpg
- silentbutdeadly
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby silentbutdeadly » Wed Jan 18, 2012 9:02 am
mitzikatzi wrote:bosvit wrote:...snip...It's going to do a lot of road work so 38/11 is just not a tall enough gear....snip...:
38/11, 29 inch wheels, 100 rpm Pedalling cadence
gives 48 kmh or close enough tp 30 mph
bicycle-gear-inch-calculator
Rabbit, a singlespeed and fixed-gear cycling calculator.
You may roll your eyes but a calculator is one thing and the perception of the real world experience is yet another. The chance of hitting 45 whilst doing 100 rpm on a 29x2.1 tyre is minimal and the prospect of staying there for any length of time is unlikely unless you are a cycling superhero. 38/24 is probably an ideal 2x10 setup for a 29er on the tracks and trails of the Great Divide but if it is going to be used as a multipurpose job or in the flat country....not my cup of Bonox.
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Re: New 29er MTB which one?
Postby antipodean » Wed Jan 18, 2012 9:13 am
http://www.khsbicycles.com/PDF/2012_khs ... atalog.pdf
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