Which "decent" 29er hardtail?
Discussion
Hey peeps, sorry for another what bike thread, has to be done though because everyone has a different criteria.
I'm wanting a new mountain bike but with the whole lockdown it's proving difficult, can't go to any shops and have a look or try them out. The big shops seem to be closed and the smaller independant ones don't have a great stock.
I want a 29 inch hard tail mountain bike with decent enough specs, not outstanding but not s
t. Problem is which? I'm not massive into bikes but it's something I want to get more into. When I was younger there were brands that were regarded as being quite good but many brands now seem to be owned by the other brands these days with the same parts fitted, so they're just like the same bikes if that make sense. Maybe it's always been like that but I just didn't notice when I was a kid?
Last bike I bought was a 2017 Norco Charger 9.2 a few years back, barely used it tbh but the specs were okay, SRAM 1x10, RockShox air forks etc. I'd like something similar or better.
Haven't really decided on a budget but I dont want to spend thousands, so was thinking up to £700 ish when I started looking, seems to be a lot of lower spec bikes for this price than I got 3 years ago for a similar price and a hell of a lot of suntour forks. I've never experienced these forks but they seem to be on cheaper bikes and I remember avoiding them or being told to avoid them 3 years ago, plus I've seen some reviews of them so I'm steering clear.
I then looked at the Vitus Sentier VR 2020 bike, costs more but looks good with good reviews and spec, with decent forks. Problem is they're not in stock in the only two places that stock them!
What I want is a 29 inch hard tail, as good forks as possible, preferably 1x drivetrain, all round decent parts/groupset, extras like remote lockout or dropper post (or routing) would be a bonus. Maybe spending about £1200 ish. Although if there's decent for cheaper then perfect, I can always upgrade as I progress.
My intended use wouldn't be anything mad, local trails and welsh mountains. Llandegla is on my doorstep and would venture out to more places the more I got into it.
Sorry for the long post. Cheers all
I'm wanting a new mountain bike but with the whole lockdown it's proving difficult, can't go to any shops and have a look or try them out. The big shops seem to be closed and the smaller independant ones don't have a great stock.
I want a 29 inch hard tail mountain bike with decent enough specs, not outstanding but not s
t. Problem is which? I'm not massive into bikes but it's something I want to get more into. When I was younger there were brands that were regarded as being quite good but many brands now seem to be owned by the other brands these days with the same parts fitted, so they're just like the same bikes if that make sense. Maybe it's always been like that but I just didn't notice when I was a kid? Last bike I bought was a 2017 Norco Charger 9.2 a few years back, barely used it tbh but the specs were okay, SRAM 1x10, RockShox air forks etc. I'd like something similar or better.
Haven't really decided on a budget but I dont want to spend thousands, so was thinking up to £700 ish when I started looking, seems to be a lot of lower spec bikes for this price than I got 3 years ago for a similar price and a hell of a lot of suntour forks. I've never experienced these forks but they seem to be on cheaper bikes and I remember avoiding them or being told to avoid them 3 years ago, plus I've seen some reviews of them so I'm steering clear.
I then looked at the Vitus Sentier VR 2020 bike, costs more but looks good with good reviews and spec, with decent forks. Problem is they're not in stock in the only two places that stock them!
What I want is a 29 inch hard tail, as good forks as possible, preferably 1x drivetrain, all round decent parts/groupset, extras like remote lockout or dropper post (or routing) would be a bonus. Maybe spending about £1200 ish. Although if there's decent for cheaper then perfect, I can always upgrade as I progress.
My intended use wouldn't be anything mad, local trails and welsh mountains. Llandegla is on my doorstep and would venture out to more places the more I got into it.
Sorry for the long post. Cheers all
I have a 2 year old Giant fathom, mines a 27.5" but they also come in 29". Been good value for money as I bought in a sale for not alot more than the Voodoo linked above, there are several different specs available and I think all come with a dropper post as standard. I cant really fault it, if I was being picky I would like to upgrade the forks but at this price point they are fine. Has served me well enough riding trails over dartmoor, though I am now after a full susser to ride the rougher stuff, but will be keeping the hardtail for easier rides or maybe the odd commute.
Vitus Sentier VRS.
I have the 27.5 version, but they’re available with big wheels too. When I was looking, nothing came close spec wise at this sort of budget with the Marzocchi Z2 fork being the biggest selling point. Proper dropper post, decent Shimano brakes etc.
I had to wait for mine to come into stock and I’m glad I did.
I have the 27.5 version, but they’re available with big wheels too. When I was looking, nothing came close spec wise at this sort of budget with the Marzocchi Z2 fork being the biggest selling point. Proper dropper post, decent Shimano brakes etc.
I had to wait for mine to come into stock and I’m glad I did.
Jimboka said:
Picked one of these up a few weeks ago now, don’t know anything about mountain bikes and went on reviews, buying blind.Very impressed with it so far though
mattuk89 said:
Jimboka said:
Picked one of these up a few weeks ago now, don’t know anything about mountain bikes and went on reviews, buying blind.Very impressed with it so far though
Thank you for the replies all!
The VRS 2020 has RockShox Revelation forks and is just as out of stock. Tbh the VRS is £1400 anyway which is more than I'd want to spend really considering I started looking last week not wanting to spend half that much!
Could get an Orange Clockwork EVO 29 Comp for that, £1340 (or £1206 with the 10% code off) - https://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?product... (Doesn't seem to be a massive differnece between the EVO Comp and the EVO S, forks, colour and about £600 unless I'm missing something).
I believe both the Sentier VR & VRS bikes from 2019 had RockShox forks.
Jimboka said:
Seen these, seem alright for the price, suntour forks though. The Bizango Carbon version seems good but at £1000 there's better to be had I feel. These seem to be what every middle aged new starter gets too for some reason, it's like they all googled the same thing. jackthelad1984 said:
I have a 2 year old Giant fathom, mines a 27.5" but they also come in 29". Been good value for money as I bought in a sale for not alot more than the Voodoo linked above, there are several different specs available and I think all come with a dropper post as standard. I cant really fault it, if I was being picky I would like to upgrade the forks but at this price point they are fine. Has served me well enough riding trails over dartmoor, though I am now after a full susser to ride the rougher stuff, but will be keeping the hardtail for easier rides or maybe the odd commute.
I'll take a look, cheers Court_S said:
Vitus Sentier VRS.
I have the 27.5 version, but they’re available with big wheels too. When I was looking, nothing came close spec wise at this sort of budget with the Marzocchi Z2 fork being the biggest selling point. Proper dropper post, decent Shimano brakes etc.
I had to wait for mine to come into stock and I’m glad I did.
What year are you talking about? Or do you mean the VR? Because (from what I've seen) on the 2020 models the VR has the Marzocchi Z2 forks and is £1100 but out of stock on chain reaction and the wiggle sites, in fact wiggle now says no longer available! Messaged both companies and one said they don't know when it's back and the other hasn't replied so I'm not hopeful on those! I have the 27.5 version, but they’re available with big wheels too. When I was looking, nothing came close spec wise at this sort of budget with the Marzocchi Z2 fork being the biggest selling point. Proper dropper post, decent Shimano brakes etc.
I had to wait for mine to come into stock and I’m glad I did.
The VRS 2020 has RockShox Revelation forks and is just as out of stock. Tbh the VRS is £1400 anyway which is more than I'd want to spend really considering I started looking last week not wanting to spend half that much!
Could get an Orange Clockwork EVO 29 Comp for that, £1340 (or £1206 with the 10% code off) - https://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?product... (Doesn't seem to be a massive differnece between the EVO Comp and the EVO S, forks, colour and about £600 unless I'm missing something). I believe both the Sentier VR & VRS bikes from 2019 had RockShox forks.
HiAsAKite said:
Out of interest, what happened to the Norco? Or is there a reason you didn't get on with it?
Used it literally once in a year, was too busy really with other things, or that's what I tell myself. Looking back I don't actually know why I didn't use it. After a year or so it was gathering dust so sold it to my brother, he actually uses it so at least someone's enjoying it. CrackTaxi said:
out of stock on chain reaction and the wiggle sites, in fact wiggle now says no longer available! Messaged both companies and one said they don't know when it's back and the other hasn't replied so I'm not hopeful on those!
Wiggle and CRC are the same company. Two trading websites but one business and stockholding in the background so if one hasn't got it then the other can't have it.AndrewT1275 said:
CrackTaxi said:
out of stock on chain reaction and the wiggle sites, in fact wiggle now says no longer available! Messaged both companies and one said they don't know when it's back and the other hasn't replied so I'm not hopeful on those!
Wiggle and CRC are the same company. Two trading websites but one business and stockholding in the background so if one hasn't got it then the other can't have it.
Anybody else got any ideas?
Vitus sentier 29 vr still not in stock, does anyone know what year time of year they start producing next years bikes? Seems early to shift production and sales to 2021 bikes but surely if it was out of stock it would say that, instead of saying no longer available...
On one bikes have over a month waiting list
Orange clockwork evo 29 comp 2020 appears to be in stock for about £1300 but can’t find anything about it anywhere, no reviews or youtube videos about it. Also spec isn’t as good as the sentier and costs 300 more. Paying for the name it seems.
Vitus sentier 29 vr still not in stock, does anyone know what year time of year they start producing next years bikes? Seems early to shift production and sales to 2021 bikes but surely if it was out of stock it would say that, instead of saying no longer available...
On one bikes have over a month waiting list
Orange clockwork evo 29 comp 2020 appears to be in stock for about £1300 but can’t find anything about it anywhere, no reviews or youtube videos about it. Also spec isn’t as good as the sentier and costs 300 more. Paying for the name it seems.
More xc orientated but a quality frame. Only available in medium though:
https://www.bike24.com/p2297793.html?q=Chisel
Sonder Frontier?
https://www.bike24.com/p2297793.html?q=Chisel
Sonder Frontier?
CrackTaxi said:
Orange clockwork evo 29 comp 2020 appears to be in stock for about £1300 but can’t find anything about it anywhere, no reviews or youtube videos about it. Also spec isn’t as good as the sentier and costs 300 more. Paying for the name it seems.
I've got the 2019 Orange Clockwork Evo S, but 27.5 so only half clown.RRP was something silly like £1,650. I paid £1,200 which wasn't too bad but it has a better spec than the 2020 29" version. The only things I don't like about it would be applicable to any modern bike, so not really relevant.
Extremely capable machine that has saved me from more than one bum-clenching moment.
Never liked Orange as a brand, but this one matched my favourite T-shirt.
I wasn't even considering buying a bike until I stumbled onto that Voodoo bike. I'm quite attached to my MTB - GT Avalanche Al Terra (prob 8-10 years old) with hydraulic brakes but as I'm not that fit anymore (am getting back into shape) I'm finding I'm not enjoying riding it that much - its really quite tough going on any kind of incline (26 wheels) and feels quite heavy.
Question is...would it be much of a jump going to this bike? I'm assuming the 29 in wheels will make road work easier - most of my biking is cycle trail. Worth the investment? I do occassionally ride to work (3 miles along canal).
Question is...would it be much of a jump going to this bike? I'm assuming the 29 in wheels will make road work easier - most of my biking is cycle trail. Worth the investment? I do occassionally ride to work (3 miles along canal).
ozzuk said:
I wasn't even considering buying a bike until I stumbled onto that Voodoo bike. I'm quite attached to my MTB - GT Avalanche Al Terra (prob 8-10 years old) with hydraulic brakes but as I'm not that fit anymore (am getting back into shape) I'm finding I'm not enjoying riding it that much - its really quite tough going on any kind of incline (26 wheels) and feels quite heavy.
Question is...would it be much of a jump going to this bike? I'm assuming the 29 in wheels will make road work easier - most of my biking is cycle trail. Worth the investment? I do occassionally ride to work (3 miles along canal).
If you go exclusively on the road and canal paths or similar I'd get some sort of gravel bike. Question is...would it be much of a jump going to this bike? I'm assuming the 29 in wheels will make road work easier - most of my biking is cycle trail. Worth the investment? I do occassionally ride to work (3 miles along canal).
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