Which "decent" 29er hardtail?
Discussion
dai1983 said:
More xc orientated but a quality frame. Only available in medium though:
https://www.bike24.com/p2297793.html?q=Chisel
Sonder Frontier?
I’d be a large frame unfortunately. https://www.bike24.com/p2297793.html?q=Chisel
Sonder Frontier?
I have thought about that, I think I’d prefer the sonder transmitter though so that’s always a possibility, seen a few videos of them on YouTube and they seem okay.
Bacon Is Proof said:
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.
20% off at the minute, making it £1080 - https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/orange-clockwork-ev...
Didn’t see that yesterday so could be a new offer, the cheapest I could see yesterday was £1350 with a 10% discount on sunset cycles making it about £1200
Hmmmmmmm, what to doooooooo!
Didn’t see that yesterday so could be a new offer, the cheapest I could see yesterday was £1350 with a 10% discount on sunset cycles making it about £1200
Hmmmmmmm, what to doooooooo!
I’ve been down this road
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=18...
I ended up with the 29, got it from sunsetmyb.co.uk who I would deffo use again came well packaged and got a good deal.
They have a sale again this weekend.
For info I’ve actually been on mine today and I love it
HTH
Ilovejapcrap said:
I’ve been down this road
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=18...
I ended up with the 29, got it from sunsetmyb.co.uk who I would deffo use again came well packaged and got a good deal.
They have a sale again this weekend.
For info I’ve actually been on mine today and I love it
HTH
The evo s is higher spec than the evo comp, and quite a bit dearer. I’d be going for the comp, what why you can see is it decent enough? Or is it stupid to get that over the evo s? https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=18...
I ended up with the 29, got it from sunsetmyb.co.uk who I would deffo use again came well packaged and got a good deal.
They have a sale again this weekend.
For info I’ve actually been on mine today and I love it
HTH
Is this the 10% sale? That’s the site I’ve used to get it to 1200 ish, can be under 1100 on that other site. Highly tempting.
CrackTaxi said:
Think the evo s is around 1950 quid for the 2020 one, the evo comp is a lesser spec again and around 1300 though. Looks nice but more expensive than similar or even sometimes better spec bikes!
There were loads of sites selling the 2019 Evo S for £1,200 when I bought mine. Even then I didn't think it was amazing value. Certainly wouldn't be paying more for a bike without a dropper in this day and age!Not that my *imaginary dropper gets that much use, but it's nice to keep up with Joneses, what what?
* Kore 150mm. Doesn't even appear on the manufacturers website.
Bacon Is Proof said:
CrackTaxi said:
Think the evo s is around 1950 quid for the 2020 one, the evo comp is a lesser spec again and around 1300 though. Looks nice but more expensive than similar or even sometimes better spec bikes!
There were loads of sites selling the 2019 Evo S for £1,200 when I bought mine. Even then I didn't think it was amazing value. Certainly wouldn't be paying more for a bike without a dropper in this day and age!Not that my *imaginary dropper gets that much use, but it's nice to keep up with Joneses, what what?
* Kore 150mm. Doesn't even appear on the manufacturers website.
True about the dropper post comment, that’s why I like the vitus sentier vr, comes with one and is only £1050 with as good specs as the clockwork evo comp, it’s just out of stock. Best option might’ve been to buy the clockwork evo comp for £1100 and likely have a better frame than the sentier and similar specs and then just add a dropper post down the line/the second I get the bike.
Edited by CrackTaxi on Sunday 10th May 16:05
dai1983 said:
Just noticed the Calibre Line29 has had good reviews against the Sentier 29. I bit heavy but assuming it's more robust for the downhills. It has a decent spec and is a smudge under £900 but they have regular sales and 5-10% from the cashback sites
That does looks nice and a decent spec for the price! Nevertheless I have bought a bike, although like most places at the minute, it’ll take a few weeks to be built and sent to me. I’ll update the thread with pics when it arrives 
AndrewGP said:
The Vitus Sentier 29 VR is now back in stock Cracktaxi at CRC.
I've just ordered one in a medium frame as I've been after a new 29er too. I also couldn't find anything better for the money and I'm as tight as they come
About time! They replied to my email the other day saying it would be in stock in 2-3 weeks! I had already bought a bike on a different site by the time they replied anyway I've just ordered one in a medium frame as I've been after a new 29er too. I also couldn't find anything better for the money and I'm as tight as they come
Post some pics when it arrives, I’d love to see it :thumb up:
Mine’s gonna be a couple of weeks yet!!
AndrewGP said:
The Vitus Sentier 29 VR is now back in stock Cracktaxi at CRC.
I've just ordered one in a medium frame as I've been after a new 29er too. I also couldn't find anything better for the money and I'm as tight as they come
They’re hard to be value for money wise, I have the Sentier VRS mainly because it killed everything from a spec point of view and came with some proper forks.I've just ordered one in a medium frame as I've been after a new 29er too. I also couldn't find anything better for the money and I'm as tight as they come
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).
On a smooth cycle trail I don’t think a 29” is inherently faster than a 26”. On a bumpy trail, it should be.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).
My advice...buy low rolling resistance 26” tyres, some lightweight butyl tubes. Service, clean and oil your drivetrain. Then accept you will be slow and That you’ll find it tough to start.
As the dreaded middle-aged Bizango owner here are my observations..
This bike is all about the frame - but there have been some major skimps to get it to £675 - notably the bottom bracket, handlebar and saddle post etc which are awful.
Mine also had 175 cranks which were clearly wrong (the original listing from 2018 stated the 16" frame had 165mm and showed the proper NX branded cranks not the ones with the '1' on them). The 175s constantly struck things and made my ancient knees ache.
Upgrades; I've got the smallest 16" Bizango, and the 125 ascend dropper from brand X has transformed it. 165 cranks with the full £30 worth of sealed SRAM BB (the old one was a junk unsealed one). Maxxis Minions DHRII and DHF (instead of the Ardents which are a broken collar bone waiting to happen imo). DMR V8 pedals. Decent grips. 780ish handlebar with 25mm rise. (This was a worthwhile upgrade).
This is an aggressive trail bike / all mountain that's not going to appeal to the downhill or jump kiddies. At the same time, this bike isn't stodgy like an entry level Trek, destined to go back and forth on tow paths. (With the dropper, the Bizango will go down steep descents convincingly).
The Raidon fork is good and has potential to upgrade. Suntour told me "You can order a 32mm air top cap assembly from the Axon series or use 80w gear oil in 10cc increments to increase the progression.
30cc is the maximum recommendation."
But all accounts better than Rockshox Judy and other low rent RS air forks. (The Raidon sticker rules out freeride extreme and downhill, but OKs all mountain).
Wheels are limited due to 141 QR boost standard, but you can get boost wheels with adapters ( Hope for example). Front wheel is standard non boost, which is annoying. (Why not use the boost Raidon? Another pointless skimp which means you would have to upgrade fork to get a boost front wheel).
This bike is all about the frame - but there have been some major skimps to get it to £675 - notably the bottom bracket, handlebar and saddle post etc which are awful.
Mine also had 175 cranks which were clearly wrong (the original listing from 2018 stated the 16" frame had 165mm and showed the proper NX branded cranks not the ones with the '1' on them). The 175s constantly struck things and made my ancient knees ache.
Upgrades; I've got the smallest 16" Bizango, and the 125 ascend dropper from brand X has transformed it. 165 cranks with the full £30 worth of sealed SRAM BB (the old one was a junk unsealed one). Maxxis Minions DHRII and DHF (instead of the Ardents which are a broken collar bone waiting to happen imo). DMR V8 pedals. Decent grips. 780ish handlebar with 25mm rise. (This was a worthwhile upgrade).
This is an aggressive trail bike / all mountain that's not going to appeal to the downhill or jump kiddies. At the same time, this bike isn't stodgy like an entry level Trek, destined to go back and forth on tow paths. (With the dropper, the Bizango will go down steep descents convincingly).
The Raidon fork is good and has potential to upgrade. Suntour told me "You can order a 32mm air top cap assembly from the Axon series or use 80w gear oil in 10cc increments to increase the progression.
30cc is the maximum recommendation."
But all accounts better than Rockshox Judy and other low rent RS air forks. (The Raidon sticker rules out freeride extreme and downhill, but OKs all mountain).
Wheels are limited due to 141 QR boost standard, but you can get boost wheels with adapters ( Hope for example). Front wheel is standard non boost, which is annoying. (Why not use the boost Raidon? Another pointless skimp which means you would have to upgrade fork to get a boost front wheel).
Edited by TerryTowling on Sunday 5th July 20:19
CrackTaxi said:
About time! They replied to my email the other day saying it would be in stock in 2-3 weeks! I had already bought a bike on a different site by the time they replied anyway
Post some pics when it arrives, I’d love to see it :thumb up:
Mine’s gonna be a couple of weeks yet!!
Sorry Cracktaxi, I missed this first time round! Here's a couple of pics as requested.Post some pics when it arrives, I’d love to see it :thumb up:
Mine’s gonna be a couple of weeks yet!!
It's a good bike and I'm really enjoying riding it. The only thing I'm not sure about is the front chain ring, I might need to swap it out for a slightly larger one.
How are you getting on with your new 'Trek'?
AndrewGP said:
CrackTaxi said:
About time! They replied to my email the other day saying it would be in stock in 2-3 weeks! I had already bought a bike on a different site by the time they replied anyway
Post some pics when it arrives, I’d love to see it :thumb up:
Mine’s gonna be a couple of weeks yet!!
Sorry Cracktaxi, I missed this first time round! Here's a couple of pics as requested.Post some pics when it arrives, I’d love to see it :thumb up:
Mine’s gonna be a couple of weeks yet!!
It's a good bike and I'm really enjoying riding it. The only thing I'm not sure about is the front chain ring, I might need to swap it out for a slightly larger one.
How are you getting on with your new 'Trek'?
Your Vitus is looking lovely! Shame they weren’t in stock for me when I wanted one!
My new ‘Trek’ is going well thank you
So, with Vitus stocks being nonexistent when I wanted one I was looking at the Orange Clockwork Evo 29er, which I ordered. I got 10% off making it a little over £1200 so not too much more than the Vitus really. I knew due to the coronavirus there was a 2-3 week waiting list for bikes being built and shipped from my chosen seller but I was cool with it.
Anyway after 2 weeks they emailed me to say they have over-sold my chosen bike and while they could still guarantee my one they’d still offer me an upgrade, they offered me either an Orange Clockwork Evo S (27 inch wheels) or an Orange P7 29er - both 2020 models and both £1995 bikes on their site, for absolutely no extra charge! As I wanted a 29er anyway and already liked the P7 I of course chose the P7!
Few pics of it:
A shot with my old Norco, now my brothers.
I’m very happy with it, lovely thing and one hell of a bargain I think!
As you can see in my last photo the only thing I’ve done is change the pedals to Raceface Chesters, orange coloured ones of course! Made a huge difference as you’d imagine, the plastic ones the bike shop supplied weren’t up to much!
Bought almost everything I need (spares, tools and pumps etc) because I had pretty much nothing, only thing I need now is a shock pump and maybe a water bottle but my chosen ones have been out of stock for weeks, Wiggle’s stocks seem to be a joke at the minute, that pesky coronavirus
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