Short travel FS 29ers - What you got?
Discussion
Trying to buy myself a short travel XC/Trail bike. Have tested a Specialized Camber so far and whilst it was nice, I want to try more.
The Anthem X 1 has sold out so that's a no go. The Trance X sounds like it will be too heavy on the climbs for what I want.
Finding a Whyte T129 for demo is very difficult, but I'm very curious to try one. The M109 is another option, but this might be too XC and not enough trail.
So, just thought I'd see what people have to try and get some inspiration.
The Anthem X 1 has sold out so that's a no go. The Trance X sounds like it will be too heavy on the climbs for what I want.
Finding a Whyte T129 for demo is very difficult, but I'm very curious to try one. The M109 is another option, but this might be too XC and not enough trail.
So, just thought I'd see what people have to try and get some inspiration.
I'm in a similar position to you, I've currently got a Cube hardtail and am looking at upgrading in the near future.
I test rode a Whyte M-109-S at a demo day up at Wheelbase in the Lakes a couple of months ago and loved it. Again, like you I'm thinking that I'd rather go for the T-129-S though for the extra travel and the dropper post. I'd be very interested to know what you think if you manage to bag a decent test ride as I can't find anywhere with a demo in stock for love-nor-money at the moment...!
I'll also be watching closely incase there's any bikes I've overlooked so far.....
I test rode a Whyte M-109-S at a demo day up at Wheelbase in the Lakes a couple of months ago and loved it. Again, like you I'm thinking that I'd rather go for the T-129-S though for the extra travel and the dropper post. I'd be very interested to know what you think if you manage to bag a decent test ride as I can't find anywhere with a demo in stock for love-nor-money at the moment...!
I'll also be watching closely incase there's any bikes I've overlooked so far.....
Took the Spec Camber back last night and on reflection, it just isn't for me. Despite what the dimensions say, it felt like a barge and the front end just didn't behave as I wanted.
I popped into another LBS and had a quick pedal on a Whyte T129 and an Orange Gyro Pro. Quite a price difference between the two of them, and it felt like it too!
The T129 felt decidedly cheap, both in finish and components. The head angle is noticeably slack it just didn't feel right for me. I read that the RS shock needs to be bedded in, but it felt very reluctant to work. In comparison to the Camber though, it was significantly quicker to accelerate and felt much more like a 26" bike.
The Gyro, I wasn't expecting to like. Single pivot, never ridden one before and never really had much opinion on the brand. How wrong was I though?! Rode the same short route (all on roads unfortunately) and it felt very nice. I think the single pivot would suit my riding (sit down and pedal away, then stand up for the fun bits) the components were all decent stuff and it just felt right. Again, felt very much like a 26" bike compared to the Camber, it also gave no indication to it's 31lbs weight!
The problem now is that I've crept from a £2k budget to a £3k bike! Which then opens up all sorts of other things in that price bracket. The Whyte is off the short list now, as is the Camber. I'm going to get a demo on the Gyro and then try another LBS to see what they have to contribute too.
I popped into another LBS and had a quick pedal on a Whyte T129 and an Orange Gyro Pro. Quite a price difference between the two of them, and it felt like it too!
The T129 felt decidedly cheap, both in finish and components. The head angle is noticeably slack it just didn't feel right for me. I read that the RS shock needs to be bedded in, but it felt very reluctant to work. In comparison to the Camber though, it was significantly quicker to accelerate and felt much more like a 26" bike.
The Gyro, I wasn't expecting to like. Single pivot, never ridden one before and never really had much opinion on the brand. How wrong was I though?! Rode the same short route (all on roads unfortunately) and it felt very nice. I think the single pivot would suit my riding (sit down and pedal away, then stand up for the fun bits) the components were all decent stuff and it just felt right. Again, felt very much like a 26" bike compared to the Camber, it also gave no indication to it's 31lbs weight!
The problem now is that I've crept from a £2k budget to a £3k bike! Which then opens up all sorts of other things in that price bracket. The Whyte is off the short list now, as is the Camber. I'm going to get a demo on the Gyro and then try another LBS to see what they have to contribute too.
some interesting suggestions here
Santa Cruz Tallboy
Turner Burner - now 650 for ultra niche appeal
Cannondale Scapel
Scott Genius 740 - another 650
BMC 4 stroke
Yeti ASR
I couldnt spend anything like £3k on a Giant, I'm sure its a great bike but its a bit too Ford Mondeo for my liking...
Santa Cruz Tallboy
Turner Burner - now 650 for ultra niche appeal
Cannondale Scapel
Scott Genius 740 - another 650
BMC 4 stroke
Yeti ASR
I couldnt spend anything like £3k on a Giant, I'm sure its a great bike but its a bit too Ford Mondeo for my liking...
I'm yet to ride one, but have talked 29 vs 650b with a few guys who have ridden most bikes and they all seem to prefer 650b.
Feels like a 26in bike (so not barge like) but rides faster like a 29er.
Another good option - http://www.saracen.co.uk/bikes/all-mountain%20/kil...
Feels like a 26in bike (so not barge like) but rides faster like a 29er.
Another good option - http://www.saracen.co.uk/bikes/all-mountain%20/kil...
whatever bike you end up getting, i suggest you immediately swap out the stock wheels and get yourself some crossmax slr's. they will completely transform your bike and take it to another level.
i cannot recommend it highly enough.
on the bike front, i would suggest a yeti sb 95 or a santa cruz tallboy ltc. the latter is too stunning and capable for words. it's a bike from another universe. just incredible.
i cannot recommend it highly enough.
on the bike front, i would suggest a yeti sb 95 or a santa cruz tallboy ltc. the latter is too stunning and capable for words. it's a bike from another universe. just incredible.
pablo said:
some interesting suggestions here
Santa Cruz Tallboy
Turner Burner - now 650 for ultra niche appeal
Cannondale Scapel
Scott Genius 740 - another 650
BMC 4 stroke
Yeti ASR
I couldnt spend anything like £3k on a Giant, I'm sure its a great bike but its a bit too Ford Mondeo for my liking...
The TB would mean a very low spec build to accomodate the frame cost, I've been overlooking SC options because of that. Santa Cruz Tallboy
Turner Burner - now 650 for ultra niche appeal
Cannondale Scapel
Scott Genius 740 - another 650
BMC 4 stroke
Yeti ASR
I couldnt spend anything like £3k on a Giant, I'm sure its a great bike but its a bit too Ford Mondeo for my liking...
Some of those other options fall into that bracket too.
The £3k was for the Orange Gyro, not a Giant. Your comment still applies a little though
Rob_T said:
whatever bike you end up getting, i suggest you immediately swap out the stock wheels and get yourself some crossmax slr's. they will completely transform your bike and take it to another level.
i cannot recommend it highly enough.
on the bike front, i would suggest a yeti sb 95 or a santa cruz tallboy ltc. the latter is too stunning and capable for words. it's a bike from another universe. just incredible.
A set of Crossmax SLRs would be lovely, it's also another £800! i cannot recommend it highly enough.
on the bike front, i would suggest a yeti sb 95 or a santa cruz tallboy ltc. the latter is too stunning and capable for words. it's a bike from another universe. just incredible.
I appreciate that a custom bike isnt to everyones taste but at least you get to spec it how you want and put money on the items that actually matter. I agree that the Burner is the high end option as far as frames go but you can easily spec an awesome short travel 29er for £3k if you do some research.
I guess it all depends on how you describe "low spec". Bike-discount do XT 2x10 transmission without brakes for around £300 and
Merlin have SLX 3x10 transmission without brakes for £239. Easton EC70/Haven bar, stem and post will be about £225
and so on... sure you might have to compromise here and there but my logic is why spend £3k and make do with someone elses choice of spec designed to meet a price point and not make the decision yourself as to what suits your requirements? Sure it might end up being an off the peg bike is the better option but its rare that this is the case and both my custom builds far exceed anything else I could get for the same price off the peg. The trick is to just hammer the web for research and find the deals....
I guess it all depends on how you describe "low spec". Bike-discount do XT 2x10 transmission without brakes for around £300 and
Merlin have SLX 3x10 transmission without brakes for £239. Easton EC70/Haven bar, stem and post will be about £225
and so on... sure you might have to compromise here and there but my logic is why spend £3k and make do with someone elses choice of spec designed to meet a price point and not make the decision yourself as to what suits your requirements? Sure it might end up being an off the peg bike is the better option but its rare that this is the case and both my custom builds far exceed anything else I could get for the same price off the peg. The trick is to just hammer the web for research and find the deals....
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 23 May 13:34
pablo said:
I appreciate that a custom bike isnt to everyones taste but at least you get to spec it how you want and put money on the items that actually matter. I agree that the Burner is the high end option as far as frames go but you can easily spec an awesome short travel 29er for £3k if you do some research.
I guess it all depends on how you describe "low spec". Bike-discount do XT 2x10 transmission without brakes for around £300 and
Merlin have SLX 3x10 transmission without brakes for £239. Easton EC70/Haven bar, stem and post will be about £225
and so on... sure you might have to compromise here and there but my logic is why spend £3k and make do with someone elses choice of spec designed to meet a price point and not make the decision yourself as to what suits your requirements? Sure it might end up being an off the peg bike is the better option but its rare that this is the case and both my custom builds far exceed anything else I could get for the same price off the peg. The trick is to just hammer the web for research and find the deals....
To a large extent, I do agree. My current bike was built this way. I guess it all depends on how you describe "low spec". Bike-discount do XT 2x10 transmission without brakes for around £300 and
Merlin have SLX 3x10 transmission without brakes for £239. Easton EC70/Haven bar, stem and post will be about £225
and so on... sure you might have to compromise here and there but my logic is why spend £3k and make do with someone elses choice of spec designed to meet a price point and not make the decision yourself as to what suits your requirements? Sure it might end up being an off the peg bike is the better option but its rare that this is the case and both my custom builds far exceed anything else I could get for the same price off the peg. The trick is to just hammer the web for research and find the deals....
Edited by pablo on Thursday 23 May 13:34
I'd like to go all new on this one though and it's when you get to items such as forks that keeping to budget becomes and issue.
Say £1500 for the frame, minimum of £450 for forks really. That doesn't leave a great deal to spec up everything else. Low spec, for me, is anything under SLX level. I can't stand Avid brakes either.
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mount...
http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/salsa-spearfis...
Any good to you?! I'm only completely jealous if you pull the trigger as mrspablo is sat here with a disapproving look on her face as I hover over the "buy" button....
ps don't take any of this personally, I just get bored and like finding good deals for people to consider!
http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/salsa-spearfis...
Any good to you?! I'm only completely jealous if you pull the trigger as mrspablo is sat here with a disapproving look on her face as I hover over the "buy" button....
ps don't take any of this personally, I just get bored and like finding good deals for people to consider!
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 23 May 19:38
The LBS from last night do various build kits to use on frame only purchases,
Headset Stem Bars Grips Shifters
Hope Easton EA70
Easton EA70
XC Flat
Lizard Skin Charger
or Peaty Lock On Shimano XT
Front Mech Rear Mech Chain Set/BB Chain Cassette
Shimano XT Shimano XT+ Shimano XT
double or triple KMC X10L
Shimano XT
11-36t
Seatpost Saddle Brakes Wheelset Skewer / Adaptors
Easton EA70 SDG Bel Air RL Cro-mo Shimano XT
Ice-Tec f180 r160
Hope Hoops EVO Pro2
29r Crest or Flow Rims Hope
Tyres Tubes Extras Total Retail Price Your Price
Schwalbe Racing Ralph
or Nobby Nic Perf 2.25 Panaracer Bikeshield
framesaver applied £1,620 £1410
Saving £210
Then it would be another £359 to upgrade to the Fox 32 CTD QR15 fork.
They will also do 10% off the total build, so that means I can do the Gyro or Superlight for my budget and also get a fairly light wheelset on it. The Schwalbes will help with weight too.
Headset Stem Bars Grips Shifters
Hope Easton EA70
Easton EA70
XC Flat
Lizard Skin Charger
or Peaty Lock On Shimano XT
Front Mech Rear Mech Chain Set/BB Chain Cassette
Shimano XT Shimano XT+ Shimano XT
double or triple KMC X10L
Shimano XT
11-36t
Seatpost Saddle Brakes Wheelset Skewer / Adaptors
Easton EA70 SDG Bel Air RL Cro-mo Shimano XT
Ice-Tec f180 r160
Hope Hoops EVO Pro2
29r Crest or Flow Rims Hope
Tyres Tubes Extras Total Retail Price Your Price
Schwalbe Racing Ralph
or Nobby Nic Perf 2.25 Panaracer Bikeshield
framesaver applied £1,620 £1410
Saving £210
Then it would be another £359 to upgrade to the Fox 32 CTD QR15 fork.
They will also do 10% off the total build, so that means I can do the Gyro or Superlight for my budget and also get a fairly light wheelset on it. The Schwalbes will help with weight too.
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