Which 26" xc race HT bike?

hopper1
hopper1 Posts: 4,389
edited October 2012 in MTB buying advice
Going to buy an xc hardtail racer, with 26" wheels.
Seen a few reasonable deals, on bikes which would normally be silly money, at Pauls Cycles.
Really like the 'dale Flash Carbon 3
& there's Giant XTC Advanced SLat half price.
Got to say that, if they were full price, I'd baulk! But, with discouts they seem a better option.
Where they ever worth the RRP in the first place, or are these still OTT prices?
Any other options?... up to 3k, though I'd rather stick around 2k :wink:
Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!

Comments

  • broona
    broona Posts: 414
    A lot cheaper, not quite sure it's what you're after, but seems like a cracking spec for the money - http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FBOOWHCAB/o ... dium=email
  • balmybaldwin
    balmybaldwin Posts: 127
    The Cannondales are lovely, but test ride it to see what you make of the fork on the 3. The Leftyness isn't a problem when you are used to it, but I think that is the low-end of their fork range.

    Last year I saw 2's for similar money a little later in the sale period.

    Alson consider this: http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/m1b280s33 ... S_GB/25547

    It's full sus, but only just (no rear pivot), and is super quick as an XC bike
    Bikes:
    Cannondale Killer V 1995 (Promo model) - My first Race bike now converted to a commuter
    Lapierre X-Flow 712 - XC fs rocket
    Pivot Mach 6 - Enduro Machine
    Pinarello FP2 - Roadie
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    I second the on one whippet.
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    Cheers, guys.
    Hae looked long and hard at the Whippet. Still impressed, but if built to the same/similar specs to the 'dale, or Giant, then not so cheap.
    That Scalpel looks good, but it's a 29er...
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    Is there any known downsides to having the Lefty fork?
    Got to say they do look dodgy as hell, but a google search failed to highlight any problems.
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Downsides...bespoke wheel (well hub) so not easily replaced, also the lefty needs more special tools I believe making DIY servicing pretty much impossible, looks cool though!
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Levi_501
    Levi_501 Posts: 1,105
    Trek 8500, Scot Scale 40 or 20 and the Whytes IMHO, would be worth a look see.
  • jairaj
    jairaj Posts: 3,009
    Do the lefty forks still only come in a 1.5inch steerer? If so might limit your choice of light weight stems as I imagine most 1.5inch stems would be designed for harder riding.
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    Good points, guys, cheers...
    It does look trick, but I don't fancy shelling out for special tools.
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    Anyone know of Damian Harris bikes, Cardiff?
    These bikes look almost too good to believe...

    2012 Scale 20
    2011 Scale 20
    Any other bargains to be checked out?
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    hopper1 wrote:
    Cheers, guys.
    Hae looked long and hard at the Whippet. Still impressed, but if built to the same/similar specs to the 'dale, or Giant, then not so cheap.
    That Scalpel looks good, but it's a 29er...

    Personally I'd rather have the On One - money aside - as Iove the geometry/handling of their bikes. All 3 frames are mass produced I believe - probably in the same factory...?

    Also did you see this offer? £999 (50% off) seems like a bargain to me:
    http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FBOOWHCAB/o ... _bike_2013

    That said, no body has mentioned a 'bad' bike yet!
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    That's a lorra bike for the money, the wheelset is a little heavy at circa 1800g, but otherwise....Still you could take it brand new, drop to 1x10 and sell the mech/shifter, Get a lighter wheelset (selling the XC's) and have a great bike for £1200.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    Also....
    not exactly pure race bikes but Genesis do some great bikes that span the gap between race XC and hard core hardtail. Discounted here at real cycles at the moment - e.g. http://www.realcycles.com/m1b0s2p2938/_ ... 2012%29%0A
    http://www.realcycles.com/m1b0s2p2939/_ ... 2012%29%0A
    http://www.realcycles.com/m1b0s2p2937/_ ... 2012%29%0A (love this one).
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    The Beginner wrote:
    That's a lorra bike for the money, the wheelset is a little heavy at circa 1800g, but otherwise....Still you could take it brand new, drop to 1x10 and sell the mech/shifter, Get a lighter wheelset (selling the XC's) and have a great bike for £1200.
    Agreed with you and Passout.
    I'd prefer the bike to have had SID's and don't really want to buy a partly unwanted bike, to then re sell half of it and replace with better. So, pricing up a nice little runner, based on the Whippet (Small). Just a quick surf has led me to this list of budget prices:
    WHippet: £299.99
    Rockshox SID Teams and pop loc: £419.99
    Cranks (poss XTR/ XX) - £150 - £300
    Shifters: £70 - £155 XTR/ XO
    R/ Mech - £60 - £150 XT/ XO
    F/ Mech - £70 - £80 XT/ XO
    Brakes - £230 - £350 Avid/ Magura's
    H/set - £50
    Wheels (Hope/ Crest) £360 inc skewers. Would like lightweight tubeless, any others...?
    Tyres - £65 Schwalbe's
    BB - £50
    Stem, bars & seat post £250
    Sundries - £50

    Ha!... Just totted that up! £2.5 :shock:
    But a quality off the shelf bike wouldn't be as well specced for the same money.
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • balmybaldwin
    balmybaldwin Posts: 127
    hopper1 wrote:
    Cheers, guys.
    That Scalpel looks good, but it's a 29er...


    No, it's not. this is the 26" wheel version, the 29r is quite different and includes a pivot
    Bikes:
    Cannondale Killer V 1995 (Promo model) - My first Race bike now converted to a commuter
    Lapierre X-Flow 712 - XC fs rocket
    Pivot Mach 6 - Enduro Machine
    Pinarello FP2 - Roadie
  • jairaj
    jairaj Posts: 3,009
    The On One frames are amazing value for money. Normally self build from brand new top of the range components will cost more than buying a new bike. But when you factor in the cost of the On One frame it all balances it out.
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    balmybaldwin wrote:
    hopper1 wrote:
    Cheers, guys.
    That Scalpel looks good, but it's a 29er...


    No, it's not. this is the 26" wheel version, the 29r is quite different and includes a pivot

    Oops... My apologies... Why did I think that was a 29er!
    Nice bike, too. More confusion!... I'll miss all the deals at this rate :?
    Is that a better specced fork than the Flash carbon 3?
    I take it you have a Scalpel, then :wink:
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • 70\ʹspenguin
    70\ʹspenguin Posts: 957
    Have you considered Ze Germans?
    http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2548
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    70\'sPenguin wrote:
    Have you considered Ze Germans?
    http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2548

    Nothing left in my size (Small)!... No more until the 2013 range is released :cry:
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • 70\ʹspenguin
    70\ʹspenguin Posts: 957
    hopper1 wrote:
    70\'sPenguin wrote:
    Have you considered Ze Germans?
    http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2548

    Nothing left in my size (Small)!... No more until the 2013 range is released :cry:

    Ah bugger, i didnt spot that. Nice bike too!
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    70\'sPenguin wrote:
    hopper1 wrote:
    70\'sPenguin wrote:
    Have you considered Ze Germans?
    http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2548

    Nothing left in my size (Small)!... No more until the 2013 range is released :cry:

    Ah bugger, i didnt spot that. Nice bike too!

    Yes, stunning to look at. Shame the Team was in black/ green...
    Think the Scalpel has got me twitching on the trigger finger!...
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • twonks
    twonks Posts: 352
    On One stuff does look good and the shop (as such) is a nice place to visit.

    If you've decided on one of their bikes, I'd be inclined to book yourself a visit and go and look around as they sometimes have shop deals and can also fit you up correctly etc.
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    Having reviewed the 'stand over' thread, I rechecked my Giant NSR measurements and then ordered a medium Scott Scale 20 2012 :D:D
    Can't wait for it to arrive... Then put it on a diet :shock:
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    Just as a follow on from the question I posted in this thread, re: Damian Harris cycles...
    They were superb. :wink:
    I found the model/size I wanted, at a price I was happy with. Delivered today.
    Well impressed with the looks of it. Got to wait till after the weekend before I can ride it though :cry:

    So, I would highly recommend Damian after all the help and advice, plus the delivery of the bike as planned.
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!

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