29er Now £800-ish

orangepeel

Morning all

So, after some years away from bikes and with just the odd little trip out I want to purchase a new 29er. I have in my shed a classic and ace Marin B17 full suss that was given to me. It’s brilliant but sadly just too big for me to enjoy it so want something else. I like what I've seen and heard about 29er’s and think they'll suit me. Like many who have been out of the scene for a while, I came back and was drawn to the ol' Rockhopper, but after scratching below the surface, it doesn't seem like they're very good value for money and have rested on their laurel’s a bit, which is a shame. I've been obsessively researching for about two weeks now and I've been really put off by a lot of the bikes out there because of how brash they look, I don't live in the best if areas and the more inconspicuous he better. Though this isn'tthe most important factor.
The one bike I do keep coming back too is the Genesis Mantle 10.
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/mou ... /mantle-10
What I like is they are British made, have simple understated but lovely design, not as many around so something a bit different, and Genesis get good reviews on their other bikes (none on the Mantle though, but many on the Core, which is what the Mantle is based on). What I am a little concerned by is they don’t have the best spec, but it’s not too bad. They retail at £750 but can be found well under £600. I’ve seen a medium frame in the flesh and it’s really nice but a little big (I’m only 5’6”) . I’m struggling to find a small to try, but know this will be the only size for me.

Others I’m considering are:

Canyon Yellowstone AL 5.9, very close second choice (Although sold out so would have to wait for 2014 bikes)
http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes ... tml?b=3005
Radon ZR Race 29er
http://www.radon-bikes.de/xist4c/web/ZR ... 22276_.htm
Trek Cobia
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... e-ec042124
Giant Talon
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/product ... -29er-2-13


It’s hard to say what type of riding I’ll be doing because I’m just getting back into it, it’ll probably be mostly singletrack and woodland trails but I want it fast rolling for tarmac too.

Any advice and opinions on what you would go for welcome.

Ta'!

O.

slindborg

I had a similar budget although £800 was the limit.

The canyon was top of my list but the huge lead time put me off totally
I had a look at the talon in a lbs but really didnt feel the vibe with it for some reason.

On a chance visit to an Evans I tried a norco charger 9.2 http://www.norco.com/bikes/mountain/adv ... charger-9/ some will say the components are crap etc but it rides beautifully and the only actual criticism I have is a fairly standard one... The oem tyres are crap when the local clay gets wet.

mcnultycop

The Radon is brilliant for the cash. That's where my money would go. Ace fork and components.

stubs

On One Scandal 29er. Slightly over budget at £799.99 but I dont think you will get any better for the money.
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOSC29X5/on_one_scandal_trail_29er_mountain_bike

orangepeel

stubs wrote:

On One Scandal 29er. Slightly over budget at £799.99 but I dont think you will get any better for the money.
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOSC29X5/on_one_scandal_trail_29er_mountain_bike

Cheers,
Yeah I like the look of them although they don't have my size atm. I'll keep an eye out.

orangepeel

slindborg wrote:

I had a similar budget although £800 was the limit.

The canyon was top of my list but the huge lead time put me off totally
I had a look at the talon in a lbs but really didnt feel the vibe with it for some reason.

On a chance visit to an Evans I tried a norco charger 9.2 http://www.norco.com/bikes/mountain/adv ... charger-9/ some will say the components are crap etc but it rides beautifully and the only actual criticism I have is a fairly standard one... The oem tyres are crap when the local clay gets wet.

Yeah shame about the canyon. I'm going to pop to evans to have another look at what they have.

Cheers

orangepeel

Righto.
(I think) I’ve narrowed it down to these three. Will be buying through Bike to Work thingy.

Mantle 30:
http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/m15b156s776 ... _Bike_2013
Great price and spec but a little bit flashy in this colour.

On One Inbred
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOIN29DEO ... ntain_bike

On One Scandal
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOSC29X5/ ... ntain_bike
Spec says Recon Golds but discription says Silvers, probably the latter but will have to check.

Basically, what would you go with? I know which are the better of the forks, but it all becomes a little bit overwhelming with which has the best crank, wheels, brakes etc so I would love some help on this. Also not sure which would be the lightest. I appreciate the feel is the most important but want to get as much help with the spec as possible.

Really appreciate the help, guys.

O.

stubs

The Mantle 30 is nice and looks good but I think the price is slightly too high for the wheelset and tyres it is specced with.

The Inbred is the heaviest but is also as tough as an anvil you will be going some to break it and if you fancy heading off round the world its the frame for you.

In my opinion the Scandal is the best buy IF the fork is the Recon Gold if its the Silver I would just slightly favour the Mantle.

You wont go wrong with any of them i know this doesnt help a lot though

orangepeel

Was very much leaning towards the scandal, but sods law, showing no stock in my size. Mantle is a nice bike, and would like to think reasonable at that price (not at rrp) but not sure I could live with that red.

Hmm.... Still undecided.

97th choice

Based on the reviews I've read I'm leaning towards the voodoo bizango at £599 with some upgrades rather than forking out a few hundred more for something that might not be as good.

orangepeel

Mantle is probably leading the pack, good frame, no gordy graphics and RS recon golds. Trying to find out weight compared to the Inbred.

97th choice

Good luck, I was trying to find the weight of the mantle 10 and got nowhere.

stubs

Assuming the same equipment the Steel Inbred will be about 2.5 pounds heavier than the Aluminium Mantle.

iwantblue

This of any Interest?
Kona Kahuna Deluxe 29er Hardtail Bike 2012

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=95383

orangepeel

IWANTBLUE wrote:

This of any Interest?
Kona Kahuna Deluxe 29er Hardtail Bike 2012

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=95383

Interesting. I'll look into it.
I've always had a soft spot for Kona actually, but I know they lost their way in recent years

Ta.

orangepeel

97th choice wrote:

Good luck, I was trying to find the weight of the mantle 10 and got nowhere.

Well I contacted them on twitter to check when their 2014 bikes were out (sept) and have now asked them about the weight. Hopefully they'll get back to me....

ubergn0men

IWANTBLUE wrote:

This of any Interest?
Kona Kahuna Deluxe 29er Hardtail Bike 2012

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=95383

Thinking about this one too. Seems like awfuly good value, right? Any other advice on bikes?

Belmont1884

Go for the Radon, best bike on this thread and should be with you within a week.

orangepeel

Belmont1884 wrote:

Go for the Radon, best bike on this thread and should be with you within a week.

Can't get these on the bike to work scheme. The Mantle 30 at a sniff under £900 seems like good value to me.
Funny, I rang an Evans at the weekend and when I asked "have you got any Genesis Mantle's on the shop floor?" the reply I got was "what is that? A bike?"

ubergn0men

Bumping this one. In the exact same situation as TS. Any more advice on bikes with good value at this price?

briefcasew

I'm in exactly the same position. I like the look and idea of the Genesis Mantle 30 but I've never ridden a 29er. I'm heading down to Glentress at the weekend to spend a couple of hours on one and also to ride a Genesis Core - pretty much the 26 version. UK Bike Depot have the Core 26.5 (2012) on sale for £890 and the Mantle 30 for £950. If I like the 29er then the Giant XTC Composite 3 and Cannondale Flash 3 (alloy) are around the same price at Paul's Cycles.

orangepeel

Done it. Mantle 30 ordered. Nothing else came close apart from on one Inbred. Can't wait!

CptMorgans

I will be interested to hear how you get on with the Mantle 30.

I've been looking at exactly the same bikes, On-One Scandal 29er, Mantle 20/30 and the Radon ZR Race 29er.

In fact I went to order the Radon today and noticed that all they have left are 16" (http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/a78464 ... r-6-0.html). Bit disappointing so now looking at the Mantle's.

Although I do keep having a wee look at the Boardman (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65499#tab2) which at £682 seems a steal.

confused.

orangepeel

I'll let you know although I'm not the most experienced as I'm coming back to biking after a few years away from it. I was ready to go for a scandal actually but they didn't have my size. I was after a something fairly inconspicuous so although the mantle is bright bloody red, it hasn't got in your face looks or gaudy graphics. Already thinking of a powdercoat for it. By all accounts it's a fantastic frame and has good forks plus I like to buy British where I can, as long as the quality is there. I'll put some pics up when the stork drops it off!