Which 29er hardtail just over a grand? (Trek, Cube, Fuji)

ruswilks
ruswilks Posts: 72
edited August 2013 in MTB buying advice
Hello all, quick bit of advice if you may. Been looking for a 29er XC hardtail, original budget of £1k a couple of months ago but have revised upwards slightly so can just about stretch to £1250 (definitely no higher!).

The following 3 have caught my eye (Unfortunately no Canyons in stock and I'm looking to buy in the next week or two.):

Trek Superfly AL (£1100 from £1300 in a local sale)

Fuji Tahoe 29 1.3 (£1249 from £1479 at Evans)

Cube LTD SL 29 (£1129 RRP)

Went for a very quick spin on the road around a local shop tonight on the Trek and really liked the feel of the 17.5" - I'm about 5'11" but due to back problems like a shortish reach - had a Genesis geometry Gary Fisher 19" hardtail previously and always felt it was too long. Only downside is I think I may have to cut down the bar width a little, but seemingly 700mm+ seems to be standard now so that may be a recurring issue! Looking at geometry figures the 19" Cube and Fuji offer similar reach/effective top tube, but anyway I'm hoping to get to a Cube dealer to try a LTD and will ask in the local Evans if they can quickly get the Fuji in to test ride.

Obviously the one that feels the best size is the one I should go for, but is there anything in the spec that makes one stand out (good or bad) or is there something else for a similar price that blows them all away? Been a few years since I've actively followed the MTB scene seriously and my budget is a fair bit higher than when buying my last one so a little rusty regarding the details - e.g. is a Reba a big step down from a 32 Float? 2x10 transmission worth it over 3x10?

Thanks! :D

Comments

  • mcnultycop
    mcnultycop Posts: 2,143
    That Cube is cheaper at Bike-discount.de

    The Radons look nice there too.

    A shorter stem could cure your reach issue.
    Nerve AM 7.0
    Scandal
    Felt Roadie
  • coulddobetter
    coulddobetter Posts: 812
    Re 2 x 10 .....have it and wouldn't go back. 20 useable gears, very slick shifting. Chain less stressed. Mine is sram x9.
  • m_cozzy
    m_cozzy Posts: 132
    Interested in the thread. I'm hoping to buy at lunchtime & the superfly is on my list also.
    Also to consider:-
    giant talon 0
    http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/giant ... 9er_0.html
    scott scale 950
    http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/scott_scale_950.html

    I rode a talon & really liked it, but it seems the scott & superfly have a better fork?
    Banned from singletrack forum again :-)
  • ruswilks
    ruswilks Posts: 72
    To complicate things, I've just seen the 2014 Trek hardtails are starting appear for pre-order online:
    2014 Superfly 7 £1300 - Reba RL, thru-axles front and rear, Shadow Plus rear mech, 2x10 drivetrain, internal cables (partially anyway).

    The £200 off the current Superfly would pay for 2x10 and a shadow plus mech if I wanted them down the line or it's money saved! Also not sure about routing the rear brake and the rear mech cable out under the bottom bracket or the FSA crank (previous experience of cheap FSA road cranks wasn't good but not sure where in the lineup this one sits?).

    Trying the Cube SL tomorrow, and will have a second ride on the 2013 Superfly and ask about delivery dates of the 2014 models.

    One more question, Fox 32 Float or Reba? Saw the Cube LTD Race in another shop today, £50 less than the LTD SL and seems the fork is the only difference?

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