First 29er

Kprice
Kprice Posts: 10
edited September 2013 in MTB buying advice
Hi All - with some of the new 2014's just coming out and various deals available i thought i'd look at upgrading my 26'' ht trek to a 29er. i mostly cycle blues and reds and have a budget of around £1k. a couple of seen so far are the rockhopper and the new x-caliber 9. The rockhopper does seem a lot lower specced though esp the forks.

Comments

  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Why are bigger wheels an upgrade, and what exactly is the question?
    Most new bikes, especially 29ers, will be a downgrade at the same money, or more expensive for equivalent.
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  • Kprice
    Kprice Posts: 10
    its an upgrade just because of the spec i currently have (trek disc 3900). I understand that a 29er isn't necessarily an upgrade, but i'm quite tall at 6' 3'' and wanted to try the larger style. The choice seems so vast, i was looking for some advice on narrowing the selection down somewhat and also any thoughts on the bikes i mentioned.
  • brucie45
    brucie45 Posts: 279
    Kprice wrote:
    its an upgrade just because of the spec i currently have (trek disc 3900). I understand that a 29er isn't necessarily an upgrade, but i'm quite tall at 6' 3'' and wanted to try the larger style. The choice seems so vast, i was looking for some advice on narrowing the selection down somewhat and also any thoughts on the bikes i mentioned.

    Theres your answer, you want to TRY the larger style. £1k is alot of money for a bike you want to just try you may not like. See if you can try some bikes at LBS or demo day. You may be looking to purchasing bike that don't suit you or your riding style.

    Take a look at 2013 bikes also, good deals to be had at this time of the year while retailers try and sell off old stock.
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  • thelonegroover
    thelonegroover Posts: 1,073
    If your after an upgrade, I'd stay clear of Specialised, they do seem to tend to have lower spec at any price point.
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  • stevekoz
    stevekoz Posts: 103
    If you are looking for a 29er and don't want to maybe spend that much. check out the on-one inbred x5 29er.

    A good spec'd bike with 29er wheels if thats what you are after and its 799 -

    http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FBOOINX529/ ... _29er_bike

    or there is the Scandal at same price

    http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOSC29X5/ ... ntain_bike

    Both good bikes for the money in terms of spec. I've not ridden either i have to say, and it shaves a few hundred off the 1000 budget.
  • zedzed
    zedzed Posts: 55
    How about this? http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-zircon-29vr-hardtail-bike-2013/rp-prod81010

    Only issues I can see with it are (1) At 13Kg it's not the lightest - but then, it does have bigger wheels than a 26" bike, and (2) If you come to resell it you'll get less than anything with a "brand" name.

    It's won a group test earlier this year (@ RRP), so could be a bargain : http://www.chainreactionhub.com/mtb/866-vitus-zircon-29vr-hardtail-wins-mbuk-magazine-grouptest

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