Buying MTB HT after riding on cross /28"/

m_martin_m

Hello,
I rode on cross 28" last two years mostly on asphalt, last summer also in forest and now Im decided to sell my cross and buy mtb ht, because on forest paths it was bad maneuverable and I felt very "high" above track. I wanted to buy 26" for aprox. 600 euros, but Ive been told, that now it doesnt worth to buy more expensive 26", because 27,5" are a bit better. But Im afraid that 27,5" will be similar to 28", also I have no possibility to try 27,5" out.
What should I do ?
Thanks.

The Rookie

I presume your crosser was 700c not 28" (which is somewhat of an arcane size).

MTB's are 26", '27.5" (it's actually 27") and 29" (same rim size as a 700c and actually should be called a 28.5").

It's unlikely for that budget you will get a food 27.5 or 29, so would suggest sticking with 26"

You mention Euro's, what country? Do you have Decathlon of Halfords stores?

m_martin_m

And could you tell me aprox. difference between diameter (with tyres) of 700x40c, 27,5" 2.1 and 26" 2.1, because I cant find it ? Btw Im from Slovakia, no Halford stores..
Ive got these possibilities:
for 700 euros http://www.scott-sports.com/us/en/produ ... 45F606EFD2
for 650 euros http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sco ... e-ec042353
for 700 euros http://2014.merida-bikes.com/en_int/bik ... 0-250.html
for 700 euros http://2014.merida-bikes.com/en_int/bik ... 0-224.html
for 500 euros http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sco ... 4#features

Which one from these would be the best choice (Im not a racer, riding for fun, longer trips, 2000km per year)? Still not sure whether to take 26" or 27,5". Thx !

The Rookie

26" tyre with 2.1" tyres is about 26.16"
27(.5)" inch will be about 27.16"
700c X 40mm would be about 27.87"
All Approximate as two tyres of the same nominal size are not the same size!

The dearer Scott (610) from Evans has by far the best fork of the lot, that is the single most important component, The Merida's have forks that have no place on a €700 bike, the Scott 730 is marginal.

m_martin_m

Thanks a lot! So its look like that on 27,5 Ill have similar feeling as on my cross (very high, worse control), will rather go to 26"...

cooldad

No you won't, totally different types of bike.
You sit more 'in' an MTB. 'On' a road or cross bike.
No comparison.

m_martin_m

so thats a pity I cant compare them, now I have no idea what to buy

cooldad

I'm sure you can find a mountain bike to sit on somewhere.

m_martin_m

I have tried 29 and was really impressed, its totally different than cross...now Im considering between 27,5 and 29 ..I can have 29 with quite good components (xt,alivio,acera) for a good price, but Im afraid of its slow acceleration and bad maneuverability in contrast to 27,5...Im also not very tall man (68,1inches)...would you rather bought 29 or 27,5 ? How big differences are between them ? Thanks

cooldad

Depends on the bike.
Concentrate on a bike that fits you with a good fork.

m_martin_m

Finally deciding between:
http://2014.merida-bikes.com/en_int/bik ... 0-222.html
http://merida-bikes.com/en_za/bike/2014 ... ne+TFS+300
I can have them for the same price, I also have tried them both...29er was a big difference, I think it must be too difficult to climb a mountain with it...am I right or not? which would you prefer ? Thanks

supersonic

The Big Nine is the better specced, just, but both have pretty poor forks.

The Rookie

m_martin_m wrote:

.29er was a big difference, I think it must be too difficult to climb a mountain with it...am I right or not?

Or not, select the same gear inches on a 29er and it climbs as well as a 26er (with slightly better traction if it's slippery), basically you run one gear lower.