40th Birthday dilemma

theMagician

Big birthday approaching and the boss has given me permission to get a new bike.

However this is where my dilemma starts.

My current bike is a cube race Ltd 2010 which I love and if it wasn't for these blasted bike manufactures altering the wheel sizes I wouldn't even consider getting another hard tail and it would just be straight purchase of a Full Suss.

Current Bike Spec.

Features:
• Frame: Alu Superlite AMF 7005 Double Butted, RFR-Geometry
• Fork: Rock Shox Reba SL 100mm, Motion Control, PopLoc
• Headset: FSA No.10 semi-Integrated
• Stem: Easton EA30 Oversized
• Handlebars: Easton EA30 Lowriser Oversized
• Grips: CUBE Double Duometer
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT RD-M772 Shadow
• Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT FD-M770, Top Swing, 34.9mm
• Shifters: Shimano SLX SL-M660 Rapidfire-Plus, 9-speed
• Brakes: Formula RX hydr. Discbrake (180/160mm)
• Chainset: Shimano Deore FC-M532 2-Piece 44x32x22, 175mm, Integrated BB
• Cassette: Shimano CS-HG50 11-32, 9-speed
• Chain: Shimano CN-HG53 108 links
• Wheelset: Sunringlé Ryde XMB
• Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic Performance 2.25, Schwalbe Racing Ralph Performance 2.25
• Tubes: Impac AV14
• Rim Tape: Schwalbe 22-559
• Pedals: Fasten Alu
• Saddle: Selle Italia Q-Blk
• Seat Post: Easton EA30 31,6mm
• Seatclamp: Scape Varioclose 34.9mm
• Weight 11,50kg

I mainly ride trail centres, but do the odd marathon where a 29er hard tail would give me an advantage. However as I may ride 3 or 4 a year is it really worth me putting all my eggs into one basket by getting a new 29er hard tail that might be great for marathons but less fun at the trail centres with my mates.

I mostly ride trail centres such as Llandegla and Cannock, but have ridden others in Wales and Scotland. I'd like to be able to go faster on the downhill sections without compomising my climbing too much. I am not one for getting much if any air time though. Too scared!

My budget is approx 3k, although I would like to spend less.

Options are:

(1)
Spend my money on a carbon 29er hard tail and keep the cube 26" hard tail for trail centres. (it's coped very well up to now, although I feel my downhill skills would benefit from a full suss)

http://www.shopgiant-bicycles.co.uk/379 ... -bike.aspx
http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes ... ab-reiter2
http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes ... tml?b=3170

(2)
Keep the cube 26" for marathons and buy something like the cube stereo that finished second in the trail bike of the year.

http://www.cube.eu/uk/bikes/fullsuspens ... -race-275/

If I decided to go down this route then I could possible start to look into upgrading some of the components on the Cube 26" to get the weight down. Think the starting point would be the wheels. Any Recommendations?

(3)
Buy something like the Scott spark or the Canyon Lux CF that looks like it would merge both trail centre fun with marathons.

http://www.scott-sports.com/us/en/produ ... -920-bike/
http://www.canyon.com/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=3234
http://www.scott-sports.com/us/en/produ ... Spark-720/

(4)
Split the budget and get a 29er and a full suss, although it was hard enough to get the wife to agree to letting me get one new bike. Can't imagine what she would say if two turned up.

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b4s155p4 ... 9er-2-2013
https://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbike ... ab-reiter2


Any suggestions or advice as I am going mad. Spending far to much time looking at bikes and they have even started to creep into my dreams.

I am going to start test riding these bikes within the next month, although ideally I'd like to hold off from making the purchases until later on in the year in the hold that some prices might start to drop. This will also depend on available stock as I imagine certain models will sell out so I might need to purchase sooner rather than later.

Test riding the Canyons might be an issue.

I'd be greatful for any advice

ej2320

Personally I think if you're spending £3k make sure you really like the frame
Especially if it's carbon as this will easily but the most expensive and important part of the bike and there's nothing worse than buying a bike you haven't tested and not liking the frame and geometry ..

Personally I'd keep the hardtail and perhaps put a few lighter parts on it and use that for the marathons
Then get an all round FS trail bike, Nukeproof mega TR perhaps? Great value on CRC and from what I've heard the perfect trail centre bike

Long_Time_Lurker

I had exactly the same issue (I have a Cube race SL too!).
I've gone for something that feels completely different from the Cube so that I have a choice of bikes depending on where I'm riding.
Spent 2 months test riding bikes - 27.5s & 29ers. I was starting to get hung up on the wheel size - especially as there is a lot of focus on 27.5'' at the moment. in the end i made the decision based on the type of riding i did. Ended up with a full-sus 29er (Lapierre Zesty). Really happy with it. Good on trail centres, but really shines on long rides on rough ground (which is what 90% of my riding is).

Angus Young

theMagician wrote:

and buy something like the cube stereo that finished second in the trail bike of the year.

Why not buy the bike that came first...

ej2320

Angus Young wrote:

theMagician wrote:

and buy something like the cube stereo that finished second in the trail bike of the year.

Why not buy the bike that came first...

Or none of them..

They always seem to leave out some great trail bikes

Cqc

As above keep the hardtail and geta trail bike. Wheel size is very minor- a 26er with a big Tyre is the same as 650b with a small one.canyon Spectral ex had great review s and great spec maybe?

paul.skibum

Cqc wrote:

As above keep the hardtail and geta trail bike. Wheel size is very minor- a 26er with a big Tyre is the same as 650b with a small one.canyon Spectral ex had great review s and great spec maybe?

That's just nonesense - 650b trail bikes dont have small tyres so its a ridiculous statement - my 650b Bronson feels totally different climbing to my previous 26ers - some of it maybe the VPP some of it the wheel - it also rolls very well compared to a 26er on every surface, even a flat road.

theMagician

Looks like the cube stereo has just about sold out everywhere. Found one shop locally with stock, but it was still boxed up and not on display. They offered to set it up for my but it would be a could of hours and as I made the mistake of taking my two children with me I had to give it a miss.

Might pop back tomorrow. Problem is with limited stock I don't think I can hold off until I've test road the other bikes.

Unless I wait for the 2015 model towards the end of the year and hope they don't play around with the spec and price.