Which 29er full suss for light trail riding for £1500 ish

harlequinpants

Ok – I appreciate this is already covered before but still some advice appreciated – too many options! I’m 50 and been riding a hardtail for the last 12 years and thinking maybe time for a change. Generally riding trails/paths/bridleways around the Surrey Hills. I’m not looking at big drop offs or trial centres so I guess my use falls into XC/trail category. I’m aware I don’t ‘need’ a full susser but I think it will give more comfort over rooty sections etc that usually leave me clinging on and hoping! I’m generally rubbish going up hills so looking to make that as easy as poss so think I want a fairly lightweight (for the price) short travel full susser. Was originally thinking the Boardman FS Pro looked like a good option but then it was suggested to me a 29er could be a better bet for the type of riding. Also I notice the gear ratios on the boardman don’t seem to cater for going up hills as well as most of the other options! LBS seem to mainly stock Giant and Trek and then looking online – especially at deals on 2013 models too) my options seem to have expanded! Adding all the offer bikes to the list has confused me even more but I’ve tried to narrow options down to list below.
My riding technique isn’t good enough to worry too much about handling performance – I’m just looking for something light and comfy and fun.
But how to choose – it’s simply not possible to check all these options out (or the Canyon at all!). And whilst I prefer to support my LBS they obviously want to try to sell the bikes they stock.
So any comments on the following…
1) Will I notice much difference between a 29er and 650b on trial rides?
2) Will a more XC spec’d bike be twitchy and uncomfy due to shorter wheelbase as suggested by one bike shop? (when talking about the Trance v Anthem I was surprised the sales guy pushed me toward the trance?)
3) I feel sure I would notice the weight difference (2kg between these below) – especially after 30 or 40 miles or so - but LBS (stocking the heavier bikes) suggest it won’t be noticeable? Any comments?

I’m hoping to test the Trek & Boardman over next few weeks but I’m currently thinking the Canyon maybe best bet? I’d be interested to hear from anyone that actually has the 29er version (most of the comments seem to be about the 650B version.) I also heard rumours that spec is better than the ride and also that frame is ‘too light’ and easily damaged? Any comments welcome!
Current shortlist ...
Canyon Nerve 7.9 29er (12.85kg stated)
http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=3182
Boardman FS Pro (650B) (13.3kg stated )
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtb/fs_pro650b.html
Giant Trance2 29er (about 15kg weighed in bike shop)
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2014.giant.trance.x.29er.2/15003/66619/
Giant Anthem 2 29er (??kg)
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2014.giant.anthem.x.29er.2/14998/66603/
Trek Fuel EX5 or EX6 29er (15+kg weighed I bike shop)
http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/mountain/singletrack_trail/fuel_ex/fuel_ex_5_29/#

rockmonkeysc

I wouldn't trust the claimed weight. They aren't always ready to ride weights so might not be a fair comparison. I can't believe the Trek and Giant are 2kg heavier than the others.
I would go for the Anthem. It's a great ride, handles nicely, not too twitchy and nicely put together.

JBA

The Boardman or the Anthem would be my choice.
I bought my son an Anthem 26er a couple of months ago and it is a superb bike.

plymouthsteve

Having the same thoughts myself, and wondering if going from a 26 to a 29 Hardtail might even make all the difference I need. Tried a 29er HT which was, for me at least, slower going up and quicker going down. Not a big fan of the wide bars either.
Accepting that 29 or 650b will become inevitable (do 650b's have wider bars too?) I'm most tempted by last years model Specialized Epic. It has a brain which locks out the suspension so I suppose should climb like a hardtail, but unlocks with bumps, so should see me safely over roots with more tyre contact and grip than a HT.
My budget is £2000, but learnt long ago that I need to buy a £1500 bike, presumably X9 or XT and posh alloy or cheap carbon, then spend the other £500 on better wheels and tyres, then end up with the performance of a £2500+ bike.

poah

I think this is a pretty dam good deal and rip for upgrading with your left over cash although its a 26 which TBH from what you describe shouldn't be a deal breaker

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitu ... -prod81013

tarbot18

Whyte T129s awesome bike great spec. ye im a bit biased as i own one but it won trail bike of the year last year and came 4th this year, £2100 and i havent had to upgrade anything great spec and included a dropper post and the forks are better than the fox versions specced on most £2500 bikes.
If you cant stretch to that theres a version without the dropper and and a downgrade in spec for £1700.

adamfo

RockmonkeySC wrote:

I wouldn't trust the claimed weight.

WMB's test weighed the Nerve 7.9 (medium) at 12.96 kg

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/categ ... -14-47805/

Within a 100g of Canyon's claim !

http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes ... ab-reiter2

My own 2013 Canyon was exactly the same weight as their website figure.

harlequinpants

Thanks Adam - which Canyon do you have? Pleased with it? Do you think I'd notice the weight difference?

adamfo

harlequinpants wrote:

Thanks Adam - which Canyon do you have? Pleased with it? Do you think I'd notice the weight difference?

2013 Nerve 7.9. Good bike, I've had it 14 months no problems. For some reason I find bikes over 14Kg suddenly feel heavy.