Help deciding on which carbon hardtail ???

timwuk

So I have been looking to go for a 29er for a while now, and I had settled on a Cube Reaction GTC SLT 2016. The only thing that has stopped me pulling the trigger is the RS-1 forks. I'm no Danny Hall, just a forest and fire trail rider. But the stiffness of the RS-1 concerns me, also the limited wheel options due to the predictive steer on the forks. Also where do you fit front mudguards on the RS-1?? There is no hole at the top or torsion bar to fix any mudguard.

So I came across the Ghost LECTOR LC 7 orange / black 29 2016 which looks like it does the job, but I had my heart set on the Cube Reaction. What are peoples opinion of both bikes?

Both are around the same price of £2100 delivered. Would be open to other suggestions if I am missing something.


Cube Reaction GTC SLT 2x 29 carbon n flashred 2016
Frame GTC Twin Mold Monocoque Technology, ARG2, Tapered Headtube, PressFit BB, X12, Integrated Cable Routing
Farbe carbon´n´flashred
Size 27.5: 16", 18" // 29er: 15", 17", 19", 21", 23"
Fork Rock Shox RS-1 Carbon Upside-Down, Hydraulic X-Loc, Predictive Steering®, Tapered, 100mm
Headset FSA Orbit I-t, Integrated, Top 1 1/8", Bottom 1 1/2"
Stem CUBE Performance Stem Pro, 31.8mm
Handlebar CUBE Flat Race Bar Pro, 720mm
Grips CUBE Race Grip, 1-Clamp
Rear Derailleur Shimano XT, RD-M8000-DGS, ShadowPlus, 11-Speed, Direct Mount
Front Derailleur Shimano XT, FD-M8020-D, Direct Mount
Shifter Shimano XT SL-M8000-I, Direct Attach
Brake Shimano XT BR-M8000, Hydr. Disc Brake (180/160)
Crankset Shimano XT, FC-M8000, 36x26T, 175mm
Cassette Shimano XT CS-M8000, 11-40
Chain Shimano CN-HG600-11
Wheelset DT CSW MA 1.7 / 1.9 Straightpull Wheelset, 28/28 Spokes, 110x12mm Predictive Steering® / X12, Tubeless Ready
Tire Front Schwalbe Rocket Ron, Kevlar, 2.25, LiteSkin
Tire Rear Schwalbe Racing Ralph Kevlar, 2.25, LiteSkin
Saddle Selle Italia SC1
Saddlestütze CUBE Performance Post, 27.2mm
Seat Post Clamp CUBE Varioclose, 31.8mm
Weight (KG) 10.5 kg


Ghost LECTOR LC 7 orange / black 29 2016
Frame Lector 29 Carbon LC
Fork Rock Shox SID RL 100 mm Oneloc 15 mm
Stem Race Face Turbine 31.8 mm
Handlebar Race Face Next Carbon 720 mm 31.8 mm
Rear Derailleur Shimano XT 11-Speed Plus
Front Derailleur Shimano XT
Shifter Shimano XT SL
Crankset Shimano XT 36-26
Cassette Shimano XT 11-40
Brakes Shimano XT Disc 180-160 mm SMRT 86
Tires Schwalbe Rocket Ron/Thunder Burt Evo 2.25
Rims Race Face Affect Wheelset
Hub Front Race Face Affect Wheelset 15mm
Hub Rear Race Face Affect Wheelset 12mm
Seat Post GHOST SL Carbon 31.6 mm
Saddle SDG Circuit
Travel Front 100 mm
Size XS / S / M / L / XL
Gewicht 9,7 kg

kickaxe

I did ride that bike a little while ago, and I personally found the fork to be quite stiff, at least for XC purposes. If the fork really is the problem, you might want to look at one model down:

http://www.cube.eu/uk/products/mtb-hardtail/reaction/cube-reaction-gtc-sl-2x-kiwinblue-2016/

Also quite a nice bike, and you would save a bit of money for gear, etc.

The Rookie

A friend has the GTC with the RS-1, he's been riding it for a while now, he has found no issue with the forks, they are a little less stiff over rocky bits, but he finds them better under braking and landing off jumps. As for mudguards, just fit a Neoprene between the uppers high enough up that the tyre only 'just' buzzes it on full bump.

Other than the fork there is little to choose between them.

timwuk

Thanks guys, I am going to stick with my original desire of the Cube. Fell in love with it. I found Topeak Defender XC1- 29er Set for the front mudguards.



The neoprene thing you mention is new to me, what do you recommend?

The Rookie

http://www.tweekscycles.com/Product.do?method=view&n=3347&g=242632&p=237799&d=124&c=4&l=2&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Base&utm_campaign=Mudguards&gclid=CKfAuf-3_8kCFWsJwwodVwgFdQ

Something like that....putting an MX style guard on an XC bike just seems wrong to me!