Bike advice welcome

jmaccyd

I am planning to do some XC MTB this year, along with some marathon events and am in the market for a decent MTB. I am 193CM so am going for a 29er, probably HT and would describe myself as average on the technical stuff so something stable and forgiving that would help me on the difficult bits. It seems thru axles front and rear and I like the idea of a single chain ring but that is not a deal breaker. I am a bit wary of SRAM kit so would prefer Shimano brakes rather than Avid and the like. So far I have thought about the following,

Giant XTC Advanced - https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/xtc.advanced.29er.1/25024/90555/

Whyte 29 cs - http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/whyte-29-cs-mountain-bike-id90233.html?gclid=CLusnLa8ocoCFSoEwwod7vEH2Q

Specilaized Stumpjumper World Cup - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/stumpjumper-ht-comp-carbon-world-cup-2016-mountain-bike-ec121590?country=GB&currency=GBP&esvt=886-GOUKE1058244&esvq=&esvadt=999999-0-284562-1&esvcrea=65051768576&esvplace=&esvd=c&esvaid=50080&gclid=CJrjk868ocoCFUHkwgodlAcPJQ


I am leaning towards the Giant but the Whyte looks interesting and I have used Spec in the past and they fit me well and the Norco is getting close to fifty per cent cheaper than some and seems to tick the boxes although I am no fan of Evans if you have a warranty problem. I welcome any thoughts!

The Rookie

Norco link is dead and a search brings up no revolver!

The Whyte looks very overpriced, the SRAM stuff is a bit pricey or heavy (GX) compared to Shimano, so of the three the Giant. Have a look at the Trek Superfly or Canyon Grand Canyon as well.

Have a look at....clearance and large only.
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/DBCL000073/planet-x-dirty-harry---stealth-black---large---xt---reba

trek_dan

Scott Scale?

rockmonkeysc

If you want stable and forgiving forget the Giant, it's twitchy and sharp steering, like an xc race bike. The Stumpjumper is very similar.
Do you want an ultra light xc race bike of a more forgiving trail bile which will be 95% as fast but a lot less twitchy and probably more comfortable?

jmaccyd

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19777446#p19777446]RockmonkeySC[/url] wrote:

If you want stable and forgiving forget the Giant, it's twitchy and sharp steering, like an xc race bike. The Stumpjumper is very similar.
Do you want an ultra light xc race bike of a more forgiving trail bile which will be 95% as fast but a lot less twitchy and probably more comfortable?

Thats a good question. Probably a XC race bike as I will be mainly XC racing on it (maybe 20 events) and a couple of marathon events (1 or 2) My local terrain is not terribly technical and I'm not complelty incompetent on the rough stuff just not brilliant. I have seen the Scott as well and that looks good value and is on my radar as well.

jmaccyd

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19777371#p19777371]The Rookie[/url] wrote:

Norco link is dead and a search brings up no revolver!

The Whyte looks very overpriced, the SRAM stuff is a bit pricey or heavy (GX) compared to Shimano, so of the three the Giant. Have a look at the Trek Superfly or Canyon Grand Canyon as well.

Have a look at....clearance and large only.
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/DBCL000073/planet-x-dirty-harry---stealth-black---large---xt---reba

Yes the Trek looks interesting and the local shop is a stockist. price wise it looks expensive compared to the Giant. As for Canyon their current customer service woes put me off from considering them at the moment.

jmaccyd

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19777371#p19777371]The Rookie[/url] wrote:

Norco link is dead and a search brings up no revolver!

The Whyte looks very overpriced, the SRAM stuff is a bit pricey or heavy (GX) compared to Shimano, so of the three the Giant. Have a look at the Trek Superfly or Canyon Grand Canyon as well.

Have a look at....clearance and large only.
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/DBCL000073/planet-x-dirty-harry---stealth-black---large---xt---reba

Thanks the Plant X looks a good spec, I'm 193CM so probably need an XL! I will remove the Norco link it seems to have been removed since I put it up.