2016 Cube Attention SL 29er VS 2017 Giant Talon1 27.5 which would you choose?

cglets
cglets Posts: 3
edited January 2017 in MTB buying advice
In the market for a new XC hardtail. I am 5'9'' and 160lbs. I ride in the Canadian Rocky Mountains at an intermediate level 2/2 or 3/3 for difficulty/technicality scoring. I am wondering what some experts thoughts on deciding between these two bikes would be. I have access to both for very similar price point. Each is linked to the URL's below.

https://www.cube.eu/en/products/mtb-har ... lack-2016/

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/int/talon-1

Comments

  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Of those two, the Giant, it has a much better fork (single most critical component), and only really loses out on the headline grabbing rear mech of the cube which is rather wasted with Deore shifters.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • cglets
    cglets Posts: 3
    So based on the specs of these two forks, the suntour epixon is a much better air fork then the rockshoxx recon silver tk solo air??

    http://www.srsuntour-cycling.com/bike/f ... -5355.html

    https://www.sram.com/rockshox/products/ ... ilver-tk-0
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Absolutely it is, it has larger diameter stanchions (stiffer) and they are aluminium (lighter as well), the damper is also better (the TK is a very basic damper) giving better suspension control. The Epicon is broadly similar to the Rockshox Reba which is 2 steps up the ladder from the Recon silver in the lineup.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.