29er Hardtail advice - sorry.. « Singletrack Forum

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29er Hardtail advice - sorry..

22 posts & 14 voices | Started 1 year ago by Boris01 | Latest reply from Candodavid

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Boris01 - Member

looking at either frame only or complete bike but have set my heart on a 29er hardtail. It'll be used year round but more often in the grubbier months when the full sus is left on the shed. Budget is £2k all in.

So far I've ridden the niner air carbon (lovely but well out of my league) but also had a look but not ridden the Scott Scale..

I know my way round the 26ers but this 29er business has got me, so any thoughts, insight and advice would be gratefully received. BTW, my riding is long days out in the hills with a few xc races chucked in.

Cheers All

Posted 1 year ago #
yossarian - Member

Swift plus reba plus alfine plus xt brakes & cranks plus salsa stem, bars and seatpost.

Done

Posted 1 year ago #
CHB - Member

On one carbon with their bargain 29er tapered REBAS would be my choice. Would love one of those with an Alfine on the back.

I have a steel on one 29er and its my favourite bike for climbing.

Posted 1 year ago #
Boris01 - Member

well there's a couple of options to start with that I'd not thought of..

Posted 1 year ago #
yossarian - Member

Salsa and voodoo also do some very nice 29er hardtails with adjustable chainlengths

If you don't like the idea of an alfine then you could always by an ss rear wheel and a 1 x 10 set up and swap between them as the mood takes you.

Posted 1 year ago #
Boris01 - Member

not keen on steel, would definitely go the aluminium route or carbon if I can afford it. Some good options in your advice - thanks

Posted 1 year ago #
chainslapp - Member

Just out of curiosity, why have you apologised for your thread?

Posted 1 year ago #
boxelder - Member

I'm no On-one fanboy, but have been really impressed with my scandal. The money saved on the frame will get better wheels - well worth spending extra on.

Posted 1 year ago #
Boris01 - Member

apologies as I seem to only come on the forum and tap everyone up for advice!

does anyone have any experience of the niner air alu? looks great and in the short ride I had seemed good but potentially harsh as a long riding machine?

will run it geared so the SS options are not for me - thanks again all

Posted 1 year ago #
chainslapp - Member

Boris01, please don't apologise for asking mountain bike advise from a mountain bike forum. I know there are some members that take offence to this, but they mean no harm.

Posted 1 year ago #
b_man - Member

+1 for the on one carbon 29er, a thing of beauty and bang on your 2k budget

Posted 1 year ago #
big_scot_nanny - Member

Boris, not exactly an answer to your question, but I have a rather stiff Chumba HX2 29er hardtail with 120mm forks. It is a great deal more comfy than a 26er HT as the big wheels do roll over stuff better (Chumba has mahoosive tyre clearance, so 2.4+ rears are easy).

Benefits of the Chumba: Amazing frame (Large size fits me perfectly), angles great with 120mm fork, versatile (EBB) and super stiff frame - I can stand and stomp and it does not flex (good wheels also help)

Downsides: STIFF! Not a forgiving frame, but then that is also why I got it.

HTH a bit.

Kev

Posted 1 year ago #
keavo - Member

i had an air9 scandium, mainly used it for xc racing and some longer events. i wouldn't describe it as a particularly harsh ride over long distance (eg 4 hour ish). wheel size, tyres/pressure, seatpost, saddle etc can all add to ride comfort. i also have a sir9 and that is a more flexy frame, a bit more comfort but steel. i sold the air9 (nothing wrong with it though) and replaced it with an on-one carbon race. all of these frames are about the same price, if i could only have one i'd get the on-one. its stiffer and lighter than the others and i'd pay attention to the parts to add comfort. i looked at the scott scale pro, it looks a great buy.....but tight clearance for the rear tyre and slack angles put me off.

Posted 1 year ago #
si_progressivebikes - Member

We are doing a Chumba HX2 with 2011 32 F29 120 RLC FIT WHITE 15QR 1.5 TAPER for £1050, or £1099 with Hope taper Headset fitted.

Sorry about the rubbish pic.

Chumba HX1 by srbwilson, on Flickr

Posted 1 year ago #
Hairychested - Member

Probably the first Chumba that looks good. How much the frame only?

Posted 1 year ago #
si_progressivebikes - Member

£399 for frame only.

Posted 1 year ago #
robbo - Member

I just rode a Giant XTC 29er for a day and was impressed apart from the SLX shifting. I was surprised at the width of the bars when I first got on but found it fine riding. Are bars generally wider on 29ers to compensate for the supposed lack of manoeuvrability? Also had to invert the stem to keep the front low enough for me. Is this the right idea?

Posted 1 year ago #
richcc - Member

Chill your boots and see what the Cotic Solaris is like in production form. Assuming frame cost is similar to Soul then £2k is going to get you a nice build. BTW what's with the aversion to steel? A nice steel frame would seem to be just the ticket for the longer rides

Posted 1 year ago #
singlecrack - Member

I'll second that "robbo"
I have a xtc 29er and had the same problems
stem is inverted now..

Posted 1 year ago #
Hairychested - Member

Si, if there was a way of test riding it in the blooming Ireland it'd be ever so good. I like it but do I like the way it rides? BTW How short a fork will it accept? Rigid fork of course If you have some more info please email me directly (email in profile).

Posted 1 year ago #
Boris01 - Member

Morning All

Thanks for the additonal comments from y'day..

I've spent an interesting morning aboard a Singular Swift (rigid fork) with an Alfine at the back. The ride confirmed for me that a 29er is the way forward for me and the kind of riding I'm doing, but it will have a bouncy front end!). The steel thing is a funny one. It's relaxed and does possess the spring that people talk about, it's just down to personal feel - the carbon and aluminum bikes just feel better to me.

My shortlist now looks like this:

Scott Scale Pro
Specialized Stumpy Comp
Fisher Paragon (to upgrade) or Superfly (if I can get a deal!)

Cheers All

Posted 1 year ago #
Candodavid - Member

My Kona Kula 2-9 cost well below 2K in 20lb SS guise.
Would suggest you try before you buy.
There are enough being talked about on here that someone local might have one for you to throw your leg over.

Posted 1 year ago #