Was thinking of spliting my current 26er and selling the bits to raise the cash for grand canyon 9.9sl 29er with it not being carbon would it still be ok? i know canyon are bringing a carbon 29er but it maybe out of my price range. Also has anyone used the new sram gripshift was thinking if i did get this bike was think of changing to the gripshift.

I’ve not raced on a carbon bike for 4 years because I can’t afford one. You’ll be fine. In fact, at the minute all I’ve got is carbon bars and saddle. I used to have it so that just about everything was carbon bar the rims, but I find riding a full suspension race bike has made me far quicker than my much lighter carbon hardtail on the same courses.