Hi Guys,
I’m ready to buy a new 29er hardtail for some races this year(Brighton Big dog in particular).
Limited to a few choices(due to voucher and sizing availability)
Cannondale F29 Carbon 3 2013
BMC Teamelite TE02 SLX 2013
Norco Team 9.1 2013
Scott Scale 920 2013
I’m happy to change odd parts to suit preferences.
What do you guys think?
I ride a Norco sight 26″ normally but want something a bit faster for racing.
Cheers.

I’ve got a f29 2 and its blumin quick and the new lefty is the best fork I’ve had.
Deffinately worth a look if your after a quick xc hardtail.

Cannondale f29 by Parkesiemtb, on Flickr

In the flesh

That bmc looks good.

Scale would probably top my list from that lot. Pending trying them all and having a favourite.

+1 for the scale 920, just got one myself… its awesome!

+1 scale its mint

Is a Whyte possible on the voucher? That would get my vote.

Otherwise would be the Scale, very nice bikes

Thanks for the responses guys, I really like the BMC for spec(except the awful fox lockout lever, can you remove it?), but the bike just looks a bit meh..
The Cannondale needs some upgrades(shimano brakes and a Clutch mech)but looks awesome!
The Scott ticks lots of boxes but will need the crankset changing to a double, I can’t understand the triple on the cheaper models and doubles on the 3k plus ones?
The cannondale has the steepest head angle but is that actually an issue on an xc race bike?
These are the only four I can see unless I’ve missed something on the Evans website? Trek Superflys seem over priced and specialized are sold out in mediums for the carbon stumpys?
Cheers.

+1 scale 920 I have one

The formula brakes on the cannondale work at least as good as shimano’s just not as bling? A clutch mech would be a nice addition rear hubs are lower down the spec tree than you’d like aswell. I looked past this as it was the frame and fork that I was interested in.

Avanti? I had a ride on one last week it was stunning and they have a full range of 29ers

26″ wheel bikes are faster for XC racing.
Low weight is king.

The Olympic, World and National champions disagree…

The mens Olympic, World and National champions disagree…

The women would presumably agree 😉

Yeah, but they don’t matter 😉

+1 for the Scale.

The best value 29er I’ve seen for a while is the Sensa Fiori TNT Pro 29er at Merlin.

£1665 for a carbon frame with Reba fork, full XT groupset inc. brakes and a choice of 2×10 or 3×10.

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/bikes/mountain-bikes/sensa-mountain-bikes/sensa-fiori-tnt-pro-29er-2013.html