i want a bike for xc work only. no need for anything more substantial as i have an all-singing, all-dancing yeti sb-66 for my welsh valley and alpine adventures.
i want full sus and the budget is circa £1,500.
so far i have narrowed it down to a new 2013 salsa spearfish 3 from triton (£1,150) or a new 2012 cannondale scalpel 3 carbon 26er (£1,600)
i really fancy having a lefty fork as i’ve never had one before and the cannondale spec is pretty good (especially the full carbon frame), BUT it is a 26er as opposed to the Salsa 29er.
i’ve just sold my Salsa Mamasita 29er which was an absolute revelation (my first ever 29er) in terms of traction, comfort and speed. i’m just not nimble enough to take advantage of what it can offer, hence wanting a bit of bounce at both ends.
my head is shouting spearfish, but my heart is shouting scalpel.
thoughts?
other options?