I'm going to have a clear out, reduce my 2 x similar mtb to one 29er hardtail. For XC racing and long distance events but but not so twitchy that I cant have a good blast around the Surrey Hills.
I've got plenty of nice bits to put together a good groupset and cockpit, going to boil down to
Frame
Forks
Wheels
Say budget around 2k for those, less if possible, more if I had to. I'm guessing it might be more.
Frame - Big fan of titanium (still love my Ti456) for all day comfort and "spring" but carbon def an option as long as it isnt built too stiff. Thinking about a Lynskey Ridgeline but like some carbon ideas.
Forks - I'm 6'3 so think I prob want 15mm QR and bar mounted lock-out, so Reba of some kind likely fine. I like Fox and DT forks but think Rock Shox better value (This is easiest part I think).
Wheels - Ideal build prob DT 240s and Crests if I can stretch to those hubs. Pro2 just as good if a tad heavier? Anyone know what they would build up to with Competition spokes? Factory wheels from Mavic and DT all look a bit lardy and expensive as far as I can see, ideas here very welcome. And time to go tubeless.
Other option is to wait and see if Canyon bring out a carbon 29er hardtail, or maybe Cube Reaction GTC SL or try and get a deal on something at the end of the summer.....but I think I want to do a build.
A bit like this then?
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
Although with a newer frame.
Thats what I'm talking about.....you happy with it?
Dunno, but whilst you're deciding what über expensive frame/forks/wheels you wanna buy, I'd get one of the Canyon 8.9's right now for £1200... Looks V good for an ally frame, but the kit on it for the price is staggering, and it's light enough to race out the box.
I often think the whole concept of buying a frame material for its comfort is entirely flawed. If you want all day comfort, buy a full sus! Or a huge rear tyre... Or a 29er... But you're doing the latter anyway. Far more flex from a big tubeless tyre, a 29" wheel, or your saddle rails than there is from even the flexiest of Lynskey Ridgelines (and they are flexy, I know a couple of people with them, bit noodle to say the least). I say this as a Ti frame owner by the way, it's very nice, just not noticably any better than the steel equivalent it replaced, just lighter and looks a bit cooler.
Anyway, if nothing else, the Canyon would make a great donor bike when you found the frame of your dreams. DT forks, XT and SRAM, DT wheels (that are only a gnats chuff heavier than the equivalent Pro2's on Crests), formula brakes etc. If I was in the market for a bike to occasionally race, and do long rides on that was still fun on the tighter stuff, it's what I'd buy right now in a heartbeat. Quick saddle/seatpost/handlebar upgrade in the name of comfort and personal preference, and an XT cassette and a tubeless conversion for lightness and comfort/speed, and I think it would be perfect. Nice short back end on it, the seatstays have obviously been designed to be a bit more compliant than the average ally frame... What's not to like?
You're not wrong. I'm a Canyon owner and a fan of the brand. Maybe I hang on and see if they do bring a carbon 29er hardtail. Am just put off alu by my early bikes when I got into the sport, I had a Stumpjumper 2004 which battered me.
In answer to the question - yes, happy with the Lynskey!
I am very pleased with my Whyte 29er CS. Love the way it rides and looks. Super at Afan at weekend. Only issue was the front mech but solved now.
A ti frame (£1600),fox fork (£800) and Dt/Stans wheels(£600) for 2k? Good luck with that one.
Frame £1200
Rock Shock fork £400
Wheels tbc
good luck yourself
And I'm looking for suggestions if you have any.
I've been running hope hubs with Arch rims which are better with a bigger build and seem easier to get tyres on.
What about a Yeti big Top as a thought.
Someone Rutland??? Is / was knocking out Litespeed frames at £1k which may be worth a look, selling them via eBay and the shop so you should be able to track down a bargain.
You're not wrong. I'm a Canyon owner and a fan of the brand. Maybe I hang on and see if they do bring a carbon 29er hardtail. Am just put off alu by my early bikes when I got into the sport, I had a Stumpjumper 2004 which battered me.
Not all ally frames are created equal. There's FAR more to it than the material it is made of.
I have an ally Giant Defy Road bike, they're praised for being relatively comfortable and forgiving compared to more expensive carbon exotica. The same can be said of lots of current MTB frames. Like I said, a 29er wheel will make a lot more difference than the frame material. There's a review of the Grand Canyon on the Internet somewhere, the reviewer stated he couldn't believe just how good it was not only for the money, but just how good the frame was too, even compared to more exotic bikes.
Personally, having ridden a few (and owned a couple) 29ers, I'd say frame stifness is more important than with a 26" wheeled bike anyway, and the wheel size definitely goes some way towards extra comfort. Besides, if you bought one, didn't like it, you could sell the frame on and chuck all the kit on a new frame of your choice and you'd still be doing well.
I have a Canyon 29er and with a bolt through front a rear it is noticeably stiffer than any bike I've previously ridden yet it's not at all uncomfortable to ride. I have a rigid GF Xcal 29er to and that's much more comfortable than it looks so I'd say the 29er wheels easily add more comfort than the frame.
I'd wait for the Canyon in carbon, I'm sure it's due in the autumn and it will probably cost less a bike the wheels, frame and fork option.
santa cruz highball aluminium, looks a good option, its what I intend to build when the frames become available in a couple of months. It has a slightly slacker geometry than most, and can take a 120 fork.
My Canyon Al29 arrived on Friday, tested on Saturday, raced on Sunday. 🙂
Absolutely love it. Agree with comments above, feels efficient stiff not harsh stiff. Looking at the spec/cost/weight I couldn't see a self build lurcher (my original plan) as good for £1200 and full builds were too pricey. I also looked at the Giant 29er composite (great bike radar review) but it's £500 more and a good kilo + heavier. If the claimed weight is correct the Canyon is near as dammit the same weight as an X9 whippet build.
I can't find the geometry on the canyon website, anyone know what the angles of the dangles are for that bike?
http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=2546
Just scroll down to the Equipment-Geometry tab, its all there...