So, i have a Singular Swift which i love. It fits really well, is wonderful to ride on the twisty stuff and is great for my local woodland riding. It's that good, that my current FS is gathering dust.
However, i'd still like a Full Sus' for big days out in the mountains etc but the Swift has highlighted the issues with my current Full Sus' (fit and ride quality mainly) and i'm sold on the 29er idea.
So, what 29er full sus would you recommend to a Swift owner? I was thinking 100mm travel (120mm max), longer top tube / short stem, decent standover and easy maintenance with good reliability.
Can anyone help?
Not really my cup of tea, but the Salsa Spearfish looks a lot like what I might like in a 29er FS (hideous graphics notwithstanding) so it might suit you too.
I'm in the same position as you although I was converted by an Inbred 29, sold my Trance x a few months ago as it had become a very expensive garage ornament.
As Sam said the Spearfish looks good and at a sensible price. Also Giant are bringing in more Anthem x models for 2012 at various price points with a nice looking spec at £2300. Specialized are doing some Camber 29er models which should be very good given the rave reviews that the 26er versions got this year.
How about the Santa Cruz Tallboy if you have deep pockets?
Spec's Camber29er.
Scott's 29er
Canyons 29er..
I'm guessing it needs to be light'ish, just seen Lapieres 29er on bikerader..
Big vote for the Salsa's here.
I switched everything over to 29ers a few years back (HT, FS, SS) and have a Salsa Big Mama running 120mm Maxle Rebas.
Big Mama is now 'replaced' by the Horsethief as more of a trail bike and the Spearfish is more XC orientated - both great bikes by all account. The Spearfish was at Mayhem this year on the Salsa stand and was pretty light, especially compared to my Big Mama.
Salsa bikes are really well finished and ride brilliantly. Love the Big Mama and i also have a Fargo which is my most ridden bike.
Depending on how much of a hurry you're in though, there is a glut of new FS 29ers coming to the market place as they gain in popularity so the choice is getting better and better.
As a swift owner you are obviously a man if good taste. So give me a call and take our salsa spearfish demo bike out.
It's pretty damned awesome. Bloody Fast is an understatement
Also doing a pre- order deal right now. Fresh stock due in soon. Check the bike radar review.
Is that one of those flex-pivots at the back?
Those things always make me wary.
Charlie, i sent you an email re the Spearfish yesterday afternoon. Hope you can help me out...
Any idea when the 2012 Salsa's are due in as this looks fantastic 8)
http://salsacycles.com/bikes/spearfish/
Is that one of those flex-pivots at the back?Those things always make me wary.
5mm apaprenlty (presumably thats the deflection at the swing-link(other trademark shock lincage names are available), so less than the average hardtails seatpost.
Charlie, any pre-order deals on the frame only? Really want a Swift or an AnthemX (26"), so this might be a good comprimise!
Apparently the Anthem 29er will be available as a Frameset for £1199 with and RP23 shock, in 5 weeks. Seems a bit of a better deal than the Alloy Tallboy at that price.
There's a complete anthem 29er 2 @ £1799 .keep frame and fork and eBay the rest of the (cheap) bits.They've got all of them and a spearfish frame in my lbs :0).
The 2012 Salsas were due in Dec-Feb last time I asked.
GB