I've taken the plunge and sold my posh 26er with a view to getting a slightly cheaper, but still quite special 29er and putting some money back in the pot. I've got all the bits, and have been riding a Scandal for the last couple of months. I like the scandal, but the aesthete in me wants something a bit nicer to looks at - not least because I have to walk past it every time I go to the kitchen. I've set myself a budget of £500. On my short list at the moment are the Cotic Solaris and the On One Lurcher. Different but kind of similar. I don't like the Swift to look at(!) and I don't need anything too hardcore as I've already got a full suss 29er. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Charge have one out, not sure but might be a bit low end for you, likewise the Genesis one that's coming out; unless they do an 853 version. I'd suggest an Inbred but again, too low end. Cobble a few more £'s together & a Niner SIR9 would be nice.
My Yeti Big Top !
If you can do it for anywhere near my budget Chris, I'll bite your hand off!
The Charge does look nice, but I know I'd be too tempted by the ti one.
I demo'd a Pace RC129, which rode very nicely indeed - only problem is the frame only price (£695). I did get a full build quote from Pace, which was extremely competitive, but not sure how open they are to negotiations on f/o price.
In the end I bought a Giant XTC29er (last years model), which I'm very pleased with. (funnily enough, the Pace 29er has almost exactly the same geometry & sizing as the XTC29er)
"the aesthete in me wants something a bit nicer to looks at"
Not a Lurcher then 😯
[s]singular swift?[/s] - just read to end of your post...
just goes to show that beauty is in the eye of the beholder (i think its one of the best looking 29rs there is).
some sort of specialized 29er?
I just wish Cube would make their 29er frames available!
Aesthetics is a funny one isn't it. I actually like the look of the Lurcher, although my friend who usually share similar tastes reaches for the eye bleach at the very thought. I like the shape of the Swift, but don't much care for the art deco graphics, or the fact that the cream would look horrid with my white forks.
Good luck getting a lurcher anytime soon
N9 😀
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I'm probably going to go for a Solaris myself. But then I like Cotic's...
Blue or orange, blue or orange...
Salsa Mamasita (alu)
Salsa El Mariachi (steel)
I like the shape of the Swift, but don't much care for the art deco graphics, or the fact that the cream would look horrid with my white forks.
Get a Swift and have it resprayed / powerdercoated ?
Chumba HX2? £299 at the moment too 🙂
Good luck getting a lurcher anytime soon
I heard that they were expected towards the end of February. I know there's been the odd hiccup along the way 🙄
N9
Yes, certainly considering it, but it's a bit pricey for my budget, and I've convinced myself I need a tapered head tube.
I like the salsas too, but a mate of mine had the el mar ti, and I think I'd always be coveting that.
Chinese carbon- look good in stealth matt with a niner fork-imho!!
Tazzy has a very nice Salsa Selma- still a few around
I got my Lynskey pro29 for about your budget second hand
Salsa El Mariachi? Nice steel frame with swinging dropouts so you can run it geared or ss.
GB
Second hand ti would certainly be a preference if the right frame came up in my size. The Chinese carbon does look good for the money, but knowing how often I tend to. Jane my frames I need to be pragmatic about resale value.
if you like the scandal - get a tasteful (or tasteless) paint job
It's got a tasteless one already. It's just never going to be pretty enough to love passing in the hall.
Currently got my eye on:
[url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=72853 ]
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=72853 [/url]
Seems like a bargain, especially for a carbon frame + Rebas + decent gearing + wheels. Got bored of waiting for a Lurcher, to be honest the only feedback I've heard about that makes it sound fairly generic anyway. Really wanted the On-One carbon xc frame but gave up on that one completely after 2 years and still only 1 size exists... occationally.
Apologies for ignoring the budget, it is a full bike though 🙂
That Cube does look good value, but I've got all the bits to hang off it, and don't really fancy the fuss of stripping and selling again. The frame would still end up at about £500 too.
Still stuck between the Solaris (because I loved my soda) and the Lurcher (which looks great value and a bit "different") unless someone wants to sell me some second hand ti?
I was just looking at the Kingdom bike project 29er in the sale... Last few hours.
Are you tempted? It's a bit small for me. Not totally convinced that it isn't just a badged-up off the shelf jobbie either. Would be good to see some less arty shots of it.
bol - if you've still got your Scandal & its a 21" I'd be interested in parting with some cash to move it out of your hallway 😉
Si, it has your name on it - as soon as I can decide on/receive the replacement.
Nice one 8)
Are you tempted? It's a bit small for me. Not totally convinced that it isn't just a badged-up off the shelf jobbie either. Would be good to see some less arty shots of it.
Agree. I think Kingdom need to do a bit more to show what they are selling. Could be a £200 eBay special or could be something far better, can't tell from the information they show. Also needs rider reports or reviews.
Could be a £200 eBay special
Sounds like it. Looking at the site, it only comes with a one year warranty.
What about the new Kona Raijin Ti 29'er?
[url= http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/kona-raijin-29er-hardtail-first-look-32850 ]Ti-Tastic[/url]
Product launch date is mid Feb.
I'm guessing that'll be about £1800. A bit more than I'm looking to spend unfortunately.
I'm guessing that'll be about £1800. A bit more than I'm looking to spend unfortunately.
Obviously it will be fairly priced against $$ price in US 👿
takisawa2 is right, had my Sir for two years & 8000mile of single speed sex......... it eats miles & is comfy as a parker knoll in full recline...mmmmm.
p.s. get the carbon forks too, nothing beats em for comfort.... well maybe not the shezhaun sweet & sore donkey feather massage I had in the upper congo during the wabber wabber tribe love outbreak of 1919.