What race bike for a newbie? FS? HT? 29er? 29er FS mmmmm…….

Looking to have a dabble in the world of competitive cycling having been deemed worthy by my fellow riders that do actually do a bit occasionally. Thanks boys, i'm welling up.

My current steed is too weighty so sorry wife (:cry:) but my stable is in need of a 'horse for the course'. 😆

Obviously it's gotta be light. And reasonably comfy i.e FS, or could a Ti HT cut it? 29er FS is where i'm looking most closely, although compatibility issues could rule this one out? Bearing in mind i am just starting my quest for glory, what do you race and why? Pics would be nice if possible.

Easy all.

None will make any significant difference to your results, start out on what you have.

Otherwise you are looking for an excuse to buy a new bike so just buy what you fancy.

None will make any significant difference to your results, start out on what you have.

Otherwise you are looking for an excuse to buy a new bike so just buy what you fancy.

Use your current bike – invest the money in someone to shout at you to go faster.

Al speaks the truth

Try it on your current bike and if you like it chat to the other racers in your class and look at what they're riding and make a decision what to get then

All good advice, unless the OP is wanting to race XC and has a downhill bike 😉

When you say 'race', what do you mean? Full on XC, marathon, stage racing etc?

vdubbers' last post is the most appropriate. I have a enduro biased bike built up light (but still sporting a 36) on the nose at 30 lbs. Having rode a few bikes in my time, i do not underestimate the benefits of a few less pounds, lockout front and rear and 'racier' geo would give me as opposed to the Heckler.

See what i mean…. i would 'hate to start hating' this bike because i used it in a way it was not built for. I think all the racers out there are worried and just want to keep the 'advantage'.

A xc race worthy full sus will cost ££££. If you are giving it a go for the first time, build up/get hold a light hardtail. I don't think 26" or 29" makes much difference.

Try summit in carbon HT form, although you may die if it rains 😀

Do a race on that. You might find you hate it. Or, if you love it, and get a good result, consider buying a racier bike.

Unless you're loaded. Then full XTR, stumpy ht sworks, some real light wheels, and a sid world cup or something. Carbon ritchey finishing kit or similar.

I've done super light hardtail before when i was 'fresh' to the MTB scene. I bought a Scott scale 20 off ebay with about 30 miles on the clock without really knowing what it was about. It was very quick but also felt very nervous/twitchy with my considerable stamp perched on it. Although i am a fan of carbon, having owned the Scale, i think i would shy away from it this time.

I have heard that Ti is more forgiving and 'springy' and would love a 456. But…

How much does the FS really make a difference towards the end of a grueling event? And is it worth the extra weight? I'm thinking it might. And then could also be used in other guises (i'e xc) if required to do so in the future. It would be a more versatile machine is what i'm trying to say.

Maxlight Pro XC3 frame, XT groupset, some tubeless rims and SID's would get you up and running OK

I have heard that Ti is more forgiving and 'springy' and would love a 456. But…

How much does the FS really make a difference towards the end of a grueling event? And is it worth the extra weight? I'm thinking it might. And then could also be used in other guises (i'e xc) if required to do so in the future. It would be a more versatile machine is what i'm trying to say.

If you follow your thoughts through, you will probably end up with what you've got now lol. If its a race bike (eg: for races), make it a race bike.

i would say do 1 or 2 on your current bike 1st. Or borrow something more appropriate from a friend.

As said if your gonna get a race bike, make it a race bike. i've had scott scales and sparks. i'm 13st and not afraid to abuse them. And any breakage hasn't been due to riding the bike hard. but other stupid things.

Just recently got a new spark 10 for racing on again. though building up a new bike for starting i would say get a ht due to cost more than anything. i don't mind if i'm on ht or fs, don't find a huge amount of difference in it on descents or overall comfort (after all, you shouldn't really be comfortable when racing!) though fs can help a bit on good technical climbs. but i've yet to find any of them in an english race.

Shed loads to consider before you buy.
When you say race I assume you mean XC?
Have you a series of races in mind and if so are they all at the same location or different and what's the terrain like.
At the XCs I do winners come home on all sorts of bikes not one type.
As someone said XC isn't about comfort, it's all about winning or being the best as possible in your class. The racing can look messy when going at full tilt, and cleaning a race without incident is rare (well for me anyway)
The other thing is the season is well under way and the boys out there will have three months racing in their legs, so expect it to be quick.
I'd say dabble this year, train from the Autumn onwards so you're ready for 2011.

Ebay carbon hardtail would definitely get my vote! SLX groupset and some SIDs from Merlin or eBay, some Hope Hoops, probably get a sub-25lb bike for less than £1500.

If you find you're more of a full sus rider (I know I am), then you can swap parts onto a new frame in the future. Check out XCRacer.com's classifieds around September/October onwards as the seasons race bikes get cleared out for next year, my Fuel will almost certainly be on there!

Base Anthem X, and then as/if you get into it rig it out with lighter gear?

I'm seriously thinking about making the switch to cart wheels for racing.

The new Scott 949 is the way I think I'll end up, I'm 6'2 so think the big wheels will suit and from the reviews from people who've ridden it, I reckon it'll be spot on for UK racing.

as much as the 949 is nice for a 29er, i'm still not a fan.

same height as you blazin, but i still don't feel the need for a 29er. and think they still ride much worse, are less agile, and generally useless on any decent sort of trails. for flat/fast racing it may be good. otherwise, no ta.

Thanks for all the input and links. I love the way people make assumptions like i need 6 months training to get upto 'the level'? 😯 This thread was never about fitness training, which, as it happens… i know quite a bit. 😉

I will be exhausting demo days and bikes where possible before i make my choice and will have a damn good stab on the Heckler for the time being. And then probably just, stump up for a TallBoy anyway! ooouch! 😯