What would you choose?

Hi all. I am looking to purchase a nice light hardtail that I can use as a commuter mid-week and take on trails on the weekends. I currently have a 2006 Enduro which is proving to be a nightmare as a daily ride to work due to its weight and I seriously doubt my ability to put it to good use on the weekend in any case!

I was originaly looking at the Cube Ltd series (Race) but after a short test of both the Ltd and Reaction, I decided on the Reaction due to the riding position. My dilemma now is should I go for the top of the range Aluminium framed SL or for the same priced, same weight but lower spec GTC Team? Which of the two frames are the most durable as I need this bike to last a few years. I know I should just pick and “get out and ride” but I would really appreciate some of your expert advice as I am new to mountain biking. So which would you choose? http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=57159
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=57162

Keep the enduro for off road fun and buy a second hand hack bike for commuting on.

Where do you ride at the weekends? I’m thinking going from a fairly long travel full sus bike, to a head down arse up XC race style bike, is going to be quite a shock to the system.

How about considering something more middle ground, a hardtail still, but with a 120mm+ suspension fork, likes of Genesis Core/Latitude, Orange P7, On One Inbred/456, Whyte 905/19 Steel, Cotic Soul, etc etc… Plenty more out there to choose from too.

Out of the 2 you’ve linked to though, I’d go for the Carbon fibre one. Why? Firstly, the alloy one is covered in SRAM and I hate SRAM gears, and secondly cos they’re the same price and who in their right mind would actually choose ally over Carbon at the same price?

I would, but I think its a little too much for me. I made the mistake of buying the most bike I could for my money without thinking what I really needed it for! 😳 Besides, at the time I didnt know the difference between XC, All Mountain, DH etc. After 12 months of hard research I know I want a lightweight hardtail now. 🙂 I just need to decide between the two Cubes, better components on Alu frame or slightly cheaper components on the Carbon frame?

Thanks Mboy, Ive tried the Reaction (albeit a short test) and I quite like the position, who knows, I may enter an event in the future 😯
I was swaying towards the Carbon anyway as the frame looks superb (and I liked the colour) 🙄 Is a carbon frame any weaker than an Alu frame or vice versa? Im going to ride Afan and surrounding area.

Anymore views? Sorry to keep on, I have been agonising over this for a week. Tonights the night im buying it!

Have you ridden a hardtail offroad? Nothing wrong with them, it’s what I ride, but it will be VERY different to your full sus.

I was swaying towards the Carbon anyway as the frame looks superb (and I liked the colour) Is a carbon frame any weaker than an Alu frame or vice versa? Im going to ride Afan and surrounding area.

is a carbon frame weaker than an alu frame? yes and no, depends on how you damage it.

but don’t worry about it, just pick what you like

This is a tough one, you are looking at going from a big travel bike to a HT and wanting it to do your XC and your commute…I think I have that right? If you are fairly new to biking it is hard to settle on a bike that you think will fulfill your needs. You also have to consider how you will develop. Your Enduro might seem too much now but in time as you develop it might be your perfect bike.

Why not try something inbetween? Something like….

http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=2074

mboy is right, going to a HT will be a shock to the system. I would take some time to try some different bikes if possible.

No, but having said that, I havent really been out much on the Enduro (Hoping to hit the trails hard this summer) so I dont think I will miss the F/S. Im more concerened wherever the carbon frame will be strong enough, and if its worth the trade of r/s sid’s, x0 rear, x9 chainset for Fox f100, XT rear, XT chainset just for the gain of the carbon frame?

XO and X9 Vs XT?

Well call me a Luddite, but I’d take deore over any SRAM! It just works better…

And as far as the forks are concerned, there’s as good as nothing in it between the fox and the SID, the Fox if anything is the more expensive fork.

Carbon is more than strong enough a material. It’s whether or not that particular frame is up to your needs or not. These days I’d not suggest a lightweight xc race style bike to anyone other than those using it for that purpose, and usually weighing sub 11 stone. If you’re at all clumsy, buy something a but heavier with a longer travel fork, and beefier wheels.

Go for the Reaction – cos you said “Reaction due to the riding position”.
Not much between them otherwise. I prefer Shimano and Fox kit, but only because that’s what I’m used to.
Pick the one that feels best when you ride it. The Carbon will be durable enough.

Thanks all for your help. I really thought I would have one of those ordered tonight! I think I may be going from one extreme to the other here and perhaps a trail F/S would suit me better such as the Nerve. Im glad I asked your advice before commiting now. Oh well, off to my LBS tomorrow it is then, and I guess the Carbon option is out the window with F/S. 🙂 Thanks again all.

Thanks Mboy, thats exactly what I wanted to hear, and Dez B, Im starting to be tempted by the Reaction again now! I’ll call to my LBS tomorrow and have another test along with a trail F/S and go from there. Im glad I came on here before ordering, Thanks again.

! I’ll call to my LBS tomorrow and have another test along with a trail F/S and go from there. Im glad I came on here before ordering, Thanks again.

I’ll say it AGAIN as clearly you’re not listening!

Try a slightly beefier hardtail, with longer forks and tougher wheels, a “trail hardtail” if you will. This will probably be the best compromise as it won’t really be any slower on the commute, yet will still be lots of fun round trail centres etc. Full sus for commuting on the road is a PITA to be honest.

Yes, what mboy said (ie. a hardtail without bar ends 😉 )