DuSeTwa

You're correct. I updated accordingly

I'm all ears! I thought about getting an old frame and then getting some sweet new parts. But how far has the frame tech moved since say 2012?

I was surprised the most by Scott. Seemed like they were seriously overselling the brand factor at this price range. They would probably make a really respectable bike at the 15k+ region though!

Second hand isn't at all off the table, I've been patiently waiting for a decent XL bike to crop up

Alright lads I had some spare time at work today and am trying to decide what a good starter bike would be for some trail riding and potentially daily commute. I kept the price below R12k to free up some budget for gear. I threw the above table together but can't really piece together what the best value bike would be. It is interesting how different a lot of the bikes may be at the same price. Please mention any additional bikes that I should add to the list and I will try keep it updated it maybe? P.S. I left off some bikes like Fuji because I am 195cm and their bikes don't go above L. Thanks

Maker Bike Warranty Drivetrain Suspension Brakes Fr. Der. Rear Der. Cassette Shifter Tires Price Titan Racing Rogue Sport 5 year 1x10 SR SF14 RAIDON AIR 100MM MT200 Hydraulic Disk - Deore Deore Deore VITTORIA BARZO 29″ X 2.25 26TPI R11 999.99 Titan Racing Rogue Cruz 5 year 2x9 SR SF14 XCR AIR 100MM MT200 Hydraulic Disk Altus Altus Altus CS-HG200-9 Altus VITTORIA BARZO 29″ X 2.25 26TPI R9 999.99 Trek Marlin 5 Lifetime 3x7 SR Suntour XCT 30 Coil Tektro MT276 Hydr Altus Altus Tourney CS-HG200 Altus Bontrager XR2 Comp, 30 tpi, 29x2.20'' R9 999.99 Giant Talon 2 Lifetime 2x9 SR Suntour XCT30 HLO 29 TKD 143, hydraulic Altus Acera Altus CS-HG200 Altus Maxxis Rekon 29x2.4 R10 480.00 Giant Talon 3 Lifetime 2x8 SR Suntour XCE 29 TKD 143, hydraulic Altus Tourney Tourney tz Altus Maxxis Rekon 29x2.2 R9 548.00 Specialised Rockhopper Lifetime 2x8 SR Suntour XCE 29 Radius CX7, mechanical disc Altus Tourney TX 800 Sunrace 8 Spd microSHIFT Ground Control Sport, 29x2.3 R9 500.00 Specialised Rockhopper sport Lifetime 2x9 SR Suntour XCM 29 Tektro HDM275 Hydr Altus Altus Sunrace 9 spd Altus Ground Control Sport, 29x2.3 R11 200.00 Scott Aspect 970 5 year 3x7 Suntour XCE28 Tektro SCM-02 Mech MicroShift FD-M20 Tourney TY 300 Sunrace CSM40 7AV Tourney TY Kenda Booster 2.4" / 30TPI R9 490.00 Scott Aspect 960 5 year 3x7 Suntour XCE28 Tektro HDM275 Hydr Altus Tourney TX 800 Sunrace CSM55 8AV Altus Kenda Booster 2.4" / 30TPI R10 490.00 Scott Aspect 950 5 year 2x9 Suntour XCT30-HLO Hydr Tektro HDM275 Hydr Altus Altus Altus CS-HG200-9 Altus Kenda Booster 2.4" / 30TPI R11 999.99 Silverback Stride HD Lifetime 3x7 VAXA 860 Coil NUTT Hydr Tourney FD-TY-300 Tourney TY-300 Tourney CS-HG200-7 Altus CST C1820 2.35" R8 999.99 Silverback Stride Sport Lifetime 1x8 SR Suntour XCE28 Tektro MD-M275 Hydr - MICROshift 8s MICROshift 8s MICROshift Xpress 1 x 8spd CST C1820 2.35" R9 999.00