GoatBoy Posted May 6, 2011 Share I currently ride the Giant XTC 29er hardtail and I am seriously considering going dual suspension to enable me to do longer rides that are easier on the back. I have already customized my bike quite a bit in terms of seatpost, handlebars, stem and wheelset. So here is my question to you okes out there - what are the good 29er dual suspensions out there that still puts me in a better place than what I currently have (lighter or equal weight on the frame, etc.) but comes in under R50k? (the lower below this will also assist greatly in the stability of my marriage!) Thanks for your views in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balsie Posted May 6, 2011 Share I was in the same boat as you with the XTC,any race over 40km and my back was stuffed. Turning point was Karkloof 60km,nearly broke me in half!! What I have done is taken all my upgraded parts off my XTC and put it on the dual suspension frame. On doing the exercise I found it very difficult to find just a dual suspension frame only. I was able to convince a bike shop to strip a brand new Anthem Frame for me. Very happy although it is heavier but I plan to upgrade my wheelset shortly which should make a difference. Other option which a mate of mine has done and it is an unbelievable machine is the specialised carbon dual suspension frame and fork for about 40k. Hot!! If it is in your budget go for that!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoatBoy Posted May 6, 2011 Share I was in the same boat as you with the XTC,any race over 40km and my back was stuffed. Turning point was Karkloof 60km,nearly broke me in half!! What I have done is taken all my upgraded parts off my XTC and put it on the dual suspension frame. On doing the exercise I found it very difficult to find just a dual suspension frame only. I was able to convince a bike shop to strip a brand new Anthem Frame for me. Very happy although it is heavier but I plan to upgrade my wheelset shortly which should make a difference. Other option which a mate of mine has done and it is an unbelievable machine is the specialised carbon dual suspension frame and fork for about 40k. Hot!! If it is in your budget go for that!! Do you know if the frame and fork was the epic or camber from specialized? Had a look at them but there seems to be a wider hub on the back which would result in a slight rebuild of my current Stans ZTR rims/American classic hubs/DT Swiss spokes/Racing Ralph tyres (all pretty much brand new) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Mortimer Posted May 6, 2011 Share Anthem - awesome ride and it is way under the 50K budget as a bonus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtbDobby Posted May 6, 2011 Share Anthem is the business Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoatBoy Posted May 6, 2011 Share Anthem is the business do you know how the Anthem's weight compares to the XTC's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldron Posted May 6, 2011 Share My advice would be to buy frame only and move your equipment across. The XTC's SLX/XT combo is pretty good - a new wheelset will come in under R5,000 (American Classic). Way cheaper than dropping R50K on a new one. With 29ers being in vogue I don't think you'll have a problem selling the XTC frame - it's light and fast. Hell - if it's a Large I'll buy it - with fork if your new frame isn't tapered. Ahh 29er duallies - they ride over anything. I rode a few and they're lovely! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splat Posted May 6, 2011 Share The Anthem X 29 frames aren't available on thier own in SA.A mate of mine tried to get one this week and Dragon Sports doesn't do that. So, Tallboy or Niner are your other 29'er frame only options.ORTalk very nicely to your LBS about stripping a frame for you, then they can sell the build kit or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldron Posted May 6, 2011 Share The Anthem X 29 frames aren't available on thier own in SA.A mate of mine tried to get one this week and Dragon Sports doesn't do that. So, Tallboy or Niner are your other 29'er frame only options.ORTalk very nicely to your LBS about stripping a frame for you, then they can sell the build kit or something. I've ridden the Niner RIP and it was a thing of beauty! Not quite my cup of tea - being a hard tail fan and all - but it rode over anything with no fuss - predictable and precise. Perhaps the JET is the right answer for a Marathon bike? It has a tapered head tube so the XTC tapered fork will slot it nicely... http://www.ninerbikes.com/fly.aspx?layout=bikes&taxid=86 Edited May 6, 2011 by Eldron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus Posted May 6, 2011 Share West Rand Cycles (011-955-4342, speak to Eben) imports the Ventana El Rey (www.ventanausa.com). The bike comes in as a frame and you spec it yourself. I've done 2 Epics on mine and I honestly cannot find anouther 29'er duallie that comes vaguely close in terms of the ideal bike for Epic. oh, and the price is within your budget too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VincentBikes Posted May 6, 2011 Share Do you know if the frame and fork was the epic or camber from specialized? Had a look at them but there seems to be a wider hub on the back which would result in a slight rebuild of my current Stans ZTR rims/American classic hubs/DT Swiss spokes/Racing Ralph tyres (all pretty much brand new) The specialized Epic Comp has a new 143+ 12mm through rear axle so just be carefull as I think at this stage only specialized and DT swiss make those hubs. There is (if I understand correctly) a modification kit from notubes to solve this problem with a normal hub. Just for info my size Large Epic Comp 29'er weighs 13kg's with only tubeless conversion done on the stock standard bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ichnusa Posted May 6, 2011 Share SANTA CRUZ TALLBOY! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brakkies Sport Fotos Posted May 6, 2011 Share The anthem 29'er X1 with XT groupset will cost you R27 100. http://www.cyclefactory.co.za/bicycles/new-bicycles-from-cycle-factory.html XTC 29'ER R15,200 ANTHEM X1 29'ER R27,100 TALON 29'R R7,150 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balsie Posted May 6, 2011 Share Do you know if the frame and fork was the epic or camber from specialized? Had a look at them but there seems to be a wider hub on the back which would result in a slight rebuild of my current Stans ZTR rims/American classic hubs/DT Swiss spokes/Racing Ralph tyres (all pretty much brand new) Not sure....you will have to chat to the guru's I agree value for money The Anthem is the way forward... my ass and back can't stop thanking me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtbDobby Posted May 6, 2011 Share do you know how the Anthem's weight compares to the XTC's? I dont but my anthem is 11.92kg's with bottle cages etc (different wheelset). I have no regrets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapad Posted May 6, 2011 Share do you know how the Anthem's weight compares to the XTC's? I have a large that weighs 12.1 kg with tubeless spez fast traks a carbon bar and scandium seatpost, can get it down to 11.5 with new wheels, lighter saddle and pedals after that it becomes pricey bang for buck it beats the niner and santa cruz in the weight cat by far there claim seems to be geometry and riding position but as most anthem owners will tell you they are great bikes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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