Quick Advice / Comments on XC Racing HT

[TheV]

Hi Guys/Girls,

 

We are talking XC-Light-HT-Race Machine. R55k budget, which amounts to slightly more because I am in Europe on business soon and will be able to buy at favorable pricing and have many options as i can make use of many shops or have stuff shipped to my travel address before i go, etc... so in SA retail terms my R50k spend prob amounts to R70 to R80 local spend.

 

Groupset, pretty much decided, will go SRAM XX (except for brakes, might do XTR there).. Forks will most likely be a SID XX

 

Now, for the frame and wheels, I want something SPECIAL....

 

Please give me your comments on the following:

 

1. Specialized 2012 HT 29er Stumpjumper S-Works Frameset (Black, Carbon, Gold): It comes with a SID/Spez/Brain Forks and also incudes a Seatpost.... Cost = +- R30k (cons is that it's a QR forks, and also the price for this package is at the upper max of what i would like to spend on frame/forks portion).

 

2. Niner Air9 Carbon - Cost approx R 18k for the frame, allowing me to choose own Forks and Seatpost. Because of the price of a good 29er Race Forks it will save me about R3-5k in total. This is bucks i could possibly invest towards topping up the wheelset to a carbon or similar super special hoops.

 

3. I suppose other options would be a Cannondale:

 

http://www.evanscycl...025266#features

 

it comes as a complete bike, XX kit, and lefty fork - not as custom as the first two options, but with 15k to spare i could do a couple of small touches, splash on some new shoes, kit, etc?

 

4. Go totally off the wayside and get a Lynskey Pro29 SL Titanium Frame, about the same price as the Niner... and be different? totally custom build, wont find another one exactly like mine due to popularity and build options?

 

http://www.chainreac...x?ModelID=57632

 

I know there are other option like Scott, Rocky Mountain, etc... but these is my shortlist...

 

Please gimme some comments, advice, chrip or suggest... all welcome

 

(PS> wheels will be a separate topic once i decide frame, trying to narrow things down at the moment).

Edited March 23, 2012 by TheV

[Louis for real]

the new air 9 RDO looks nice.

 

and if noy looking @ a 2n***er Canyon bikes are awesome

Edited March 22, 2012 by mingmong