nigelhicks Posted May 7, 2012 Share Ok ... So my Chicks in need of an upgrade (her MTB is 4 years old now - still going strong ... but its time for something new)I have just bought her a set of Easton EA 90s for her b-day ... so those wheels will transfer onto the new bike. BUT .... heres the problem ... with the 29er craze sweeping SA at the moment its flipping hard to get your hands on a GOOD 26 full sus .... Looking at something that has been "race-bred" as i'm super finicky when it comes to geometries etc. WONT go for: Giant - (never been a fan of the maestro)Merida - ninety nine (looks hideous!)KHSBMC - (JUST NO!)Silverback (or any other cheap brands) So in our limited brands that are brought into the country I'm left with the following: Scott Spark 30 - (which is cool ... i guess ... has good reviews ... but i've never been a Scott Fan)Morewood - (good ... but pretty keen to go carbon ...)GT Zaskar Full sus - (Similar to her bike now - just heavy for a carbon bike)Merida 96 - (good bike but old suspension design - being replaced by the 99)Santa Cruz - (AWESOME but expensive) The problem is she wants a trek Top Fuel or Fuel EX ...Trek ... NO 26ers in the country according to Cycle Lab ... WTF .... there must be some GOOD 26" XC/ Trail bikes around in SA that are not run of the mill .... Any Ideas???? Something with XT groupo, Reba Fork, Full Sus 100 to 120mm ... Wheels dont matter! Shot Nige Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
covie Posted May 7, 2012 Share http://www.bikes.com/main+en+01_102+ELEMENT_70_RSL.html?BIKE=975&CATID=1&SCATID=1&Y=2012 RossW 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droo Posted May 7, 2012 Share Turner Spot / Flux? Rush Sports has them if I'm not mistaken... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted May 7, 2012 Share Nige, I can't believe you're not thinking of bringing a frame in and building a bike - especially if you already have the wheels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimby Posted May 7, 2012 Share Specialized seems to be missing from your lists? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimby Posted May 7, 2012 Share Some other brands / bikes that spring to mind... - Ellsworth Truth (not carbon) - Yeti ASR-5 (alu or carbon) - Pivot Mach4 / 5.7 (think the 5.7 comes in carbon now?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ghost Posted May 7, 2012 Share Ghost? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigelhicks Posted May 7, 2012 Share Specialized seems to be missing from your lists?Oh ya .... but also ... an option ... but humming and haaring cus the "brain" is crap IMO ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigelhicks Posted May 7, 2012 Share Ghost?Too heavy ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimby Posted May 7, 2012 Share Rocky Mountain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grebel Posted May 7, 2012 Share Not asking for much are we..........? The million dollar question, "What's your budget?" Sounds like you are looking for a boutique type brand. (I know of a good Teocali that might be for sale. Well looked after and not ridden hard... ) I would go Morewood and do a build. Race proven geometry and reliability and you can get a descent weight out of them if you build it right. What about a KONA? Does it have to be plastic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigelhicks Posted May 7, 2012 Share hahahaha - its almost hopeless ... as I am probably the most pedantic prick of a man EVER when it comes to bikes.if its not PERFECT ... it hits the bin ... hahaha. Intense Carbine is looking good - but like Santa Cruz its FFFing expensive ... But then again ... like with my Dh rigs - i look at whats been honed on the world cup circuit ... the amount of R&D that goes into those bikes is phenomenal ... so IMO ... if a bike brand is not being (or hasnt been) raced by World Cup Pro's ... its not in the same league. Thats why Trek is on the list as is Scott ...BUT ..... :cursing: no stock of trek .... and im still undecided! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigelhicks Posted May 7, 2012 Share What about a KONA? Grebel .... are you having a laugh???? thats like saying why not buy a german tank thats equipped with a waterbed for suspension ... hahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigelhicks Posted May 7, 2012 Share Budgets ... not really the issue ... its what to get that the issue! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
covie Posted May 7, 2012 Share http://www.bikes.com...SCATID=1&Y=2012 YUP rocky mountain element 70 RSL if too expensive MSL, also makes a damn fine 650B conversion if you need too one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
covie Posted May 7, 2012 Share hahahaha - its almost hopeless ... as I am probably the most pedantic prick of a man EVER when it comes to bikes.if its not PERFECT ... it hits the bin ... hahaha. Intense Carbine is looking good - but like Santa Cruz its FFFing expensive ... But then again ... like with my Dh rigs - i look at whats been honed on the world cup circuit ... the amount of R&D that goes into those bikes is phenomenal ... so IMO ... if a bike brand is not being (or hasnt been) raced by World Cup Pro's ... its not in the same league. Thats why Trek is on the list as is Scott ...BUT ..... :cursing: no stock of trek .... and im still undecided! Treks are far from perfect actually cant remember when last i had a good review on a trek, everything you read these days say they are twitchy as hell. The Ghost 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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