Which 29 dual sus for a mature rider?

[NotSoBigBen]

I have never used my age to decide on what bike to ride

[DJR]

I have never used my age to decide on what bike to ride

 

You're more right than you know and you're not alone.

 

My father is 75 and rides a 26er hardtail. He did only road up until his 70th birthday, and then bought himself a mtb as a birthday present. Currently he is looking around for a lighter road bike........

 

Myself? I ride what'll give me the most fun!

[GLuvsMtb]

Spezcialized services on the shock and fork is expensive.

 

Giant would be your best best I think from reading your requirements.

 

You can still get 3x10. And 10 speed has the maintenance as 8 or 9 speed.

 

If you look at spezcialized then try the stumpy, camber.

Giant has Anthem and Trance.

 

Trance =Stumpy

and

Anthem = Epic

 

Scott is not there yet (after sales not good either)

The entry level / mid range Spazzes do not use the brain tech, so servicing would cost the same as any other Fox / Rock Shox fork / rear suspension package. As a matter of interest: Had my Fox Talas and my Specialized/Fox remote brain serviced. Cost were R700 for the fork and R900 for the shock and brain. My Zula's Reba / Fox Kashima CTD service costs were R 675 and R820 respectively. I know the DIY brigade is going to go nuts now. Yes, I could do the work myself, but with doing a race in Canada in 3 weeks time and the bike being only 5 months (2500km) old I would prefer it if the pro's look at this for me right now.

Edited June 10, 2013 by GLuvsMtb (Aka Morewoodmad)

[ichops]

Hi Hubbers

 

This is my first post here. I am looking to upgrade to a 29 dual suspension. I ride for fun and I ride quite regularly but I am on the grey side of 50 and not particularly fast. About half my distance is on tar, getting to Tokai and back, and riding the Argus once year. The rest on the mountain, jeep tracks and easier single track. I have hopes to cover more distance in the mountains, if I can find time while the body still works. I currently ride a Merida Matts hard tail with 80mm travel forks and V-brakes. It handles the tar fine, the uphills are OK but the decents are quite rough.

 

But now I think it is time to upgrade. I have been looking around, dual suspension is a good idea for the not so young. 100mm travel would be adequate. I ride a large frame so a 29'er would suit me. I am not woried about saving a kg or two and an aluminium frame is durable.

 

I am would like some suspension technology that saves energy on the climbs, gears that change cleanly and technology that does not need too much maintainance. Other than that I am looking for a reliable ride and a good comfortable setup. I don't have space for two bikes in the garage - this one has got to do it all.

 

I am happy with my current 3x9 gears (I would probably be happy with 3x8). 3x10 seems to have more scope for issues, especially when the chain gets crossed from big to small sprockets. How much of a compromise are the ratios on 2x10? How much more maintenance does a 10 speed chain need? Does anybody still sell 3x9?

 

I am happy to spend R20k to R30k. Question, what should I buy?

 

The Specialized Epic looks realy good, but I fear that it is way beyond my abilities. It is built for speed and there may be compromises in comfort and maintainability that don't suit my needs. Besides its probably 25% more expensive than I actually need to spend and I am not sure if it is cool to ride slowly on such a quick bike. (Not that I would care, provided it actually suits my requirements).

 

Giant Anthem's are well priced at the moment. I don't know how much maintenance the Maestro suspension will need in the future. How well does it work on the climbs, or do you still need lock-out settings on the shock? It does not have through axel attachments on the hubs - would I be missing out on something?

 

The Scott Sparc goes with remote lock-out. It just looks a bit fiddly and there are some reports of shock reliability problems. But maybe it would work for me.

 

Merida seems a bit behind with 29'ers, there are not so many around. Otherwise they look similar to the Scott.

 

Or is there something out there that I have missed completely?

 

Every time I start looking carefully around the local bike shops, there is sales pressure to close a deal on something thats on the floor. This makes me nervous and want to crawl out and ride my old bike for another season...

 

Has anybody got comments or suggestions?

 

Thanks

I'm 61 this year and just love my Specialised Epic - used her on 2 Sani2c's and enjoy the stretched out forgiving ride

My other ride is a KTM 26er which is really good at tight twisty type trails

For my money I would go with the Epic

[Vinnydabutcher]

There is a Salsa Spearfish in the classifieds - size L

 

In your price range.

 

Take a look

[manbearpig]

There is a Salsa Spearfish in the classifieds - size L

 

In your price range.

 

Take a look

You won't regret it

[i24]

Hi Hubbers

 

Some feedback, I ordered my new bike today...

 

I Started off with a decision on XC verses Trial style, I rated them in order from "aggressive to comfy" as follows: Epic, Anthem, Camber, Trance/Stump Jumper. There are obviously others that fit in between, but you have to stop somewhere.

 

Then I had look at the Camber specs and noted that you do not get a Brain valve on the rear shock with this bike - only with the Epic and a some high end Stump Jumpers. If it works so well on the Epic, then it might be missed on the Camber. So I looked at the Giants. Both the Anthem and the Trance had good recommendations, in this thread and elsewhere. (I suppose it helps to have a brand that has good market penetration).

 

So I went and rode an Anthem and a Trance. Just on the tar but around enough blocks to get an idea of the seating positions. I liked both. My impression was the Maestro suspension is quite bob resistant. But then I got the bike shop to fit a shorter bar stem on the Anthem to shorten the reach. (My current bike is setup with a short stem so I am used to this). Then it felt good ...

 

The test bike was an X4 off the floor and it displayed a budget price on the tag. But I was thinking of an X1. When I tried to understand the spec and price difference between the two I realised the X3 was midway in between. It has the same frame and Fox "CTD" shock and fork as the X1, which is nice. This suspension has full lock out front and rear, which calms my concerns for tar riding.

 

What the X3 misses out on are tubeless ready tyres - but I never got pinch flats on my old bike (maybe I pump the tires too hard). It has Shimano brakes instead of Avid Elixir 5 - but my wife's bike has Shimano brakes and they have never given her any problems. The X3 has a 10x3 drive train with SLX rear derailleur and Deore on the front instead of 10x2 with XT Deore on the back and SLX cranks and derailleur on the front. Once again the SLX rear derailleur on my wife's bike has been trouble free, but not as nice as my old bike's XT Deore. I am not sure sure about the 3 speed cranks and front derailleur. Obviously the upmarket gear is lighter but weight is not a priority with me.

 

So <flame suite on> I ordered an Anthem X3. This came in right at the bottom of my budget range, so I won't have to have any qualms about spending some cash on fixing anything that annoys me. When the chain rings start looking worn, I can reconsider my options on the front. If I outgrow it, well great, it implies I get a lot of riding done in the process and I will know what I am looking for when I go shopping for an upgrade. In the meantime I wont look so conspicuous to all of the riders who pass me.

 

So talking time is now finished. I must get the bike in my dirty paws on the bike and go and ride it to see what this is actually all about.

[Brogue]

I ordered an Anthem X3.

 

Nice machine, ride the crap out of it and have fun!

[Brian Fantana]

Congrats!!!

 

Use the change, to convert to tubeless. Trust me, you will not regret it.

[Robodog]

Congrats on the Anthem . The important bit is that you enjoy it. Often!!

 

I have never used my age to decide on what bike to ride

 

Me either. I'm well into my 40's and love my long travel 26" bike. Must just be that most riders on Strava are slow on the downhills

 

 

 

 

Edited June 13, 2013 by SLiiick