getting back on the bike buy

[fred]

I need some help in a decision, haven't been riding for a few years and want to get back on a bike. Not as hectic as before, just a few fun Saturday sessions and occasional holiday sessions with the family. So I am in two minds and it fluctuates constantly....as soon as I make a choice a few hours later I second guess it and go with the other option! so I will give a few details and hopefully all the clever people can make me stick to one choice!!

 

my details :

height : 1.90m

weight : 105kg -> hopefully getting it down again with riding :-)

inseam : cant remember ...but my build is not funny like long torso or long legs, lets call it avg. my seat height BB -> Top of saddle was usually 87-90cm if that helps.

 

type of riding

having done the 5-6 hour Saturday and Sunday slogs, I am not keen on that. So no road riding due to traffic dangers and not liking to ride in roadie groups. So I want to do Mountain biking mostly. It will be on weekends, maybe a weekday here and there as I actually drive past groenkloof to go to work ! so who knows. I will mostly go to bike park places like van Gaalen, Red Barn, GroenKloof, Northen Farms if I ride. Like the safety aspect as I will be alone or with my wife. So the bike should probably be "fun" as well as capable. Will probably do 2 hour rides maybe 3 hours at a time. No Racing in the foreseeable future.

 

budget

I would say 8k-11k max.

 

Options

So most of you probably know this is going one way........... :-) the 26er vs 29er debate...so humour me , and look at the info above versus choices below and tell me what option will be better

 

1) There currently some awesome deals on 26" full suspension bikes. I can get anything from a Giant Anthem, Specialized Epic Comp to a Yeti ASR5 close to my budget. These bike have good to great components (XT etc) and usually have pretty decent wheels (Crossmax). They are also pretty light for Full Suspension (sub 12kg). It is the most logical choice for fun and value for money. Only issue is , I have never felt that in control on any of my MTB's (various makes and sizes) . I always had this feeling of going over the handlebars in technical sections. It might have been my setup, lack of skill or way to much speed due to misplaced trust on my skill! But it has pointed me to the 29er bible of bigger buy -> bigger wheel mantra.....Honestly I think the 29er thing is a bit over hyped , in the end you still need to peddle the bike, and no wheel will change that. But just maybe........................it is the answer to all life's questions... ;-)

 

2) So...onto the 29ers, in my budget I can get a entry to mid level 29er hard tail. I can get a Momen 329 for 8k new, 2013 spec. Also looked at the Titan Comp bike for 9300 odd, momsen 329 , 2014 spec for 10k. Bikes seem nice, components is a bit low level, but might be sufficient for the limited time I will put on them. For some reason I just think the bigger wheeled bike will fit my frame and length better, but it might also be the Achilles heel......I am not sure if these bike's wheel sets can handle my weight? no use going 29er and me folding a wheel on the first out the saddle climb and bit of pressure I put on the wheels.......also they are hard tail.....still think FS will kick any HT on a bit of ruff stuff! they are heavy ...12.5kg + , so no gains on weight versus the 26er FS.

 

So I guess it comes down to getting a 30-50k bike at a real Steal price.....or buying into the hype and getting an semi-entry level bike 29er and then preaching to all about the awesome rollover ability ...............It is just very confusing....as soon as I choose I walk into a bike shop and see a 29er and start wondering ......damn marketing people!

 

I must say I am leaning towards option 1, can someone convince me otherwise?

Edited September 16, 2013 by fred

[ScottCM]

I just got my Momsen 29'er, 2014 model. As i am not going to do 20hours a week worth of training but still want to be able to enjoy my ride, i can not for a single second say a bad thing about it. I've never enjoyed my time on a bike as much as i have since i got this beauty.

 

so for me +1, 29'er Momsen!!

Edited September 16, 2013 by ScottC-M

[spiderkzn]

I've 2013 AL329 Momsen 29er bought few months ago and loving it!

[eddy]

Not a lot wrong with your argument, except your conclusion about feeling "always had this feeling of going over the handlebars in technical sections"

 

I suspect it had less to do with wheel size and more with frame geometry based on application the bike was designed for.

 

You will feel more over the front on a XC 29er than a more enduro style 26" bike.

 

I cannot understand why, for the same price, people would rather buy a second rate big wheel bike rather than a bike that they would have drooled over two years ago but would never have been able to afford.

[Booyakasha]

Geez Fred- I could have written your post myself. Following this thread with interest.

[Tankman]

Options

So most of you probably know this is going one way........... :-) the 26er vs 29er debate...so humour me , and look at the info above versus choices below and tell me what option will be better

 

.....Honestly I think the 29er thing is a bit over hyped , in the end you still need to peddle the bike, and no wheel will change that.

 

 

There are millions of debates, threads and fights right here on the hub about 29ers vs 26ers.

Please dont start another.

 

The hype is over and the proof is in the pudding.

There is a reason why many manufacturers have stopped producing and bringing in 26ers.

 

For your length, 29er, you will thank me later.

I am 4cm shorter than you with the same inseam roughly and I never felt like any XL 26er was ever big enough.

Hopefully I never have to ride a 26er ever again, luckily I know I will never buy a 26er ever again.

 

A word of caution though, if you consider Titan, keep in mind that their XL is just a tad bigger than Merida's L (21") and not equivalent to a Merida XL (23").

Edited September 19, 2013 by Tankman

[fred]

Thanks for all the replies! I am not trying to start any debate, I can see from my research that it has been debated to death with no clear victor. Was just curious to the 26 vs 29 debate for my custom scenario....basically top 26er bike or middle-low end 29er. I think on a equal spec level the debate is more intense.

 

For now I might stick to just riding my current 26er a bit and getting fitter. Then I will probably upgrade to a 29er.....but first test drive it! As I have seen that being tall does not equal to liking a 29er. Lots of tall people still prefer a 26er. My trusty Scott will have to do for the meantime! I might just look a for cheapish 29er 2nd hand.....to try out and play with! best of both then I guess.

[Ratty]

What for the 27.5 hype to really kick in and then 29ers will be going cheap :-)

[Lefty V]

There are millions of debates, threads and fights right here on the hub about 29ers vs 26ers.

Please dont start another.

 

The hype is over and the proof is in the pudding.

There is a reason why many manufacturers have stopped producing and bringing in 26ers.

 

For your length, 29er, you will thank me later.

I am 4cm shorter than you with the same inseam roughly and I never felt like any XL 26er was ever big enough.

Hopefully I never have to ride a 26er ever again, luckily I know I will never buy a 26er ever again.

 

A word of caution though, if you consider Titan, keep in mind that their XL is just a tad bigger than Merida's L (21") and not equivalent to a Merida XL (23").

 

I might be wrong being only 1.8 tall, but this is not a 29/26 argument if you look at what Fred is comparing- even as a happy 29 HT owner I would consider the much higher spec Dual Sus options to be much better buys. That said geo and setup is king to ensure you feel at home - more so than wheel size.

Edited September 20, 2013 by Lefty V

[Andyr249]

I agree with Lefty V.

If you can get a higher spec full suspension then perhaps look more that that route. You can always add a 29 HT to your collection later for the same price. But try adding a full sus later and you will have to pay more.

Of course the fit is very important so go on that.