Advice on buying a new Mountain Bike

[Funky]

Hello fellow cyclists :-)

 

I'm looking for some advice & your opinion please.

 

I's a road cyclist, been cycling for 5 yrs & enjoying it (ride 100 to 125 every Sunday morning, riding a Silverback Space 2.0, full carbon, Ultegra), but recently thought I'd start looking into getting into some mountain biking on a Saturday to try & build up some strength & if I start enjoying it, then maybe also do some MTB races in the future, but for the moment more to just do some basic riding in JHB on a Saturday morning.

 

Been doing my research, & visiting a few cycle shops & there is a wealth of info out there, enough to confuse anybody.

 

I was initially convinced that I was going to get a 29er, but over the weekend, I tried getting onto a Titan 29er a small frame (http://www.titanracingbikes.com/29relite.html) & there is no space in-seem wise, so I'm beginning to think that maybe a 29er maybe be too big for my height size. (I'm 167cm tall).

 

I was also looking at the following bikes:

Specialized Rockhopper @ R8999.

http://www.specialized.com/za/en/bikes/mountain/rockhopper/rockhopper-29#manuals

 

Silverback Sola 4 @ R6999

http://www.silverbacklab.com/upload/2011_website_SILVERBACK/sola4_14.htm

 

Titan 29er Elite @ R10k

http://www.titanracingbikes.com/29relite.html

 

So based on the above, what do you guys think?

Am I too short for a 29er & will I battle on this size of bike, should I go with a 650b, or just go with the 29er.

 

Also, any other tips to look or for (i.e. Air shock is a must, 8, 9 or 10 speed) or recommended bike to look at (budget is +/- R10k)

 

Thanks...