Best Value for money 29er Hardtail R16000 max??

[LouisS]

Anyone recently did some research on the best value for money 29er hardtail under R16000. At this stage it looks like the Silverback Sola 2??

 

SOLA 2 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

FRAME: 29” Butted 6061 Aluminium, Tapered 1⅛” – 1.5” headtube, 135mm QR Dropouts

FORK: Rock Shox Recon Gold TK29, 100mm Travel, Alloy Steerer, Remote PushLoc, QR15 Dropout, Diffusion Black

RIMS: Alex MD21, 32H, Stainless Steel eyelets, Polyurethane Rimtape, Black, Custom Sector Decals

HUBS: Rear: Shimano FH-RM66, Centre Lock Disc Mount, Adjustable cup and cone angular contact bearings, Cassette, Black Front: Shimano HB-M618, Centre Lock Disc Mount, Adjustable cup and cone angular contact bearings, 15mm Axle, Black

TYRES: Maxxis Crossmark, 29” x 2.1, 60TPI

SHIFTERS: Shimano Deore, 2x10 Trigger, Black

FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano Deore, Double, Top Swing Clamp-on 34.9mm, Black

REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano XT Shadow Tech Plus RD-M786-SGS, Long Cage, 10 Speed, Silver

CRANKSET: Shimano Deore, 38/24T, L: 175mm ALL SIZES, Black

CASSETTE: Shimano CS-HG50-10, 10 Speed, 11-36T, Silver

BRAKE SET: Shimano BR-M615 Open Hydraulic System, Rotors Front: 180mm; Rear: 160mm, Centre Lock, Black

SADDLE: Sector, Cr-Mo Rails, Light Foam Padding

HANDLEBAR: Sector Plane, W: 700mm; Back Sweep: 9° x ∮31.8mm; 6061 Butted Oversized

STEM: Sector Reach, S: 80mm; M: 80mm; L: 90mm; XL: 100mm, 7° x ∮31.8mm, black

SEATPOST: Sector Plane, ∮31.6mm x 400mm; Black, Black bolts

[JohanC]

Why don't you look for an 2014 model with low mileage on?

[BarHugger]

Can't go wrong......and maybe a Sola1 on special if you are lucky.

[brucem76]

Those are good specs, what about 2014 GT Zaskar 9R Elite?

[Vivs]

The 2015 Merida Big Nine XT edition has some decent specs and a RRP of R17999, but I saw several of them on the floor at Northcliff cycles marked at R16,500, if you are willing to squeeze just over the R16k mark.....