MTB purchase choices (26 / 27.5 /29)

[Jono Waddell]

Not looking to debate which wheel size is better, it's been discussed to death here and the opinions are very clear.

 

Looking for some advice and feedback on the purchase of a mountain bike. Never been much of an off road rider, but I have owned a couple of bikes in the past. I made the mistake of selling my carbon 26" last year to fund my new tri bike.

 

I am now looking to replace it, but to be honest I doubt if the bike will ever do much mileage. There is possibility that I can pick up a used, but very neat carbon 26" scalpel with carbon lefty, sram xo throughout and cross max slr wheels for a good price.

 

The alternatives would be a 27.5" or 29" hard tail, but with nowhere near the same level of component specs. It would be possibly carbon, but most likely aluminium (something around the 15k number).

 

I have never ridden a 27.5 or a 29 er so I can't really compare the ride and feel between the options.

 

My question comes down to this, as a person that will generally not do huge mileage (maybe 100km a month on it) would I get more enjoyment out of a top of the line, lightweight full sus 26, or a heavier entry level hard tail with a bigger wheels.

 

I am a small guy, about 160cm and 59kg if that makes a difference.

 

Jono

[JXV]

In this case I think I would opt for the Scalpel. Main thing is - does it fit you? Any bike that fits is better than a fantastic bike that doesn't

[Paul Ruinaard]

26er's 

 

Nothing wrong with them at all just going the way of the dinosaur.

 

So all the development and spares are being dropped and you will start to struggle to get things for them .

 

Its like two stroke motorcycles.....

[Barry Stuart]

Your budget leans towards 26er as you'll get a hell of a lot for your money. However, if you're planning to upgrade the bike in the future at all you're going to need to consider 29er or 27.5. If that's the case then probably better price options for you with a hardtail, second hand 29er. For your budget I wouldn't consider anything new as it'll likely be junk.

[eccc whippet]

Was pretty much in your predicament in December 2014... No cash but I needed to get a mtb to join my mates off road... I bought a revel for R5500 managed to clock up a bit mileage...started with kiddies 20 km rides then went up to the 40 km rides...did a couple of them...and needed to do something about the forks... Had a couple options...was going to replace the forks but the issue was the taper on the frame or should I say a lack of...cleaned up the bike and sold it for R5000 paid my mate the balance outstanding and added the rest towards my new bike...

 

If wasn't for the issue forks on the revel chances are I would still be riding it.

 

We have others in our group who ride hard tails 26 because it falls within the R5000 budget including some gear.

 

There are some generous people out there who would assist you with gear to get you going...I have been fortunate with generous people around me.