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Alloy full suspension or carbon hardtail


Marlou

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I am looking to buy a bike in the R30k-R35k price range.

 

Will the comfort of the heavier alloy FS beat the light carbon hardtail? I normally ride flat non-technical races, suggesting the hardtail is best ,but I also participate in some challenging technical xco events and very demanding marathons.

 

Thanks in advance

 

 

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Giant Anthem , choose your wheel size. Please note I am biased and love my Anthem. For your price range there are quite a few options. If it was me I'd be looking for a 2nd hand Pyga 110.

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From what you've said I'd also lean towards an Anthem or Spez Camber (if there's one in your price range). For flat, non-technical the Pyga will be on the heavy side. 

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Thanks guys.

I was looking at the scott spark 940. I think the twinlock will help with efficiency and may be lighter than the giant. I know the anthem will be better in the technical stuff, but is it as good as the spark on the flats and climbs?

 

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How old are you?

How long are the races you do ?

How ambitious are you when you race; are you racing for a podium or do you enter races for fun?

What other bikes have you got and how much can you afford on maintenance?

 

These answers will lead to better advice.

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@eddy :My races are normally between 30-50 km, but i'm very ambitious and can maintain a 27-30 km/h average on a easy course. I am looking in participating in some longer 70km rides in the future. Although I'm only 16 I do feel quite beaten up after some fast bumpy rides on my alloy HT. If a FS is going to make my ride more enjoyable and not sacrifice too much weight and power, I'm willing to pay for extra maintenance

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@eddy :My races are normally between 30-50 km, but i'm very ambitious and can maintain a 27-30 km/h average on a easy course. I am looking in participating in some longer 70km rides in the future. Although I'm only 16 I do feel quite beaten up after some fast bumpy rides on my alloy HT. If a FS is going to make my ride more enjoyable and not sacrifice too much weight and power, I'm willing to pay for extra maintenance

If weight is a problem stick with hardtail, If comfort is a problem go for the dual sus.

You still being a youth your maximum race length is half marathons which isn't technical and I personally feel that a dual sus cannot justify the price you have to pay for riding only half marathons.

I am also still a junior but recently all my fellow competitors are going dual sus. But then again they have money and can go under 11.5kg with thier budgets. A dual sus surely feels nice but in that price range I personally suggest buying a really light and nimble hardtail with a extra wheelset with wider rims and when you need just change the wheelset. That way you still have a good racing bike with another wheelset so when you do long or gnarly rides just pop on the other wheelset.

But that is just me.

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Marco Joubert who rides for the Kargo MTB team told me that going from his carbon Momsen SL hardtail to a carbon VIPA DS was a massive improvement.

Yes the DS will have a weight penalty but will more than make up for it with the increased traction and comfort.

The key is the spec.

Rather a well specced HT than a heavy mid-lever DS. The weight should be the deciding factor I reckon. If you can get a DS that is no more than 1,5-2kg more than the HT I would pick the DS.

Ideally you would prefer both then you could choose the best bike for the particular races terrain.

Anyway that's my opinion.

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for you a carbon hardtail is the only way to go in my opinion , if you want to ride a lot then the full suss is going to cost you a lot more because of servicing the rear end. Your technical ability will also improve a lot faster on a hard tail. Also a modern carbon hardtail is a far more capable machine than most people think when it comes to technical lines , jumps ect

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I gave recently gone from a GT carbon hardtail to a Pyga Oneten29, and certainly the Pyga is heavier but a lot more fun to ride. I may never be in it to win races but the increase in the enjoyment factor, leaves me with a way bigger smile on my face. Just my 2cents.

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