Dieter ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) Posted April 2, 2016 Share Hello! Thank you in advance for the input! I have read a few of these so here is the info needed. R30kish budget1.83m tall (Large frame if i'm not mistaken)27 years oldRiding for 3 yearsOld bike was a 26" carbon hardtail from 2008 (very race oriented geometry)Ride 2 times a week, 50km+ outrides in the south/Thaba/ModderfonteinRaces every 2 months or so. Competitive but nowhere near a podium.Bike will be purchased new as it is part of a claim.What my LBS stocks will be preffered. (GT, Giant, Merida, Cannondale, Cube, Mongoose, Silverback, Titan) My dilemma now, a nice one at that, is a carbon hardtail or a full suspension. My standout choices:2016 Anthem X 292015 Gt Zaskar carbon 9r Pro What else should I be considering? Perhaps not 29? My reasons, which might be completely unreasonable:Dual - Comfort, fun, capability, futureproofHT - Learning, speed, components I look forward to the input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaGearA Posted April 2, 2016 Share Considering the riding you do the dual wil be perfect for you ......Can't fault Giant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danilo Posted April 2, 2016 Share I have the exact same dilemma at the moment. Looking forward to the discussion to follow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapunzel Posted April 2, 2016 Share You'll get more bike for your buck and it will be lighter going hardtailBUTback to back testing between my Trek Fuel dual sus and my Silverback Storm hardtail (about 1.5kg lighter than the Trek), showed surprisingly that the heavier dual sus was faster on all segments, even the climb.Testing was done on a flat trail with lots of trail features (rollers / berms / bridges), a rocky climb (0.7km with 8% gradient), a feature filled descent with berms and some rock gardens.Added to this, the dual sus is more forgiving on technical terrain, is more comfortable and is easier on the body which delays fatigue.Downside is obviously the capital outlay and maintenance (btw - a a vertically positioned rear shock requires less maintenance than a horizontally positioned shock). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieter ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) Posted April 2, 2016 Share Unfortunately this is all about compromise. HT vs dual sus, and then within the dual sus, trail vs xc. So for me now with Giant as an example: XTC vs (Anthem vs Trance) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyLuke Posted April 2, 2016 Share I have both, carbon hardtail(9.7kg) and anthem x(11kg). Both 29 ers, def prefer my hardtail. Less maintainance, faster and lighter. I can ride more during the week on the lighter bike. Training loads higher on the anthem. The anthem will be the better option for stage races more than 3 days. I weight 85kg, heavier riders tend to take more abuse on hardtails. If you weigh 80 and under hardtail should be fine. My 2c Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V12man Posted April 2, 2016 Share Only one solution to this problem - buy both.... then the question becomes - which one first... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchelicious Posted April 2, 2016 Share Only one solution to this problem - buy both.... then the question becomes - which one first...This is a daily challenge ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Me rida my bicycle Posted April 2, 2016 Share I wanted to build a 9kg carbon hardtail so I did, 3 rides later and I sold it got a anthem 1 650b more than 1.8kg heavier but just so much better for me comfort, control, confidence! It's just more fun! I have a trance as well but that just seems to be a wall decoration as the anthem is great in all areas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madbradd Posted April 2, 2016 Share For me: Full susser = more comfortable = fast for longer + happier at the end of long rides + more confident on rough stuff. Love my Anthem. Wheel upgrade when you get a chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spock Posted April 2, 2016 Share "vertically positioned rear shock requires less maintenance than a horizontally positioned shock" Please pardon my ignorance but why is this so? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenReaper Posted April 2, 2016 Share "vertically positioned rear shock requires less maintenance than a horizontally positioned shock" Please pardon my ignorance but why is this so?I think I know what the reasoning behind this statement is,but will wait to hear what the answer to youre question is first....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieter ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) Posted April 2, 2016 Share For me: Full susser = more comfortable = fast for longer + happier at the end of long rides + more confident on rough stuff. Love my Anthem. Wheel upgrade when you get a chance.Makes sense! I just saw that Giant will only focus on 650b from now on. Keeping this in mind, will it be a smarter move to start with 650b now so my parts stay relevant in the years to come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieter ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) Posted April 2, 2016 Share I think I know what the reasoning behind this statement is,but will wait to hear what the answer to youre question is first.......I'm intrigued now as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brumby Posted April 2, 2016 Share Makes sense! I just saw that Giant will only focus on 650b from now on. Keeping this in mind, will it be a smarter move to start with 650b now so my parts stay relevant in the years to come. I've owned both and in my opinion the 29er is way better than the 650b. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arendoog Posted April 2, 2016 Share I recently raced Babbas 2 weeks apart .Very similar conditions on both days .I specifically did this experiment for myself and my findings were that i was 6 minutes faster on my DS than my 2kg lighter HT and the course was 500m longer on DS day .Gearing on both were 2 x 10 and fitness level similar .Climbs felt easier with the HT but overall consistency and momentum better with the DS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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