What FS MTB for R20k??

[Velouria]

 

oooo' date=' k, thought you might have come to your senses:-P Hope they give the new one a better name

[/quote']

 

Nope - still a Matic, but in a nicer colour of blue...

 

[rock]

another vote for the anthem.......its really a great bike, although I don't enjoy seeing 20 other guys riding the same bike on the local trails........

 

in my opinion, its better than the superlight, which I used to have......

[Iwan Kemp]

Comparable, as in put-you-in-the-attack-position short travel Full suspension XC, bikes.

 

Titus Racer-X

Tomac Carbide

Scott Spark

Giant Anthem

Merida Mission

GT Marathon

Mongoose Canaan

(I almost typed Raleigh!!!!!)

Specialized Epic

Yeti AS-R

Cannondale Scalpel

Silverback Mercury

...all I could think for now.

 

Now, there are better bikes there. The Titus, the Yeti...well, almost all of them comes close, but the Anthem is avalable as a complete bike for a bit cheaper and is a very dependable, reliable race winning bike.

[Iwan Kemp]

For a couple of g's extra you can buy my Racer X! It's only R15k over your budget...nothing flowers and a box of chocs can't cover.

[racman]

Is the box of choc and flowers for you to give me the R15k discount or for my wife to avoid the big question about the actual cost?!!!!

 

(of course I prefer the former)

racman2008-05-12 06:17:12

[JLDAM]

have you looked at the commencal?

 

Was quite keen on the Commencal but the spec seems quite a bit lower than on similar priced in the market.

 

Hi Racman, I would be interested to know which bikes you compared the meta 4 to, as in my opinion, our specs and the current pricing on our 07 bikes are very competitive. Thanks.

[davetapson]

Don't rule out a the GT Marathon or Force 1.0. You get full XT and RP23 shock for under 20K.

 

Me, I gotta concur... when I was looking around I couldn't find better value for money in terms of cost vs qlty of components...

[racman]

have you looked at the commencal?

 

Was quite keen on the Commencal but the spec seems quite a bit lower than on similar priced in the market.

 

Hi Racman' date=' I would be interested to know which bikes you compared the meta 4 to, as in my opinion, our specs and the current pricing on our 07 bikes are very competitive. Thanks.

[/quote']

 

Hey JLDAM, compared specs to Mongoose Canaan Elite which, to be fair to the Commencal, seems to have a better spec than most other similar priced offerings.

 

My shortlist so far is as follows in no particular order:

 

1) Giant Anthem 1 - but some have said that the imited shock travel makes it more specific to XC

2) Merida AM-3000D

3) Felt Virtue 2

4) Commencal Meta 4.? (will see what the specials are when I am ready)

5) Mongoose Canaan (same comment as above)

6) No specialized - I am already SPECIAL so will probably not need a bike to try and make me believe that I am !!!

 

One of the best bits of advice I saw on the Hub recently was that, irrespective of slight spec differences and all things being relatively equal in terms of ride, one should buy the bike that appeals to the heart the most.

 

As far as that goes, my heart is leaning towards the Commencal, Felt and Merida choice. I can't get used to the Canaan looks and construction around the rear shock - looks ugly to me. The giant is excellent but doesn't really appeal to me.

 

Anyway, will see if I can organise some test rides next month as I get closer to the purchase.

 

P.S. Love the look of the Cannondale "Lefty" but I think they are out of my price range

 

But if I can stretch my budget I will probably get this:

 

 

 

 

racman2008-05-13 07:31:33

[rock]

if not the anthem - (there's planty travel, you don;t need anymore....)

 

then go for the commencal.....

[racman]

Hey rock, check my editted post on the previous page again !!

[JLDAM]

[

 

But if I can stretch my budget I will probably get this:

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for clearing that out. The Canaam is well specced for its price.

 

The bike above is on the water and will be available next month. But not at the 07 price, I am afraid. 

[mrmed]

If you lived in Jo'burg I'd let you ride my Anthem and you'd be hooked.

[snah2]

Any opinions on the Rocky Mountain range?I am also in the market for a R20 000 mtb softtail..

[racman]

I have looked at them but also looked at What Mountain Bike review which was not fantastic (The Element 50 I think) as mentioned lots of pedal bob. I also think they mentioned that there was very little rear tire clearance.

 

However I have had no first hand knowledge of the bikes.

[racman]

If you lived in Jo'burg I'd let you ride my Anthem and you'd be hooked.

 

I am sure but does it look as good as the 08 Commencal.

[_Daemon_]

 

I know you sed u not keen on an AM bike' date=' BUT just take a look at the Mongoose teocali super. They say it's an AM/XC bike, and i'll tell you right now you won't get a better spec'd bike for under 20k. FULL XT group set (even hubs), Fox rp23 shock. Just take a look... Similar type geometry to the felt and the giant anyway...[/quote']

 

Similar type geometry to the giant....the anthem?? Your joking right...

Perhaps the Giant Trance, but it's no where close to a Anthem.

The teocali is a lovely bike, and a bargain, but not a full on racer like then anthem.