29er Fork SR Suntour XCR vs XCM

[ChrisF]

I had the Merida 99er dual suspension, Rock Shock 32, but with the rear shock with rebound only, had to sell it, but I surely miss that bike big time. Thing is when the "much better" straight steerer forks come up for sale, normally funds is not available. At the moment I can't afford another or new bike, so I must try to upgrade my current bike.

 

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

 

 

Hoping some of the experienced riders will help the new kids on the shock-block ....

 

 

NOTHING worse than spending money on a bike to hear two days later than another 1 or 2k would have bought something "so much" better ....

 

 

So looking at the lower end of the price spectrum, what would one want to avoid ?  OR, what offers so much better for a bit more money ?

 

 

Considering the following options (just took a few quick bikes from the CWC site, in this price range) - with specific reference to type of shocks :

 

http://www.cwcycles.co.za/bikes/titan-sonic-comp-2017

• Fork:Rockshox 30 Silver Solo Air with Poplock
• Rear Suspension:Rockshox Monarch RL Air

 

http://www.cwcycles.co.za/bikes/titan-sonic-pro

• Fork:Rockshox Recon Silver Solo Air with Poplock
• Rear Suspension:Rockshox Monarch RL Air

 

http://www.cwcycles.co.za/bikes/merida-ninety-six-600-2017

• FORK    Rock Shox Recon Silver RL Air Remote
• SHOCK    Rock Shox Monarch RL

 

 

If (when) I do go this route I will look wider at the different brands.  Merida has served me well, but their are so many nice options out there ....

 

MY shopping list :

Group set - at least Deore, obviously XT would be nicer ...

Tires - I currently have a 29er and a 650B .... leaning towards the 650B .... If I go for a 29ER it would need a gearset with a lower than 22-36 ratio.

 PS - Would appreciate feedback on how these two sizes shape up handling wise with dual suspension ... the 650B hard tail certainly is a LOT more "twitchy" than the 29er ....

Frame - happy with the frames in this price range, for my type of leisurely Saturday trail riding ....

 

EDIT - been reading up a bit more .... seams the term "trail riding" leans towards the downhill type of riding ....  and my concept (type of riding) of cycling is then rather "cross country" .... typical Meerendal "trail" ....  Sorry Myles - your replies was obviously intended for the modern term "trail riding" ....

 

Shocks - THIS is the bit that I am not sure about .... want the best dampening to keep the pounding on my arthritic joints to a minimum ..... this bit is more important for me than an XT groupset.  When the joints flare up the bike is parked ... so a "soft" ride is VERY important.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Chris - recon silver fork is a level above the XC30. All shocks are the Monarch RL, which has rebound control only but if set up properly that's not a real problem. You won't get a "better" shock than that without spending significantly more.

 

Handling has more to do with the geometry than the wheel size. LOADS more. You get niners that are fast and nimble just as easily as 650s that are boats. So don't let the wheelsize dictate your choice.

 

You won't get a smaller granny than 22/36 off the shelf.

 

I'd always favour the Merida over the Titan tbh, but that's just my brand preference shining through. Of those 2 brands, that is.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Honestly though, instead of spending 24k on an xc race machine (which is what those are) you would be FAR better served by getting something with more travel and a more relaxed head angle.

 

There are several well kitted giant trance bikes going for less than that, and in my opinion you would be significantly better off on something like that.

 

XC race bikes are in my opinion FAR oversold here.

[ChrisF]

Honestly though, instead of spending 24k on an xc race machine (which is what those are) you would be FAR better served by getting something with more travel and a more relaxed head angle.

 

There are several well kitted giant trance bikes going for less than that, and in my opinion you would be significantly better off on something like that.

 

XC race bikes are in my opinion FAR oversold here.

 

Thank you Myles - for both replies.

 

wheel size - with the standard 22-36 ration the 27,5 just gives me that crucial bit more on the granny side for the steeper sections ....  I should test ride a 2x10 with a 42 at the back - the huge gap between the last two gears does not sound right, but maybe that is the solution.  That is a few hundred rand swop out if you buy new.

 

I will do some homework on my two bikes and try to figure out why the XT-Edition is so much more nimble/twitchy .... answer will probably be in the frame angles ... yet another new area to study up   

 

 

I will NOT be doing the hard core cross-country stuff !!  Joints are certainly not up for this.  Mine are rather slow trail riding to enjoy the scenery and combine this with some light exercise.  VERY happy with the improvement in my health and even joints with moderate exercise over the last 9 months !!!

 

My days of group riding are over .... knees simply cant push out that power anymore - after having done 50km per day at the age of 13 .... Ego dont like it.  But I have made peace with this, and enjoy what my body can cope with at this stage - and really enjoying the improvements as I hang in there with my 4 to 6km rides.

 

 

So no worries, wont be topping the Strava sheets .... but having FUN staying healthy.

 

 

Now to chip away at the specs until I find the best bike for this purpose ....

[Theunissa]

Revising my post - there is no such thing as an XCM Air. There is an XCR Coil & an XCR Air, though they're both KAAAAK.

 

They've changed from their old elastomer-based suspension to coil, but they have no compression and / or rebound adjustment so they're essentially a pogo stick. All they have is pre-load adjustment, which regulates the force that is required before the shock starts to move through its travel. XCM & XCR are both ***.

 

And no. Don't go for the Raidon. It's better, but still not serviceable.

 

Go for a reba / revelation / Fox 32 or anything second hand from those 2 providers.

 

Just saying it like it is, man... I know it's not lekker, but really - buying an XCR air is like buying a Daihatsu Charade when you have the Chery QQ.

Will all due respect but i disagree on your statement about the raidon not being serviceable. You can them get all the parts loose and there is a service manual

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Will all due respect but i disagree on your statement about the raidon not being serviceable. You can them get all the parts loose and there is a service manual

Awesome. Well then, that's a reasonable option. They reportedly perform pretty well for the price. Is it just the latest ones that you can get spares for, it is it a couple models back as well?

[Kalahari Vegmot]

Will all due respect but i disagree on your statement about the raidon not being serviceable. You can them get all the parts loose and there is a service manual

Are seals/service kits available?

[Theunissa]

Are seals/service kits available?

I sawcthem on suntour website. Even give prices.my wifes cousin worked at trail wolf and he told me you can service it and thar it is apparently cheaper to do than a fox or rock shox.

[Theunissa]

Awesome. Well then, that's a reasonable option. They reportedly perform pretty well for the price. Is it just the latest ones that you can get spares for, it is it a couple models back as well?

That i cannot say. But i do see parts for the 29" version. So i assume parts for newer ones. According to lbs you can. I have a 2016 one

[Kalahari Vegmot]

I sawcthem on suntour website. Even give prices.my wifes cousin worked at trail wolf and he told me you can service it and thar it is apparently cheaper to do than a fox or rock shox.

Cool, it should make a really decent entry/mid level fork then

[BSG]

Phoned the lbs yesterday, I had it wrong, apparently it is the XCR air fork not the XCM as stated by myself.

 

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

[droo]

Will all due respect but i disagree on your statement about the raidon not being serviceable. You can them get all the parts loose and there is a service manual

 

In theory, yes. Try actually getting hold of a replacement damper (non-serviceable cartridge) for a fork over 18 months old...