29er Fork SR Suntour XCR vs XCM

[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.

 

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[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...