Best Marathon mountain bike

[gummibear]

There are so many to choose from.

 

Go ride a few and decide from there.

 

 

Anthem is an awesome bike.

 

Trek is also great.

[Dry Biltong]

a difficult choice.. depends what you can spend, etc but so many great bikes and choices.. trek? canondale? scott? but surely not specialized - you gotta try harder than that.. PYGA is local.. just saying..

[the nerd]

I would say give a Pyga stage a test ride, that thing is phenomenal! 

[Nakoota]

YT Jeffsy

 

Lose 2kg bodyweight so the extra bike weight doesn't matter and then smile from ear to ear on the downhills while wearing a camelbak so you don't have to drink one handed.

[arendoog]

First South African home in the Cape Epic was on a Rocky Mountain.....

 

But then the CE is more of a gravel race

Amen !

[Shebeen]

so many options.

 

If one was out and out the best, then we'd all be riding it. You're going to get out of this thread what you put into it. if you're just going to mention four options, then it's the same as going hilux vs ranger, canon vs nikon, tits vs bum.

[The_Phoenix]

get a santa cruz tallboy. geez those things go nicely downhill

[BSG]

so many options.

 

If one was out and out the best, then we'd all be riding it. You're going to get out of this thread what you put into it. if you're just going to mention four options, then it's the same as going hilux vs ranger, canon vs nikon, tits vs bum.

Hilux, Canon and tits definitely [emoji41] [emoji106]

 

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

[Rick Sanchez]

YT Jeffsy

 

Lose 2kg bodyweight so the extra bike weight doesn't matter and then smile from ear to ear on the downhills while wearing a camelbak so you don't have to drink one handed.

Definitely the route I have been going recently

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Will copy my post from your other thread.

 

I'd go for the spark over the spark RC unless you're racing for position on the podium. The cannondale is one of those XC bikes that has the capacity to be a lightweight trail bike as well.

 

But. Unless you're racing for position, I'd always suggest something with a bit more travel and a bit slacker head angle.

 

Bikes like:

 

Spark (not the RC)

Cannondale Habit

Spaz Camber

New Anthem

Silverback Synergy / Sprada

YT Jeffsy

Spaz Stumpy

Transition Smuggler

Banshee Spitfire (my personal favourite - WHAT A BIKE!!!!!)

Banshee Prime

Pyga 110

Pyga stage / stage max

 

 

And so on.

 

120-140mm travel and 67-68 deg head angle is he sweet spot for Joe average. The slacker head angle inspires confidence in the rough stuff and the extra travel gives a safety net for when things go wrong. They're also VERY good pedalers and climbers. The limitation will be YOU, not the bike. And when you point them down..... Oooooooh boy. Mega fun.

 

Lastly - go for something that doesn't have proprietary parts. The spaz is the one exception to this as the only proprietary thing on there is the shock (rear suspension) mounting point and there are loads of shock options for it.

 

The KTM is cheap because they're trying to get rid of it. There are no spares for it locally. And it's not like Spaz / Giant / Transition "clearance sales" as theyre just clearing current year stock for next year's models.

 

In short. What do you ride (terrain / race / event) and do you do it for enjoyment or position. If position (and this means top 10 in your division) - then Scott RC or cannondale scalpel SI will be perfect. If for enjoyment of the trails - one of the others suggested above and pretty much ANY current year bike in the 120-140mm bracket will be bloody awesome for you.

Edited by Myles Mayhew, Today, 20:23.

[the nerd]

Id still go for the stage. 

 

That thing is insane. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Id still go for the stage. 

 

That thing is insane.

 

Yessssssss. That too. Amending post to include that and the 110

[the nerd]

Yessssssss. That too. Amending post to include that and the 110

 

A 110 as well, brilliant all around bike! 

[Rocket-Boy]

I would say give a Pyga stage a test ride, that thing is phenomenal! 

I would give my left nut for one of those. Its sexy and capable, what is not to like?

[brandon91]

get a cx bike and get some skills taming thabas blue route on the bike

[the nerd]

get a cx bike and get some skills taming thabas blue route on the bike

 

Lol... 

 

Thaba blue on a cx rig