Versatile mtb?

[anybody seen george?]

I may get nailed for this, but look at a steel hardtail trailbike. May be just what you need.

Have seriously thought of this, the ones I know of are Niner ROS & Transition Vanquish(alu though but looks sick). Any other you could suggest?

[gummibear]

Out of curiosity, I am posting this topic. Which bikes would be the real all rounders in dual suspension bikes? If one wants to do Sunday riding, a race now and then, maybe tour for a week or two, a bit of single track and do dirt roads and a stage race now and then... Is there an ideal bike out there?

Santa Cruz 5010.....now mods can close this thread   

 

130mm suspension on 27.5 wheels.

 

http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.imdserve.com/images/bikes-and-gear/bikes/mountain-bikes/full-suspension/1442008633722-chmg7m9bzq68-1200-80.jpg

 

http://cdn.bikemag.com/uploads/2015/09/OI8A3749.jpg

 

http://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/16976/setup_checks/33147/photos/60567/s1600_IMG_20161026_153819607.jpg?1477790873

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Have seriously thought of this, the ones I know of are Niner ROS & Transition Vanquish(alu though but looks sick). Any other you could suggest?

mercer

[Grease_Monkey]

This topic is what is going on in my mind the past couple of days. 

 

I currently ride an XTC, but I find it's not fun anymore. Sure it's a bat out of hell fast on an XC course and climbs a mountain like a dassie. But my riding I mostly do these days is not suited to its strengths. These days I ride up the hill so I can reach the start of the fun stuff that mostly points down and the old XTC does not like leaving the ground.

 

If I were still into racing I`d probably stick with it but seeing as the last race I entered was almost 5 years ago the time has come to move on. 

 

I have been doing a lot of research about an all-rounder for my criteria: 

• 29er 
• 140mm front & rear travel max
• Fork greater and equal to Fox 34 and Rockshox Yari (need the oomph for the fun stuff  )
• Budget 40-50k

So based on my requirements, there aren`t that many options: 

Pre-built:

• Scott Spark 940 (120mm travel) 
• Trek Fuel Ex 8 29 (130mm travel)
• YT Yeffsy AL two (140mm travel) it's so pretty and hard to beat the spec sheet at that price
• Rocky Mountain Instinct 50 (140 mm travel)

OR build self: 

• Transition Smuggler (130/115mm travel)
• Pyga oneTen (130/110mm travel)
• Banshee Phantom (120/105mm travel)

There are many other bikes available but, I have narrowed it down to brands that are well supported in SA(This is my opinion you may disagree). OK maybe not YT really, but have only heard good things about their service here.

 

I do not want to buy a pre-built bike and then mod it afterwards (This comes much later when the minister of finance does not know  ).

 

But then again I love riding hardtails there is just something bad ass about riding a hardtail down a bonkers trail and having to get every line right else you get punished, but when you get it right man does it feel sweet. This brings up another question do I try mod the XTC (out of warranty) to suit this, i.e. slap a 130mm for up front? A lot cheaper than buying a new bike... Eish... First world problems ek sê

 

Jeffsy all the way, amazing bike at the price!!

[Grease_Monkey]

Have seriously thought of this, the ones I know of are Niner ROS & Transition Vanquish(alu though but looks sick). Any other you could suggest?

 

Cotic Solaris Max - I built one up recently with an MRP Ribbon and 27.5+ wheels (can also be built in 29er flavour). Absolute ripper!! And because it is a hardtail you can splash out on the best of the best components for much less than a full sus bike.

[wildwindfr]

Read good things about the Cotic and the Mercer. Would love to say I own a steel frame. Unfortunately not yet. Saving for a Momsen STR frame. Good luck with your search.

[tcarthew]

My latest bike is a Kona Hei Hei .Slack head angle with 100mm rear and 120mm fork .I don,t think i will ever need more

 

Awesome bike, I must be honest I wouldn't mind a hei heir as my xc ride

[Goodbadugly]

I know you said dual sus bike. BUT if you can ride, you can do most things with most bikes.

[TIB]

Not too shabby for someone wearing a white bib...

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Not too shabby for someone wearing a white bib...

Heh. Sad thing is that he managed to paralyse himself a few years ago while filming. He still works with GMBN but has to ride on a heavily adapted dh bike with a properly powerful motor, and he HAS to ride with mates otherwise he'd be stuffed if he wanted to stop or if he came off.

 

Properly talented rider, that.

[TIB]

Heh. Sad thing is that he managed to paralyse himself a few years ago while filming. He still works with GMBN but has to ride on a heavily adapted dh bike with a properly powerful motor, and he HAS to ride with mates otherwise he'd be stuffed if he wanted to stop or if he came off.

Properly talented rider, that.

Apologies, did not know he came to ill.

 

No disrespect intended.

[ChrisF]

I have often wondered what makes a "MTB" ....

 

most only see gravel roads ...

 

some see trails ....

 

some see downhill speed races .....

 

 

Well this morning I for the first time in my life really took my MTB "to the mountain" .....

 

Gravel road, sandy patches , DEEP sand !!, rocky roads, then a STEEP (but short) climb up to the top of a koppie..... back down the same trail, then turned and followed animal trail/tracks over truly rustic areas .....

 

 

WOW !!!  The TREK impressed me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[wildwindfr]

Some stunning photos.

[Jewbacca]

If you go steel hardtail the Ragley Big Wig is an option. So is the NS bikes eccentric cromo... 

 

(on that note I have a 2014 Big Wig frame for sale cheap.. he leaves head held high after such shameless product placement) 

[deanbean]

If you go steel hardtail the Ragley Big Wig is an option. So is the NS bikes eccentric cromo...

 

(on that note I have a 2014 Big Wig frame for sale cheap.. he leaves head held high after such shameless product placement)

I've got one, and it's a capable bike. I've only got a 120mm fork on it, but I can keep up with duallys on technical downhills.

 

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[PhilipV]

WOW !!! The TREK impressed me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I think the trek Fuel is way underrated and a very versatile contender. Especially the new 130mm travel models.

 

 

To the OP,

I can't really help in your decision, but I can add my anecdotal experience.

I have a Giant Trance and and a Dartmoor Primal.

I've used the Trance to do the Ezelduro, and then the Eselfontein stage race on the exact same setup a couple of weeks later. It's always a jol riding this bike.

But the bike that really impressed me with its versatility is the Dartmoor. It's a slack 130mm travel hardtail.

I've used it for marathon races, xco races and even the Helderberg Enduro on it. In winter it does duty as a singlespeed as well. This bike is like that naughty and fiesty redheaded hot girl that everyone wants, but no has the guts for.

It's the bike I grab for a quick 30 min blast to get rid of the day's frustrations, the bike I use to get breakfast if breakfast is 40k. From home, and also the bike I use when I need to remind myself how many bad habits riding a fullsus teaches you.

 

OP, you need a trailbike, but you also want a lekker longer travel hardtail. And droppers on both are mandatory.