thebob Posted February 19, 2018 Posted February 19, 2018 Hi All So after an 18 year break I got back into the MTB swing of things last year. I tried a 100mm travel hard tail to begin with and did not get on with it and ended up picking up a sweet Trek Fuel EX 5 from a seller here. The issue is that the 17.5" frame of the Trek is a shade to small. Some rides it bothers me, others not, but from my previous experience a size too small eventually ends up being an issue. So I have listed the Trek for sale and am busy looking for a new Trail bike. So a bit more about me, I am 175cm tall, with a 181cm wingspan and an 82cm inseam. I'm looking for a bike that climbs and descends pretty well with around 120cm to 140cm travel front and rear. 29er is preferable for me as I'm not hitting jumps and the Trek I've gotten used to seems to work really well on the wagon wheels. I love the Fuel EX. Apart from the sizing issue, it seems like the perfect bike and would be the obvious choice for the new one. BUT Trek don't seem to bring in the 18.5" frame to the market only the 19.5" frame. Why? Only the shiny one knows. So I've been looking at a few bikes:Merida 120 (600 or 800): Seem to be well specced. Sizing looks to fit me. Though there are limited reviews. Ridgeway Cycles up the road has them and it seems they are well supported locally. YT Jeffsy 29: Looks awesome for the money, but pushing the budget a wee bit. Sizing also seems awkward as I'd be between a Medium and a Large. Support is an unknown as well. Canyon Spectral 6.0: Also great value for money. Looks absolutely gorgeous. But no local support and only available as a 650. Also non-boost (which seems a bit backwards). Trek Fuel EX: Love the bike, but the spec is poor for what you pay IMO and they don't bring in my size (dammmmmmit!!) So, I'd love to know what the forum thinks and if there are any other brands/models i should be looking at. Budget is approximately R40k. PS: If anyone wants a well loved after, low mileage Trek Fuel EX 5, you know who to ask
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted February 19, 2018 Posted February 19, 2018 Loads of options. Dont worry about wheeel size. Rather enjoyment. FuelStumpyTranceSlideSpectralSpitfire (omg I wants one)EtcEtcEtc You really can't do wrong. Pick one, make sure you like it and press the swipe button. Enjoy. We're in the golden age of MTB. There is no "bad" choice. Just what works for you. Happy trails!
BaGearA Posted February 19, 2018 Posted February 19, 2018 Loads of options. Dont worry about wheeel size. Rather enjoyment. FuelStumpyTranceSlideSpectralSpitfire (omg I wants one)EtcEtcEtc You really can't do wrong. Pick one, make sure you like it and press the swipe button. Enjoy. We're in the golden age of MTB. There is no "bad" choice. Just what works for you. Happy trails!StumpjumperAny merida in the One-twenty series BH Evo 4.2TrekTrance ( suits your needs but i don't like them) everyone will suggest something similar , bikes are so broad spectrum now we really are spoiled for choice
ChUkKy Posted February 19, 2018 Posted February 19, 2018 Saw a 29" Norco Optic C2 today...I had a party in my pants!!! http://www.hotspotcycles.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018-NORCO-OPTIC-CARBON-2.png But then the guy told me R75k.I cried a little bit
Nakoota Posted February 19, 2018 Posted February 19, 2018 I missed your budget but Jeffsy all the way and if you want to save, get a 2016 clearance bike. Heres an M: https://za.yt-industries.com/detail/index/sArticle/658/sCategory/575 I'm 180cm with a 76cm bb to saddle height and I'd be happy on an M as the large literally has the 150mm dropper slammed for me. I might be biased, I love Jeffsy
thebob Posted February 22, 2018 Author Posted February 22, 2018 Ok everyone. Seems stock availability is the limiting factor. These are what are leading the pack at the moment: Scott Genius 750: 140mm travel, 27.5+ but not the best spec (Deore, Rockshox Sector). Most expensive at 40k Merida 120 XT: 130mm travel, 29er. Best spec with full XT and a Revelation fork. 34k Merida 120 XT: 130mm travel. 29er. Good spec with full SLX and a Mattoc fork. Which way would you guys go?
Headshot Posted February 22, 2018 Posted February 22, 2018 Ok everyone. Seems stock availability is the limiting factor. These are what are leading the pack at the moment: Scott Genius 750: 140mm travel, 27.5+ but not the best spec (Deore, Rockshox Sector). Most expensive at 40k Merida 120 XT: 130mm travel, 29er. Best spec with full XT and a Revelation fork. 34k Merida 120 XT: 130mm travel. 29er. Good spec with full SLX and a Mattoc fork. Which way would you guys go?Id go for the second Merida with the beefier fork, unless the Revelation is one of the new 35mm stanchion versions. Especially with the bigger wheels.
V12man Posted February 22, 2018 Posted February 22, 2018 Loads of options. Dont worry about wheeel size. Rather enjoyment. FuelStumpyTranceSlideSpectralSpitfire (omg I wants one)EtcEtcEtc You really can't do wrong. Pick one, make sure you like it and press the swipe button. Enjoy. We're in the golden age of MTB. There is no "bad" choice. Just what works for you. Happy trails!You need to ride a PYGA slakline - goes uphill like a crosscountry bike - downhill like an enduro bike - hugely impressive.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted February 22, 2018 Posted February 22, 2018 Ok everyone. Seems stock availability is the limiting factor. These are what are leading the pack at the moment: Scott Genius 750: 140mm travel, 27.5+ but not the best spec (Deore, Rockshox Sector). Most expensive at 40k Merida 120 XT: 130mm travel, 29er. Best spec with full XT and a Revelation fork. 34k Merida 120 XT: 130mm travel. 29er. Good spec with full SLX and a Mattoc fork. Which way would you guys go?Mattoc seals the deal, IMO. That thing is a BEAUT of a fork.
GrahamS2 Posted February 22, 2018 Posted February 22, 2018 Easiest problem to solve: https://sa.intensecycles.com/collections/2017-bikes/products/17-primer-expert-build?variant=6944001458219 Edit - saw your budget may be lower. Up it!
MTBJD Posted February 22, 2018 Posted February 22, 2018 You need to ride a PYGA slakline - goes uphill like a crosscountry bike - downhill like an enduro bike - hugely impressive. Those Pyga's are nice, but did you see the entry level prices on them?They start at R78k
MTBJD Posted February 22, 2018 Posted February 22, 2018 I missed your budget but Jeffsy all the way and if you want to save, get a 2016 clearance bike. Heres an M: https://za.yt-industries.com/detail/index/sArticle/658/sCategory/575 I'm 180cm with a 76cm bb to saddle height and I'd be happy on an M as the large literally has the 150mm dropper slammed for me. I might be biased, I love Jeffsy +1Biased, because I just got one and loving it Loving the ride (even in the AL version)
banna Posted February 22, 2018 Posted February 22, 2018 Erm.... there's this bike company called Santa Cruz.... maybe just check it out....
ChrisF Posted February 22, 2018 Posted February 22, 2018 One ONE way to decide - TEST RIDE. Small changes in the design specs and the bikes handle way differently ! Not much use in getting the "parts specs" and the handling is not to your liking .... Nor do you want a bike that handles perfectly, with lesser components .... Was looking at a PYGA at Knipe_Racing a few weeks back. Good frame (though a bit racy for me), DECENT parts all the way through, and a very reasonable price tag. Total custom build for a client ..... For my next bike I may well explore this route. LOVE my TREK Fuel EX5, especially the way it handles. Perfect for a novice like me. ... but some of the lesser parts have already had to be replaced.
FrikkieMeyer87 Posted February 22, 2018 Posted February 22, 2018 Erm.... there's this bike company called Santa Cruz.... maybe just check it out.... But soooo expensive though... I recently (November 2017) bought myself a 2018 Giant Trance 3 GE which, in my experience, climbs a hell of a lot better than the 29" Scott Spark I used to have, although that might just be because it's actually my size (XL) and has a 2x10 drivetrain with a real shweet granny gear. Plus it's got 150mm in front and 140mm in the back which is incredibly comfy. All and all I'm really chuffed with it, and it won't cost you an arm and a leg BUT it only comes in 650B/27.5", so if you're dead set on 29", it won't work for you. I agree that test rides are a must though. In the process you might just find your sweet spot in terms of riding type preference
Headshot Posted February 22, 2018 Posted February 22, 2018 But soooo expensive though... I recently (November 2017) bought myself a 2018 Giant Trance 3 GE which, in my experience, climbs a hell of a lot better than the 29" Scott Spark I used to have, although that might just be because it's actually my size (XL) and has a 2x10 drivetrain with a real shweet granny gear. Plus it's got 150mm in front and 140mm in the back which is incredibly comfy. All and all I'm really chuffed with it, and it won't cost you an arm and a leg BUT it only comes in 650B/27.5", so if you're dead set on 29", it won't work for you. I agree that test rides are a must though. In the process you might just find your sweet spot in terms of riding type preference Being "dead set" on a wheel size is not recommended when in this market.
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