Full suspension XC bike

[BaGearA]

For xc I always look at price per weight, with specific attention to the weight of the wheels. The Scott is very nice but the wheels seem heavy for the price. The Cannondale is surprisingly light for the price but the proprietriness (is this a word?) puts me off.

lefty won't ever need to be removed and replaced , its a damn good piece of kit 

 

the only other proprietery thing is the od shock size , which is still good cause the frame uses a lower linkage ratio which means the initial reaction of the shock is much more supple 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

On longer rides I just put an extra bottle in my SWAT bib shorts. Sits so tightly against me I hardly notice it's there...

This is solving your water issue and is a low key vote for Giant! 

 

Also, someone correct me if i'm mistaken, but carbon wheels make a fairly substantial difference!

 

Not to the weight, really. The good ones are on par with good alu options. They're just far stiffer which translates to slightly better acceleration and a bit more "positive" steering (that is, has slightly less flex in teh structure and as such responds to input slightly faster and with more accuracy)

[AllAboutRides]

Spez or Cannondale.....atleast both can take 2 water bottles for longer rides

[DieselnDust]

lefty won't ever need to be removed and replaced , its a damn good piece of kit 

 

the only other proprietery thing is the od shock size , which is still good cause the frame uses a lower linkage ratio which means the initial reaction of the shock is much more supple

 

 

?? Scalpel uses a Std shock in every way. It's a 190x44mm rock shox monarch.

The Crank is sort of proprietary but actually any long axle bb30 Crank will fit. Even rotors 2inpower Crank fits. Ai isn't that different. The bb shell is 83mm which just requires one to ensure the axle doesn't have specific bearing steps.

[Patensie]

Whatever you get, make sure it has s dropper. Honestly, i can't ride without one. Xco getting really tech, check the new bmc 4stroke

[Zorro5614]

Just can't get my head around spending R10 000 more on a 2019 Scalpel SI 4.  Yes it has the Ocho, but has that 615g cassette and Crest S1 wheels I don't like

 

The spec of the Giant just seems more race ready out of the box.  Definitely not racing in the front, maybe more trying to buy some speed

[Wimmas]

Jeez, this is a nice problem to have!

 

I am the least experienced on this forum and suggest whatever I say is taken with a pinch of salt but if I was you, I'd consider the following:

 

1. Are you heavily concerned with the bike's weight or not? If so, get the lightest one, or a cheaper one which will not cost too much too upgrade and decrease weight. If weight is not a major concern, then:
2. Looks - it feels good to have a good looking bike, and for some reason it will be easier to sell one day
3. Modern geometry and technology such as dropper post
4. I see there are many who purchase new bikes and immediately remove the groupset to replace with a better one. CRC makes this fairly inexpensive. If you buy a bike which is 10 - 20k cheaper than your budget, this is an option.
5. Front / rear suspension and rims are expensive to upgrade, so this should be high end stuff right off the bat at your price range. Also, be cautions of the Stans Crest MK3 rims. Seen quite a few complaints of them cracking.

It's like buying a car - do you get the fully rigged Golf Highline TSI, or just go with a standard Golf GTI.

 

Good luck with your search and purchase, I am sure you will be delighted with whatever you go with at the end.

[DieselnDust]

GTi because that power train....

[AeroTucker]

My personal opinion is to go for either the Scott or the Giant.

 

Giant: Better suspension, Carbon Wheels

Scott: 3 point remote lockout, we know the frame is good thanks to Nino.

 

I’ve got the Anthem, my brother has the Scott and we’re both very happy.

Happy choosing

[Zorro5614]

Giant: Better suspension, Carbon Wheels

Scott: 3 point remote lockout, we know the frame is good thanks to Nino.

It is like you read my mind.  Pretty happy the frames will both be good quality, the Scott maybe a bite more racy. The 3 point lockout would be nice, but the Scott is R67 000 and the Giant is just R55 000

[Patensie]

My personal opinion is to go for either the Scott or the Giant.

 

Giant: Better suspension, Carbon Wheels

Scott: 3 point remote lockout, we know the frame is good thanks to Nino.

 

I’ve got the Anthem, my brother has the Scott and we’re both very happy.

Happy choosing

simple math:

Trek: emily batty & yolanda neff > you & your boet????

[ct_rider]

Where is the giant for sale at R55k?

[Zorro5614]

Just bought a 2019 Scott Spark RC 900 Team for R48 000 (Advertised for R66 990 at Bike-Addict).  The big price difference is a bit strange, so could not pass up this.

 

Also now have some spare cash for some upgrades if needed, maybe the Syncros wheels

[babse]

sweet deal, enjoy it. 

 

post a pitcha

[Zorro5614]

Will do

 

Thanks for everyone's input

[slickjay007]

Just bought a 2019 Scott Spark RC 900 Team for R48 000 (Advertised for R66 990 at Bike-Addict).  The big price difference is a bit strange, so could not pass up this.

 

Also now have some spare cash for some upgrades if needed, maybe the Syncros wheels

 

Flip that's a great price!