Best buy: R35k - R45k MTB

[Stevief]

Trek Fuel 8 or ex 8

[boesman88]

Spark 900RC with eagle 1

[Ruru]

Hi Mikebike.

 

Giant anthem 29er is very nice. Also Silverback Sido 1 is also very good spec for the price. Scott Spark is also nice if you can get 930 or better in that price range. Merida 96 is also nice - good price for the spec.

 

I bought a new bike recently. Whent with Anthem 29er. Got a good deal on a 2018 model.

 

You could probably get better spec etc with a second hand bike, but likely no warrantee and you don’t always know what you’re getting. If you buy second hand make sure their is minimal wear on eveything. Its not fun buying a bike and then having to spend a lot of money straight after.

 

Check out your local bike shops and demo some the bikes the hubbers have mentioned before you decide.

[Skubarra]

I would say the Giant Anthem is going to be best value/money/spec combination. Don't let an alu frame put you off, you can get a very well specced on for that price.

Personally I would do it the other way around. Get a nice carbon frame with a geometry I like even if the other components aren't great. Upgrade the rest over time.

[Bbbbbbbb]

Having twice bought a bike second hand and twice been lied to about condition and service history i will advise against it... unless you are well equipped to asses the bike, pivots, bearings etc..

 

That good deal changes quickly once it has to be serviced, sealant replaced, tires chain etc.

 

Just look at the amount of expensive DS bike that has “only been ridden on dirt or tar roads”

 

One thing that helps is asking to see the sellers strava profile as that doesn’t lie.

 

Rather shop for last years mode on sale.

[Zorro5614]

Rode a 2016 Merida 96 XT for a while. Very fast bike, but handling was pretty twitchy. My new Scott Spark RC 900 is much more sure footed and more capable on technical stuff

[Tri-Cycles]

Unfortunately only medium left, but i can build up one of these (http://www.tri-cycles.net/frames/mtb/edge-design-pyrenees-29er/) with a Reba fork and GX Eagle for under R40k brand new. That would be a full carbon dual sus with all local warranties in place.