One trail bike to rule them all

[ABrooks]

So I decided it's time to sell the xc bike and buy a jack of all trades, master of none type of trail bike. I don't race for podium so I feel that a 120-150mm travel bike would suit me best as I can still do a long race on it if I want to and have fun on weekends in Jonkershoek or the like while having more confidence on the longer travel bike.

 

My budget is R27k and I am looking for a medium bike. 29" tires are preferred, but not a requirement. I am also not too worried about buying second hand. 

 

At the moment I have it down to a new Merida one twenty xt edition:

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/merida-29er-dual-suspension/products/merida-one-twenty-xt-edition-2019

 

and a 2016 Specialized Stumpjumper 6fattie:

https://flowmountainbike.com/tests/tested-specialized-stumpjumper-fsr-comp-6fattie/

 

The pro's to the Merida is that it is a 2019 bike, it's new, it has a Rockshox revelation fork and a 2x11 Shimano XT drivetrain. The Con's are that it is R27k+ and 22.8mm inner width Merida rims. 

 

The pro's to the Stumpy is that it has a 150mm Fox 34 fork, It's R23k and a 1x11 GX Drivetrain. I can also fit 29er tyres if I want for longer races. The Con's are that it is second hand (but fairly new), 2016 , I would need to get a larger chainring and if I want to go 29er a new wheelset. Granted the wheelset might be easier to source than the fattie.

 

 

Please let me know your opinion and any other possible options I could consider. I am not a brand conscious person so any brand will do. 

Edited March 19, 2019 by Andreas Brooks

[ABrooks]

I forgot to add, with the spez bike I would not need to buy a new saddle so some more savings there. 

[Grease_Monkey]

I had the Spez Stumpy - bought it as 6Fattie and changed wheels at a later stage to 29". I rode everything from Jonkers to multi day stage races and 100km days on it. It really is a jack of all trades - will be most at home on shorter days that involve some steep and rowdy stuff, but with the right wheel and tyre combo can also tackle big days!

 

I will always reccommend a Stumpy, of all the bikes I have owned in the last couple of years I would say it was the most versatile and easiest to get along with. I've had bikes that were better at distance, better at steep stuff, more playfull, etc - but none that can do such a wide variety if things so well.

 

PS: on chainrings a 30t on 29 gives you more speed than on a 27.5 - so you would not need a bigger chainring.

 

And in terms of componentry, the Fox 34 is an awesome fork, great all rounder. Sram GX also really reliable.

Edited March 19, 2019 by Grease_Monkey

[Me rida my bicycle]

I tested a plus size 140mm trail bike and it was awesome fun but, found a dual plus size bike is overkill and man is it heavy. Putting 29er wheels on the Stumpy would be a great choice.

The advantages of a new trail bike or any dual sus is you know everything is new and will work and if not you have a warranty to fall back on. You don't have to worry about pivot bearing condition when last the shock/fork was serviced. Yes you save money going used but you gain peace of mind going new.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I had the Spez Stumpy - bought it as 6Fattie and changed wheels at a later stage to 29". I rode everything from Jonkers to multi day stage races and 100km days on it. It really is a jack of all trades - will be most at home on shorter days that involve some steep and rowdy stuff, but with the right wheel and tyre combo can also tackle big days!

 

I will always reccommend a Stumpy, of all the bikes I have owned in the last couple of years I would say it was the most versatile and easiest to get along with. I've had bikes that were better at distance, better at steep stuff, more playfull, etc - but none that can do such a wide variety if things so well.

 

PS: on chainrings a 30t on 29 gives you more speed than on a 27.5 - so you would not need a bigger chainring.

 

And in terms of componentry, the Fox 34 is an awesome fork, great all rounder. Sram GX also really reliable.

^^This

[Christie]

Of these, +1 for the Stumpy. Im not a fan of fat tyres, these would have to go to 29 asap for me. Also, consuder upgrading the 11s to 12s - there is a kit to convert Sram 11 to 12, if I remember correctly.

[Grease_Monkey]

Of these, +1 for the Stumpy. Im not a fan of fat tyres, these would have to go to 29 asap for me. Also, consuder upgrading the 11s to 12s - there is a kit to convert Sram 11 to 12, if I remember correctly.

That conversion kit (e13) is about the same price as a GX Eagle upgrade kit. I tried it, it was horrible. Did a write up about it a while back. Ended up going GX Eagle, much better!

[BaGearA]

That conversion kit (e13) is about the same price as a GX Eagle upgrade kit. I tried it, it was horrible. Did a write up about it a while back. Ended up going GX Eagle, much better!

link please , was think of going tht way when my xo CASSETTE drops me 

[Grease_Monkey]

link please , was think of going tht way when my xo CASSETTE drops me

Will search for it quick... had to do with the shim that is needed behind the cassette for the Hope hubs - all other hubs apparently fine.

 

But for price it makes more sense just to buy a GX Eagle upgrade kit.

 

Edit: can't find that thread. Long story short, it worked well (in the beginning I was very impressed) - after a few rides the cassette just creaked alot, this come down to Hope hubs needing a shim. This shim also makes the cassette install extremely finiccy and time consuming (as in bleeding knuckles and swearing time consuming). In the end I warranried it, and went GX Eagle upgarde kit route. It was around the same price - and as a result I had a spare 1x11 Xo1 groupo for my other bike. The only way I would reccommend it is if you have XX1 11 speed and really hate the idea of using GX stuff.

 

If you want just the e.13 cassette and do not have Hope hubs I do not see any reason not to do it...

Edited March 19, 2019 by Grease_Monkey

[PhilipV]

I'd take the stumpy, and then ditch those tyres for proper 2.3 or at most 2.5 inch tyres.

Why do I suggest this? because I'm riding spez Roval Traverse wheels on my trail Bike.

The 6fattie uses a 29mm internal rim, with spez's plus tyres that have terrible sidewalls. But the 29mm rim gives a lekker profile to the 2.3 aggressor and 2.4 Ibex I have on my bike. All the grip, and none of the vagueness of the spez fatty tyres combo. [emoji108]

[ABrooks]

Thanks for the input, the Merida just seems well equiped for the price I'd be paying. 

[ABrooks]

I'd take the stumpy, and then ditch those tyres for proper 2.3 or at most 2.5 inch tyres.

Why do I suggest this? because I'm riding spez Roval Traverse wheels on my trail Bike.

The 6fattie uses a 29mm internal rim, with spez's plus tyres that have terrible sidewalls. But the 29mm rim gives a lekker profile to the 2.3 aggressor and 2.4 Ibex I have on my bike. All the grip, and none of the vagueness of the spez fatty tyres combo. [emoji108]

That is my plan to get smaller tyres on the 27.5 wheels and get a set of 29" wheels for long days on the bike. 

[ABrooks]

Of these, +1 for the Stumpy. Im not a fan of fat tyres, these would have to go to 29 asap for me. Also, consuder upgrading the 11s to 12s - there is a kit to convert Sram 11 to 12, if I remember correctly.

I'd just ride the 11s until it's klaar. Both bikes will have 11s if I decide to lose the shifter on the front.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

That is my plan to get smaller tyres on the 27.5 wheels and get a set of 29" wheels for long days on the bike. 

No, rather sell the 275 wheels and get a set of niner rims that you use all the time. Having the stumpy on teh 650 non plus tyres will lower your BB too much

Edited March 20, 2019 by Captain Fatbastard Mayhem

[ABrooks]

I went to the Spez store this morning and they had a 2016 Stumpy 6fattie that I could look at. Man that thing looks nice, the 150mm travel up front looks badass. 

 

My heart says buy the Stumpy, but the logical thinker tells me that the Merida makes more sense in terms of it having 2x11 (I rode 2x10 so I think I'm just in the comfort zone there), The Merida is also new, but I will be buying the Stumpy from a bike shop. 

[ABrooks]

No, rather sell the 275 wheels and get a set of niner rims that you use all the time. Having the stumpy on teh 650 non plus tyres will lower your BB too much

 

Ahh I see, was thinking that might be an issue.