Help please! So confused what Scott to buy ...

[Kerry-Lyn]

Hi ... I am looking at buying my first decent(ish) bike.  An upgrade from my current Liv - which I don't enjoy at all.  I am looking at a Momsen or a Scott.  However there are SO many different models on the market that I am getting confused.  My budget is R18k for a 29er, medium, hardtail or dual (dual might be out of my price range?). And it needs to be light so that I can carry it easily across rivers etc.  Do I buy a well maintained 10 year old bike with great specs, or a newer pre loved bike with entry level specs? What are the pro's and cons.  I am currently looking at a 2014 Scott 910.  What Scott models would you suggest I narrow my search down too?  Or Momsen? Thanks

[El Duderino]

This is the worst place to come if you're confused. Someone will come along shortly to tell you to buy a Merida not a Scott, or a Cannondale. Another will tell you you can buy a brand new Titan for that price etc. 

If you really want an old second hand fiets,  there's a guy on here, Bob Whitehead, @RobertWhitehead. Chat to him. He gives great advice and often has second hand bikes he has restored to a decent level. Otherwise you'll end spending double your budget on a brand new Titan Racing bike or a downhill bike. 

Edited Monday at 11:13 AM by El Duderino
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[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

2 hours ago, El Duderino said:

This is the worst place to come if you're confused. Someone will come along shortly to tell you to buy a Merida not a Scott, or a Cannondale. Another will tell you you can buy a brand new Titan for that price etc. 

If you really want an old second hand fiets,  there's a guy on here, Bob Whitehead, @RobertWhitehead. Chat to him. He gives great advice and often has second hand bikes he has restored to a decent level. Otherwise you'll end spending double your budget on a brand new Titan Racing bike or a downhill bike. 

Seconding this advice. I bought two bikes from Robert and he does all our upgrades as well even on bikes not built by him. Top guy. 

Last time I saw him he had a Momsen carbon hardtail frame as well as a Fondriest carbon dual sus frame, both of which could possibly be your dream bike. A bottle of milk weighs more than those frames and he could kit you out proper for your money. He stands by his builds and you won’t go wrong.

My personal bike from Robert is a circa 2013 Giant XTC hardtail and I absolutely adore it. And I can ride it across rivers or carry it. At 947 MTB I carried it on my left shoulder and my kids bike (26er made lighter by Robert) on my right shoulder up a horrible muddy single track 😁 

[RobertWhitehead]

Thank you very much @El Duderino, much appreciated the vote of confidence. 

Welcome @Kerry-Lyn. Disclaimer: 

My bike is a 2013 (which I built up from new in 2018 & I've upgraded multiple times). 

If geometry and boost vs. Non-boost is not a big deal and the 2014 has decent parts then go for it. Just make sure that the Scott works for you. 

 

[ALLMTB]

@Kerry-Lyn, why only Scott and Momsen? 

We might get more insight, what don't you enjoy about the Liv? 

[Eugene]

Why do you not enjoy the Liv... They are the same quality as the Scott/Momsen. 

If you don't enjoy it, there must be some other issue (wrong size etc). 

[Kerry-Lyn]

16 hours ago, ALLMTB said:

@Kerry-Lyn, why only Scott and Momsen? 

We might get more insight, what don't you enjoy about the Liv? 

It honestly feels like I am riding a tractor or a donkey!  It just doesn't work for - or with me!  I've done 2 big rides on a borrowed Momsen and loved it! Felt like it was on my side!  I tested the 2014 Scott 910 on the weekend.  It was great too!  There is so much out there that I just narrowed the field for simplicities sake too. 

[DJuice]

@Kerry-Lynis it a Scott Scale or Spark you looking at? 
Also on an old bike, 2014 Momsen Vipa. Bought from new, well looked after and no reason to replace for plodding along.

Be aware that the Spark was known for eating their rear triangles, bearings not looked after, plays out on the triangle.

My wife is on a Liv Lust, discontinued, 2017 model and she just loves the bike. 
Myself would ride a Liv any day of the week. 
 

Make sure you compare apples with apples. Some Liv bikes were 27.5 vs 29. 

[El Duderino]

4 hours ago, DJuice said:

@Kerry-Lynis it a Scott Scale or Spark you looking at? 
Also on an old bike, 2014 Momsen Vipa. Bought from new, well looked after and no reason to replace for plodding along.

Be aware that the Spark was known for eating their rear triangles, bearings not looked after, plays out on the triangle.

My wife is on a Liv Lust, discontinued, 2017 model and she just loves the bike. 
Myself would ride a Liv any day of the week. 
 

Make sure you compare apples with apples. Some Liv bikes were 27.5 vs 29. 

Agree re: Liv bikes. I know a few very happy Liv riders who I rode with when I lived in Durban. Both XC bikes and the Trail/Enduro one's. Maybe the OP has a heavier trail bike and it feels sluggish compared to an XC bike with fast rolling, light wheels/tires. 

Edited Tuesday at 11:34 AM by El Duderino
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[hassinou]

I totally understand your confusion, I've been in the same situation! If I were you, I would prefer a well-maintained bike with good specs, even if it is a little older — a Scott 910 from 2014 is still a nice machine. The Scott Scale are super light and reliable hardtails. At Momsen, the AL329S are nice for the price too. The important thing is the general condition and maintenance. Good research, you will enjoy it!

[JoeMerida]

Why don't you visit a bicycle shop. To Get Sized up etc etc Get some quotes .

[Mike Dewing]

1 minute ago, JoeMerida said:

Why don't you visit a bicycle shop. To Get Sized up etc etc Get some quotes .

I personally don’t trust shops opinions on size.. I was told I was a medium, and then a large at another shop, and then a small at another shop.. that might be what’s got her here in the first place.. 

[Thomo]

3 hours ago, Mike Dewing said:

I personally don’t trust shops opinions on size.. I was told I was a medium, and then a large at another shop, and then a small at another shop.. that might be what’s got her here in the first place.. 

Unfortunately some shops will try and sell whatever they have available whether suitable or not.!

That said, brand/model/geometry can also mean different sizes.

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

1 hour ago, Thomo said:

That said, brand/model/geometry can also mean different sizes.

Yeah that can vary hugely. My 2013 Giant XTC is a M and our 2021 Trek X-Caliber is an M, and my kiddo’s Titan Plus+ is an M. They are absolutely worlds apart to ride. The Giant and Trek are fitted to me but where the Giant feels like I’m “in” the bike the Trek feels like I’m “on” the bike. That’s just the geometry with the Trek being slacker and boost. Kinda like an AWD versus 4x2. The Giant is the AWD 😁 and is definitely my favourite though the Trek is a great bike, very rideable, and modern. 

[Mike Dewing]

10 hours ago, Thomo said:

Unfortunately some shops will try and sell whatever they have available whether suitable or not.!

That said, brand/model/geometry can also mean different sizes.

Absolutely agree.! It’s in their best interest to sell what’s on the floor first..

but most of those recommendations were off no other information than, “Hi I’m interested in buying a mountain bike..” 

luckily I had a good friend who knows his stuff and told me to ignore them and buy medium..