Which Mountain bike R19k to R24k

[gmt+2]

Hi Everyone,

I am newly registered with the hub, however I have been visiting over the last few months. Thanks to everyone who contributes. It is a great site.

Now to the question
I am looking at getting a new mountain bike. Price range somewhere between R19 000 and R24 000. For the last 7 years I have been cycling on a hard tail Kona but am looking at upgrading to a full suspension.

The bikes I have looked at so far have been

1)      Scott Spark 40 ? R20 200

2)      GT Force 2.0 ? R?

3)      Merida 96 3000D ? R24 700

Does anyone have advice on these bikes, or advice on other bikes that I should look at?
Oh and one other thing before you tell me I know I must ride before I buy.

Thanks

gmt+22009-12-17 04:37:27

[Griffin]

Am also in the market ..but a a lower price spec! Have had a look at the Merida 120 TFS series...and am very tempted.

[jugheaddave]

giant anthem x1 !!

[philip.maree]

out of those 3, Merida 96 3000D

[gmt+2]

Am also in the market ..but a a lower price spec! Have had a look at the Merida 120 TFS series...and am very tempted.

I had a look at the 120, somebody said that the ride was softer than the 96.

Having come from a hardtail I am looking for a bit of a harder ride. Not sure that my information is correct though not having had a chance to ride both.

[gmt+2]

giant anthem x1 !!

WoW nice bike! Is that in the price range?

[Scoe]

Look also at the Rockey Mountain Element series... PM Matchstix, he has some great deals... the Element handles just like a hard tail, just far more forgiving on your port

[Face Plant]

think you could pick up a cannondale Rize 4 for about 24k

[speshie]

Look also at the Rockey Mountain Element series... PM Matchstix' date=' he has some great deals... the Element handles just like a hard tail, just far more forgiving on your port[/quote']

^^ good advice^^^ definately give matchstix a pm he can really hook you up with something worth a hell of alot more then what he sells them for.. I think he may also have a opus or two lying round

[Kiwi]

Get a 29er! you get the equivalent of an inch of rear travel, all that hard tail snapp and get to roll over rather than up and over roots, rocks etc. R14,334 to R23,000

[gmt+2]

Thanks everybody,

Very helpfull.

Looks like I am going to have to look around some more.

[MoreTrails]

Morewood all the way - its local and its lekker!!!!

[Chubba]

Hi

 

Looked around for a while for a bike and settled on a Specialized Stumpjumper - read many reviews and compared to many bikes. For XC trail bike i recon it is close to tops.

http://mountainbike.about.com/od/completebikereviews/gr/Special_06_SJ.htm

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/stumpjumper-pro-fsr120-09-us-33095

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/stumpjumper-fsr-elite-08-30053

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/bikes/xc-suspensio/PLS_1526_912crx.aspx

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/bikes/xc-suspensio/specialized/stumpjumper-fsr-comp/PRD_414809_1526crx.aspx

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/bikes/xc-suspensio/specialized/stumpjumper-fsr/PRD_363309_1526crx.aspx

http://bikemag.com/gear/bikes/9-12-08-tested-specialized-stumpjumper-fsr-pro/

[Guest Agteros]

I'm kinda partial to a KHS Flagstaff (29" dual suss) at the moment, will only make a purchasing choice later in the year... But then Kiwi is tempting us with some 29" duall sussers as well

[Iwan Kemp]

Hey gmt+2 (your nick just rolls off the lips!)

 

 

 

The big question is what type of riding do you do and where do you ride?

 

 

 

Of the three only the Scott and Merida falls in the same class.

 

 

 

Without knowing your type of riding is will be senseless to recommend a bike.

[Cycling Addict]

 

Stick in an extra R1k and get the 2010 Stumpjumper - you will not be dissapointed< id="gwProxy" ="">< ="jsCall;" id="jsProxy" ="">