XC Full Suspension Dilemma

[weeFrisbee]

Hi everyone,

 

I need some advise from you please. I am in the process of making up my mind on which Full-Suspension XC Mtb I should acquire and, as can be expected, I am having a bit of a dilemma.

 

My budget is between R20k and R25k. I weigh in at 100kg, am 1.93m and like to go fast (up and down). From what I can gather from my current hardtail, as well as my biking buddies, I am quite hard on bikes (something to do with my weight they say). I hate a bike that feels like its holding me back. I am currently considering three options:

 

1) Brand New Scott Spark 35 (Full carbon)

2) Brand New Merida 96 3000-D (Allu)

3) Second Hand (2010) Cannondale Scalpel 3 with a few upgrades (Allu, with carbon rear stay)

 

All of the above mentioned is in the same price category (R20k-R25k). Could you please comment on these choices (or recommend any other) and if they would suite my requirements?

 

Thanks and cheers

Edited January 20, 2011 by weeFrisbee

[RodTi]

Any of those a 29"?

 

 

[Turns around, closes door behind him... ]

[rouxtjie]

Have you tested all three of them and cannot make up your mind? If not you should not be dropping that kind of money on our opinions to be honest

[scotty]

You can also check on the MTB review site

 

http://www.mtbr.com/reviewscrx.aspx

[RodTi]

You can also check on the MTB review site

 

http://www.mtbr.com/reviewscrx.aspx

 

Good start this - cross reference it with Bikeradar, if possible.

Imo - you must keep in mind that many of the users of mtbr.com, are potentially more prone to complaining that what we might be used to , so you should place things in context...

[Monark]

Have you considered the Giant Anthem X?

[koukie]

In the forsale section there is someone that wants to sell his Morewood Zula with XX components for R25k or something. Excellent deal!

[gummibear]

With your budget go with one of the Morewood Zula that are for sale.

[Ashchest]

110mm travel beautifull :thumbup:

 

AMS 110 race

[TYGA]

At 1'93 you should consider a 29er...contact Kiwi on the Hub, he has Kona Hei Hei 29 duallies for sale at a decent price which may be worth looking at and you could build a bike up well under budget.

[Lukep]

Only advice I would give is that if your are as hard on your bike as you and your riding mates say, dont buy second hand but new then if the frame breaks you are covered. Other than that dont worry about anyone elses thoughts but your own.

[scotty]

Dont know much of 29'ers but Trek have a DS 29'er for R25000, 2nd one up in the range.

[weeFrisbee]

Thanks for all the comments I really appreciate it.

 

Have not tested one of these bikes, its just options that are within my budget at this stage. Will go and have a look at mtbr and bikeradar. GREAT advice, thanks

 

Had a look at the Zula for sale. Excellent bike and spec...just WAY too small. Would be like a pit bike to me!...and my weight wouldn't help.

 

Also had a look at the Cube AMS, something in me is just hesitant about Cube...can't put my finger on it.

 

I also feel that I am not educated enough to make a call on the 29er option. I understand the larger diameter gives you beter rolling abilities over rocks and stuff, but it seems like you pay in on acceleration(?)...and maybe handling?. Does the geometry of a 29er suit bigger guys better?

 

I must admit...I anticipated that everyone would have gone for the Cannondale option. I AM surprised.

Edited January 20, 2011 by weeFrisbee

[CAAD4]

Dale. There you go.

[RodTi]

Thanks for all the comments I really appreciate it.

 

Have not tested one of these bikes, its just options that are within my budget at this stage. Will go and have a look at mtbr and bikeradar. GREAT advice, thanks

 

Had a look at the Zula for sale. Excellent bike and spec...just WAY too small. Would be like a pit bike to me!...and my weight wouldn't help.

 

Also had a look at the Cube AMS, something in me is just hesitant about Cube...can't put my finger on it.

 

I also feel that I am not educated enough to make a call on the 29er option. I understand the larger diameter gives you beter rolling abilities over rocks and stuff, but it seems like you pay in on acceleration(?)...and maybe handling?. Does the geometry of a 29er suit bigger guys better?

 

I must admit...I anticipated that everyone would have gone for the Cannondale option. I AM surprised.

 

There's been a fair bit of debate about 26" vs 29" on the Hub recently - see here... You might want to read through it for some views/opinions - or, you might want to avoid it all together, as it will probably cloud the waters even more...

[Tieffels]

Also like the fast up and down thing, I'm only 90kg's and have also noticed that I'm "hard" on my equipment. Cracked one frame already, and had to go from old Stumpjumper (2005, 100mm back in those days) to Epic 2008. Much prefer the solidness of the Stumpjumper.

 

Having said this, and this is purely my personal opinion, I'd steer clear of the Scott and Merida, my perseption is that they are too racey for nice XC/light trail riding abuse.. Cannot speak for the 'Dale. This is why there are so many 120-140mm options out there these days. I'd be shopping in this region given the choice, but it is completely up to your riding style and conditions available to you.

 

PS it is not so much about the travel, but the geometry that makes me say this. My old 100mm SJ had very lekker chilled geometry