[Yougi]

I am looking for my first bike. A 29er hardtail. Narrowed to two model

2014 cannondale 29 trail sl3 at 1030$:

Rockshock xc30 1.5 steering
Shimano m446 brakes
Shimano alvio front, deore back 3x9


2013 Specialized carve pro 29 at 1200$

Rockshock recon 32
Avid elixir 1 break
Sram x5 front, x 7 rear 2x10

Need advise.

 

[PauLCa916]

The Carve comes with a better fork IMHO.
It's a Recon Gold and should have remote lock out which is cool
Good price for the Carve Pro if it's new.
MSRP was $1,999.00.

 

[Yougi]

Other advise?

 

[Kiwi_GR_Biker]

Both good bikes but I agree that the Carve is the best choice of the two. Much better fork and the frame is worthy of future upgrades as parts break and wear out over time. The fork alone is worth several hundred dollars difference. The XC30 fork on the Cannondale is inferior to the Recon fork on the Carve.

 

[mo6500]

+1 for the Carve:

1. Recon Gold is better than the basic XC30 (it's not even XC32 fork...)
2. IMO, Carve's 2x10 is better than a 3x9

Mo.

 

[jruehman]

Def go with the Carve. The Recon makes it a no brainer. Also idk if you've test rode either but the geometry on the Carve seems to be much better than on the Cannondale IMO.

 

[Yougi]

I went with the carve. Thank to you guys. Ride them both and found that the carve felt more nervous. I had the impression that i was more over the handlebars then behind it as on the cannondale.


Btw i made a mistake. Its a carve COMP 2013. But fork description is good