Hi everyone,
After months of researching and test riding, I've narrowed down my bike choices to the following two bikes:
KONA BIKES | 2014 BIKES | TRAIL DS | PRECEPT DL
Trance X 29er 2 (2014) - Bikes | Giant Bicycles | United States
I've looked at the Trek Fuel EX5, Specialized Camber and a number of other similar bikes but from my research I think the Kona and Giant are the best bang-for-buck scenario. I actually bought a 2014 Specialized Camber last weekend and ended up returning it b/c a friend told me the components were sh*t for what I paid. Looking at the specs, it seems he was right on - I'm a little pissed at my LBS for talking me into it (my ignorance as well I guess). The Precept DL and Trance x2 are both around the same as (~$1800-1900) which is right about where I want to be with my budget, sub $2k.
This would be my first FS bike. I don't plan on racing, mostly trail riding. New England region.
Between the Trance and Precept, it looks like the components are fairly similar, with small sacrifices on each? In a nutshell all I can tell is that the Kona would be better for more aggressive trail riding and maybe even some DH, while the Trance would be a more efficient pedaler (i.e. going uphill). I've test ridden both, they both felt fairly similar with the exception of the wheel size (Kona was a bit nimbler), I'm also trying to be open minded to 29ers, as I'm coming from a very entry-level Trek hardtail 26er. Weight is not a priority for me.
I also like the Kona b/c of the air fork.
Any insight or opinions on either? I am not looking at models above these two. I simply can't afford it. Thanks for the help!
After months of researching and test riding, I've narrowed down my bike choices to the following two bikes:
KONA BIKES | 2014 BIKES | TRAIL DS | PRECEPT DL
Trance X 29er 2 (2014) - Bikes | Giant Bicycles | United States
I've looked at the Trek Fuel EX5, Specialized Camber and a number of other similar bikes but from my research I think the Kona and Giant are the best bang-for-buck scenario. I actually bought a 2014 Specialized Camber last weekend and ended up returning it b/c a friend told me the components were sh*t for what I paid. Looking at the specs, it seems he was right on - I'm a little pissed at my LBS for talking me into it (my ignorance as well I guess). The Precept DL and Trance x2 are both around the same as (~$1800-1900) which is right about where I want to be with my budget, sub $2k.
This would be my first FS bike. I don't plan on racing, mostly trail riding. New England region.
Between the Trance and Precept, it looks like the components are fairly similar, with small sacrifices on each? In a nutshell all I can tell is that the Kona would be better for more aggressive trail riding and maybe even some DH, while the Trance would be a more efficient pedaler (i.e. going uphill). I've test ridden both, they both felt fairly similar with the exception of the wheel size (Kona was a bit nimbler), I'm also trying to be open minded to 29ers, as I'm coming from a very entry-level Trek hardtail 26er. Weight is not a priority for me.
I also like the Kona b/c of the air fork.
Any insight or opinions on either? I am not looking at models above these two. I simply can't afford it. Thanks for the help!