29er vs full susp.
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How about a full suspension 29er? I just got a Salsa Spearfish for about 2 grand.
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oops--I mis-read your budget. well...maybe there is a full susp 29er out there?annamagpie said:
I recently got a new bike and had a similar decision. I ended up spending a bit less on a 29er hardtail, on the basis that I wanted to try the 29er and could then save up for my perfect FS bike and would really know if I wanted a 26 or 29 FS. I think I made the right choice as I am really enjoying the 29er, and now I can make a better decision when I have enough money for a really good FS (now I want a Niner FS!). In the meantime, I have a really fun bike and am glad I got the chance to try a 29er 
thank you! what kind of 29er did you get? The guy at the bike shop tried to tell me that he thought a 29er would weigh the same if not more than a FS. I am 5'2 and very small. I'm just torn between them and don't know what to get!! i haven't been able to test ride a 29er because none of my local shops have one small enough for me.
That's really hard if you can't try a 29er first! I am 5'9" so was able to try first, I don't think I would've got one without riding first. I was torn between a 2011 Gary Fisher/Trek Mamba (WSD) 29er and a new 2009 Trek Fuel 5.5 FS that the LBS had discounted. The Trek FS was a great buy but it wasn't my ideal bike (and was a little small), so I decided to try the 29ers and save money towards a really good FS next year. I rode both the WSD Mamba and also the regular Marlin. I preferred how the Marlin felt and the lower price meant money in the bank for the bike I really want, or not too much tied up in the bike if I decided I didn't like the 29 thing after riding more than the LBS parking lot (and also made DH happy - he's not into biking)! Also, where I live for now (Florida), the Marlin does fine for the local trails. That was my rationale anyway I'm not sure about the weight issue, sorry!
I'm not sure about the weight issue, sorry!
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30 pounds with pedals--not a stock bike-- i dunno if a stock bike would weigh less or even more?LilLiz said:
i'd like it to weigh less, but...oh well!
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If I may (as a well meaning interloper ) offer a suggestion: take a look at the Fantom Pro 29 from bikesdirect for $1,195 delivered. They offer (and have in stock) a 13" frame 29er bike that has an 'effective top tube' length of 22.7" which is about 1/2" shorter than the Niner EMD which is rated for riders from 5'3" to 5'9". It also has a lower standover height than the Niner.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom29_pro_xi.htm
They have an almost identically spec'd model (for $1,495) they claim weighs 26.5lbs in size small (15").
The downside to buying from bikesdirect is that they are mail order in every sense of the word, but the parts spec is pretty impressive for that price point. If you really didn't care for it, you could always get a frame you like better down the road and move the parts over to that and still be money ahead.
Just a thought.
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One of the ladies that rides with us has been looking at upgrading from her current 1996 Giant Iguana 26" hardtail (hence the reason I am lurking here now) and has been demo riding a few different Rocky Mountain bikes lately. For her, it has also come down to a 26" FS or 29er hardtail. She likes them both, and she seems to be a little faster on the 29er hardtail, but is having trouble deciding on one over the other.
It's a shame you can't get a test ride. Good luck getting a rig that suits you.
) offer a suggestion: take a look at the Fantom Pro 29 from bikesdirect for $1,195 delivered. They offer (and have in stock) a 13" frame 29er bike that has an 'effective top tube' length of 22.7" which is about 1/2" shorter than the Niner EMD which is rated for riders from 5'3" to 5'9". It also has a lower standover height than the Niner.http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom29_pro_xi.htm
They have an almost identically spec'd model (for $1,495) they claim weighs 26.5lbs in size small (15").
The downside to buying from bikesdirect is that they are mail order in every sense of the word, but the parts spec is pretty impressive for that price point. If you really didn't care for it, you could always get a frame you like better down the road and move the parts over to that and still be money ahead.
Just a thought.
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One of the ladies that rides with us has been looking at upgrading from her current 1996 Giant Iguana 26" hardtail (hence the reason I am lurking here now) and has been demo riding a few different Rocky Mountain bikes lately. For her, it has also come down to a 26" FS or 29er hardtail. She likes them both, and she seems to be a little faster on the 29er hardtail, but is having trouble deciding on one over the other.
It's a shame you can't get a test ride. Good luck getting a rig that suits you.
can you guys see the image? not sure i did it right? i really want to do some custom color stuff like the seat post clamp, handle bar grips and maybe the crank arms. does anyone have any good suggestions of places where i might could look for that stuff?!
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Salsa has some pretty colored stuff. (and your photo didn't come through for me--try again?)
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Congratulations! I have had troubles posting photos as well, so I insert a link.
Some relatively inexpensive ways to add color are:
Odi grips - you can choose the lock-on color: http://www.odigrips.com/roguelock-ongrip130mm.aspx
Toronto Cycles (http://www.torontocycles.com/) - they sell various bolts in a variety of colors. I like to replace derailleur pulley bolts with colored ones (they have ones to fit shimano, not sure about SRAM). Also, colored chain ring bolts are nice and a colored star nut bolt are nice.
Jagwire makes some really great colored brake and derailleur cable - http://www.jagwireusa.com/index.php/products/mountain/cable_kits/.
More expensive colored bling that is cool: Chris King headsets & bottom brackets; colored nipples for wheels (not expensive, but a pain to re-build a wheel).
Some relatively inexpensive ways to add color are:
Odi grips - you can choose the lock-on color: http://www.odigrips.com/roguelock-ongrip130mm.aspx
Toronto Cycles (http://www.torontocycles.com/) - they sell various bolts in a variety of colors. I like to replace derailleur pulley bolts with colored ones (they have ones to fit shimano, not sure about SRAM). Also, colored chain ring bolts are nice and a colored star nut bolt are nice.
Jagwire makes some really great colored brake and derailleur cable - http://www.jagwireusa.com/index.php/products/mountain/cable_kits/.
More expensive colored bling that is cool: Chris King headsets & bottom brackets; colored nipples for wheels (not expensive, but a pain to re-build a wheel).
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