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Most popular price and component level on 29er FS?

1754 Views 30 Replies 12 Participants Last post by bikesdirect, Jul 2, 2009

bikesdirect

Discussion Starter · Jun 30, 2009

If you are interested in a 29er in full suspension; what is the most interesting level for you?

Say choices like
Tora SL, LX, Juicy 3, Ario, level
Reba SL, XT, Juicy 5, , Monarch, level
Reba Team, XTR, Juicy 7, Monarch, level

Of course, componet suggestions are really appreciated

$$$$$
and what level of price would be most interesting considering that price would effect component choice --- ? $1000, $1250, $1500, $1750, $2000, $2500 ?

Any input is appreciated

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

Furball the Mystery Cat

· #2 · Jun 30, 2009

Reba SL, XT, Juicy 5, , Monarch, level

For around $1500 - $1750

Full suspension bikes are more complex than hardtails. There is more stuff that can go wrong and require me to take it back to the shop.

I would really prefer buying full suspension from my local bike shop. To get me to buy it mail order, the price would have to be a lot lower.

Silentfoe

· #3 · Jun 30, 2009

Go all out on the wheels. Then go from there. You will feel the biggest difference at the wheels compared to most other components. After that I'd recommend at least a 15mm or 20mm axle on the fork.

ncj01

· #4 · Jun 30, 2009

Silentfoe said:
Go all out on the wheels. Then go from there. You will feel the biggest difference at the wheels compared to most other components. After that I'd recommend at least a 15mm or 20mm axle on the fork.

That doesn't sell bikes to the target demographic.

Cheaper drivetrain parts, no-name hardware (including wheels), and an XTR rear derailer, is what sells value-bikes to the target demographic.

eastspur

· #5 · Jun 30, 2009

I run whatever I think is the most for the money with the exception of wheels...

XT Cranks
Reba SL (team isn't worth it imo
X.9 shifter / der / 980 Cass
Elixir CR brakes
Mavic C29SSMAX

eastspur

· #6 · Jun 30, 2009

eastspur said:
I run whatever I think is the most for the money with the exception of wheels...

XT Cranks
Reba SL (team isn't worth it imo
X.9 shifter / der / 980 Cass
Elixir CR brakes
Mavic C29SSMAX

realized it was bikes direct asking...

for a complete bike stick with something cheap that works that's upgradeable later.

I'd make sure there's a decent fork to start out with (Reba SL level).

Wheels do something decent and don't completely cheap out. Mavic 719s to XT hubs maybe?

Dogdude222

· #7 · Jun 30, 2009

SLX drivetrain. Reba SL. Not no name wheels (SLX hubs or something to X470's). 1500-1700. I'd bite.

bikesdirect

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 30, 2009

Silentfoe said:
Go all out on the wheels. Then go from there. You will feel the biggest difference at the wheels compared to most other components. After that I'd recommend at least a 15mm or 20mm axle on the fork.

And all out means...
Mavic has a great name; but are they better than Vuelta?
What about WTB?

Question maybe if we are going for light weight [more XC] or super duty [more AM]

Looking at 4" by 4" travel; so not exactly AM; but good travel for a 29er

We could get the bike down to 25 or 26 for XC; light but upper lite for us

But it seems looks of FS 29ers are built more heavy duty with weights in the 30 to 32 range

Wheels are the hardest component to pick - that is for sure; other parts are easy to decide on once you know target price range and general use.

On wheels - we use Shimano, Mavic, and Vuelta on road; and have customers that prefer each.

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finny1999

· #9 · Jun 30, 2009

bikesdirect said:
Wheels are the hardest component to pick - that is for sure; other parts are easy to decide on once you know target price range and general use.
QUOTE]

Agreed. I don't think a high end wheelset would sell the bike. Everybody is going to have a different idea of what "all out" for a wheelset is and you would likely end up with people that wouldn't buy the bike due to an increased price because of a wheelset they don't want.

Reba SL/ SLX/ Juicy 5/ monarch would make for a good build.

CaptainDecisive

· #10 · Jul 1, 2009 (Edited)

duplicate

CaptainDecisive

· #11 · Jul 1, 2009 (Edited)

duplicate

CaptainDecisive

· #12 · Jul 1, 2009 (Edited)

duplicate

CaptainDecisive

· #13 · Jul 1, 2009 (Edited)

last of the duplicates. Sorry 'bout that folks.

CaptainDecisive

· #14 · Jul 1, 2009

I agree with a lot of the comments made above.

The sort of people buying a high end XTR level FS 29er likely have the money and the experience to want a custom build I suspect. Or at least they want to put a good test ride on a bike before they put down the cash. So I wouldn't offer that level. Maybe someone would want to buy it as a doner bike to get cheap parts then swap it to the frame of their choice and put the doner frame on eBay. But still, a hardtail works just as well for that purpose and at that level people get picky so, for example, want the fork and the drivetrain but not those particular bars, saddle or wheels, oh and they already have some nice brakes. So yeah, I'd steer clear of the high end. There's plenty of brands that compete at that level.

So I'm liking the level Eastspur, Dogdude and Finny suggest:
Tora Race or Reba SL (only real difference is a bit of weight penalty)
SLX drivetrain
mid range Avids or Hayes
a splash of name brand finishing kit
wheels something like the Formula or Shimano hubs / DB spokes / WTB rims on other bikedirect 29ers.

Ie reasonable gear that can be upgraded later as required.

bikesdirect said:
But it seems looks of FS 29ers are built more heavy duty with weights in the 30 to 32 range

Disagree with this comment. Just like 26" bikes, the majority of FS 29ers get used for XC, regardless of how much most of us might like to think we're All Mountain heroes. There's folks out there (and on this forum) who ride at the AM level and put the hurt on a bike but the average weekend warrior - aggressive XC / enduro riding. Weight wise I'd want under 30 lbs for sure. The only issue is that there might be a higher percentage of Clydes riding 29ers so wanting beefier components but I dont really know if that's true.

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bikesdirect

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jul 1, 2009

finny1999 said:
bikesdirect said:

Wheels are the hardest component to pick - that is for sure; other parts are easy to decide on once you know target price range and general use.
QUOTE]

Agreed. I don't think a high end wheelset would sell the bike. Everybody is going to have a different idea of what "all out" for a wheelset is and you would likely end up with people that wouldn't buy the bike due to an increased price because of a wheelset they don't want.

Reba SL/ SLX/ Juicy 5/ monarch would make for a good build.

Click to expand...

I like the Reba SL/ SLX or XT / J5 or J7/ monarch level

But I think we will do the best bike we can close to $1000
and the best we can do close to $1500 {that should be the Reba SL/ XT etc

Dogdude222

· #16 · Jul 1, 2009

Personally, I would also sub the Juicy's at any level for BB7's. More reliable and just as powerful with the right housing. Leaving more money for wheels.

nitrousjunky

· #17 · Jul 1, 2009

Id like to see
SLX or LX Drivetrain
Tora Race
option of bb7s or juicy 5/7
wtb or shimano hubs with wtb rims
decent cheaper cockpit parts (most people are going to upgrade here to their liking anyway)

bikesdirect

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jul 1, 2009

nitrousjunky said:
Id like to see
SLX or LX Drivetrain
Tora Race
option of bb7s or juicy 5/7
wtb or shimano hubs with wtb rims
decent cheaper cockpit parts (most people are going to upgrade here to their liking anyway)

I think we will be doing this at close to $1100 or so
and then also have an XTR version with Reba at about 27 lbs for under $1999

This may make the most sense
one close to $1000 with Tora, Ario, SLX and
one that is super nice stuff at just under $2000

We can not get the $2000 one down in the 23 lb range like the Ti 29er is; but 27 lbs should still be OK for FS in a 29er {I think}

finny1999

· #19 · Jul 1, 2009

bikesdirect said:
I think we will be doing this at close to $1100 or so
and then also have an XTR version with Reba at about 27 lbs for under $1999

This may make the most sense
one close to $1000 with Tora, Ario, SLX and
one that is super nice stuff at just under $2000
QUOTE]

This is just my opinion and feel free to correct me.

I could see a $1000-1100 f/s 29er being very sellable because there isn't much if anything available to my knowledge in that price range. I wouldn't buy it because I would want the reba/monarch over the tora/ario.

On the other end of the spectrum I agree with CaptainDecisive. I think a lot of ppl that are interested in f/s 29er and xtr components are going to the ones building their bikes themselves, or that are going to want the botique frame to go along with those components.

Will the f/s 29er be the same suspension design as your 26'' bikes?? Would there be any chance of a frame only option?

Dogdude222

· #20 · Jul 1, 2009

bikesdirect said:
I think we will be doing this at close to $1100 or so
and then also have an XTR version with Reba at about 27 lbs for under $1999

This may make the most sense
one close to $1000 with Tora, Ario, SLX and
one that is super nice stuff at just under $2000

We can not get the $2000 one down in the 23 lb range like the Ti 29er is; but 27 lbs should still be OK for FS in a 29er {I think}

So, when do you think that we'll see these? Suspension design? Are they going to have bigger tire clearance than the Ti 29er? People will want ample tire clearance on a FS 29er.

1 - 20 of 31 Posts