The Berm

Canberra's Mountain Biking community network

thinking of upgrading my bike

Hey all. Im thinking of upgrading my bike. currently have not much. nah just a non serious mountain bike. but ive been looking around and wondering what people think. lm looking at going the 29er road and ive seen a hard tail for under $1k. i know its heavy and not the best parts but im not in any races to win. so just looking at people advice on 29ers and secondly hard tails.

 

Cheers

 

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Permalink Reply by Karl B aka Crasher on June 30, 2010 at 9:22
Morgan is the 29er speclialist :)

What brand is it, the Cell ones seem pretty light for what they are.

Im thinking 29er when i finally sell my CBR1000
Permalink Reply by Brendan Carr on June 30, 2010 at 9:25
its the fuji tahoe 29er.
Permalink Reply by Craig Martin on June 30, 2010 at 9:56
I got a Avanti KISS (keep it simple stupid) Cromo rigid SS 29er, and it rocks. I am going to get a fork for it though, as I am getting old, and coming down Stromlo I thought my flesh may come off the bones. IMO if it has a crap fork, you are better off rigid, as it will shit itself pretty quick.

I am sure you could find a good hardtail second hand for under 1k, with reasonable running gear, but a 29er would be harder to find. Also always check chainreaction. And surely a few LBS's would be getting rid of stock at the moment, now till August is the best time for a bargain.
Permalink Reply by Milto on June 30, 2010 at 9:58
I don't know much about this end of the market being but I would be looking for a good brand name with alloy frame and a fork with a lockout.

I don't think you will find too many 29ers in that price range. The talk on 29inches.com (no not a porn site) is that the lower end of the market is just starting to fill out with lots of brands.

I like that the cell has a ridgid fork too. I would prefer a solid fork with it lighter weight and reliability to a cheap fork that will bounce lots and not last too long.

You may also find some pretty nice steel ridgid single speeds in this price range if you thought you didn't need gears?
Permalink Reply by Brendan Carr on June 30, 2010 at 10:10
yeah i reckon i need gears. ive come across some hills ive nearly killed myself on. from reviews ive read the fork isnt too bad and all round the bike is ok for the price. apparently weight is one of the biggest downs.. 14.5kg. there is a couple of models above this but they are also a bit more $$$. any way ive still got to get the other half to agree and im not sure how easy that will be. prob easier to find a dual 29er under $500 :).

heres the link

http://www.fujibikes.com/Mountain/29er/Tahoe29Comp.aspx

let me know what you think of the parts
Permalink Reply by blondie on June 30, 2010 at 16:03
I agree with Craig....wouldn't it be easier to find a nice hardtail for that price (or even a dually) than a 29er? I have one which was under $1,000 but only because she is a small frame (surly) and with lots of pink bits on her - that kind of limited the bloke (yes bloke) who was selling hers market... we got her from Ebay...
Having said that, I love the 29er... but ditch the gears,they aren't really THAT much harder going up hills, just a different way of riding them...
Bikeexchange is apparently quite good for second hand bikes as well as gumtree... so 'they' say!

ps Craig - I agree with your forks advice, my bike came rigid, I borrowed forks for Dirtworks, pumped them up too hard and have never been so uncomfortable as coming down shepherds gully - bone shattering that was!!!



Brendan Carr said:
yeah i reckon i need gears. ive come across some hills ive nearly killed myself on. from reviews ive read the fork isnt too bad and all round the bike is ok for the price. apparently weight is one of the biggest downs.. 14.5kg. there is a couple of models above this but they are also a bit more $$$. any way ive still got to get the other half to agree and im not sure how easy that will be. prob easier to find a dual 29er under $500 :).

heres the link

http://www.fujibikes.com/Mountain/29er/Tahoe29Comp.aspx

let me know what you think of the parts
Permalink Reply by John Brinsmead on June 30, 2010 at 19:11
Just playing Devils advocate here, don't write off the rigid single speed option - the combination of bigger tires and technique will offset the absence of front suspession (especially if compared to a low end fork), likewise you might be surprised at how easily it climbs and at the end of the day if your climbing at walking pace you might as well get off and walk.

Onyabike Tuggernong has some Surly Karate Monkeys on special for a bit over $1000. These beasts are made of steel so the're a bit more flexible than aluminium frame.

Best of all the frame will take a derailleur and or a suspension fork if you're so inclined at a later date.

Might be worth seeing what MalAdjusted have too.

http://www.surlybikes.com/bikes/karate_monkey_complete/
Permalink Reply by jase on June 30, 2010 at 20:31
Mate that Fuji is a goer for $999 Rrp. The gear on it isn't top of the line, but it will be reliable as anything. It's got sealed bearing hubs, which is awesome for the price. Other companies would use cheap and nasty ball bearing hubs that would kick the bucket pretty quickly. Avid BB brakes (although not hydraulic, all good!),frame looks pretty good, Dart fork (fully rebuildable+adjustable).

I would get it! If you don't want the gears on it, ride in one gear! Ha! Singlespeed with the benefit of being able to shift down if you want to ;) and you don't have to fork out extra for gears later.
Permalink Reply by blondie on July 1, 2010 at 14:23
The added advantage of single speed is they are nice and quiet as well...
If you go on Jenson USA site they have a special deal for a 29er hardtail for $750...looks good and then you have some money left over (maybe!)

jase said:
Mate that Fuji is a goer for $999 Rrp. The gear on it isn't top of the line, but it will be reliable as anything. It's got sealed bearing hubs, which is awesome for the price. Other companies would use cheap and nasty ball bearing hubs that would kick the bucket pretty quickly. Avid BB brakes (although not hydraulic, all good!),frame looks pretty good, Dart fork (fully rebuildable+adjustable).

I would get it! If you don't want the gears on it, ride in one gear! Ha! Singlespeed with the benefit of being able to shift down if you want to ;) and you don't have to fork out extra for gears later.
Permalink Reply by Jeremy S on July 1, 2010 at 18:10
i know this is not helpful at all, but you just missed (well at least i think it is over) a great sale at Cycle Surgery at Florey, they had most of their floor bikes for 50% off in June. I picked up a Kona Unit 29er Rigid Single Speed for half price. It can take gears and fork if your so inclined - but so far i wouldnt change a thing, med size and just over 12kg out of the box and being steel it gains speed like a cat of a hot tin roof compared to my alloy Giant hardtail. And to boot it is the most gorgeous metallic green you have ever seen.
Permalink Reply by Karl B aka Crasher on July 2, 2010 at 12:50
On special at the moment:

http://www.cellbikes.com.au/29er-Mountain-Bike-CELL-X-29

Good start, upgradable if you want.
Permalink Reply by blondie on July 5, 2010 at 15:29
Not sure about down there, but there are a fair few bike shops up here that simply won't work on Cell bikes...


Karl B said:
On special at the moment:

http://www.cellbikes.com.au/29er-Mountain-Bike-CELL-X-29

Good start, upgradable if you want.

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