Anyone have a 29er? Looking for suggestions in the $1000-1200 range

[NoDubJustYet]

Long story short:

I live in Germany and have access to the US military BX/PX. They carry Trek and Cannondale... I can also get the VAT back on purchases made on the German economy, however this is a royal PITA. So I have a few options. I already have an 'all-mountain' bike that I use at the bikepark. This would be for bumming around town and hitting the single track.

I am looking at the Trek Cobia or Cannondale SL 29'er 2 from the BX. Buying a US or Canadian brand is silly expensive here, so I need to look at European companies. The Cube LTD Pro 29 looks nice as well as the Focus Black Forest 29r 3.0. Brands like Bergamont, Rotwild, and Canyon are a little more than I want to spend.

Cannondale: http://www.cannondale.com/2012/bikes...-29-er-2-20744
Trek: http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/colle...9er_race/cobia
Cube: http://www.cube.eu/en/29er/ltd-pro-29/
Focus: http://www.focus-bikes.com/int/en/bi...-29r-30-6.html

Any thoughts? Thanks.

[A1an]

Of those four the Cube has the best fork (Reba). Cannondale and Trek have the Recon and the Focus has the 29er version of the Dart...neither of those forks are really that great. If I had to select between those four I'd lean towards the Cube for that reason alone plus it also seems to have better drivetrain components.

Also check out this one: http://www.airbornebicycles.com/products/97-goblin.aspx

One of the better deals out there if you can get shipping for a resonable amount. The reviews on this bike are really good and you simply can't beat that component mix for the price.

[merckx56]

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...29_pro_xii.htm

Just beat it...

[NoDubJustYet]

I've heard mixed things about Airborne... Their shipping to APO option is silly expensive too.

Same goes for bikesdirect - I'd actually have to use a broker to send it over here.

Those would be a the top of my list IF I was in the US right now. I guess I can keep them as options, I'd just rather not pay another $200 or so for shipping.

[A1an]

Ouch...can't blame you. My vote is that Cube then. Components on that blow away the other three, plus when/if you get back to the states you have a unique bike that you will probably never see out on the trails.

[merckx56]

I know the owner of Airborne. They sell pricepoint bikes, and make no bones about. They fill a niche, and their bikes are pretty nice.

As for BD, I had that exact 29er from them. It was a great bike. I swapped the bars, stem and post, but left the rest alone and rode the sh*t out of it. Never an issue...

Hate to tell you, but shipping ANY bike overseas, even to an APO, is going to be crazy expensive. Can't really blame the bike companies for that...

[NoDubJustYet]

Thanks for all of the info...

It's funny, JensonUSA only charges $60 for shipping. Unfortunately they don't have anything I'm interested in at this point.

I need to find a Cube dealer that's local to me.

[rage144]

Thanks for all of the info...

It's funny, JensonUSA only charges $60 for shipping. Unfortunately they don't have anything I'm interested in at this point.

I need to find a Cube dealer that's local to me.

on jenson id go with last years niners any one of them i have a raw and a kermit one9 wouldnt ride anything else

[NoDubJustYet]

I think I've narrowed it down to one of two Cubes.

The one in the first post and the next one up, the LTD SL 29: http://www.cube.eu/en/29er/ltd-sl-29/

It has a Fox Float fork, SLX and XT derrailluers, Sun Ringle rims, Selle Italia saddle, and Easton (only E30) handlebars, etc. I could get it for about $1350 after taking the €:$ rate and getting the VAT back. Even better, I actually found a German internet site that actually takes MC or Visa.

The lower model (from the first post) would be about $1130 after everything is taken into account...

BTW, is anyone familiar with Formula RX Tune hydraulic discbrakes? That's what's on the LTD SL.



*Looks like Formula is an Italian company: http://www.formula-italy.com/en/bike-brakes

[AIRider]

Same boat as you. I'm picking up the Cobia in a few weeks. My LBS has outstanding service, and a decent price.

[A1an]

I think I've narrowed it down to one of two Cubes.

The one in the first post and the next one up, the LTD SL 29: http://www.cube.eu/en/29er/ltd-sl-29/

It has a Fox Float fork, SLX and XT derrailluers, Sun Ringle rims, Selle Italia saddle, and Easton (only E30) handlebars, etc. I could get it for about $1350 after taking the €:$ rate and getting the VAT back. Even better, I actually found a German internet site that actually takes MC or Visa.

The lower model (from the first post) would be about $1130 after everything is taken into account...

BTW, is anyone familiar with Formula RX Tune hydraulic discbrakes? That's what's on the LTD SL.



*Looks like Formula is an Italian company: http://www.formula-italy.com/en/bike-brakes

That looks like a winner right there. Can't believe how cheap that is for the component level.

We have a couple local folks that run Formula brakes who have nothing but good things to say about them. Be thankful it doesn't have low end hydraulic Avids.

[NoDubJustYet]

That looks like a winner right there. Can't believe how cheap that is for the component level.

We have a couple local folks that run Formula brakes who have nothing but good things to say about them. Be thankful it doesn't have low end hydraulic Avids.

Or the low end Hayes MX that I had on my GF Fat Possum!

[NoDubJustYet]

Found a new candidate: http://www.jensonusa.com/Rocky-Mount...ead-29-Bike-12

2012 Rocky Mountain Trailhead 29 for $820 shipped. MSRP is $1200.

I'm more than happy with the components at this price point. The Rock Shox Silver TK seems pretty nice too.

Wish me luck with the boss!

[impact]

Can you test ridesome of the Trek bikes? The Cobia (and other Trek's offerings) have their G2 geometry, which gives them slightly longer top tubes and agile steering at slow speed, steady and firm steering at high speed.

The Cobia is a great entry to the world of 29'ers and the part that you don't like can be easily upgraded.

However, if you can stretch your budget a bit, the Superfly is a bike that doesn't need upgrading.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/colle.../superfly_al/#

Another option is the steel rigid Sawyer:

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/colle...awyer/sawyer/#

Sawyer owners seem to love them, see this thread: http://forums.mtbr.com/29er-bikes/tr...er-629884.html If I were to get another bike to replace my X-caliber, the Sawyer would be that bike.

[NoDubJustYet]

Local selection is extremely limited. I live in very, very flat place. It's a good two hours to get anywhere with discernible elevation changes.

I don't have a lot to work with here.

[impact]

Well in that case the Sawyer would be an excellent choice (it's heavy, but that shouldn't be a problem on flat terrain). But it is not a good value for money when compared to the Cobia. The Cobia is a more sensible choice.

[NoDubJustYet]

I think I'm going to settle on the Rocky Mountain actually... $820 is a much better price point for me right now.

I have an AM bike right now that I've built up, so that's my high end bike. The Rocky will fill the every once in a while XC mode as well as tooling around town.

[A1an]

I'd pony up the extra cash for that first Cube you posted up. Few hundred extra gets you much better components and a fork that blows away what is on that Rocky Mountain both in weight and performance.

[NoDubJustYet]

Pony-up is easy to say... I have three big vacations this spring/summer, twin toddlers, bills, etc. - so I'm lucky the boss lady is letting me even go this far. The Rocky Mountain will be more than adequate for what I need it to do.

[A1an]

I completely understand and I'm sure you'll be happy either way. Just consider maybe saving a little while longer for the Focus. That package has way more bang for the buck and it will keep the upgrade bug away much longer.

[NoDubJustYet]

Well, that Rocky Mountain pricing was a sham...


I gave up on the 29er hunt and went with this 2011 Kona Kula: http://2011.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=kula

Got it for around 50% off plus free shipping.



Gotta love it when people ask for help in a thread and then go the complete opposite direction!

[impact]

Hah, a really long time ago (2008-2009) I was hoping to get a Kona as my first real bike, too. They are nice. Congrats!

[NoDubJustYet]

Hah, a really long time ago (2008-2009) I was hoping to get a Kona as my first real bike, too. They are nice. Congrats!

This will be my first Kona... and only my third real bike.

2000 Gary Fisher Wahoo (gave it to my brother who uses it at college)
2006 Gary Fisher Fat Possum XT (still use it at the bike park)

And now the Kona for XC, tooling around town and pulling the kids.