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If you're bored, which mountain bike:
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BusyRaeNOTBusty
Posts: 7,166 Member
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/anthem.27.5.3/14824/66144/
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http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/products/227690006/bike-spark-940-s/
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Just based on the specs. Of course I'll try them and they are slightly different prices....
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http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/products/227690006/bike-spark-940-s/
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Just based on the specs. Of course I'll try them and they are slightly different prices....
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Thinking the Scott. 29'r. Looks like a good Fox front shock. Scott also appears to include a remote lockout which is nice. Better hardware on the Scott in general.
I'd avoid the Giant in this case. The Giant has notorious issues with the rear shock failing. Nothing attractive on the Giant over the Scott.0 -
Does the difference in wheel size matter to you? Can you get tires you like in either/both wheel sizes?
On paper the scott is probably the better bike. The only meaningful part difference is the fork, but thats a pricey upgrade (one that I think is worth it). Everything else on the scott is 1 step better than the giant, but I'm not sure any of them will make much of a difference in how the bike rides.
I didn't look at the geometry, but assuming it's fairly similar I'd probably go with the giant just because the smaller wheel size should make it more responsive, which is crucial on the trails I typically ride. But I do think the scott is a better bike.0 -
Personally based on specs alone I would side with the Scott. The drive train and compenents are generally the same on both bikes but the Scott has a nice Fox fork. While I am intrigued by the 27.5 wheels making a big leap into the bike industry (not new just growing in popularity) tire selection can be minimal.
I really had a hard time making the switch from a 26" wheel to big clown wheels in my 29er, but too be honest I think it is one of the best decsions I made. The bike rolls over everything and I haven't felt like I lost any cornering and steering ability. I have drank the Koolaid and jumped on the 29er wagon. Eventually I would like to get a fun FS either 26" or 27" but that is not in the budget now.
I vote Scott....0 -
Yeah, the wheel size is a big issue. I've never ridden a 29er except around the parking lot. Not sure I'd like it. (The husband thinks I can't handle it which of course makes me want to buy it). The Scott is on close out right now. It'd be $500 more.0
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Yeah, the wheel size is a big issue. I've never ridden a 29er except around the parking lot. Not sure I'd like it. (The husband thinks I can't handle it which of course makes me want to buy it). The Scott is on close out right now. It'd be $500 more.
It was a major concern for me. I am only 5'7 so I was concerned about it feeling too big. Not the case at all0 -
I'm also open to other suggestions for bikes in the $2000-$3000 range.
I'm 5'9", 163lbs so I don't need women's specific, a solid medium frame in most brands.
Casual rider (slow) but do some decent technical (it's CO, you have to), probably a XC bike, or an All-mountain.
I have 3 LBS near me and together they carry pretty much everything. Also have REI, Performance and Bike Source.0 -
I'm also open to other suggestions for bikes in the $2000-$3000 range.
I'm 5'9", 163lbs so I don't need women's specific, a solid medium frame in most brands.
Casual rider (slow) but do some decent technical (it's CO, you have to), probably a XC bike, or an All-mountain.
I have 3 LBS near me and together they carry pretty much everything. Also have REI, Performance and Bike Source.
Are you more of a finesse rider or more of a plow through/over everything? I'm the latter, so I like a bit more travel so I can be faster through the rough stuff, rather than having to be a bit slower, pick a line and hold it.
I'm a big fan of specialized and yeti - I ride both and both are pretty awesome. But in your price range, there's soooo many options, all of which will be solid bikes. At 5'9", you probably don't need to worry much about women's specific bike (though maybe just some narrower bars), so your choices are pretty much limitless.
Honestly, if there's no clear "favorite", I'd probably base my choice on which shop I wanted to support as much as anything else.
On a side note...
IMO, it's worth paying more for:
A) a good framegood suspension
C) a good wheelset
Things like shifters, derailleurs, handlebars, etc are pretty much disposable items - relatively cheap and easy to replace/upgrade. IMO, I wouldn't pay more for a bike simply because it's got and XT r/der vs an SLX or something.
Also... shimano vs sram shifters feel very different. IMO, one isn't better than the other, but if it comes down to that as the only major difference between bikes, it's probably worth trying them out to see which you prefer.
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Yeah, the wheel size is a big issue. I've never ridden a 29er except around the parking lot. Not sure I'd like it. (The husband thinks I can't handle it which of course makes me want to buy it). The Scott is on close out right now. It'd be $500 more.
It was a major concern for me. I am only 5'7 so I was concerned about it feeling too big. Not the case at all
I'm 5'8"... and IME, you get used to it from a size/fit/feel standpoint. The bigger concern for me is the geometry and how the bike handles. Yes, you can get used to it, but a 26" bike just rides differently than a 29". I've never ridden a 27.5, but I'd wonder how noticable the difference is, especially if you don't have 3 bikes with 3 different wheel sizes to do head-tohead-to-head comparisons of.0 -
I'm sure Giant paid for this article but it's interesting.
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/650B-For-All-Giants-Elite-Level-Mountain-Bikes.html0 -
I'm also open to other suggestions for bikes in the $2000-$3000 range.
I'm 5'9", 163lbs so I don't need women's specific, a solid medium frame in most brands.
Casual rider (slow) but do some decent technical (it's CO, you have to), probably a XC bike, or an All-mountain.
I have 3 LBS near me and together they carry pretty much everything. Also have REI, Performance and Bike Source.
Are you more of a finesse rider or more of a plow through/over everything? I'm the latter, so I like a bit more travel so I can be faster through the rough stuff, rather than having to be a bit slower, pick a line and hold it.
I'm a big fan of specialized and yeti - I ride both and both are pretty awesome. But in your price range, there's soooo many options, all of which will be solid bikes. At 5'9", you probably don't need to worry much about women's specific bike (though maybe just some narrower bars), so your choices are pretty much limitless.
Honestly, if there's no clear "favorite", I'd probably base my choice on which shop I wanted to support as much as anything else.
On a side note...
IMO, it's worth paying more for:
A) a good framegood suspension
C) a good wheelset
Things like shifters, derailleurs, handlebars, etc are pretty much disposable items - relatively cheap and easy to replace/upgrade. IMO, I wouldn't pay more for a bike simply because it's got and XT r/der vs an SLX or something.
Also... shimano vs sram shifters feel very different. IMO, one isn't better than the other, but if it comes down to that as the only major difference between bikes, it's probably worth trying them out to see which you prefer.
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Probably more of a "plow over things" rider.
And I actually like a wider handlebar (I have wide shoulders and a strong upper body). The bike I ride now had a narrow handlebar and I put a wide one on.0 -
This is a fun site. It would be really awesome if it were a little more up to date.
http://mountain-bikes.findthebest.com/0 -
I just did not get on too well with the 29ER .
My 26ER is way more agile. Which seems to be kinda important on the trails I ride on.
Maybe it is where I ride, but plowing through or over things is way less fun when it generally leads to significant crashes / pain.
Most of the group that I ride with has gone from 26ER HT to 26ER FS to 29ER HT and all the way back to 26ER HT.
FS tends to be heavy and given the hills around here is mostly locked out, 29ER's seem to lack finesse, so after thousands of $$$'s I am right back where I began in in 1998. A decent HT with a great fork and XT components.0 -
I just did not get on too well with the 29ER .
My 26ER is way more agile. Which seems to be kinda important on the trails I ride on.
Maybe it is where I ride, but plowing through or over things is way less fun when it generally leads to significant crashes / pain.
Most of the group that I ride with has gone from 26ER HT to 26ER FS to 29ER HT and all the way back to 26ER HT.
FS tends to be heavy and given the hills around here is mostly locked out, 29ER's seem to lack finesse, so after thousands of $$$'s I am right back where I began in in 1998. A decent HT with a great fork and XT components.
Where do you ride? I'm in Colorado so yeah, lots of hills and switchbacks.
I just switched to FS last year. The biggest improvement I've seen actually is up-hill obstacles. On the hard tail my back wheel would get stuck on big rocks or waterbars, now it rolls over them easier. This also might be due to my lack of skill however.0 -
Something else just crossed my mind... what do people in your area, who ride like you do (as opposed to elite level races or total newbies) ride? That can go a long way to determining what the best type of bike is (wheel size, travel, etc). Then it's just a matter of figuring out what fits the bill that's in your price range.0
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Well, I just "accidentally" bought this instead. A former demo bike but the shop will honor the full warranty and service it as new.
http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/products/227687009/bike-spark-920-xl/
I did try the 27.5 Giant but I really just can't tell the difference in tire size and the higher end components were appealing.0 -
Well, I just "accidentally" bought this instead. A former demo bike but the shop will honor the full warranty and service it as new.
http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/products/227687009/bike-spark-920-xl/
I did try the 27.5 Giant but I really just can't tell the difference in tire size and the higher end components were appealing.
Congratulations on your "oops". I'm sure you'll be very satisfied with your mistake :laugh:
I'm sure either bike would have been a huge upgrade. Now get out there and ride - about to walk out the door myself!0 -
Well, I just "accidentally" bought this instead. A former demo bike but the shop will honor the full warranty and service it as new.
http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/products/227687009/bike-spark-920-xl/
I did try the 27.5 Giant but I really just can't tell the difference in tire size and the higher end components were appealing.
We expect a full report once you get a few rides on her!0 -
Well, I just "accidentally" bought this instead. A former demo bike but the shop will honor the full warranty and service it as new.
http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/products/227687009/bike-spark-920-xl/
I did try the 27.5 Giant but I really just can't tell the difference in tire size and the higher end components were appealing.
Congrats on your new bike! The bike looks great and I like the design. Let us know how you like it:)0 -
Sadly a lot of our trails are still flooded or damaged from the floods but I'm going to try to get out this afternoon or tomorrow.0
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Ad the first ride report is where ?0
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Well, I just "accidentally" bought this instead. A former demo bike but the shop will honor the full warranty and service it as new.
http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/products/227687009/bike-spark-920-xl/
I did try the 27.5 Giant but I really just can't tell the difference in tire size and the higher end components were appealing.
I think you are going to be pleased. I have the Fox Float with CTD option on my bike and it was great. Super easy to make the adjustments on the fly
Does your XT Shadow derailleur have the lock out feature?!? I can tell you that has been one of the best features Shimano has released in the last few years. It really helps eliminate chain slap.0
This discussion has been closed.