Where to spend the money

PB Forum :: 29ers

Author	Message

Agronomycol

Posted: Jan 3, 2022 at 13:19	Quote
Looking to get a short travel 29er, ride fairly mild downhill stuff but prefer going up and doing longer rides. Thinking about a Trek fuel so would I be better spending money on an alloy frame then adding carbon bars, wheels etc to get the weight down along with the price?

BenLow2019

Posted: Jan 3, 2022 at 13:27	Quote
Trek makes fine bikes, but I think they are a bit pricy for the brand name. What about this Nukeproof? https://nukeproof.com/collections/trail?pf_t_wheel_size=Wheel+Size%3A+29%22&pf_t_material=Material%3A+Alloy

Agronomycol

Posted: Jan 3, 2022 at 13:34	Quote
TBF everything is expensive! I'm holding out for a good used one, bound to plenty about!

gmoss

Posted: Jan 3, 2022 at 15:53	Quote
My experience with alum vs carbon frames is that the carbon is a lot stiffer, which tracks better and allows susp to work better. This is on Santa Cruz. If you can afford carbon frame, aouls go that route, but your direction ia not a bad one, just not to save weight. I am also looking at a short travel bike, so curious what gets mentioned.

Agronomycol

Posted: Jan 4, 2022 at 3:27	Quote
But if the budget allowed a year old fuel ex8, for example against a 6 year old carbon tallboy? The newer machine would have bigger range gears probably, any other advantages?

gmoss

Posted: Jan 4, 2022 at 9:45	Quote
Yes, I wouldn't buy a 6 yr old anything bike wise. The tech and parts have changed too much. I started back on an alum bike, and later upgraded to carbon as I could afford it.

bishopsmike

O+

Posted: Jan 4, 2022 at 11:27	Quote
Definitely newer alloy frame rather than older carbon frame. Not even a consideration.

gmoss

Posted: Jan 4, 2022 at 11:38	Quote
Well, I take that back. My Hightower is a 17 model, carbon, but it is Boost axle spacing, tapered headset, thru axles, all modern stuff fits. That would be my prerequisite. Maybe not most recent ergos, but that is not a deal ender for me.

Yungun

Posted: Jan 14, 2022 at 16:47

Quote

Would you consider santa cruz tall boy 29r 1st gen . First carbon fiber full suspension 5lb frame you couldnt just buy this bike when it came out tou had to go on a wait list santa cruz nailed it there first try while others wer failing on many difrence aspects you still cant find this bike anywhere for sale . Well what if I told you I have one that is in excellent form and what if I told you this 29 Carbon fiber full suspension with a still frame and shirt rear 5lb frame for $2000 under this santa cruze I swear is comparable to bikes that are newer in models only with price tags dbl in the money this bike rides and will no doubt impress check out the review on this 2010 santa cruz tall boy carbon full suspension. If your still looking for a competitive ride hard cf this bike is sure to impress.

neilz4

Posted: Jan 14, 2022 at 20:39

Quote

I was in the same position back in March when I was shopping for my first mtb and I ended up going with a lower-specced carbon bike vs. higher specced alloy (Cannondale Scalpel SE 2 vs various Treks/Giants at retailers nearby)

My thinking is the frame is the most expensive part to swap/upgrade, so starting with the better frame means I can upgrade as budget allows/I wear out the base level parts. And those upgrades are theoretically smaller

To be honest, I've put about 350-400 miles on the OEM drivetrain (SRAM NX level or less all around) and I have no complaints. Recently just upgraded bars to ENVE M6 to get a hair more upright because I've hiked the seatpost up so high, but otherwise everything is chugging along fine

Edit: this really only applies if you can find a complete lower-specced carbon bike around you in your budget range, the market really is wild out there right now

34 mins ago	The Sexiest AM/FR/Enduro Hardtail Thread (Please read the opening post)
2 hours ago	New Wheel Day! Custom 1280g Nextie Supreme Omega + OneUp hub
2 hours ago	Chromag Rootdown & Surface (& Darco & whatever) Builds
6 hours ago	Dirt Jump Bikes. any bike welcome as long as its dj or street
6 hours ago	Trailforks.com Bug Reports
9 hours ago	The Torrent DH
9 hours ago	Reliability of SRAM MTH 746 and MTH 716 Hubs
20 hours ago	DH/4X - The Weight Game
20 hours ago	Post your Starling
20 hours ago	Disc injury
21 hours ago	100 (or more) days of biking in 2026!
22 hours ago	Sexiest AM/enduro bike thread. Don't post your bike. Rules on first page.
23 hours ago	Pig ugliest AM/Enduro/XC/DH bikes out there if yours is a pig post it!
1 days ago	Old Riders....But not "Old School"
1 days ago	"Sexiest" Singlespeed FR/DH Bike Thread. (What and How-To included)
1 days ago	Changing out steerer tubes on my Fox 36.
2 days ago	Legit? Top Tier Cycles in Gainesville, FL
3 days ago	Rear brake sounds like a horn
3 days ago	Fox 40 rebound issue and knock
Sep 12, 2026	Seeking investor, partner, bored millionaire, or generous stakepark company
Sep 12, 2026	Switching to a mullet
Sep 12, 2026	Report Scammers on Pinkbike HERE Read 1st Post then contact 'captainbringdown' directly
Sep 11, 2026	Transition Sentinel V3 alloy experiences?
Sep 11, 2026	Mechanics Quick Question Thread [Ask Questions Here]
Sep 10, 2026	What’s everybody’s thoughts on ICAN bikes?