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Starting to shop for a new all-rounder 130/140 bike

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Starting to shop for a new all-rounder 130/140 bike

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flag mtnbikeracer76
Posted: Nov 17, 2023 at 14:36 Quote
I'm starting my shopping for an aluminum 130/140mm bike. Most of my riding is Mid-Atlantic flowy singletrack, think SS rigid or hardtail singletrack. A couple of places I ride do have some rougher downhill sections that make a hardtail suck. Not too concerned with components other than suspension. If it's a SRAM-equipped bike, even better as whatever bike I choose is getting the full SRAM XO treatment. Prefer a bike with the UDH.

Budget is $3500 max. Here is what I've looked/ridden so far.

Trek Fuel EX 8 - Demoed a Fuel EX 9.8 and it did everything I could ask of it. A very capable bike both uphill and downhill

Canyon Neuron 6

Norco Fluid A1

Jamis Portal A2 - Parking lot test ride to get an initial feel for the suspension when pedaling under load. Very little suspension bob, even though the suspension wasn't set for my weight

Kona Process 134
flag Gravelben
O+
Posted: Nov 17, 2023 at 17:50 Quote
Worth looking at Giant Trance 29 (130f/120r) or Trance X 29 (150f/135r) too.
flag mtnbikeracer76
Posted: Nov 17, 2023 at 18:21 Quote
Gravelben wrote:
Worth looking at Giant Trance 29 (130f/120r) or Trance X 29 (150f/135r) too.

I looked at the Trance 29 1 when I was working for a Giant dealer earlier this year. It's a maybe, but not a fan of the proprietary headset which limits aftermarket parts availability.
flag Gravelben
O+
Posted: Nov 17, 2023 at 22:57 Quote
I know giant used a proprietary headset about 10 years ago, but I'm pretty sure the last few generations have had standard tapered headsets?
flag mtnbikeracer76
Posted: Nov 18, 2023 at 13:08 Quote
Gravelben wrote:
I know giant used a proprietary headset about 10 years ago, but I'm pretty sure the last few
generations have had standard tapered headsets?


From their website.

OVERDRIVE
Giant’s original oversized fork steerer tube technology. Designed to provide precise front-end steering performance, the system’s oversized headset bearings (1 1/4” lower and 1 1/8” upper for road, 1 1/2” lower and 1 1/8” upper for mountain) and tapered steerer tube work in conjunction to provide optimal steering stiffness.



I'm probably going to go with the Jamis. Only shop to offer the additional service of removing the Shimano drivetrain, swapping the rear wheel, and install XO. Only an additional $350 on top of the bike.
flag downandcountry
O+
Posted: Nov 18, 2023 at 19:03 Quote
I was in the same position and wound up with a Norco Optic C2. It appealed to me on paper and was on sale at a local shop. That said, I had a Jamis Dakar back in the day and it was a super sick bike that was way ahead of its time. Plus it sounds like the shop you went to is cool. Congrats whatever way you go.
flag Maslin02
Posted: Nov 18, 2023 at 20:04 Quote
Tallboy AL fits right in there as well. I grew up on the east coast and feel like it would work well.
flag mtnbikeracer76
Posted: Nov 18, 2023 at 21:43 Quote
Maslin02 wrote:
Tallboy AL fits right in there as well. I grew up on the east coast and feel like it would work well.

I've seen Tallboys, a couple Yeti's, Pivot... list goes on. My buddy had an early 429. He let me ride it so I could see the difference between 26" and 29" wheels. Ordered a 29er hardtail frame the following Monday.
flag 16rally
Posted: Nov 20, 2023 at 12:27 Quote
mtnbikeracer76 wrote:
Gravelben wrote:
I know giant used a proprietary headset about 10 years ago, but I'm pretty sure the last few
generations have had standard tapered headsets?


From their website.

OVERDRIVE
Giant’s original oversized fork steerer tube technology. Designed to provide precise front-end steering performance, the system’s oversized headset bearings (1 1/4” lower and 1 1/8” upper for road, 1 1/2” lower and 1 1/8” upper for mountain) and tapered steerer tube work in conjunction to provide optimal steering stiffness.



I'm probably going to go with the Jamis. Only shop to offer the additional service of removing the Shimano drivetrain, swapping the rear wheel, and install XO. Only an additional $350 on top of the bike.
Isn't "1 1/2” lower and 1 1/8” upper for mountain" the industry standard?
flag joelsman
Posted: Dec 14, 2023 at 18:16 Quote
Kona has a sale too
flag Cpembo6
Posted: Dec 14, 2023 at 19:31 Quote
16rally wrote:
Isn't "1 1/2” lower and 1 1/8” upper for mountain" the industry standard?

Yep. Giant stopped doing their original 'Overdrive' years ago. I think that was 1.25" upper & 1.5" lower.
flag terrasmak
Posted: Mar 31, 2024 at 21:00 Quote
Was in the same boat , ended up with the Canyon Spectral 125 carbon and was well under your budget
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