Full Suspension MTB

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3puttssuck

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#207342 19-Dec-2016 23:52

Asking here if anyone can give some feedback on FS MTB. Looking for an entry level around $3k. Seen 2016 Merida One Forty 7 500 & 2016 Kona Precept 150 at Evolution cycles. Looking to use it maybe once a month at the new Adventure Park in Chch. Didn't have much time to talk to a sales associate as they were very busy and I was in a bit of a hurry, just a quick look. Any advice / feedback greatly appreciated.

TIA.

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#1692541 20-Dec-2016 00:34

Used to have a Santa Cruz back in the day. No idea if they are still around but it was awesome.

sidefx

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#1692559 20-Dec-2016 08:07

I think the Giant Trance has a decent rep over in the gpforums MTB thread. I seem to recall the Trance 2 being recommended.

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Dunnersfella

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#1692576 20-Dec-2016 08:50

Go to a proper bike store and talk to a staff member who rides the terrain you want to ride.

A 'geek' forum and bike advice is generally a little broad / off the money.

My $0.02

pipe60

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#1692986 20-Dec-2016 20:39

Very similar specs on the bikes your looking at. Brakes maybe slightly better on the Kona.

The trance 2 that sidefx refers to is a far better option if you can afford to go a bit higher one of the guys we ride with has got one and loves it.

Could try hiring a few different bikes and see what u like.

mudguard

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#1692990 20-Dec-2016 21:00

Dunnersfella:

A 'geek' forum and bike advice is generally a little broad / off the money.

Depends who you talk too...

Probably the biggest thing about having gondola access, is that it's that much harder on any bike. Each downhill run is the equivalent of one bike ride. So if you do ten shuttles one day, that's pretty much the same as ten rides. So it's tricky to choose a bike. If this is the only place you're going to ride, then I would err on the side of a burlier/stronger bike.

Both bikes you linked are fine, but slightly more expensive Merida One Sixty has a much nicer build kit, great fork Manitou Mattoc, really good rear shock, bullet proof brakes.

http://www.bikebarn.co.nz/2016-merida-one-sixty-7-600-black-red.html

I think whenever lots of gravity is involved then it's better to have more bike (IE suspension travel and brakes) then less. If you weren't going to use the gondola, and pedal up, then it's a different story.

I ride this up and down everything.

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#1692991 20-Dec-2016 21:00

tl;dr

for chch adventure park ONLY. you want a giant reign 2.

for chch adventure park and other things you want a giant trance 2.

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#1692993 20-Dec-2016 21:01

the giant reign 2 last year's model is better than this year's ... only just though

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#1692995 20-Dec-2016 21:07

long version

why i recommend giant: best bang for buck.

why the bikes:

reign is good at going down and not much else but can be pedalled. it is a long travel bike which means it will smooth out all the bumps very well.

trance is not bad at going down but also not bad at pedals uphill

bang for buck

- no1 is the suspension - you want something that absorbs bumps but not bounce around when you pedal and well damped ie not a pogo stick. the giant ones are good. ESP reign 2 2016 (ol;d model has the RS Pike, new model is inferior actually wiht the RS Yari)

- no2 is the components - you want something that doesn't go out of tune, brakes that last, and also light and strong. the giant has them all.

- no3 is the frame - you want something that is like a BMW and not a toyota corolla. the late models are all BMWs, the older models are a bit clumsy.

- no4. at 3k the giant 2 series will work really well. that is the point of optimum really. once you go upwards that's the point of diminishing returns to gain you seconds on a race and very expensive bits that are built light so not as tough.

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#1692998 20-Dec-2016 21:10

PS don't buy Merida the bits are nowhere near as good as GIant for the same price point

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#1692999 20-Dec-2016 21:11

How tall are you?

3puttssuck

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#1693000 20-Dec-2016 21:13

mudgaurd & joker97. Thanks for the excellent advice. I knew there would be some MTB guys who were also Geeks, hence my question.

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#1693001 20-Dec-2016 21:14

I think the Giant Reign is the Toyota Corolla of the trail/all mountain/enduro side of mountain-biking. Great bang for buck, bulletproof, and you see plenty about.

Unlike Santa Cruz (though I see plenty at Woodhill), which are boutique and gorgeous. And there's nothing wrong with that Merida either.

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#1693002 20-Dec-2016 21:15

mudguard:

I think the Giant Reign is the Toyota Corolla of the trail/all mountain/enduro side of mountain-biking. Great bang for buck, bulletproof, and you see plenty about.

Unlike Santa Cruz (though I see plenty at Woodhill), which are boutique and gorgeous. And there's nothing wrong with that Merida either.

Componentry my friend. Meridas are the corollas! In terms of the components are almost useless on a proper bike park. RIding on tarmac's fine.

Santa Cruz are carbon bikes which means they are hand made. They are the lamborghinis. The componentry of the giant is as good or exceeds the Santa Cruz at 2X the price. Only at 3-4X the price befpore your Santa Cruz components exceed the GIant.

3puttssuck

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#1693003 20-Dec-2016 21:18

joker97:

How tall are you?

I'm a short arse, 168cm.

3puttssuck

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#1693004 20-Dec-2016 21:23

joker97:

the giant reign 2 last year's model is better than this year's ... only just though

Last years model being 2016, as the 2017 is now available. Or did you mean 2015 as last years model ?

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