Best bike for Nerang (29 or 26)?

[Irck]

I searched and I couldn't find anything similar so I hope this is in the right section of the forum.

The bike I currently have is a Scott Voltage YZ15. I used to ride in Daisy Hill and it was fine but since I only ride Nerang nowadays I'm looking for a new bike. My dilemma is what kind. I don't downhill or anything, just general trail riding.

I've been getting mixed advice from bike shops but the majority are recommending 29ers, however the guys I ride with are telling me that a 26 will be more fun due to the tightness of Nerang's trails.

The bikes I'm tossing up between are (26) the Giant Trance X1 or Merida 120 xtd and (29) Giant Anthem X1 or Specialized Camber or maybe a Trek.

I'm not trying to start a 29 vs 26 debate but I just want to know what people who've ridden both in Nerang specifically would recommend.

Any advice from Nerang regulars would be appreciated.

 

[Irck]

85 views but still no feedback?

 

[cressa]

Hey Irck, I ride nerang on a regular basis, on a 26. I come from a DH background so I have a strong biased towards slack, short travel 26er for trail riding. Now, let me make it clear, I have no 29 experience whatsoever. So it's virtually impossible for me to give any good advice. However, from what I understand about 29er's and the whole, wheels not getting caught in holes etc, this could be a win at Nerang seeing as it's generally pretty rugged, but again with no experience I couldn't say for sure.

Speak to the guys at Nerang MTB shop, if you are looking at anything Specialised I'm sure they could hook you up with a test ride on a 29er. It's really the only way to know what YOU prefer.

Good luck with it, I know the anxiety and stress of choosing a new bike all to well.

 

[Irck]

Thanks mate, I appreciate any advice I can get from Nerang riders.

I spoke to the guys at NMTBC a while back but I'll definitely try and hook up a test ride but I just thought there may have already been a pretty clear consensus on what suits those tracks.

I'm also a bit hazy as to what Nerang would be classed as. Is it cross country or is it a bit rougher than that?

And you're right, looking for a new bike is doing my head in.

 

[cressa]

Nerang is nerang. It can be any classification I think - depends on how you ride it. There's fast and rough sections that feel like your downhilling and gnarly technical climbing that makes grown men cry. It's mountain biking that's for sure and when you have your loops sussed and your legs on it's pretty damn rewarding.

 

[Irck]

There's fast and rough sections that feel like your downhilling and gnarly technical climbing that makes grown men cry.

Haha! Yeah, it's rough as. I was bloody cursing it when I first started riding there.

 

[Irck]

Poll added...

I've added an anonymous poll.

I'm pretty new to all this so I'm just going to make an assumption that XC bikes are 4 inch travel, trail are 5ish and all mountain are 6ish...

 

[andy]

I have always found my Turner Flux good there. At the time it was 1x9, with 120mm/20mm reba. Light for climbing those hills, but good for ripping.

The All mtn category can be a hard one. I also have an Intense Tracer (Hasn't made it to Nerang yet, but has ridden Castle hill heaps) (Castle hill is like a short Nerang, the climbs aren't as long, but the trails are rougher and more tech). It fits into the AM category with 6inches Front and Rear, but pedals well, and at 12.5kgs with dropper post can do anything (I raced it in an XC race a couple of weeks ago) It would eat up Nerang no problems. But some all Mtn bikes would be too heavy to climb those hills there. I rode a Jamis Parker there last year, it weighed mid 14's and took everything I had to ride up the big hills with only 1x9.

Maybe something like a Santa Blur LT would be good there, or TRc. The transition Bandit would be a good choice too, they build up light, have nice slack angles, but only 130mm on the rear. If you really wanted to go 29er for Nerang, a Bandit 29er would be a good choice.

 

[pistonbroke]

Haven't you heard, 650b is where it's at. 29er's are so 2011.

 

[andy]

So my Turner 5 spot is the go then, apparently it will take 650b

 

[Irck]

The transition Bandit would be a good choice too, they build up light, have nice slack angles, but only 130mm on the rear. If you really wanted to go 29er for Nerang, a Bandit 29er would be a good choice.

This looks awesome! Found it on a site for £3000, which, unfortunately, is well out of my price range...

Will be testing 26 and 29ers as soon as this rain stops but I'm still really interested to see what everyone is riding out there.

 

[andy]

https://www.facebook.com/SuperSportsAU

This is the Transition importer for Australia. He is a local to Brisbane and Xero on here. Hit him up for the level one build kit price for a Bandit 29er, you might be surprised and it might be closer to your budget than you think.


Check out the vid for you stereotype 29er.

[video=vimeo;27448362]http://vimeo.com/27448362[/video]

 

[trailsnail]

Nerang has all types of trails and you will find yourself seeking out the ones that suit your riding skill, style and fitness.

I rode Nerang completley Rigid and Single Speed with a 24 inch rear wheel for years with no problems at all.
http://www.datsun1000.com/UserImages/beetwenty/Large/Planet%20X%20-%20Pitbull%20Pro.jpg
The 24 rear makes life harder on trails like 3 hills single trail, but i still enjoyed it and for a long while i rode that trail twice a week anyway.
I have a mate that absolutly shreads Nerang on 24 inch wheels both ends, single speed, rigid frame and 120mm fork up front.
some of you migh know him "m.artin" he is more of a street rider but has no problems with his set up.

I am currently running 26 front and 100mm travel, 24 rear 68mm travel still single speed and loving it.
although i probably only use 50-60mm travel each end max on a days ride as i like my travel very firm.
http://www.datsun1000.com/UserImages/beetwenty/Large/28062011143.jpg

My point is that all of the bike setups I have just listed are very far from what people would consider to be a standard bike setup, or what is suited to nerang.
My advice is to go with what you are comfortable on, afterall it is you that will be riding it.
I have bought a few 26inch bikes with gears ect because people say that is whAt i should do for nerang, I just sold them a few months later because that type of bike is not for me.

If you get the chance to try out a 29er and if you decide that you feel comfortable with it and prefer the ride over a 26 inch bike then it is the best bike for Nerang.
If you prefer the feel of a 26 then that is the best bike for Nerang.

Personaly i think 29ers look like they would be better suited to a rider that is after something that will plow over bumps.
And a 26 would be better for someone that wants a little more manuverability to change direction/speed quicker and find alternate lines through the bumps.

For me Im riding a 24 rear wheel for the same reason as the 26 above, and after so many years on a 24 if I ride something with 26's all round it feels like im riding a bus.


Also as said in previous posts I have no exp[erience with 29's so my opinion might not be too valid.

The best bike for nerang is the one you are comfortable with.

 

[Ridenparadise]

trailsnail may just have posted the only sensible thought by a single speeder, ever! But he does know Nerang and can ride:encouragement:

See the width of the bike and rider in that Bandit vid frontpage? That's the width of Nerang's trails. A lot of the climbs and old descents are covered in loose stones and are slow and tight. Go 26

 

[Irck]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I've tried a few 29ers and I don't mind them but they feel a bit too big and slow turning for me. After test riding a 26 and 29 back to back, it felt great to jump back on the 26 (felt like a bmx after the 29er). The Bandit still looks sick though...

From the poll it looks like 120mm is the go but unfortunately I think I'll be going for a 150mm. There just doesn't seem to be much in the $1500 - $2000 (on sale) range that isn't rocking a Rockshox Recon, which I've been told to avoid by both friends and online reviews.

The good news is that I've jumped on a couple 150mm bikes (carpark tests admittedly) and they've still felt fun, so hopefully the extra 30mm won't be too annoying climbing the hills.

So, moral of the story is: I don't know what I'll end up with but it's unlikely to be a 29er.

PS - trailsnail, you must be an absolute machine to get around Nerang on your little weapons! I can't even imagine how much fitness you'd need to punt those bikes around the trails...

 

[trailsnail]

You don't need too much extra fitness for them.

I think a single speed rides more efficently than a geared bike of the same gear ratio.
So if im riding at a speed where my gearing is suited then it feels easier, if the gearing is too hard or too easy for the trail im on then it is harder to ride.
Overall it suits me.

I just attack climbs with a little more speed at the start and if it gets too hard i just walk up the remainder of the hill.
And if i wind out then im going fast enough to have alot of fun anyway.

Im just out there for fun so im not too bothered if i need to walk the odd bit of trail here and there, that being said i sometimes attend social rides and always keep up.
I think it is just a matter of becoming familiar with whatever set up you ride.

I think a 26 inch is the right choice for Nerang, yes it is bumpy so in theory a bigger wheel would roll over the bumps a little easier, but alot of Nerang is very tight and you will be constantly trying to get those large wheels up to speed again.
Also i would think a large wheel like that has got to flex much more in the corners.