mid travel 29er suggestions

[Rorschach]

Subscribed.
Thinking of a short-mid travel 29er to complement the HT in the next 6 months or so.
Don't need a lot of travel (120mm or so each end), so more on the XC-end of trail.
Had a look at all of the suggestions here and really liking the look of some of them, particularly the Banshees.

 

[blacksp20]

I run a Topaz on my V2 Prime and it’s sweet. So much plusher than the Monarch+ that it came with but also has a more supportive mid range.

 

[dirtdad]

I like the Topaz, availability of parts, and the ability to rebuild at home. Also seems to be the same shock as the Suntour TriAir (which can come in a bit cheaper). Just not sure they fit the v3 Prime frames with the piggyback.

(edit) Scratch that: As per Wake Jake's comment, I found an mtbr thread noting that the Topaz T3 fits ok, but the Topaz 2 does not. This is for Phantom, but assume Prime should also be ok.

Phantom V3 rear shock suggestions

www.mtbr.com

 

[DMan]

For us that actually need to budget I'm quite tempted with with the spec on the Merida 140 700 for next year. Especially when you compare it to, say, the spec of an alloy Sight for the same price...

 

[Rorschach]

For us that actually need to budget I'm quite tempted with with the spec on the Merida 140 700 for next year. Especially when you compare it to, say, the spec of an alloy Sight for the same price...

Flow really liked the ally Meridas - put it on my list for sure

On Test | The 2020 Merida One-Twenty 700 Is A Killer Package For The ?

Merida's award-winning One-Twenty is a full suspension trail bike designed for speedy singletrack sleuthing. Here we take a look at the value-packed One-Twenty 700, which is distinctly free of any carbon fibre or electronics. Does less money equal less performance? Given the spec sheet, we're...

flowmountainbike.com

9 reasons why the Merida One-Twenty 700 is nearly the perfect trail bike

Merida has built an absolutely ripping trail bike in the One-Twenty, and one that is bursting with value for money. It isn't perfect, but we still reckon this is one of the best trail bikes currently on the market. See why in for our long-term review of the 2020 Merida One-Twenty 700.

flowmountainbike.com

 

[DMan]

Flow really liked the ally Meridas - put it on my list for sure

On Test | The 2020 Merida One-Twenty 700 Is A Killer Package For The ?

Merida's award-winning One-Twenty is a full suspension trail bike designed for speedy singletrack sleuthing. Here we take a look at the value-packed One-Twenty 700, which is distinctly free of any carbon fibre or electronics. Does less money equal less performance? Given the spec sheet, we're...

flowmountainbike.com

9 reasons why the Merida One-Twenty 700 is nearly the perfect trail bike

Merida has built an absolutely ripping trail bike in the One-Twenty, and one that is bursting with value for money. It isn't perfect, but we still reckon this is one of the best trail bikes currently on the market. See why in for our long-term review of the 2020 Merida One-Twenty 700.

flowmountainbike.com

And at $3800 it's what a frame is worth with some of those "boutique" brands...

 

[Rorschach]

And at $3800 it's what a frame is worth with some of those "boutique" brands...

Hard to pass up, despite Merida not having the prestige of some other brands, mainstream or not.
Probably doesn't help (or does, depending on your viewpoint) you can't get them in the US, so a fair few places can't review them

 

[DMan]

Hard to pass up, despite Merida not having the prestige of some other brands, mainstream or not.
Probably doesn't help (or does, depending on your viewpoint) you can't get them in the US, so a fair few places can't review them

Lol. If not having the prestige keeps them affordable, then that suits me!

 

[beeb]

A mate had a Merida hardtail a few years back. Was really well made. Welding and machining was spot-on, and can confirm the paint must've been pretty tough too - because ol' mate dumped in hard into the ground a fair few times and it barely ever showed a scratch!

 

[Rorschach]

Lol. If not having the prestige keeps them affordable, then that suits me!

Affordable, and one of the biggest bike manufacturers in the world to boot.

 

[dirtdad]

Those Meridas are chock full of good stuff for the money! Wonder what the stock levels are like this year?

 

[DMan]

Wonder what the stock levels are like this year?

That's the million dollar question. Very limited from what I've found

 

[hifiandmtb]

And at $3800 it's what a frame is worth with some of those "boutique" brands...

Cheaper. I wouldn’t buy a frame that cheap

 

[leitch]

That's the million dollar question. Very limited from what I've found

Stock issues still obviously, but the Siskiu T8 or Rift Zone 29 3 both look like great options for <$3.5k too if you’re looking for options.

 

[dirtdad]

Now I'm less than 90% sure on a banshee. More like 60%. Kind of keen on some UK steel (is real) like the Cotic Jeht someone mentioned above, or a Starling Murmur.

Dammit I'm a flake.

Also, warranty frame for my Mondraker Foxy has apparently shipped. Hopefully here soon. No idea which model they are giving me. But it means I will have a 140mm 27.5 trail bike back in the stable shortly. This is its own new bike day. Fresh frameset! Could always whack an angleset in the front to slacken it a deg or 2. Then add a Mattoc Pro to up my front travel by 10-20mm.... It'd be like grandfathers axe (full original - only replaced both wheels, F/R shocks, full drivetrain, and frame).

Argh! Decisions.

 

[Daniel Hale]

my mate just bought a merida e-bike, had to wait about 6-8 wks from memory, but was shorter than the 2 other mainstream brands he checked out, one wanted him to pay half -and couldn’t guarantee the bike for 6 months
he’s really happy with the merida

 

[rextheute]

Now I'm less than 90% sure on a banshee. More like 60%. Kind of keen on some UK steel (is real) like the Cotic Jeht someone mentioned above, or a Starling Murmur.

Dammit I'm a flake.

Also, warranty frame for my Mondraker Foxy has apparently shipped. Hopefully here soon. No idea which model they are giving me. But it means I will have a 140mm 27.5 trail bike back in the stable shortly. This is its own new bike day. Fresh frameset! Could always whack an angleset in the front to slacken it a deg or 2. Then add a Mattoc Pro to up my front travel by 10-20mm.... It'd be like grandfathers axe (full original - only replaced both wheels, F/R shocks, full drivetrain, and frame).

Argh! Decisions.

Stanton
Frameset is reasonable price - shipping is okay - Availability is good - as in March 2021

* no , i haven't been looking : )

 

[dirtdad]

Cotic seems to be March 2021 as well for their Taiwan built Jeht. Starling seem to build more on demand, and have 12 week lead-time. So maybe more into April for a Starling. Pipedream Full Moxie was another possibility, their site read like they had stock? I reached out to Production Privee by email for dates on a new round of Shan No.5's, but haven't heard back. I'm waaay overthinking a new build, because I haven't been riding enough.

 

[DMan]

Cotic seems to be March 2021 as well for their Taiwan built Jeht. Starling seem to build more on demand, and have 12 week lead-time. So maybe more into April for a Starling. Pipedream Full Moxie was another possibility, their site read like they had stock? I reached out to Production Privee by email for dates on a new round of Shan No.5's, but haven't heard back. I'm waaay overthinking a new build, because I haven't been riding enough.

Do you have a budget in mind?

 

[caad9]

Cotic seems to be March 2021 as well for their Taiwan built Jeht. Starling seem to build more on demand, and have 12 week lead-time. So maybe more into April for a Starling. Pipedream Full Moxie was another possibility, their site read like they had stock? I reached out to Production Privee by email for dates on a new round of Shan No.5's, but haven't heard back. I'm waaay overthinking a new build, because I haven't been riding enough.

This is how all good new bike purchases begin, I haven't been riding, you know what would help - A NEW BIKE!
I am eyeing off a Cotic Jeht for later in the year, will be a very interested onlooker if you go that way