[Closed] Full suspension XC 29er.

The Spearfish has to be up there then ...

Superfly 100, Epic, Scalpel, Anthem

No bad bikes, try a few, but what you like!

Spearfish. I flipping love mine.

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I did the same move and went for an Anthem. Very good bikes... I bought a complete 29er X4 from Pedalon On for 900 and split/sold off the bits.

Another one in the same boat, although I'm really struggling to part with my Scandal. Top of my list currently is an Anthem, all the bits on my Scandal are still in great nick, so I'd just swap them over. I have a pair of road wheels/tyres though that I put on the Scandal and it does a respectable job of passing for a road/hybrid bike, I would miss that with the Anthem.

SC Tallboy.

Spearfish was definitely on the radar, less keen on Salsa's current prices though and the lack of a UK distributor. I'd also noticed the Anthem in my searches, doesn't really make me swoon but there's no denying the great reports of the maestro platform.
Wilko, I'm thinking the same about my Scandal, currently commuting on it and enjoying it, I'd probably build it back up as such.
Tallboy is nice but I'm not keen on santa cruz geometry.

Anyone have a scott spark 29er?

In the usual recommend what you have way I would say Giant Trance.

Yes okay its 120mm rather than 100mm travel but its a lovely bike to ride.

I bought my frame SH and built it up.

Trance probably is closer to the Horsethief than what I'm looking for, I did consider just making a few mods to the Horsethief when needed. Iirc the spearfish is only a pound lighter.

There are some good 43% off discounts off Trek Superfly FS bikes at Royles at the moment?

Canyon Nerve 29er?

Nerve does look good, I've been around the Canyon site about a million times, looking at one model then the next then moving over to the Lux...I've I was to go full bike then they's certainly be in the running. At the moment though cash is more frame only. But as I said shifting a few bits and bobs could release some more funding.

pinkwafer those are some great bargains on the Superfly! Out of all the manufacturers I struggle to feel any love for though Trek is probably at the top of the pile.

Yeti ASRc?

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I have a Horsethief and Spearfish (the flex stay, single pivot versions), and the Spearfish is a great compliment to the 'Thief.

My wife has a Santa Cruz Superlight 29er that I occasionally borrow, and it's OK geometry wise, but there's definitely more flex in the back end, and feels like there's a bit more weight in the frame than the 'Fish.

If you're interested, I am having to sell my Spearfish as a frame only.
Gimme a shout if you're interested.

You've got to try an M109, I've been riding 1 since Christmas and so far it's very good. Might not be quite as quick as an Epic but seems a lot more fun.

OH, as a p.s. We took the Spearfish to Spain for a biking holiday (along with a nice specced carbon Spesh Camber). Even with a middling budget(i.e. not light!), the Spearfish blew away everything else on the long days. Whoever had a go on it just pulled away into the distance - even the 29er sceptic guide was surprised. Ace little bike 😀

Love my carbon Ghost 2978 (100mm on the back 120mm on the front atm)

Although planning to sell up for a Codeine soon (Want more bounce for bigger wales ect. days but can't afford a second 650b 160mm or what not 🙁 )

Ye can have a shot of the Spectral tomorrow night YK! 8)

New Spearfish was well liked by Chipps. I have the Horsethief which pedals very well, so would imagine the DW link Spearfish is a rocket.

Spearfish is looking good, nearly double the price of an Anthem frame though but does appeal to me quite a bit more.

Ubyk currently have all sizes of 2014 Spearfish at 998:

http://www.ubyk.co.uk/salsa-spearfish-1-split-pivot-frame/18759#p_details

Westbrook also have them and at 949 plus 5% topcashback...... which isn't helping!

Have a look at the Rocky Mountains. I have an Instinct BC Edition which has more travel than you're looking for but the regular Instinct or the Elements would be spot on. The bikes ride fantastically well and I've done everything on mine from enduros to the strathpuffer. The Ride9 chip seems like a gimmick but it really does work. [url= http://www.bikes.com/en/bikes/element/2015 ]http://www.bikes.com/en/bikes/element/2015[/url]

Second the RM Element. I have the 970

It's a brilliantly executed bike with a super efficient rear too

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third the Roy Element mine has a fox rear shock and I feel it is an improvement over the rockshox and 120mm forks on the front so BC edition.

Sold Turner Sultan as this was minutes quicker on the ups and only seconds less than 10 on the descents

really recommended

The quality of finish on the split pivot Spearfish frame is really good.

Don't forget however to factor in the hassle of sourcing 51mm offset forks though you can run them with standard.

How does the rear peform on the Spearfish?

[url= http://www.cyclesurgery.com/pws/UniqueProductKey.ice?ProductID=CWHY0187EW ]Cycle Surgery Whyte M109 in Large - IMO Bargain.[/url]

another +1 for the element
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There is every chance that your fork will be a 100/120 inside and popping it up to 120mm will make this a nice fun trail XC bike. Rear with the Fox Remote is excellent.

Another vote for the Element, I've had 5 29ers in the last few years and my Rocky is the only bike I can do long rides on in complete comfort. It's fun fast and light.

Another vote for the Element, I've had 5 29ers in the last few years and my Rocky is the only bike I can do long rides on in complete comfort. It's fun fast and light.

Another vote for the Element, I've had 5 29ers in the last few years and my Rocky is the only bike I can do long rides on it in complete comfort. It's fun fast and light.

That's a fair few votes happy 🙂

I was in this boat back in October, picked up a Whyte M109C Team 2014 at a great discount to replace my 2005 Turner Flux. At that time fitness was poor but I tested a Medium from a nearby shop on my local hilly, forested damp trails and on the Long Mynd in Shropshire.

Riding locally was incredible. Faster speeds on fireroads, singletrack, incredible traction on mud, more confidence and stability on tech up and down, and 29er wheels rolled over stuff. Some fiddling with pressures at front and back and with stem and seat setup got things feeling good for me.

Took it up to the Long Mynd and managed to ride all 2 miles up Minton Batch singletrack which has some steep kickers on mud, some rocks, and in mini-gulleys filled with streams. Traction was great, and height of BB meant I didn't bash the pedals in the 8in wide gulleys, which I often did on the low BB Flux.

Coming back down the open grassy doubletrack trails was very fast and stable, great fast steering and line changes when I needed it, too. Big smiles.

Have got a slight reservation about the cramped bottle cage in small front triangle for long rides, but trying a side entry cage and smaller bottle and it seems to be the way forwards. Drinking from Camelbaks doesn't work for me as I can't clamp my mouth around the valve and end up with wet pants. 😯

Great fun, fast, stable, light bike.

Same , I have a Whyte m109 and its a fantastic bit of kit ,also still discounted at Cycle surgery

So much so one of the reviews on their web is mine 🙂

I tried the Whyte offering...

A decent, well thought out bike, does everything well, but I found it a bit dull, and ultimately not much fun

It just didn't have that alive feel that your favourite bike has, or for that matter what the Element immediately and obviously had - a very different story all round

For the money in that link above though it would be a good buy

http://www.blueflowbikes.com/hammerhead-thumper-closeouts/hammerhead-thumper-frame

Make the Horsethief a bit more 'XC' and buy a Thumper?. Gareth has one of these (NZ Gareth) and loves it.

I'm in a similar boat myself and I can't find anything that fits the bill for me, the one bike I keep going back to though is the trek superfly fs, it has internal dropper post routing and 142x12 rear axle, a couple of tweaks would easily make it more trail then xc race bike. Personally I'm going for the Base model and I'm putting a 120mm fork on and a dropper post, some nobblyer tyres and a wider bar. I have other plans too if the wife let's me. I've only got space for one bike so it has to be a commuter be able to do all day in the pennines do 24 hour race and be still be fun around Lee quarry.

You could do this cheapskate style like me. I paid £450 for my bright orange single pivot spearfish frame. I've subsequently upgraded the shock to an immaculate RP23 for 80 squid. I got the shock serviced & fitted for £30. The shame of it is that I like my rigid Ti El-Mar so much (and it's so easy to clean) that I haven't actually tried out the SF since the upgrade. FYI, the SF was a damn good bike BEFORE the upgrade and I expect it to be better with the RP23.

I used to have an Element... I'd buy another one. But I'd buy another (carbon) Spearfish first.

^ Blimey - how much is one of those??

Thanks for all the responses, a few more to look over though the Anthem and Spearfish are favorites at the moment. One is affordable and one needs a bit more saving, I'll need to further check out the geo and weights and stuff.

If the Element was frame only I'd give it some further attention. And the Whyte isn't doing anything for me, certainly nothing more than the Anthem is doing.

Greg, the HF probably suits being more burly, its so long that it seems to suit going quick down rather than up, though its not too shoddy that way either. Ideally this next bike will be light and a bit more nimble. The new Spearfish's shorter chainstays would go some way to achieving that.

Have you seen any Anthem 29er framesets for sale YoKaiser? New or used

Yes, can't remember where but it was with a Google search/shopping. 475 frame only, vs 900 for the Spearfish.

Oh yeah, that's with flatoutcycles, although it is a used frame, with a few chips and small dents apparently.

Ah, didn't know that. Certainly helps making a decision unless I can find another.

900 for the Spearfish is very appealing, I just don't have that sort of spare cash unfortunately at the moment. If the Anthem had been new, and a size large, I may well have pulled the proverbial trigger!

I bought my Element from Evans on a clearout

Spec was pretty much as I would have built myself if frame only buy

The carbon Spearfish is about a billion pounds. But so nice. FWIW, I also used to own an Anthem - many moons ago. Loved it in it's 26 inch guise, hated the 29er initially, then rode last years one...came very close to buying it over the Spearfish. Thankfully I didn't.

900 for the Spearfish is very appealing, I just don't have that sort of spare cash unfortunately at the moment. If the Anthem had been new, and a size large, I may well have pulled the proverbial trigger!

Exactly where I'm at too, I've loads (and I mean loads) of stuff I can shift, just need to get my finger out.

900 for the Spearfish is very appealing

Not when you paid £1450. However these are the last of the ally frame onlys so don't dally too long. The Carbon is about £2,400 and weighs 0.5lb less.

Pivot 429c. Here's mine shortly before today's snowy ride. strong stiff frame fitted with a 120 so more than capable on rougher trails as well as the odd xc race [URL= http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o784/petetallboy/20150203_123204_zpsy9ajvudb.jp g" target="_blank">http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o784/petetallboy/20150203_123204_zpsy9ajvudb.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

The 'fish is quite an 'xc' bike though isn't it?

You know - racy and shaved legs

Yes bone. It's fairly much that. Although a little heave arguably. I took mine to a few Welsh mountains and it rode well both up and down.

I should have kept it really.

Its billed as an endurance/epic type moreso I'd say. For instance Salsa do a range of bike 'luggage' for it.

It sure is an interesting bike, and I would love to see how it rides

The fact the shock has to take care of bumps only seems a big plus

I do wonder if there is a real place for short travel 29 FS bikes though with the advances in suspension design and weight savings

There's a lot of 100mm bikes around for the same weight etc

The Salsa Spearfish is at the top of the list of bikes I'd really like to own but can't justify list.

Now if I sold the road bike and just rode off road....
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(stem needs slamming)

I'm considering going back to one actually.

I don't think my riding justifies owning the Meta AM29, it's more Spearfish than Meta for 99% of my rides.

If I sell the Meta i'll likely be buying a Spearfish or very very similar

The rocky is available frame only, just in the 999 flavour...
http://www.bikes.com/en/bikes/element/2015#/models/element-999-rsl-frame
[img] ?itok=75g0_G1C[/img]
Good news is shipping would be free
http://www.ubyk.co.uk/rocky-mountain-element-999-rsl-frame-2015/21575?gclid=CMy31Jjfx8MCFQhwvAodxZIATg

I'm considering going back to one actually.

I don't think my riding justifies owning the Meta AM29, it's more Spearfish than Meta for 99% of my rides.

If I sell the Meta i'll likely be buying a Spearfish or very very similar

Lol! Hate to say I told you so 😀

Lol! Hate to say I told you so

LOL no you don't 😛

Another vote for Anthem...

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The Anthem just looks wrong to me

Yeah, i'm a bit 'nah', about the Anthem X 29er - not so much the looks, but the ride and handling didn't do it for me. Having owned and enjoyed a 26 Anthem X, I really wanted to like it, and tried lots of set-up tweaks on a long term demo bike - but for some reason, it occasionally felt a little bit more twitchy than the flex stay Spearfish that I demo'd. I felt the Spearfish had a bit more 'pop' when putting down the power, and it just felt a bit more fun. In the end I bought a SF.

Rather rare/unique bike that I know of going cheap at the moment in a 19"...

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Carbon Frame, Fox suspendy bits, SLX/XT mix and DT Swiss wheels. Was £2600 but is currently going for about £1900 I think...

[img] ?oh=5187496e762e0efeb264e3bef97d1784&oe=554CF5C6[/img]

Bought in good used condition for £675 last year. Converted it to tubeless and its been pretty good so far. Need to change the pads as its fitted with squeelers at the moment , and the PF30 Crankset is 3 x 10 , so new 2 x 10 slx / XT is on the cards .

Offset fork is an issue but it rolls along quite nicely

Another one for the anthem, could not find one and settled for something else.
A frame came up, quick as I could it was mine.

Anthems are great

Singletrackmind, what issues are you finding with the fork offset?

Replacemant availability ,as its the G2 geo from Gary Fishers input.
Its a good fork though. seems to work well enough , maybe me but there isnt a whole load of front end grip . Needs to be ridden properly ( Jedi'd) to get the best from it , otherwise it pushes on...

Replacemant availability ,as its the G2 geo from Gary Fishers input.

That's just a 51mm offset, as opposed to the older standard of 44-46mm.

Almost every 29er fork is now available as a 51mm offset, most are shipping like this as standard!

As usual, Gary Fisher's design influences are always a few years ahead of everyone else...

Almost every 29er fork is now available as a 51mm offset, most are shipping like this as standard!

IME, I think Fox 29's are more commonly 51mm offset, but Rockshox seem to be more common in 46mm offset - I bought a set of Rev 29's assuming they'd be 51, but they're 46 offset. TBH, with the bike they're currently on, it's not an issue - but this shows that it pays to be careful if you're ordering online (if it's of use, a couple of the German on-line retailers (Bike Discount, Bike 24(?)) do offer forks with range of offsets).

To complete my love of Giants (had a 2010 Trance X, now have a 2013 Reign) I've just pulled the trigger on a large 2014 Anthem X 29er 2 from Winstanleys.

I'm pretty sure it'll fit as the measurements are almost exactly the same as my large Trance X.

My first venture into short-travel and 29ers, will hopefully be a bit easier on my chicken legs on the club 30 mile XC rides than the Reign...

A bargain too, a penny under £1k 😀

I found trying to get an XC style 51mm offset fork an absolute nightmare. Very few advertised and most weird eg QR axle etc. Ended up buying fox in the US and paying the import duty.