[Closed] Good value used XC race bike?

Scott scale

I am about to list my Kinesis FF29 frame in Large. £150 posted if of any interest. Was my race bike for 3 years and is more than capable of getting you down anything you care to put in front of it. Plenty of signs of use (mainly rub) but still straight and strong. Never crashed.

EDIT: Sorry I read you were looking for a frame and not a complete bike.

cheers, im just looking for recommendations for complete bikes, im just starting the search and could do with some help narrowing it down, its all a bit out of my area of bike knowledge
I would also like something ridiculously light, just 'cus

https://m.pinkbike.com/buysell/list/?region=5&category=75

Fill yer XC disco slippers...

Cheers...Whats good though? in terms of a modern race orientated bike. I have no idea what im looking at in modern xc bikes. Im also well out of my comfort zone as im even considering a carbon frame, which i have never owned...

im instantly drawn to that green s/c chameleon but i know thats not what im looking for, or is it?

No, a highball is Santa Cruz’s XC race hardtail.

What is your budget?

I dont have a budget yet... as little as possible but i'll spend what i need to, to get the right bike, when i have got my head around it.
i just dont want to get distracted by bikes im more familiar with, like the chameleon. I kind of know im looking for a very different bike to what i know.
It will be solely used for xc, marathon races and training

WEll you want the lightest, fastest bike you can get.

So things like the Scott Scale, a CUBE HPC a Giant XTC29, etc etc. In simple terms, if it looks fun, playful or has 130mm+, then it's the wrong bike.

I'd go something like a CUBE LTD Race from 2013-15.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2060353.m570.l1313.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.XCUBE+LTD.TRS0&_nkw=CUBE+LTD&_sacat=0

My mate picked up a Scott Scale 29er for under 1K.
It's a couple of years old but was getting on for 2.5K when new and it's a really nice machine.

If it’s a hardtail, perhaps something like my Santa Cruz Highball C with XTR in XL, soon to be in the classifieds. Though it’s not a weight-weenie machine.

The Canyon hardtails are brilliant race bikes. There are a few on eBay. Try Paul's Cycles for last year's models from Giant.

Excellent.. thanks all
A few bikes I was unaware of in there

Whats good though?

The one that's been looked after by a fastidious owner.

Don't get hooked on Bike A being faster than Bike B.

^ this. A used xc race bike will have likely been ridden hard and crashed a fair bit, so condition is important.

Have a look on xcracer.com, there is a forum on a bar on the right hand side - its very quiet but xc race bikes tend to get put up there. It is mid-way thorugh the season though, more second had race bikes get put up in the offseason as people switch/upgrade for the next year.

OP - PM sent

I’ve got a 2016 Trek Top Fuel 9.9 that I have been thinking about selling (subject to the right price etc). In great condition

Drop me a message if interested

Thanks but think I’m leaning toward a hard tail and something a bit cheaper than a top fuel 9.9
Cheers

I dont have a budget yet

something a bit cheaper than a top fuel 9.9

So you do have a budget...? Gizza clue - are you looking at £500 or £2000? Whilst it'll be diminishing returns the more you spend the better you'll get, particularly if you want something very light.

I'd echo Matt OAB's comment though, there's not that much in it really, I'd have a "worse" bike that's not trashed.

I don't really want to spend more than £1k, ideally £7-800 but I could equally find myself convincing myself to spend £1500+ Im an idiot and cant control myself....So best to say I don't have a budget until I know what im looking for