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Hi
Used to hang around here a long time ago when the magazine started. Met some great people, joined a club, did some 12 and 24 hour racing, hit the welsh centres quite often and loved my biking, eben getting a few mtb holidays in. I then moved to Ireland.
At that time there was no bridleways and i didnt know of any mtb centres over here so I played golf and rode enduro on a motorbike. Then got into triathlon and road biking / racing.
I now fancy getting into XC racing but have no idea where to start. Still have my old bike - a 03 hardtail stumpjumper but not sure its suitable for racing. Old parts and heavy compared to today? Ive seen a 5010 I like the look of but too much travel?
Im looking for a bike I can start racing on, but one that I wont want upgrade straight away.
Unless you have your eyes on the podium ride the bike you have in the next race you can enter and see how you enjoy it.
Plenty of out and out XC machines out there 100-120mm 29r's mostly HT cheaper but lots of full sus bikes out there.
5010 is more of the fun end of things but I've seen fit people destroy people on longer travel heavier bikes!
IN the SC range the Blur XC or Tallboy would be more suited probably.
Really depends if you want one bike just for XC or one for mountain biking, whats the other riding you would be doing?
Stealth Ad, I’m selling an out and out XC racing bike on https://singletrackmag.com/classifieds/advert/2015-cannondale-scalpel-carbon-2-full-suspension/
What Mike said. Ride the bike you have (give it a service first) After a few races if you enjoy the racing, want to carry on and feel that the bike is holding you back then look for something else.
Thanks - think consensus is to keep with what Ive got. Bank manager will be happy for now.
Tbat scalpel is a lovely bike though.
Each time I race...which is every week at the moment I come to the conclusion that a better bike, wheels etc would in no way help me! That's not to say I feel this way when back behind the computer.
Canyon have some great value hardtails. The specialized chisel is good value too. Most xc 29er race bikes are much the same