$2000 for hardtail 29er thats race ready

[KBP1128]

Looking for a 29er hardtail around 2000 that is race ready. Was hoping some of the great people on this site could point me in the right direction. Thought about the Kona big kahuna and the niner emd x7 build. Not really sure how they match to each other. suggestions on other bikes are welcome. Just trying to get the best bang for my buck and any help is greatly appreciated! Looking forward to hearing back from some people!

[HEMIjer]

I cant speak to anyof them and I would choose on geo right for you but have seen great deals on BMC TE29, Yeti Bigtop, and GT Zaskar lately. I did use to have the Zaskar 9r Pro in Al before they made it in carbon and it flex, very stiff, accelerated great.

[eb1888]

2012 Scott Scale Pro 29 24lb Carbon Fiber Mountain Bike No Reserve | eBay
Scott Scale 29er 910 Expert | eBay

[KBP1128]

Appreciate the other suggestions!! I actually have seen where the 2012 big top is on jenson USA for 2239

[OCtrailMonkey]

Specialized Stumpjumper Comp HT 29er comes ready stock.. About 25lbs. SRAM X7 shifters, X7 front der X9 rear der. RockShox Reba RL.

[kevocastro]

Specialized Carve Pro is also pretty sweet at 2000usd and is race ready

[big-daddy-59]

Airborne new Goblin

Airborne Bicycles. NEW Goblin

bike is $1200 plus shipping

Add a set of nice wheels- I myself would go for something like this-front wheel hope 28 hole hub,stan's crest rim 28 hole, Sapim lazer spokes built 2x, rear wheel Hope hub 32 hole, stan's Arch EX rim 32 hole, Sapim race spokes built 3x Aluminum alloy nipples for both wheels

the wheels will set you back about another $600

Don't forget some good lightweight race tires, maybe Schwalbe Racing Ralph or something that works better in your locale.

[mtnbiker831]

Santa Cruz highball aluminium rxc. Decently light and dialed geo.

[KBP1128]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I plan on testing out the two specialized bikes this week sometime. Kevocastro how do you like that niner emd??

[rlbruski]

KBP1128,
Are you thinking of used possibly? Not sure what size you need but I do have a M (18") 2011 Orbea Alma carbon HT that i am getting ready to sell. It is in excellent shape. Never crashed. It has a full X9 build. Will be right in the price range your thinking.
I'm only selling because I bought a Salsa Spearfish 1 because i wanted suspension at both ends.
Getting old I guess. :-)
I tried to send a PM or e-mail but just joined a few days ago, so not enough posts yet but love this site and have been lurking for a couple of years. Just started to get serious about biking again in the last year or so.
Let me know if it is something you'd be interested in and I can send pics.
Thanks,
Ron from Montana

[KBP1128]

Would have been some interest but haha I'm 6'5 and that medium frame wouldn't cut it. Thanks though.

[rlbruski]

Yes, I think it may feel a little (read- a lot) small for you!! At 5' 10 1/2" it feels perfect for me.
Good luck on the search!

[kevocastro]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I plan on testing out the two specialized bikes this week sometime. Kevocastro how do you like that niner emd??

It's a custom build and is right into my style of riding, have just began racing and the bike has performed great.

EMD Large 2011 frame
2x10 (X9 crank, KMC gold chain and the other parts XT)
SLX 2012 brakes (great silent stoppers)
Reba dual air
Sunringle Blackflag Expert wrapped on Racing Ralph tubeless
Some carbon goodies

Climbs like a goat but still requires to choose the better line when going down, I think is better to build yours if the time is not an issue, it might take some more bucks but you won't be upgrading nothing in some times since you chose exactly the parts that fit you.

I'm 6' 2" and my frame is Large, at first I was running a zero offset seatpost and 80mm stem, now I'm using a 25mm setback seatpost and got a 90mm stem I might throw in, I guess you would be better in a XL frame

[HEMIjer]

Yep I would be all over the big top for that Jenson Deal.

[BigGK]

Specialized Stumpjumper Comp HT 29er comes ready stock.. About 25lbs. SRAM X7 shifters, X7 front der X9 rear der. RockShox Reba RL.

I was in your shoes KBP1128 for the last couple months. Mind you I wasnt looking for race ready I just wanted to spend decent money to get a decent bike that I wouldnt want to upgrade right away.

That being said I picked up the SJ comp HT 29er, and its amazing. Its light right outta the box and all the components are amazing for what I do (XC) I'm comming from an old 26er and this thing is a beast. It eats up any and everything and climbs like its on fire.

**my fav thing about it, is the 2x10 gear set. I'm never raking thru the gears trying to find the right one, for some reason I'm always right where I need to be and that makes a huge difference

[eb1888]

2012 Scott Scale Pro 29 24lb Carbon Fiber Mountain Bike No Reserve | eBay
In XL. The Scott Scales have rear compliance. You won't get beat up over longer races. Many of the others listed are too stiff.

[KBP1128]

Yeah haha I've been searching around and debating for sometime now but im in no rush if I'm going to spend 2k + on my bike I want it to be right. I'm hearing nothing but good things about the specialized SJ. Thinking the extra couple hundred bucks for the EVO would be worth it. But that's how it always go, always thinking for a little more I can get this AND that's how il get in trouble ha I'm sure everyone knows what I mean.

[KBP1128]

The big top has the carbon rear triangle for some reason that gives me some concern about it. Don't know if I should be or not though.

[YETI_NH]

The big top has the carbon rear triangle for some reason that gives me some concern about it. Don't know if I should be or not though.

Nothing to be concerned about. Actually the rear carbon triangle is one of the reasons that make the Big Top so special. The frame is stiff where it needs to be and has just the right amount of comfort out back. I race XC and trail ride some serious stuff with my Big Top and its the best riding hard tail I have ever ridden. And of course it has the classic stable Yeti feel when cranking down hills!!

[ianick]

The Salsa Mamasita and El Mariachi would both be good options.

[Birdss]

Spesh Carve SL 29, msrp 1300 on website which means it'll be around 1100 in the shop. It's rigid, with a carbon fork, but weighs sub 22lbs for a 19 inch. So price per pound is impressive.

Leaves you enough money to convert to a 1 x 10.

[CB2]

Spesh Carve SL 29, msrp 1300 on website which means it'll be around 1100 in the shop. It's rigid, with a carbon fork, but weighs sub 22lbs for a 19 inch. So price per pound is impressive.

Leaves you enough money to convert to a 1 x 10.

Or a better wheelset and brakes, but, yeah.

[AGarcia]

Spesh Carve SL 29, msrp 1300 on website which means it'll be around 1100 in the shop. It's rigid, with a carbon fork, but weighs sub 22lbs for a 19 inch. So price per pound is impressive.

Leaves you enough money to convert to a 1 x 10.

Sub 22lbs for a Carve? Maybe sub 32lbs.

[CB2]

Sub 22lbs for a Carve? Maybe sub 32lbs.

The Carve SL is a rigid singlespeed with an all carbon fork; it's right around 22#s stock with reflectors and platform pedals.

[ghost_03]

Sub 22lbs for a Carve? Maybe sub 32lbs.

The SL is rigid singlespeed. A hardtail, geared, carve expert comes in under 26. Under 22 might be a little of a stretch, but I don't think it's unreasonable.

Anyway, under 2k race hardtail personally I would go with an Al Highball (I'm a SC fanboy) or the entry level Stumpjumper (although that's 2200). The Carve seems to be a great bike too, but you'll probably end up wishing you went for the Stumpjumper. I had a 2001 Rockhopper Pro HT (more or less equiv. to current Carve offerings), and I know I always wanted the Stumpy. Back then it was a $400 difference, now it's only $200--although both bikes are far more expensive than they were.

There's a number of raceable FS 29ers under 2k as well, personally I went for the Superlight 29, but there's also the Salsa Spearfish which is even sportier.