Help me choose between 4 29ers please!!!

[jota.dc]

I can get any of these 29ers for about the same price. I know my decision is mostly going to be based on the best fit/geometry for me, but looking at specs and components can anyone help me decide or at least narrow it down between:

1. 2011 GF Cobia
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...ardtail/cobia/

2. 2010 Giant XtC 29er 2
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/....2/5730/36261/

3. 2011 Kona Kahuna
http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=kahuna

4. 2011 Raleigh XXIX+G
http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/mountain/xxixg-11/

Thank you for all your help. I am knew to the forum and I have already learned so much... Looking forward to all your responses.

[slalomnorth65]

gottta go with the fisher, sram in my opinion is better. plus fisher has a really good warranty. I like kona but not the shimano so much....

[shiggy]

I can get any of these 29ers for about the same price. I know my decision is mostly going to be based on the best fit/geometry for me, but looking at specs and components can anyone help me decide or at least narrow it down between:

1. 2011 GF Cobia
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...ardtail/cobia/

2. 2010 Giant XtC 29er 2
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/....2/5730/36261/

3. 2011 Kona Kahuna
http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=kahuna

4. 2011 Raleigh XXIX+G
http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/mountain/xxixg-11/

Thank you for all your help. I am knew to the forum and I have already learned so much... Looking forward to all your responses.

A group of 4 is plenty small enough to make your final decision based on fit/ride.

So go ride 'em!

[Cujo]

Raleigh. Steel frame plus Fox fork = badass hardtail.

[newskoolbiker]

Go with Kona. Fishers break, Ralieghs are heavy, and the Giant has a lot of Giant branded parts.

[Tdog]

The steel frame will absolutely offer a more comfortable ride than the other 3. I had the Raleigh SS rigid and really liked it. Those aluminum frames are going to be a lot harsher.

[knottshore]

Of the four you have listed.... I did not really compare prices but assuming you have already done that comparison-

The Raleigh frame is well proven, is steel so should offer a bit more compliance (but a tad more weight) has a superior fork (I prefer fox but beyond that the Fox would be more on par with a RS Reba not a tora or recon (both good shocks but out classed in this case) and the Marz... I can't offer anything constructive....

Drive train... Sram Shimano.... your choice both are pretty darn refined these days... what are you used to?

Most importantly.... the Raleigh just looks sweet- much more important than items as silly "fit"... it really does make a whole lot of sense to toss a leg over them... in real life the ride will always trump the showroom appeal (like the old saying of making an ugly woman your wife?- I still don't agree as riding something ugly is much harder to look forward to...)

[p nut]

Go with Kona. Fishers break, Ralieghs are heavy, and the Giant has a lot of Giant branded parts.

I can pretty much bet all those bikes are at around 30lbs. None are light.

If it were my money, I'd go with the Raleigh. Good frame, great fork, and nice ride. Tire choice is great, too. Also, I lean towards Shimano in the components department.

[go-pirates]

Good to see Raleigh's getting some love. I don't own one, but that bike is downright handsome!

[Backyard Pro]

Man why do you want other people to pick your bike. You narrowed it down to four, so ride the four without looking at the name of the bike and pick which one is best for you. They all have enough component wise to get you by, 1 is not much better than the other.

[calisun]

Have you looked at GT Peace Multi? They are cheaper and steal frame. All you would have to do it put a nice fork you and you should be good. I ride 09 with Rock Shox Reba SL dual air and I love it. I will be changing staff as they break(if they break) Been very happy so far! Great option with fewer $$.

[CasualFan]

I've test ridden 3 of those 4 in the past couple weeks. My least favorite was the Fisher. Something about the geometry just didn't feel right. Maybe it's just me. I thought the Giant and the Kona rode very similarly. Maybe a little more stretched out on the Kona. I'm assuming the Raliegh would feel quite different being steel, but nobody has any in stock around here, so I haven't had the chance to ride one. I just rode the Raleigh Talus 29er tonight after work. It felt pretty damn good, but seems to ride very upright. I actually like a more upright position, but most people probably don't. I think that's what I didn't like about the Fisher, I felt too hunched over. All four seem to be good bikes. I'd go with whatever feels most natural when you hop on it. Good luck...

[calisun]

Steal frame is very good choice for 29er HT. It's very forgiving but again, I have not tried AL HT 29er.

[lamdman1976]

The only bike I rode is the Giant xtc29er- ride was short but promising. However, I think too many giant parts. The Marzocchi Forty-Niner fork is heavy 5lbs. Tapered head is a plus.

I do like the general looks of the Raliegh, Yet someone stated its heavy. Its Chromoly any idea how much it weighs? Digging the 2011 Fox F29. SLX aint bad. Whats the retail price?

Check SCOTT out too! in 2010 scott came out with only 1 29er- Scott Scale 29, which i purchased. no complaints. good spec for the price and 26lbs+ stock. I was debating between GF xcal, giant xtc29er 2.
2011 lineup should be coming soon. I havent seen any pics of the lower end models but they came out with this:
https://www.bikerumor.com/wp-content...29er-specs.jpg
https://www.bikerumor.com/2010/06/30...-frame-claims/

[DFYFZX]

I second the Scott as mentioned by lamdman1976 but I'm pretty sure they're sold out for the year. I saw it and bought it ASAP so I got lucky.

Of the 4 you listed I vote Raleigh. As mentioned, it has a heavier frame but I'd almost bet the extra weight will be made up for by the higher quality fork. If nothing else, the compliance of steel with the lighter fork on the front end will make for a much nicer ride

You might also take a peak at the Redline D660. Sweet bike!

[CB2]

The Raleigh looks pretty good right out of the box. Maybe replace the wheels down the road and see if the bike shop will swap the Saguaros for a more versatile tire, but really looks like a well thought out build.

[kubikeman]

Originally Posted by CasualFan
My least favorite was the Fisher. Something about the geometry just didn't feel right. Maybe it's just me.

The Fisher Geometry is definitely the odd man out of the bunch. The G2 fork geometry stretches the wheelbase out to the longest of the bunch (also would probably contribute to a very stable feel). The top tube is also pretty long (comparing mediums). So if you're on the tall side, or want a XC race kind of feel, the Fisher may be a good choice. Otherwise I would cross it off your list.

Just taking a quick look at the specs of the other three, Raleigh has the best. I would give serious consideration to the Raleigh, especially if prices are similar.

Just MO. Go ride and decide what feels best to you.

[pimpbot]

I can get any of these 29ers for about the same price. I know my decision is mostly going to be based on the best fit/geometry for me, but looking at specs and components can anyone help me decide or at least narrow it down between:

1. 2011 GF Cobia
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...ardtail/cobia/

2. 2010 Giant XtC 29er 2
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/....2/5730/36261/

3. 2011 Kona Kahuna
http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=kahuna

4. 2011 Raleigh XXIX+G
http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/mountain/xxixg-11/

Thank you for all your help. I am knew to the forum and I have already learned so much... Looking forward to all your responses.

They all seem to be pretty on par with each other. Go ride them and see if any of them 'sing' to you. Get the one that 'sings'.

Components are tinker toys (with the possible exception of the fork... Fox or a RS Reba is a big plus). You can change stuff out as it wears or you break it. Plenty of time for that. I'm sure none of these bikes have garbage on them.

[playdead]

Raleigh

[GreenLightGo]

There is a LOT going on with the Giant frame - I've been looking at the XTC 1 in the shops. It's got a decent parts spec and will be a solid platform to upgrade. Second choice would be the Raleigh, followed by the Kona.

[jota.dc]

Thank you soooo much. I have been out of mountain biking for about 10 years, so I needed opinions and advice on the bikes and their components. I will definitely be trying them out before I make any decisions. The Kona's are hard to come by in my area, but I will look at the Scott's too. I'm about 6'3" and 210 lbs. and have tried the GF and the Giant already. Any advice based on body frame are very welcomed. Thank you all again...

[ppfeifer]

I ride a Fisher but I have to admit the Raleigh looks the best.

#1- Best fork by far. The 15mm thru axle is supposed to be the shizzle.
#2- The Raleigh looks wicked nice, too.

Of course you need to ride them to know for sure.

If you like it then buy the Raleigh. Do it . Steel rides nice.

[Ronnie]

The steel frame will absolutely offer a more comfortable ride than the other 3. I had the Raleigh SS rigid and really liked it. Those aluminum frames are going to be a lot harsher.

I would like you to elaborate on that based purely on frame material. The tires and saddle will have more vertical compliance than you could notice in any frame.

Ronnie.

[jota.dc]

Pretty mad at the LBS that carries Raleigh. I called him up to set up a time to test ride the XXIX+G and he told me that the price I was given on the bike was actually the price for the Talus 29 http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/mountain/talus-29-11/ That changes things a lot as it does not have the steel frame nor the Fox fork. I am having a hard time finding someone local that carries Kona inventory, so it is looking more and more like I will be between the 2011 Cobia GF, the 2010 XTC 29er 2 Giant or a 2011 Scott.

[jeffj]

I ride a Fisher but I have to admit the Raleigh looks the best.

#1- Best fork by far. The 15mm thru axle is supposed to be the shizzle.
#2- The Raleigh looks wicked nice, too.

Of course you need to ride them to know for sure.

If you like it then buy the Raleigh. Do it . Steel rides nice.

I have spent a good amount of time on the Fox F29 and I think the Marz 44 (which is also QR15 - and yes, it is nice) uses the 100mm travel better than the Fox. The Fox is noticeably more progressive. When I set the sag around 25% -30%, it didn't use all of the travel (I have ridden three different bikes with F29 forks. I also didn't really find them noticeably more "plush" either. Certainly not bad, just nothing special. JMHO.