choosing a 29er

[Alex J V]

Hi,

I am doing some research on purchasing a 29er. I am 5,11 and I have been eyeing a 29er for some time. I like the 29er, because I get a MTB(I tried a hybrid, I did not like it. I cant take it on the curb. Its not as much fun as a trail bike) and I can still use it for office commute. Large wheels means better attack angle(means I can ride really fast on road even with bad road conditions). 

My base requirements are:

min - 8 speed rear cassette - so I get better gear ratios(also the cassettes are modular from 8 plus sets.7 speed cassettes are usually riveted. )

brakes - disks - mechanical or hydraulic. 

Highest and lowest gear ratios - 3.5(highest) and 0.7(lowest)

Budget about - 35k

100mm suspension with lockout

These are 4 that I short listed:

* Montra 4.1 - 29k

    * Mechanical disk

    * 24 speed

        * 11-13-15-18-21-24-28-32 - 8 speed cassette

    * Handle bar - 660mm (smaller than cannonade)

    * Crank set 

        * Shimano Tourney 42/34/24T

    * Ratios

        * High speed.- 42/11 - 3.81

        * Low speed - 24/32 - 0.75

* GT avalanche sport/karakoram sport 40k

    * High end parts for the price point

    * Crank set 

        * All-Terra V-401 44/32/22T

    * Chain 

        * KMC Z99

    * Cassette

        * Sunrace CS-M90 11/34T - 9 speed cassette

    * Front derailleur - Altus

    * Rear derailleru - Alivio

    * Handle bar - 680mm

    * Wheel - 29" x 2.1"

    * Ratios

        * High speed - 44/11 - 4

        * Low speed - 22/34 - 0.647

* Polygon premier 5 - 33k

    * 100 mm travel(on 29er 120mm on 27)

    * Front derailleur - Altus

    * Rear derailleru - Acera 

    * 27 speed

        * 11-13-15-17-20-23-26-30-36 9 speed cassette

        * Shimano CS-HG200 11/36T

    * Crank set

        * Shimano FC-MT100 40/30/22T

    * Handle bar - 760mm

    * Brakes hydraulic

    * Gear ratios

        * High speed - 40/11 - 3.63

        * Low speed - 22/36 - 0.61

* Cannondale trail 6

    * 100mm travel

    * Front derailleur - Altus

    * Rear derailleru - Acera

    * Crankset 

        * Shimano M171 42/34/24T

    * Handle bar - 680mm

    * Wheel- 29" x 2"

    * Cassette

        * SunRace 11-34 8-speed

    * Gear ratios

        * High speed - 42/11 - 3.81

        * Low speed - 24/34 - 0.66

Comparing parts quality and gear ratios(I like trials/climbs) polygon premier 5 seems like an amazing deal. Any thoughts? 

Also is there a store in bangalore that I can try out polygon premier 5? I cant seem to find a store that sells polygon except for choosemybicycle.com Any polygon owners here?

Alex J V

@alexjv89

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[A Jaye Vigneshwar]

I have an Avalanche Sport(27.5) and that's great balance between 26 and 29er. I'm able to accelerate faster as well the attack angle and keeping up of momentum is also balanced. It's best of both worlds.

Of the list I would suggest to pick either cannondale or GT as bikes are not just about the components. It's also about the frame geometry. For EG. GTs Avalanche Geometry is so good that it's carried forward to different bikes (Avalanche, Karakoram,Zaskar)

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[Alex J V]

Thanks for the comment.

2 questions:

1)

The 4 are short listed based on frame geometry(trail focused(small seat post) as opposed to xc focused(bigger seat post)). Did I miss something?

2)

What's the diff between karakoram and avalanche? Other than the names, I can't spot any diff

[A Jaye Vigneshwar]

Alex,

While I mean Geometry it's about how well is the bike to ride. Not about how well it's on papers.

 Eg. 

Some frames are heavier but not stiffer resulting in frame flex therebt loss of energy, poor quality of ride.

Some frames are lighter and still rigid enough to have minimal flex.

I have owned an Montra and few friends of mine own too. I find one or other design blunder on them.

1. I had a Montra Rock 1.1 and the chain stay was having a design of coming outward on the axis of Alxe. The crank arm choosen for such a design should also be offset to accommodate the design. But the crank arm used was the straight one. Result - My heel used to hit the chain stay. I had to sell the bike for half price shortly.

2. Now my friend has a Montra Blues 1.2. I think they just used the same frame of 1.1 which is 7 speed. 

Result - To load the rear wheel you have to pull the rear traingle and push the axle hard. They doesn't seem to have calculated the difference in Axle Width between 7sp and 8sp.

Regarding polygon I don't have any stories to tell. This is the first time I heard about the brand. Thought it's some made in China stuff.

Avalanche was 27.5 and Karakoram was 29er. Now even I don't see any much difference.

Go for well recognised brand with good history for the frame. Cannondale Trail series is in market since a long time which itself proves it's quality and reliability.

Thanks,

Jaye

[Alex J V]

Thanks, that was insightful