I've got a touring bike that hasn't seen much action for the last year so I think it may be time for it to go to a new home.

That would leave a space in the stable so I'm thinking about a hardtail 29er as a possible replacement.

Did find the Giant Talon 29er which seemed like a nice starter but sadly it's let down by a bad fork.

I don't want to spend a fortune, any ideas where I could start (2nd hand or new)?

The GT range of 29er's this year has been extended and have starter 29er's from circa £650 I think, upwards I was seriously looking at those before I got a second hand Singular Swift frame, also Trek have a few.

I am sure the 2012 ranges will feature a lot more 29er's which is great as it will mean more choice for tyres/forks etc

Nevis ... how tall are you? I might have a frame in the workshop.

s8tannorm wrote:Nevis ... how tall are you? I might have a frame in the workshop.

I'm 6' what you got?

Valleydaddy, just checked the GT. There are some pretty good bargins on the 2011 2.0s but is is you always hanker after the next one up

£489 on Paul's

Haro Mary frame but it'll be no good to you ... it's only 16".

Those Diamondback things make a really good basis to build on if you can find one. They were getting knocked out for something like £250. Just found one, they've gone up in price but still very good value.

http://www.bestbikeproducts.com/product ... gb&vid=321

Those Diamondbacks were great value, I see some people were picking them for £200. Can't find them for that now though.

The deed is done.

As is usually the case when I go looking for bikes I end up spending more than I intended.

Anyway, in the end I went for a 2011 Cannondale Trail SL 29'er which I managed to pick up for £700 delivered.

http://www.cannondale.com/gbr/catalog/p ... tegory/86/

Got a good few days ahead... new bike arriving, Afan and Cwmcarn for the weekend, then I go all roadie on Monday for the Team Garmin-Cervelo Rideout :D

looks a nice bike, always forget to think about Cannondales when looking at bikes - don't know why

Same here, Cannondale wasn't even on the radar until I visited a local stockist and saw a very nice shiny red example.

What made me go with the Cannondale was the fact that it had half decent parts and an "ok" fork. Most of the 29ers at this price seem pretty good but are let down by bad forks.

That's why I ended up building a Swift to be honest, managed to build it to a good spec for the same price as a entry level 29er - (well sort of )

I do like juggling spanners so I did consider On one and Ragley but I knew that once I'd started a build I'd struggle to keep the spending under control. Maybe next time.