New Bike Advise

A lot people go with Giant's as you get good value for money from them.

Anthem or a Trance for a Giant

Fuel EX 8 for a Trek

The list is endless, my suggestion would be jump on Bike Exchange, have a look at bikes in your price point, read a few reviews on the net and then try and organise a test ride of 3 bikes you have narrowed it down to. Bikes are personal, some people like one thing, others dont, so you can get all the advice in the world from people about the best bike for the money and what they recommend but for my money, its got to be what your happy and comfortable on.

Unless you want to be able to find your bike in the crowd at a race meeting

There's a reason they're so popular. Spend $3k on the bike and the rest of your budget on a wheel upgrade and it's happy days

Lol - yeah ... need to justify the budget somehow as a business expense - maybe it can be an advertising vehicle

I have an old Merida hardtail and have not done anything too extreme on it. Would like to get into a few more endurance type races - Angry Doc etc but apart from that would be just cruising around the northern beaches - manly dam etc.

Scott seems to offer some decent lightweight bikes - anyone had any experience with them ?

Cheers
Andrew

I've had a couple and like them. As stated above, it's personal preference. They have re-worked the Spark 26er's frames/rear shock for 2012 & increased the travel from 100mm to 120mm. These have had great early reviews online & in the last edition of AMB Mag. They have also added a 29er version of the Spark this year. The Spark Expert 29er is just under $4K for a carbon frame bike that includes good mid range spec brakes & drivetrain. Test ride as many as you can before making a call. There are a lot of good XC bikes for that price. Good luck with the purchase.

Not all do and they do not always have in every model in the right size. Some, like Bike Addiction (Giant), can sometimes get hold of a test bike for you from the manufacturer/distributor and others, such as Manly Cycles (Specialized), rely on the demo days. They had one of these at the Fling the other week with the full range (including roadies) and it was a pretty impressive collection! The other options is to join a few group rides as most people will give you a go on their bike.

If I were you I would go for a 100 to 120mm bike, something like the Epic/Spark/Anthem which will have plenty of travel for all but the biggest stuff on the Northern Beaches (I know, I know, people ride it on hard tails fine but for "average" folk...) but still a great bike to ride fast in races.

You now have the 26er/29er debate thrown in which is a worthy consideration when thinking about your bike's intended purpose!

look on bike exchange & you'll pick up an anthem or trance SL 1 2011 for exactly that price range ,top line carbon with full xt for as little as $3300.U just cant beat Giant !

Kona Satori (120mm 29er)
Marin Mount Vision 120 (120mm 26")
Orbea Occam (depending on year model either 100mm or 120mm 26")
Rocky mountain Altitude (140mm 26")
Rocky Mountain Altitude 29 (120mm 29er)
Commencal Meta 5 (120mm 26")
Yeti ASR5 (120mm 26")

Just to name a few that are well with in your price bracket.

Test ride a few bikes within your price range then make a decision, however, I'd buy a Specialized Epic.