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Giant Anthem 29er or Cannondale RZ120 (2011) for Central Coast NSW
Ok i know there have probably been a gazillion of the same question, but one more can't hurt 
I am up for a new bike and i have been trying quite a few 29 ers and 26ers. Unfortunately all on the road so far only 
My favourites are the Giant Anthem X1 29er and the RZ120 because of the lefty and nice components.
I haven't ridden for a while but i am planning to ride in Urimbah and Kincumber Montain areas and whatever else there is that i don't even know. Since i haven't riden a while its hard to judge whats better so i was wondering who has experience riding in these areas with a 29er.
I am 178 which is about 5.10, 5.11 and weight 72.
I can take the Cannondale out for a day from the shop but i can't take the Giant. The only other one i can take home for a day is specialised Camber 29 which i quite liked too but is 500 more than the Giant.
Anyone can help me with my dilemma ?
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I went through the same process about 10 months ago and after taking numerous bikes for test rides, including a Giant Anthem, I settled on a Specialized Epic 29er, have a chat with the blokes at Ride Ettalong they might be able to set you up with a test bike. I'm from the CC and ride the tracks you've mention.
Yes i am planning to borrow their Camber as the Epic is above my price range. its more to get an idea if the 29 sits me compared to a 26er. So you don't find th esingle tracks at Urimbah to tight for it ?
No not at all, the 29er is fine around Ourimbah.
I looked at similar bikes back in Feb, but didn't look at the Giant. I ended up deciding between the 2011 Cannondale RZ 120 One and the 2012 Specialized Camber Comp 29er. I rode both and really expected to (and wanted to) like the Cannondale more and was drawn to the engineering involved (especially in the lefty) BUT the Specialized put a bigger smile on my face from the short test rides I did.
I bought the Specialized, had no regrets since! Rode it out at The Oaks the other day and the trail and the bike were a match made in heaven.
Either bike would be great in my opinion, and the Cannondale might have the edge on components, but go with what feels best.
The guys at Northside Cyclery in Chatswood were particularly helpful for the Specialized side of things.
Actually someone suggested the Giant Trance X2 as an option for a 26 with more travel (125 mm). Hmm didn't think of that option before. Wish they would do a 29er in the trance.
I would think they are really 2 different machines. I ride the rize with 140mm of travel set up with a shorter stem and wider bars because I favour the downs more than the ups.
I have ridden a few 29ers and they feel more like a hybrid to me. Great to and from the trails and good on the trails, depending upon what and where you ride. Just my 2c
Check out the Trek Rumblefish. Its a 29er with 120mm of travel. I demoed one around Ourimbah and it was a very fun bike to ride. It climbed very well and decended even better! I ride my trek superfly 100 around Ourimbah regularly and its great.
@scottyb, what model superfly 100 have you got?
Yeah the Rumblefish looks nice, but i could not find any other model than the Pro one for 4K. i could not find the one for the same price range. Where did you Demo it from ?
@ Thomasg76. I went to a Trek Demo day that Erina Bike Worx organised. I demoed the Rumblefish elite. Which is 1 model below the pro. It can be had for about $3k i think. Funny its not on the Trek Aust website any more.
Here is a link to the U.S site. http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/si...
Go see the guys at Erina Bike worx. They are a great bunch of guys and will sort you out if you're interested.
@ Brian. I Have the Superfly 100 Elite Carbon. http://nobmob.com/node/31850
Yeah i have been talking to the guys in Erina and they are quite nice. They have a Superfly but its 2700 i think and they said they don't have a rumblefish.
I checked the Trek site and like you i could only find one model. Why is Australia always getting fewer models and more expensive than overseas
Ok, So i took the RZ 120 and the Camber 29 er 2012 on the Urimbah track today and did a lap with each. Don't know maybe i was biosed but i really prefered the 29er over the 26 er heaps even if it was quite tight single track in some palces.
It just rolled over everything and i had much more grip and trust going with more speed over and down obstacles. I did like the RZ but it gave me back ache due to being the wrong size and they only have a large in that size.
So i defnitely will go for a 29er which cuts quite a few bikes out including the Trance. After looking arounf at prices and what you get for it i think the Anthem is the best option. THe specialised has similar comps on it except the brake leavers and shifters but is 500$ more. Thats quite a bit of upgrade you can do for that money.
The guy in th ecannondale shop said that people had problems with their feet touchting the wheel on the anthem 29er in tight stuff has anyone ever experienced that ?
I think Anthem it is, lets hope its still there
Took the Ellsworth Evolve out for its first spin today. I have to confess I was impressed with how it rode. Single cog fitted up front on this bike meant I was out of the saddle on a the pinches regularly, but the amount of bob was minimal and it didn't feel like it was wallowing, even with the platform off and the compression damping option on the Adaptive Logic RP23 shock set to minimum.
Looking forward to playing some more with it over the next few weeks.
And, yes, it just steamrollers over everything
Ok i picked it up last night and its in my garage. Now i have to wait until Saturday to ride it. I actually ordered some Bike shield from a guy in Melbourne which won't arrive in time i guess. It looks so nice and new hehe
Not sure if i can't wait until the protective film arrives to ride it, because it might be Monday.
we need pictures or it didnt happen
Ok, so i had the bike at home for a week now and still haven't ridden it in the dirt, how depressing. First i was waiting for my protective film to arrive, which was quite some work to get onto the bike, not sure if i bother again next time and now it has been raining for the whole week. Can't wait to test my new bike. I will let you know how it was on the first ride
I didn't manage to add it to this post for some reason, but i attached the image above in the original post.
Very nice! Have fun:-)