Mountain Biking - 29er hardtail suggestions

I am looking at purchasing a 29er HT. Currently I'm quite happy with my Trance full suspension trail bike, but would like to have a 29er to ride as well. I test rode a 29er during a recent Fat Tire Festival and I can see the benefits offered in specific situations.

I'm thinking this bike will be secondary bike so I want to keep the price point between $1,000 - $1,500.

Any suggestions? For the price range, I was looking at the Specialized Rockhopper Pro, TREK Cobia, TREK, X-Caliber, and the Gary Fisher X-Caliber.

Are there some other 29er brands that aren't as well known that offer a good product in that price range?

Thoughts?
Thanks!

I really enjoyed both of my Fuji Tahoe 29ers and my current Cannondale Flash 29er.

Just ride as many as you can and find one that feels comfortable.

Good luck.

Thanks. I plan on testing as many as possible. Not sure what all is out there since I have never looked into 29ers before.

Slightly higher MSRP than what you stated but it does have a lefty.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l81/arouil1/2000_1300_5910_sourceImage.jpg

I just purchased the GF X-Calibur and realy like the ride and Quality.

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2010&Brand=Scott&Model=Scale+29%22&Type=bike

this is the 2010 model. Bikepedia doesn't have pics of the 2011's up yet, but there are two options you can choose in your price range. Good fork, good rims, should be a good option.

my vote is for a Niner

I would love a Niner ... but it's outside the pricerange at this point in time.

i was gonna also suggest a santa cruz tallboy, but also out of the price range. so, i say go with the Trek.

...but you can't get a lefty with the Trek.

What are the thoughts on the Rockhopper? This trim comes with DT Swiss 485 wheels. Can't decide if it's a decent bike for the pricepoint (or if it would be enjoyable to ride on the trails).
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52810&scid=1000&scname=Mountain

The "plan" is for this to be a bike that is used on the trails every now and then as something different, to tool around the neighborhood and ride to my buddies house just down the road and serve as a backup bike if the Trance were out of commission for any reason.

This is prettier with an XT Rear D. Same brakes.

http://www.scott-sports.com/us_en/product/10040/55514/217951

...but you can't get a lefty with the Trek.
touche

Slightly higher MSRP than what you stated but it does have a lefty.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t162/dminorwa/BF%20Humor/Abomination.jpg

Hmmmmmmm . . . that fork looks familiar but I'm drawing a blank on the brand . . . .

Alright .... I know it's above my originally mentioned price range .... but what do the masses think about the 2011 Stumpjumper EVO?
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52836&scid=1000&scname=Mountain

At 24lbs and already having some "mods" done to it ... seems like a nice 29er HT.

Thoughts?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7aCK8DxO6dY/TEsLImWPAXI/AAAAAAAAA80/uqMhf_BDTkg/s1600/Stumpjumper+29er+Evo.jpg

Are they really "mods" when it comes from the factory like that? Anyway, I like it.

Eh, it's just some stuff you would do to the bike once you got it anyways (e.g. lock-on grips, different tire in back vs front, bigger front brake, etc). Nothing crazy but still nice.

What are the thoughts regarding the 1x10 setup (33 x 11-36)?

In Florida, 1x10 should be great. I'd love one but not until I can afford a 2nd bike, can't run that on my everyday mountain bike.

I have a Felt Nine Comp that I am fond of. The Shimano hydraulic brakes that came on it were for crap though. To the bike shop's credit they put on a set of Hayes Strokers. Excellent brakes.

Eh, it's just some stuff you would do to the bike once you got it anyways (e.g. lock-on grips, different tire in back vs front, bigger front brake, etc). Nothing crazy but still nice.

What are the thoughts regarding the 1x10 setup (33 x 11-36)?
The 1x10 should be the determining factor for whether you'd pick that bike over the Stumpjumper Comp 29er. Both bikes actually come with lock-ons, but changing grips is cheap. The brakes are the same, other than the front rotor size, which is also a cheap swap (rotor + mountain bracket should be able to be done for well under $50). Changing the tires is a little more expensive, but the $100 saved from going with the Comp rather than the EVO could buy you new tires, and you'd have the benefit of picking which ones you want. So the deciding factor SHOULD be whether you want 1x10 or 3x10. The EVO has a nicer rear derailleur and a chainguide. The Comp has a granny, a big ring, and a front derailleur. How often do you use the granny and big gear on your Trance?

the raleigh xxix+G is spec'd really well for about $1600. might fall into the sub $1500 this close to the end of the year. fox, slx, and a nice steel frame. also the jamis 29ers are speced well, i think they have one with a reba and XT stuff just above $1500, maybe even one in steel (but i know they have one in aluminum).

Im currently running the xxix pro, and finally getting very comfortable with its geometry. it took a while coming from an origin8. I love the frame though, but sometimes lust for carbon...

If my xxix pro was stolen and i had insurance money to replace it, i would seriously look at the xxix + g for a replacement. Its a good build for the money, and the fox fork is a step above. Honestly, at your price point, i wouldn't settle for anything other than a reba or a fox on the front end.

one other bike to consider is the pricepoint sette 29er. well thought out geometry, and AWESOME component spec for the price if you are comfortable working on your own bike. I think its $1200 for a reba, x7/x9 group, elixir CR with g3 rotors, and mavic tn719 rims to xt hubs. total bike weight is only 26 lbs for a medium.

Hmmmmmmm . . . that fork looks familiar but I'm drawing a blank on the brand . . . .

And how many Yeti bikes are on top of the podiums let alone finish 1, 2, and 3 in races like the Cannondales have.

^^ You are kidding, right?

^^ Awww, come on D, leave the C-dale fanboi alone!

Niner Sir 9. Reynolds 853 steel - sweet ride.

Its versatile to set up as SS, FG, IGH or derailleur.

What more could you want in a 29er?

Dude, you guys didn't know? Can o' Ales are magic! Get on one of them and you'll DUST guys like Graves and Gwin! Doesn't matter what your prior skill level is, it's the bike, baby!

^ Do you mean I made the wrong order for next year's bike? Dammit!!!!!

^^ You're doomed anyway - - you probably got another one o' them Santa Claus bikes.

Actually no...going a completely different route!

Here you go , nothing like the ride of Prestige! http://www.somafab.com/juicypix.html

Jamis has a nice looking steel offering at $1100.

Dude, you guys didn't know? Can o' Ales are magic! Get on one of them and you'll DUST guys like Graves and Gwin! Doesn't matter what your prior skill level is, it's the bike, baby!

I'm dead meat no matter what I ride.