The Best Mountain Bike under $3000 (For Me)

"If money wasn't a factor…” 

This is the poor dreamer’s adage.   Six little words (in this case four words, a contraction, and an ellipse) that cry, “Shiny, new, desire”! This is a simple expression of desire to attain that which is fiscally unattainable. 

With that said, if money wasn't a factor…my new 29er full suspension mountain bike would be a Santa Cruz Tallboy C with the SPXXC292X10 kit (Shimano XT all around paired with a 2x10 drive train . This isn't Santa Cruz’s cheapest 29er, but it isn't their most expensive either.  Its middle-to-high end components on a carbon frame.  Unfortunately for me, at $5500-6000 a middle/high end Tallboy is still $2500-3000 higher than my budget. Those same components on a Santa Cruz aluminum frame would still be $1500-2000 more than my $3000 threshold. 

Determined, I decided to compare other bike models that fall within my budget to see what kind of wallop I can get for my wallet. 

Yes!  Research time! 

I studied six different models (five different brands) over the course of a few months.  I created a spreadsheet, recorded the specs of each model, determined the components, particulars, and aspects that were most important to me, and then I doled out some "me-point" grades.  (Considering that I went into this research affair with an affinity towards a particular brand and model, the final results surprised me.) 

The bikes I considered are all well-known brands that bike stores in my area carry.  They are all full-suspension 29-inch-wheeled mountain bikes that reside in the $3000 retail neighborhood. In alphabetical order, I chose to research the Cannondale Scalpel 29er 4, the Giant Anthem X1 29er, the Giant Trance X1 29er, the Scott Spark 950, the Specialized StumpJumper Comp 29, and the Trek Superfly 100 AL Elite.
   
The components and other aspects that I am most interested in are the fork, rear shock, rear derailleur, brakes, brake levers, front derailleur, shifters, weight, and price.  The possible me-point values were 3 for high-end component or best aspect, 2 for middle-tier component/aspect, and -1 for low-end component or worst aspect. 

#6. Trek Superfly 100 AL Elite

I've never been a big fan of Trek, but I wanted to see how their sub $3000 29er stacked up against other models, so I threw them in the mix.  Not surprising to me, the Trek is my least favorite and tied for last according to my personal point assignment scale. 

Sweet!  

This was one of the lightest bikes I researched (from what little I could find on bike weights), and I really like the Fox Evolution Series Float w/CTD (Fox’s climb-trail-descend damper settings) fork.

(4 me-points)

Hmm…

The 100mm travel Fox fork and XT rear derailleur were nice.

(2 me-points)

Blah!

Unfortunately, the brakes, brake levers, front derailleur, and shifters are Shimano SLX (Shimano’s low-end component series), and the price is one of the highest at $2719.

(-5 me-points)

Trek Superfly Total Points: 1 me-point (sixth place).

#5. Cannondale Scalpel 29er 4

My very first mountain bike was a 1996 Cannondale Killer V 500.  It was one of the few bikes actually hand-made in the good old U.S.A.  I rode it to death. A couple of years ago, I got the mountain biking itch again.  I scoured Craigslist and scored a 2000 Cannondale Jekyll 900 SL complete with team Volvo blue paint, yellow tires, a Volvo endorsed stitched saddle, and a frame made in the U.S.A.  It's been tons of fun and fairly serviceable (after a wheel, brake, and tire upgrade), but now I have been bitten by the 29er bug...and Cannondale has since shipped their frame making duties overseas.  Oh well, on to the results…

Sweet!  

This was one of the least expensive bikes I researched and I think it might be fairly light, but I couldn't find any definitive weight info.  

(2 me-points)

Hmm…

This is the only bike in the group that doesn't have a Fox fork.  I've read that higher end Rockshox forks are comparable and even require less maintenance than Fox shocks. This fork is a mid-level Rockshox fork paired with a budget friendly rear X Fusion E1 RL.  I guess that’s okay.  Having an XT rear derailleur is nice.

(3 me-points)

Blah!

Unfortunately, just like the Trek, the brakes, brake levers, front derailleur, and shifters are Shimano SLX (Shimano’s low-end component series), and the price is one of the highest at $2719.

(-4 me-points)

Cannondale Scalpel Total Points: 1 me-point (fifth place).

#4. Giant Trance X1 29er

This is one of the coolest looking bikes of the bunch.  It has a mean stance, nice curves, and a cool red, white, and black paint job. I really wanted to like this one on looks alone.

Sweet!  

I really like the Fox 32 Float CTD with 120mm of travel paired with the Fox Float CTD boost valve rear shock. 

(4 me-points)

Hmm…

I’m a SRAM fan, and this bike has a SRAM X9 rear derailleur. It’s also fairly light at approximately 28 pounds. 

(2 me-points)

Blah!

I like Avid Elixir brakes, but this one has the lowest end brakes of the bunch (Avid Elixir 3 brakes and brake levers.  This is ironic as the Trance is also the most expensive coming in around $2775.

(-3 me-points)

Giant Trance Total Points: 3 me-points (fourth place).

#3. Scott Spark 950

The Scott Spark was my least favorite of the bunch, but it ended up in the #3 spot mostly because of one cool feature – a remote lockout lever that can be thrown on the fly. It also has other decent components that weren't terribly exciting, but weren't terribly terrible either…

Sweet!  

I really like the Scott DT lockout rear shock with its Twinloc Remote Lever that can be adjusted on the ride. 

(2 me-points)

Hmm…

I think that I've established the fact that I like the Fox 32 100mm fork as well as the XT rear derailleur. I don’t know much about Shimano brakes and brake levers, but from what I’ve read other consumers like them.  The bike’s weight comes in just under 28 pounds which is not the lightest, but not the heaviest either.

(5 me-points)

Blah!

For $2629 (third highest), the rear derailleur and shifters should be better quality than SLX and Deore respectively.

(-3 me-points)

Scott Spark Total Points: 4 me-points (third place).

#2. Specialized StumpJumper FSR Comp 29

I went through this process just knowing that the Specialized StumpJumper Comp 29 was going to be my choice.  I love almost everything about this bike (as do so many others).  The frame has a lifetime warranty, most components are great, the others are at least decent, and I love the minimalist blackout look and the aggressive fierceness this bike exudes. I wanted this bike to win.  It came in at #2.  Here’s the breakdown.

Sweet!  

I love the aggressive 130mm travel Fox Float CTD fork and the custom Fox Float CTD rear shock with Specialized’s AUTOSAG feature that helps making climbing in FS mode more efficient. The brakes and brake levers are Avid Elixir 5 R SL tool-less reach adjustable and are also custom made for this bike.

(8 me-points)

Hmm…

I like the SRAM X9 rear derailleur..

(1 me-points)

Blah!

$2660 (if you can get it on sale) is the second highest price in the group.  I was disappointed to find out that it apparently leads the group in weight at almost 30 lbs. 

(-2 me-points)

Specialized StumpJumper Total Points: 7 me-points (second place).

#1. Giant Anthem X1 29er

I am really shocked at how good this bike looks on paper.  The specs aren't all outrageously good, but there’s really isn't a bad component in the group either.  Low weight, low price, and a lack of negatives land this bike at the number one spot on my list.

Sweet!  

The standout features of this bike are its weight and price tag (it weighs less than 27 pounds stock and has the second lowest price)!  Other outstanding components (in comparison to the other bikes in this group) are the Avid Elixir 5 brakes and brake levers

(6 me-points)

Hmm…

I like the 100mm Fox fork and Fox Float rear shock.  A SRAM X9 rear derailleur is nice to have.

(2 me-points)

Blah!

No negatives!

Giant Anthem Total Points: 11 me-points (first place).

I’m having a really hard time readjusting my point-of-view after going through this process.  After months of research, the StumpJumper didn't win the number one spot on my list. Not only did it not win, but it was beaten fairly handily by the Giant...

Of course I realize that there’s more to buying a bike than just getting the one that looks best on paper. The real positive take-away that I have after completing this exercise is the fact that I can open my mind to another contender.  I might end up with a more suitable (and less expensive!) bike as a result. 

Then my next post might begin like this:

"If time wan't a factor..."

- Never odd or even