Buying a lightweight HT for long distance XC events ?

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May 24, 2012, 12:41:12 PM

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[weeksy]

This is i guess a generic question in this section but with a bit of a twist...

So i've got a 2010 Meta 5, with DT swiss E2200 rims and XT M775 brakes amongst other upgrades.

However, i do a few long distance offroad events like the Afan Monster 100km, which has a LOT of long fireroad climbs.

So, the GT Aggressor is coming in at a weight i could never even dream of getting the Meta down to of <13kg. (according to Halfords website) so would in many ways be far more suited to the long fire-road climbs and trails of something like the Monster... (although obviously i'd lose out on the singletrack).

So... I can get one of these for £400 on the C2W scheme bringing it in at about £230 for my cash... which is ridiculous money for what i get really and well, a bargain to say the least.

Any thoughts on whether it's a good/bad plan ?

Cheers.

[iain1775]

Every gt I've ridden has felt quite harsh at the rear
I think combination of aluminium and the seat stay configuration admittedly been a good few years since I was on one so they may be better
Good price that too
If your stuck with halfords what about a boardman, or online they have 20% off voodoo
I still love myold steel voodoo after 14 years it's still the most comfortable and adaptable HT for all day rides

[weeksy]

I'm perfectly open to any of the Boardman range or even the Voodo or even the Cerrera Vengance... the GT was just shwoing the lightest weight so put that up.

The Meta comes in about 14.8Kg and the GT in theory about 2.5Kg lighter... is 2.5kg REALLY going to make a difference though ?

[Steve P]

2.5 Kg off a bike build? Hell yeah.
That's about 5.5 lbs.
Diference between a 30lb and a 24.5lb build....
However, bikes rarely come in at their advertised weight so the GT could be heavier.

I would also agree with Iain that the GT design (with that little triangle arrangement where the seatstays meet the seat tube/top tube) makes for a very stiff design.
Good for the money though.

Or for the same price you could have an on one 456 carbon. (frame only)

[damo]

You'll be fine. A GT would seem like a full susser compared to my hardtail. A Santa Cruz Chameleon with box section chainstays.

Damo

[iain1775]

Gt's arnt traditionally the lightest frames either so I would question a sub £500 bike coming in at much less than 28-30lb I can't imagine your meta weighs much more than 32? So how are you working out the big weight loss?
Bike radar says - "Weighing in at 13.7kg (30.25lb), the Aggressor is a bit of a bruiser"
To be honest your probably better getting lighter wheels etc for the meta and swop them over for the long xc rides Personally I would rather do such on a 32lb full Susser than a 30lb hardtail

[weeksy]

Gt's arnt traditionally the lightest frames either so I would question a sub £500 bike coming in at much less than 28-30lb I can't imagine your meta weighs much more than 32? So how are you working out the big weight loss?
Bike radar says - "Weighing in at 13.7kg (30.25lb), the Aggressor is a bit of a bruiser"
To be honest your probably better getting lighter wheels etc for the meta and swop them over for the long xc rides Personally I would rather do such on a 32lb full Susser than a 30lb hardtail

You're pretty much where i'm at with them thoughts. Although with the minor part about the wheels, i spent £200+ on them (£600RRP) so they're not coming off anytime soon. Although for such events i may run a pair of Rocket Rons for example.

The MEta comes in at under 15kg... about 14.6 i rekon.. so the weights are not THAT different enough to make a huge difference unless i start throwing a Grand at a much better HT.

It seeems a shame not to take advantage of the C2W scheme again and again.. but also... no point buying something of no use.

[jb-redbull]

if you go for a hardtail i have a nice light set of rockshox reba race forks im selling to get the weight down even more for you.