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Not much in stock these days in the local shops. I am looking for an intermediate level 29er, under $1500. One local shop is offering me the 2012 Trek Cobia for $1090 with 2 yrs free service. Another shop a bit further away is offering me the 2012 Cannondale SL3 29er for $1100 with lifetime free maintenance. I kinda like the look of the ‘dale better, but I have a feeling the Cobia has slightly better parts (X5/Deore vs Alivio/Deore, RockShox Recon Silver vs RST Deuce Coil). Both have good reviews in general. I do a lot of street-to-trail-to-street riding, pretty hilly. Nothing super crazy in terms of downhill tech.
So which do you think is the better bike and better deal?
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Ride them both around the parking lot and see which one fits and feels better.
Components can be replaced as needed, but a poorly fitting bike is very hard to correct.
If you have a Giant dealer near you, also check out the xTC 2.
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I can’t comment on the Cannondale but I’ve been riding a 2011 Cobia for a little over a year, was in the same price range as you. I tested a few bikes and that one just felt the best. For me it just fit, within a few minutes I was saying "this is the one for me no questions". Like previously mentioned you really owe it to yourself to ride them both and strictly go with whichever one feels best.
There were some components on my bike I didn’t care for but the frame is solid, fork is good and it handled well. Over the past year I’ve changed out the promax brakes for the new SLX, went thompson stem (70mm) and seat post, Easton carbon bars, and shelled out some bucks on the new stans arch ex wheels and wrapped them in schwalbe nobby nic and racing ralphs and went tubeless. I’ve probably spent double the price of the bike by now, but again I loved the bike and I love making a bike my own. I could have paid more for one with better components but didnt have all the money at one time and was set on the particular components I picked out myself. My bike is a beast now and handles even better and is much quicker So for me it was a non issue shelling out the money over a yrs time… If by chance your LBS has an X caliber that may be an option, its a step up from the cobia and you should be able to get a pretty good deal.. Not sure where you are at but my LBS here in Huntsville even has a 2011 Cobia still in stock, a 2012, and an xcaliber so you probably could get the 2011 for a steal…
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