Hi folks,

My first post to the forum/group and wanting the sage advice of others (apologies if this is not the right place to post this sort of enquiry).

Am returning to trails after a decade away doing ultra's and living outside of NZ. I'm wrestling with what bike do I throw my small budget at. I am weighing up a decent XC hard tail vs. a trail orientated full suspension. The type of riding that i'll get in to being local trails here in the Waikato and races like Whaka100 and a return to the Karapoti.

My dumb ego is going 'you need a fully for something like Karapoti'. Have about $2,500K tops, looking at Specialised Chisel, etc.

Thoughts on either welcome :-)

XC isn't my area of specific interest, but any bike new at 2.5k is sadly going to be compromised in spec somewhere... (how did it come to this?)
But.
The second hand market is pretty sweet for the buyer these days. Provided you or a friend are sharp eyed enough to spot the thrashed parts and budget in service / replacement stuff.

Good luck.

Wow, $2.5 million, sweet!

In case you ment $2.5k, I'm a fan of Scott bikes at present, and going with trail riding I'd go with 29" tires, so
Hardtail - Scott Scale 950, 29" wheels, 100mm fork, Sram GX 1x11
Full Sus - Scott Spark 970, 29" wheels, 120mm fork & rear, Shimano Deore

I haven't been too fussed about componentry lately, although I do favour Shimano more. IMO, after doing lots of kms on Shimanos Deore level MTB gear, I have no issue using it in trying conditions - it still has decent build quality, its just a little heavier than the next level up.