26 vs 29
you'll pretty much like it if you ride more than you glide, a stiff frame and crank you'll feel the power transfer in an instance. Well keep both if you can. Have both ride both, but still the 29er is the go to bike for now .. "new toilet bowl ma"

If it's your first bike get a 29er, if you don't like it, it's an easy switch with someone else for their 26. if you can't seem to keep up just keep riding and you'll build up faster in time comparatively.

--> ahcat, why you wanna change your 3 pc to a 2 pc? extra chain ring weighs like a pack of cigarette. if you want simplicity, just go with 1x10 otherwise just keep it triple and dun waste money on a crank set. buy the complete group set when yours wear off. then you decide double or triple.

--> jwrx, the trip includes accommodation and meals? flight?

want to convert from XC to AM? Got such thing wan meh?
XC bikes can ride kiara wut .. depends on what you call comfort and breakproof lo even a BMX but not sure if you come out in 1 piece or not le. well I dont see why not.
I would say dun waste time converting, just go and ride.
But if you really want, change the frame better still and replace as others fall apart if you ride rough. 2pc crank wont make it an AM build.

do not change the parts .
change the frame if you find yours not to your liking .
then you get new parts if it does not suit your frame .
3 major things goes in sets, frame, fork and wheel set .
frame might be tapered which u will need a new fork, since getting a new fork you might as well the a TA instead of QR. Unlikely but possible that you AM frame might be BB30 u will need a new crank. Well you'll probably need a new hub from QR to TA .
Your stem might not give you the needed reach with a new frame, but u can still ride unlike the others above .

bottom line, should be around 6K for a frame fork and hubs that's if the hoops can match. My advice if it's any good "sell your bike and get another, step by step is not the best choice for money" that only applies if yours is totally not suitable for your riding . it all depends on how u ride and how much you push your rides . try kiara and if you find your bike falling apart then it's time to dig your piggy bank, if you cant ride make sure you're able to break your bike then dig your piggy bank . choose your line well i can't see much harm on your existing bike.

Personally i've not been to kiara. forums are free to express correct?
if it helps from being flamed I frequent PCP and Kemensah only, if it doesn't i understand.

I've test rode a Chumba XH1, Strong and very capable (well confident hammering through like feel) Tappered, EBB and can be build moderately light for some weekend racing.

Chameleon will be quite accessible in our market, commencal ramones if they still bring in. if i were to build I'll build a burly steel AMht. but where to ride and how often i need it?

But serious, why a AMht? just get a trance and i bet many will agree that it gets the fun where the job coincidentally gets done. Moe $$ bigger brands lo.

Ang Moh prefer HT, Rigid , SS and BB7 cuz they've got winter and all sorts of shit, simplicity = simplicity .. part no JAMmm

Big balls = hot chick ma .. thumb of rule
HT makes u a better rider .. true .. but u need to know how to ride first ma then picking better lines ..

only if it fits, you can reuse

TransAM if you're getting the 2011 model i believe if's a 30.9mm seat post. not so *gooding* <-- this terms used here ait? try getting the 2012 instead. but it's 2.8Kgs just for the frame (more or less). KHS no longer have these last i checked (early last year)

Steel hardtail, why not an On one Inbred, cheap and worth a try to see if you like it, or maybe a 456 instead.

If i would to build one now, it'll probably be a Cotic Soul.

XCR to an epicon upgrade? why not save a little more and get a used reba instead i see quite a number going off.
Hands sakit wider tires lower PSI would be better in my opinion against XCR > Epicon

I am not sure if it's possible to service your BB's bearing. It it ain't stuck don't change it.
Agree fully on better BB provides better seal hence little maintenance but still it gets jammed up too. these Ceramic and sort does not wear that fast if i understand properly (less heat build up). But you'll really need to be pedaling hard to see them wear out before anything else. Replacing chains .. and I say YES provided the teeths are still ok.

Better cranks = lighter but needs to be stiffer too. flex will sap out.
Stiffer frame = better climb (this i experience my self), but you'll need better spokes to feel it flow through.

9spd t 10 spd, erm.. i only feel the smaller ratio gap (if you ride cadence more than half your rides), but how often u guys spin out 22-34 or even 36 anyway? I do not have a 22, but a 26-36 does the job well for where I'm riding.

12kgs, well you should try a 10kg bike if you have the chance. sometimes it's how efficient you can be to enjoy the game, 12kg for XC is ok for a hardtail but 15kgs will be slightly overkill. yep rotational wt on the wheels does feel a lot of a diff.

popcorn time, everyone thinks differently, it's when you take time to listen, that's the time you learn. may it be right or wrong, sharing is gooding.

I noticed a lot from HT HiFi turned photogeeks then bike .. why eh? who went from r/c to HT Hifi before turning up here?