Q: I’m a 6-foot-2, 210-pound triathlete looking for a new hardtail to use in midweek cross-country races and lots of training in the Central Sierra. Considering either the KHS SixFifty 606 or the new Airborne Goblin. Or, would I be better served kicking in $500 or $600 more to get the Specialized Carve?

—Steve, who digs swimming before riding

A: The first thing to nail down is which wheel size you want to go with. We have often warned against going with entry-level 29ers, as their heavy wheels can detract from the wheel size’s performance. In our shootout of three hardtails, one representing each wheel size, the 27.5-inch came out on top, with a nice blend of rolling performance and the playful handling characteristics we like from 26-inch wheels.

However, if you invest the extra money, we would go with the 29-inch Specialized Carve. At your height, it would be well worth it. We have had a Carve in our test stable for about a year now, and it has become a favorite for testing components. We have been thoroughly impressed by the ride quality and fun factor of the relatively inexpensive bike. At that price point, the wheels and components are light enough to get the benefit of the bigger wheels, which will be more forgiving on the hardtail platform.