Poll: what bike to buy?

[specialized*Rider]

I need a little help choosing a bike. I'm a little undecided as to what I should get. I was wondering if I could get some opinions from u guys. I am looking for a FS XC bike. Not to big a budget so no more than 1200. Any Suggestions.
Thanks in advance for the input.

[ShinKen]

ha ha!! u're prob joking but here it goes anyway!! i have a Jamis Dakar xlt 05 Aniversary ed right now for sale for about 950 bucks in perfect condition with upgraded parts!! I will post pics later just for kicks!!

[soul rider]

it's hard to say what bike would be best, not enough details.
e.g. parts, design, warranty, your riding style
on the surface the specialized

[Sprockethead]

What type of riding is your style? Are you aggressive, mellow, do you like to hit jumps or keep the rubber down? Do you prefer climbing or going downhill better?

[OG_Ride_More]

I agree with the others. Give us more details on your riding style. The more info you give us the better we can help you.

[specialized*Rider]

I mainly will be riding fire roads no big jumps. I ride at turnbull Canyon most of the time. 7th ave loop love going down the 3 b****es and the swithbacks. the specialized, trek and azure have about 4inches of rear travel and the jamis about 5 I think. hope this helps.

[tkblazer]

the azure will pedal the best out of those, but it is a bit heavy for an xc bike at 29-30 lb. I can't find the sport model, but the comp model a better parts spec on it then the fsr xc model. If you check out randall scott, they are blowing out the 06 model bikes.

Iron Horse Azure Comp 2006 (Cross Country)

[Sprockethead]

From doing a quick search, if you like a fast bike, go with the IH Azure. It's got 90mm of travel and a 70.5 head angle. You'll be able to turn pretty fast on singletrack. However, if you're bombing down the 3B's, it might feel a little squirly. Can't beat the price either $999 at Performance.
Iron Horse Azure Sport Mountain Bike – Performance Exclusive! @ Performance Bicycle

The Specialized comes in at 69 degrees for HA and this is probably the one I would recommend to you. It'll feel more comfortable. I'm not sure which model FSR XC you're looking at, but the price is a little more than the IH.

The Jamis will turn slower than the previous two, but it'll feel great going downhill. Plus, it's got more travel. I'd recommend this bike to someone who's agressive. They'll get more out of it.

Finally, it's up to you. Try to ride all 4 bikes and see which one fits you the best. Don't listen to me, what I like may not be what you like. If you can do a blind test (don't look at the brand, don't look at the color), that would be best. A bike that fits you properly will be better than a bike that looks good to you.

[specialized*Rider]

im kind of new to this. what do you mean by head angle

[Burner]

dude, you're uh, specialized*Rider. do you even have to ask?

[gurp13]

I voted for the Specialized, but the Trek would be fine. I don't know that much about Iron Horse or Jamis, but I think Trek and Specialized make better bikes. Those companies put a lot of money into research and development and make very fine products.

I can't imagine you regretting your decision getting the Specialized no matter what some of the Turner whores around here say. I love my 2006 Stumpjumper FSR. One day I'll buy a new bike, I reckon. And, when I do, it's going to be hard for me to justify spending an extra grand or two on a Turner or Ventana when I know that functionally the Stumpjumper with XTR is going to be just as good for me. Or, at least that's how I see it right now. In the year that I've been riding, the thing that has separated me from other riders has not been my bike, it's been the rider. Ride more, ride harder and the bike won't matter so much.

I'll never forget that dude (Henry?) taking a Wal-Mart bike down the Cannell Plunge last year. That taught me that it's not the bike that truly matters. All other things being equal, you might need to really worry about what bike to buy. But, it sounds to me that you'll be happy no matter which one you get. Get the one you like, with the coolest paintjob. Then ride it all you can.

Originally Posted by specialized*Rider

im kind of new to this. what do you mean by head angle

Head angle refers to the angle of the head tube, the place where the handlebars connects to the frame (to oversimplify). Certain geometries will make certain activities on the bike feel different.
Downhill bikes have a different geometry than Cross Country (XC) bikes, for example. This is why people advise you to test ride and see which one feels better.

Try to rent or demo the bikes. Five miles on the trail feels really different than half a mile in the parking lot of the bike shop.

[dstepper]

Turners hoes!...stop the hate. We are Homers.

IMO go with the Specialized.

[Burner]

Originally Posted by gurp13

the thing that has separated me from other riders has not been my bike, it's been the rider. Ride more, ride harder and the bike won't matter so much.

glen, would you stop with all the rational talk pls?

[dhshuttlemonkey]

Gurp has Turner envy!

If you go with a Specialized, don't get the ghey red color.

[gurp13]

Originally Posted by Burner

glen, would you stop with all the rational talk pls?

My bad. Ahem. Uh, let's see. Dude, forget those bikes. What you need is a custom build. Have you looked at cyclocross frames? Also, if you're tall, get a 29er. I think some Hope hubs are in order, a Thomson seat post and Chris King headset. Make sure the shop swaps those out. Also, you should really get braided brake lines. Obviously. So, none of those bikes are suitable.

Better?

[soul rider]

wheel world has a Kona Dawg 999.99 or Coiler 1099.99
think about it

[gurp13]

Originally Posted by soul rider

wheel world has a Kona Dawg 999.99 or Coiler 1099.99
think about it

What kind of riding are those designed for? Whenever I hear Kona I think downhill. Isn't the Coiler more all-mountain? I got the feeling the OP wanted XC.

[new2mtb]

LOL freaking frank!

Originally Posted by Franky

Gurp has Turner envy!

If you go with a Specialized, don't get the ghey red color.

[0gravity]

Originally Posted by soul rider

wheel world has a Kona Dawg 999.99 or Coiler 1099.99
think about it

I was gonna suggest Wheel World too. For what that shop tends to lack in prestige, presentation and customer service, they make up with bargain basement prices. There's a bunch of smokin' deals there now. Those Konas will be hard to beat, especially if you can't go higher than $1200, but as has been pointed out, those aren't as strong on the XC side.

If you can, consider the Giant Trance bikes at Wheel world for all around XC. I'm lovin' my '06 Trance 2. Read the specs list, you get some great components with that set-up and a bike that's good at everything, but still relatively light. The Reba's lock-out makes it a fast XC bike. Ulitmately, your budget, however pushes you towards the Konas, which you'll still have fun on. Good luck, happy hunting

Wheel World - Bicycles: All-Terrain / Full Suspension

[new2mtb]

i vote for specialized as well, but make sure what shocks your getting, the rear shock is what matters. I know before the xc had a really crappy shock, now i think they switched to fox. If thats the case then ur all good.

But then again, it all depends on the feel, if your comfortable with the bike. Thats what matters.