Decent beginner Dual Suspension frame?

[Waldo]

Something in the 4-5" travel range is great for all around trail riding. Light weight is nice, but a balance between weight, quality, and durability is more important, imho. Bikes like the Kona Dawg or Giant Trance lines are good examples of good value combined with good all-around performance.

I'll add my voice to the "buy a complete bike" chorus, and this is from a guy who's built his last two from scratch and may do it again. If you really want the experience of building it yourself, that's one thing. If you already have a collection of pieces you're happy with but want to try a different brand or model of frame, that's another reason to build. But if you want the most bike for your overall investment, and you'd rather be riding than wrenching, then it's hard to beat a closeout deal on last year's model. Good deals abound on bikes from Kona, Giant, Specialized, and a few others, and there are some good links already on this thread.

Lastly, don't underestimate the value of buying from a good LBS that will treat you right and stand behind what they sell. Bikes need service, and sometimes they even break. It's nice to deal with a shop that'll have your back and keep you riding.

[shudder]

Ain't nuthin' wrong with this bike I found on the old eBay: Cannondale Rush 400. And it seems cheap at the price (all depends on how high it goes at bid, of course).

I ride a Rush (the 1000, but it's more expensive) and love it. YMMV.

[davidB]

Originally Posted by BAD_S197

JensonUSA has a Kona frame for 299.00 which looked good and was priced just right but I'm clueless on how heavy it is and if it's a good frame to build a bike on. I would hate to buy a dual suspension frame only to find out it's heavier than my existing frame.

link to $299 kona FS frame?

the only one i see for that price is a HT

unless i'm confused in your words

[BAD_S197]

Originally Posted by davidB

link to $299 kona FS frame?

the only one i see for that price is a HT

unless i'm confused in your words

www.wheelworld.com

they have the kona for 299, closeout special

Originally Posted by mechmann

So did you narrow it down any?

Kinda

I have a few bikes I like that i can't afford and some that I could afford but I'm hesitant to get just because they aren't what I really like.

Specialized Enduro
Chumba EVO and Chumba XCL
some of the Kona's




I'm thinking of just sticking with the hard tail I have and toward the end of the year at xmas bonus time, just dropping the entire thing on a high end bike.. my bonus is usually around 3600$ roughly after taxes.

[davidB]

oddly enough i was looking up this thread, when i followed your link to wheelworld.

FYI, that Kona frame is now $249

Tempting, to say the least.

[DownhillWebKook]

I would go with Cru Jones on waiting a bit until you can affort the complete set up. I have seen this kind of question addressed in Mountain Bike Action a few times with similar replies: unless you really know your stuff and do your homework, the price to move your old kit to a new frame AND achieve the desired result can, and probably will, be high.

There are so many good deals on complete bikes with really good kit AND they are built to spec which means they will actually work!

You would be surprised how difficult it is to do what you propose. For example, you tear apart your bike and your build kit is still pretty slammin' so all you need is a frame. So, you go out and find one for a smokin' deal. Whoops, you realize the deraileur is top pull rather than bottom pull and the seat post diameter is smaller than the one you have. You also realize the head tube is longer so your fork is now too short to work with your existing stem. Those parts now add a few hundred bucks to the mix and that can be just the beginning...UNLESS you know your stuff...which you might.

Nevertheless, you usually find this all out when putting it together the night before you intend to send 'er on a maiden ride. That, my friend, is a bummer.

Save your dough and until you have enough, just try out other people's bikes to figure out what you really want. You can even rent really nice rigs from many of the local bike shops. When you finally have the money, you'll be so stoked you waited.

If you just can't wait, I also have some really nice stuff for sale (well maintained and good deal).

Cheers,

[BAD_S197]

I'm going to wait till I have some bills paid off and then it's off most likely to Chumba for a complete XCL or EVO.

I love the frames and the placement of the shocks seems logical and you just can't beat those sexy frames.

[spookydave]

this bike just popped up for sale. If I was looking for something like you are this would be pretty much it.