Decent beginner Dual Suspension frame?

[BAD_S197]

I was contemplating getting a dual suspension frame and moving my stuff to it and/or just building a bike over the next year.

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.

Asking the crew on here because MTBR seems to be pretty biased depending on which forum your on and you guys seem pretty well rounded and much more active than those keyboard riders.

thanks
jake

[Neccros]

Originally Posted by mechmann

full suspension usually IS heavier than a HT.

what is your intended purpose?

what kind of scratch are you willing to depart with?


need more info to help.

My Santa Cruz hardtail is actually heavier than my full suspension!

[BAD_S197]

Riding: trails, cross country long rides (out into the wilderness)

No jumps or acrobatics

I'm willing to part with as many bones as necessary to get a decent frame, but the more expensive the frame the longer I have to save for it.

I really like the Chumba EVO frame but thats a healthy price tag on it as well.

Lets say 1500 or less.(less being better) The more the frame is, the more of the parts that will have to get transferred from my Hardrock Pro, till I have some bones for better components.

There are so many options out there that it's hard to decide.

Originally Posted by mechmann

bottom line is this:

Light
Cheap
Durable

Pick two, you can't have all three.

You sound like a guy at work

Light and Durable would be my choice.

[J_Sims]

If you can fit a small The Godfather has a smokin deal on a Yeti 575

[Neccros]

Jamis makes decent FS frames

[J_Sims]

Did I hear Niner and Path?????????? Best thing I 've heard all day

[BrewMaster]

Jenson USA in Corona is blowing out FS 2007 bikes to make room for the 2008s. They have Kona Coilers for about $1400 and Rocky Mountain Element 10s for $1200. This is an unreal price for the Rocky Mountain Element 10. I rode it a few months ago and loved it, but it was going for about $1700 then.

You can spend as much as you want on a bike; the sky is the limit.

[guero]

mechmann summed it up pretty well.

i ride a kona dawg primo, it has 5" of travel. i bought it complete from The Path when they had their big ass sale a couple weekends ago. it weighs in at a respectable 31.64 pounds, not too shabby for a kona with 5" of travel. i would recommend you check out wheelworld.com or the wheelworld store in culver city to check out some frames. they have great prices on frames and carry a lot of kona and giant. the only reason i recommend wheelworld is because of the pricing on the blowout frames, not necessarily because of the service.

[BrewMaster]

Originally Posted by J_Sims

Did I hear Niner and Path?????????? Best thing I 've heard all day

I've been checking out the RIP9s online. Those look like sweet bikes. I might have to give them a test ride but leave my credit cards at home that day.

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by J_Sims

If you can fit a small The Godfather has a smokin deal on a Yeti 575

Thanks for the plug . Selling the frame/headset/front der for $650. Considering your $1500 limit that gives you $850 left over to build a kick ass lightweight 5.75" trail/xc bike.

That rocky mountain looks pretty cool too. Mechman's right about the EVO . . . probably too heavy for what you need it for.

[J_Sims]

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

I've been checking out the RIP9s online. Those look like sweet bikes. I might have to give them a test ride but leave my credit cards at home that day.

If you can balance way up in the air on an XL you are welcome to ride mine.......... Careful though they are highly addicting and a test ride is usually followed by a brisk drive home to pick up said CC left there .... and followed then by endless smiles oh and then a SS ONE9... It is a sickness

[alank]

thanks for the plug on the evo. it is a burly, "please abuse me" type of bike....that being said we can still build EVOs at 31lbs. that make for a great all mountain bike, but the XCL can withstand most abuse as well, and we can build those at the 28lb. mark.. when u select your frame and components, just keep in mind: "cheap, strong, or light," pick 2.

[cru jones]

I would keep your hardtail in tact and use the money and buy a decent complete full sus bike. You can find a pretty sick bike on clearance for around 1300 bucks. Id rather go that route than slowly upgrade a bike($$$$). The 06 iron horse mk111(and rocky mountain) is a great bike for the price(around 1200). If your on a budget id rather be on a all around solid bike than a blinged out frame w/old alivio and suntour components.

[JustBike]

jake.. I'm in the same situation and I think it's a lot better to go with a setup that is complete rather than starting from a frame and building from there

[Neccros]

Another thing to think about, the '08s will be out soon and shops will start blowing out the '07s.... good way to get a deal on a new ride...

[BrewMaster]

Originally Posted by J_Sims

If you can balance way up in the air on an XL you are welcome to ride mine.......... Careful though they are highly addicting and a test ride is usually followed by a brisk drive home to pick up said CC left there .... and followed then by endless smiles oh and then a SS ONE9... It is a sickness

I think yours is too tall for me, but if it is ever around I will give it a whirl.

SS...that is one sickness I don't think I will ever get.

[Rob]

Originally Posted by BAD_S197

I'm willing to part with as many bones as necessary to get a decent frame, but the more expensive the frame the longer I have to save for it.

I really like the Chumba EVO frame but thats a healthy price tag on it as well.

Lets say 1500 or less.(less being better) The more the frame is, the more of the parts that will have to get transferred from my Hardrock Pro, till I have some bones for better components.

There are so many options out there that it's hard to decide.

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We also have a complete Yeti 575 Bike that you can upgrade as you go along for a pretty crazy price. Awesome frame, with a great shock and weighs only 6.2 lbs(with shock)


http://www.adrenalinebikes.com/store...ch%20Travel%29

[emejay]

Originally Posted by cru jones

I would keep your hardtail in tact and use the money and buy a decent complete full sus bike. You can find a pretty sick bike on clearance for around 1300 bucks. Id rather go that route than slowly upgrade a bike($$$$). The 06 iron horse mk111(and rocky mountain) is a great bike for the price(around 1200). If your on a budget id rather be on a all around solid bike than a blinged out frame w/old alivio and suntour components.

This is good advice. Buying a complete bike, especially at this time of year when they clear out the 07's, is WAY cheaper than buying a frame and adding parts to it. You can get a Yeti 575 with the least expensive build kit for around 2K, but the frame alone is about 1700.

[mazer75]

Yeah you should wait a month or two for the 08s come out, and then get a deal on an 07.

I have a Spesh Enduro SL Expert, and I think it's a great bike (but I'm biased of course). I think you could probably get a deal on the 07 Enduro SL Comp, maybe for under $2k when the 08s come out. Retail on that bike is $2700, though most places were selling at $2500 a few months ago.

Take a look at the Kona Dawg Supreme as well. I test rode one of those and was very close to buying one. Kona makes great frames.

But I agree with others in this thread when they say to keep your hardtail intact, and just buy a complete FS bike. You'll get better components, plus a backup bike when your FS is in the shop!

[Edog]

http://wheelworld.com/itemlist.cfm?category=117

Here's an option. Keep the hard tail, it will be there for your single speed days!