XC Dilemma

[TwoLeggedHorse]

Today it seems that most people believe the best way to find a suitable bike is to test ride it yourself. But with more than a thousand different bikes out there, where do you start? For me, I've went along with word of mouth, the type of trails I ride, the style of riding I do, and forum reading. But at the end of the day I am still stumped. I believe the only way to ever find a bike suitable for me, is not test riding, but finding a person who is compatible to me and studying the bike they ride. Test riding can only do so much and the availability of test riding a bike can be difficult.

As far as the type of riding I do, cross country bikes and all mountain bikes seem to fuse together. I definitely don't need more than 5 inches of travel, but when is rear suspension ever needed at Oaks, O'neil, or Aliso. I've been riding a hardtail for a while and it's suited me well. However, much of the parts are pretty standard and tend to die easily. That is why a good full suspension xc bike might suit me well. I would feel more confident and more comfortable. All mountain bikes are able to tackle slight dh drops, but down hill in general is not in my vocabulary. So I guess it would be better to stick with a xc bike seeing that I don't mind uphill, I enjoy fast downhill with little rocky areas, and don't think I would ever encounter more than a 3 foot drop.

These are the things I'm looking for in a cross country style bike that can ride trails such as Oaks, O'neil, and Aliso with ease. Hopefully you can help me:

1. lighter than 30 lbs
2. strong durable frame and components
3. available parts
4. fast service
5. comfortable enough for 20 mile rides
6. able to climb uphill with ease, with little rear suspension movement (by means of lockout or not)
7. efficient suspension linkage
8. 3 to 5 inches of travel
9. under $2500 w/ tax or if over $2500 it better be a good deal
10. fast going downhill
11. sharp turning
12. and if I'm missing a thing to consider, please tell me

Thank you for reading this thread and your help. You are probably already tired of hearing my dilemma, but hopefully people can look at this an find better ways to find there dream bike. Because why should we go about life living with something substandard.

[sladnas]

Well, I love my Giant Trance. The newly redesigned Trance still has 4 inches of travel, and is designed for XC. I currently ride a 2006 Trance 2. I ride the hell out of it...sometimes a bit out of the XC category, but the frame and suspension are solid. I've replaced a few of the components due to failure, but they primarily failed for reasons such as "being smashed with rocks" and stuff like that.

Trance 1, great component setup, within your price range from a LBS:
http://www.giantbicycles.com/en-US/b...in/1283/29371/

Giant also introduced the Trance X lineup this year. It's essentially a Trance with 5 inches of travel. I haven't ridden one yet, but I imagine they are super sweet.

[papisimo11]

Have you thought of a 29er hardtail.
The big hoops roll over rocks and other objects, so rear suspension isn't needed, based upon your style of riding description.
With the money you are looking to spend, you could get a really nice one that'd weigh in at 24lbs.
my 0.02
paz afuera

[shudder]

Thing is, Andrew, all of us are going to say we like our own bike.

My C'dale RUSH 1000 hits all 12 of your listed items. I dig it greatly, but don't know if you would. To some degree (with so many bikes to choose from) it really is a matter of taste these days.

Sometimes you just gotta go with the feel and grab one and go! You can always sell it and trade up (or down) if you wanna.

shud

[Hanzo]

You went up in price range. Just thursday it was up to $1000. If its up to $2500 it gives you much better choices.

Too bad you went riding instead of going to Jensons sale. There was plenty to be had. The Path (http://www.thepathbikeshop.com/pg/home) sale is tomorrow. Go check it out The IH MKIII series, Specialized Stumpjumper series or the Kona Dawgs. They seem to be in your 3-5" of travel category.

You can also check out http://wheelworld.com/index.cfm and look at the Kona Dawg or like Sladnas said the Trance.

my .02

[stinkyrider]

Have you tried looking at a 2007 Gary Fisher hi-fi? It seems to fit all your critera you listed there. The reviews have been pretty good and it should fit into your budget depending on which model can component package you get.
5 inches of travel with lockout/pro-pedal option. I would have bought one already but I can't seem to justify the cost since 90% of the riding I do is downhill.

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Allmtn_F...t_128821.shtml

[Pilas]

What about the Specialized Stumjumper? Or if you want a bit more travel, you can try the Enduro. I think is just under 30 lbs.
I also hear good thinks about the Rush.
Good luck!

[J_Sims]

Come to The Path tomorrow...

[Waldo]

TwoLeggedHorse - My criteria pretty much match yours. I'm currently on a Turner Burner (4" f/3.6" r travel) - a true XC bike. I like it in most respects, but riding the same areas as you I find I'm wanting more suspension. Suspension design has evolved so much in the past few years that a 4-5" bike meets all of your/my criteria and offers more control when the trail gets rough. And with a good frame design and platform shock, these can be very efficient for all-day rides.

I agree with suggestions of the Kona Dawg, Giant Trance, and Fisher HiFi. I've dabbled on the Dawg & HiFi, and was impressed with their all-around capabilities (though I'm a little concerned with the Fisher's long-term durability), and the Trance carries a great warranty and has been getting great reviews. I'd also suggest a look at several others, including my current favorite, the Chumba XCL. There are a bunch of great bikes in this category these days, and with +/- $2500 you could get a very nice rig, especially as we're hitting closeout season.

Go to the Path sale tomorrow if you can, especially if you have some ideas of bikes you like. Otherwise, take your time and demo a bunch. Find a good shop with demos available, or go to one of the STR group rides, and many of the friendly folks here might let you give their rides a try. If you're in the 6' tall range, you're welcome to try my Turner...and with a little luck it even be up for sale soon.

[TwoLeggedHorse]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Rocky Mountain Element50. That was actually one of my top choices.

[shudder]

I lied. Sorry. The RUSH has just 3.93" of travel (100mm). My bad. Fuggetaboutit.

Go to The Path. I'd be there if I dint have a birthday party to go to...

[guero]

look at the kona kikapu deluxe or primo model, 4" of travel, under 30 pounds. i dont see any reason you'dd need a 5" travel bike if you don't forsee yourself riding aggressively down technical trails and doing drops under 3 feet, 5" would be overkill in my opinion.

[Waldo]

I was suggesting 4-5" bikes partly for the extra squish, and partly for the more slack head angles that could be bacon-savers on semi-tech descents.

All about personal priorities though, thus the recommendation to demo, demo, demo.

[J_Sims]

From a 4 or 5 inch bike to a DEMO are you now talking 7 or 8

[TwoLeggedHorse]

Originally Posted by shudder

Thing is, Andrew, all of us are going to say we like our own bike.

My C'dale RUSH 1000 hits all 12 of your listed items. I dig it greatly, but don't know if you would. To some degree (with so many bikes to choose from) it really is a matter of taste these days.

Sometimes you just gotta go with the feel and grab one and go! You can always sell it and trade up (or down) if you wanna.

shud

You must get paid alot cuz the Rush 1 or did you mean the Carbon 1 is worth $6,000. OUCH!

[Sprockethead]

Hey 2legs,

Go to the Path tomorrow, tell Tani & Crew how you ride, where you ride and he'll make an informed decision for you. With your budget, any bike you buy should be good, just make sure you ride it before you buy it. Also, since it's the end of the year, you should be able to find $3K plus bikes for $2500 easy. Kurt (RMBSocal) was out at Jenson today selling his Demo bikes. You can easily score a great deal and ride the bike to see if you like it at the same time. PM him.

Bottom line, go to The Path tomorrow, you won't regret it. At least you'll get fed, see some bling and have a good time.

[Pho'dUp]

I'd go with a 5" bike with a frame built around a 69deg head angle.

It can built lighter down the road if you want. And unless you're doing hardcore XC racing where you're standing and sprinting a lot it'll be plenty efficient for climbing.

Especially if this is going to be your one full suspension bike. You don't hear too often, "Geez, wish I had less suspension and bought that 3-4 inch travel bike."

What's your climbing style? Are you a sit and spinner or do you climb out the saddle a lot? Might want to consider that as some suspension bikes handle out of the saddle climbing better than others. Minor note, b/c you're ass should be in the saddle most of the time on a FS rig.

Are you a racer? Otherwise I'd shade more to the 5" side of things than 3". 3" travel XC FS bikes are light and efficient, but they also can be really twitchy on the descents, and flexy in the rear.

[Abui]

Originally Posted by papisimo11

Have you thought of a 29er hardtail.
The big hoops roll over rocks and other objects, so rear suspension isn't needed, based upon your style of riding description.
With the money you are looking to spend, you could get a really nice one that'd weigh in at 24lbs.
my 0.02
paz afuera

When you need rear suspension add a ThudBuster.

[shudder]

Originally Posted by TwoLeggedHorse

You must get paid alot cuz the Rush 1 or did you mean the Carbon 1 is worth $6,000. OUCH!

Oh, hell no. Dude! That Rush 1 C is the newest and of course is primo expensive, as you have pointed out.

I got my 2006 RUSH 1000 on the eBay for $1,765 late last year. A dealio for sure, but they were listing for $2,700 only at the time. I would think the 2006 model (which I have) or even the 2007 could be had for less than $2,500 these days -- fully outfitted -- from an LBS (but, of course, your mileage may vary).

New models is gonna cost ya though, fo sho.

shud

[TwoLeggedHorse]

Originally Posted by Pho'dUp

What's your climbing style? Are you a sit and spinner or do you climb out the saddle a lot? Might want to consider that as some suspension bikes handle out of the saddle climbing better than others. Minor note, b/c you're ass should be in the saddle most of the time on a FS rig.

Are you a racer? Otherwise I'd shade more to the 5" side of things than 3". 3" travel XC FS bikes are light and efficient, but they also can be really twitchy on the descents, and flexy in the rear.

To answer some of your questions. Most of the time I will sit down on climbing only because it requires less strength. It may take longer but I don't usually race. I will sometimes stand up, but this is only for short climbs or to pass up a slow poke. As for my choice of riding, I don't think I will be racing anytime soon. I mostly enjoy normal to fast riding uphill, but a little slower downhill cuz I still need to conquer my fear of heights. Hope this helps, thanks.