full squish bike build, AM style.

[FyrFytrRyn]

Originally Posted by soul rider

yo yo yo ...'07 banshee chapparal takes a 200milizzle in the head and 150 to 170 in da butt solid g solid
smack it up flip it rub it down oh noooooo

best reply yet! YES! i actually used an "ebonics translator" for the first post. im def. not counting out any 5.5 bikes, id be happy with my 4.5 if it was solid. its a soild bike, just not for me anymore. so its kinda lookin like im just going to sell the cannondale and the travis and look for a good AM bike. so lest start suggestion good solid AM bikes, becaus ei know if i start with a frame and fork im going to go way over budget, like always.

my bikes i like so far:
Yeti ASR 575 (looks awesome)
Yeti ASX
what about marin bikes?

im seeing these yeti's on adrenalinebikes.com for like 1300.00 good?

[Flat Broke]

Originally Posted by FyrFytrRyn

best reply yet! YES! i actually used an "ebonics translator" for the first post. im def. not counting out any 5.5 bikes, id be happy with my 4.5 if it was solid. its a soild bike, just not for me anymore. so its kinda lookin like im just going to sell the cannondale and the travis and look for a good AM bike. so lest start suggestion good solid AM bikes, becaus ei know if i start with a frame and fork im going to go way over budget, like always.

my bikes i like so far:
Yeti ASR 575 (looks awesome)
Yeti ASX
what about marin bikes?

im seeing these yeti's on adrenalinebikes.com for like 1300.00 good?

That 1300 price is frame only. I think the bare bones build from Adrenaline runs around 1999(that's their Enduro Kit). At that price I'd be looking at their 1799 build on the 06 Dirtbag or 06 Preston. If I was going to go Yeti, I'd be thinking ASX not the ASR. Definitely lots of choices out there.

Chris

[LBmtb]

Yeah if you go with the Yeti the asx might be a better choice. The 575 is a sweet bike with a lot of travel for the relative low weight but I think it might be flexy for a heavier person (I'm about 150lbs) and wouldn't recommend it if you plan to do some hucks on it. The banner image up top has an ASX in it.

Like flat broke said, that price is for the frame only.

[roadkillross]

yeah go ASX tahts a sweet bke

[FyrFytrRyn]

ah, i knew it sounded to good to be true, anyhow what about:

Trek Remedy 6 (test rode one today, ill bike)
i can get it from my LBS for 1700 OTD, good?
diamondback mission 3 (looks decent)
Mission/All MTN Mission 3 `07-Diamondback Bicycles
mongoose teocali elite (awesome price)
Mongoose.com - Bikes - 2007 Teocali Elite

[Flat Broke]

Well...

The spec on the Diamond Back is better than the Mongoose, so in a sense, you're probably getting what you pay for in terms of the price difference. Both are fully air sprung which shaves weight, but may be a concern for a bigger guy who is admitedly aggressive on the dirt. Would they work? probably to some extent. But I just have a bad taste in my mouth with regard to many of the BMX brands of yester-year. Many of them tried to rely soley on their BMX reputations when they crossed over into MTB. That's not to say anything about either of those bikes in particular, just a personal preference/feeling towards those brands.

As far as the Trek, I don't think it's any better spec'd than the Diamond Back, and in terms of the front fork, maybe worse. At it's price of $1700 out the door, you are in 06 Kona Coiler or Dawg territory with the discounts Kona has been offering on those two models. As far as performance, its a similar suspension design to the Kona's but the Kona's are probably a little more robust (the Coiler more so than the Dawg) in terms strength in a huckability sorta way.

At that price point, you're getting close to better (IMHO) bikes like some of the Banshee models, the Transition Preston, or down the scale a little bit, perhaps a Versus Blitz. The other thing you might want to look into was that Ventana El Chamuco that FoShizzle reocommended when I was looking into burlyish single pivots. He had posted a link where they were blowing out their old stock at $799 because they're discontinuing the frame. It was a solid looking frame with top notch craftmanship. Might be something to look into.

Chris

[FyrFytrRyn]

wow, thanks chris, very help ful. i really like the Versus Blitz, im going to look into those a bit more.
how about this

Versus Blitz
build specs
[SIZE=-1]3. ENDURO KIT bike: $2150 LRG

Fork: FOX VANILLA 130 RL.
Headset:CANE CREEK S-2.
Crankset/BB (with new XTR-type out-board bearing integrated bottom bracket)
RACE FACE EVOLVE XC 44X32X22.
Derailleurs: X-Gen front and X-9 rear.
Shifters: SRAM X-9.
Cassette:SRAM PG 950 11-32
Chain: SHIMANO - 9 SPEED.
Wheelset:
ARC-YETI / SHIMANO 525
MAVIC 317.
Tires: MAXXIS IGNITOR 2.1 KEVLAR
Disc Brakes: AVID JUICY-5, 6 inch.
Handle Bar: RACE FACE NEXT CARBON RISER 31.8mm
Stem: RACE FACE EVOLVE XC 31.8
Grips: YETI HARD CORE.
Seat: YETI / WTB ROCKET V CRO-MO.
Seat Post: RACE FACE EVOLVE XC[/SIZE]

[Flat Broke]

That's really close in $$ to a Preston with the factory Transition build. I think they have those on sale now for $2249.

Spec is:
TRANSITION FACTORY-DIRECT $2399 BIKE -Now on sale for $2249!

Fork: Marzocchi Z1 Sport, 150mm / 6 inch travel.
Headset: FSA Orbit XL-2.
Crankset/BB FSA Gravity Gap 22-32-Bash with outboard-bearing sealed-cartridge bottom bracket.
Derailleurs: SRAM X-7 rear, SRAM X-Gen front.
Shifters: SRAM X-7 trigger.
Cassette: SRAM PG950 11-34.
Chain: KMC Z9000.
Wheelset: TBC Revolution 32.
Tires: Maxxis Minion 2.35 60a (Many others also available, call/email for prices)
Disc Brakes: Hayes HFX9 Hydraulic.
Handle Bar: FSA FR330, 31.8mm
Stem: TBC FSA FR-230, 31.8mm
Grips: ODI Rogue Lock-On
Seat: Funn Launch-Pad
Seat Post: Amoeba
Pedals: TBC Stepdown Sealed

With the enduro build kit same as the Versus its like $2125. My only thing against the enduro build for you would be the standard QR Vanilla fork and the carbon bars. I have a Fox RL130 I bought from George (LBMTB) and it works great, but it's not the stiffest thing going for bigger guys. The fork is as smooth as my 66 (same carts as your 88, but I could feel it flexing a little bit so I'd look for a 20mm hub oriented solution for more beef.

IMHO the Preston's build from Transition is solid. Their wheelset is strong, the fork is good for what you want to do, and overall, I think it's a real strong value. The other thing I noticed is that the Blitz that is listed on Adrenaline's page is the first generation and I guess they stiffened up the chain/seat stays on the Blitz II. I haven't ridden either, but it might be something to look into. One thing is for sure, the CNC work on the Versus looks blingalicious, and that should translate into good craftsmanship. If possible maybe see if you can get a ride from someone with one of each. The warranties on both bikes are good, but Versus doesn't specify if the crash replacemet program is lifetime, or just for the warranty period. Something to think about with any bike you buy. Transition's crash replacement is lifetime.

Call both companies and see if they have any Interbike or shop Demos hanging around that they'd let go for a fair deduction in price and a full warranty.

For that matter, if you like either of the bikes with the Enduro build, you could always pull the Vanilla before you ride it, sell it on Ebay and probably come out close to the cost of a Zokes Z1, or maybe do a substitution through Adrenaline.

Chris

[FyrFytrRyn]

very good chris. it seems every time i look into bikes i like, i see another that sparks my interest, like the marin. im just so confused at this point. i rode an 07 specialized XC pro last night and really liked it. i think i just like anything thats not my cannondale at this point, maybe just because im looking for a change of pace. 3 days ago i replaced the stem (1" shorter) and most of the drivetrain components on the jekyll, feels like a new bike. i dont know what to do!!!!

[jfromlv]

Ryan, don't be confused, just ride.

[FyrFytrRyn]

ohhh hows this look?
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ESTX-10 BIKE '06 at JensonUSA.com

[Flat Broke]

Originally Posted by FyrFytrRyn

ohhh hows this look?
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ESTX-10 BIKE '06 at JensonUSA.com

In that price range, Kona Coiler. More beef, and I ride with a kid that takes that bike everywhere. Spookydave could tell you more about how well it did on Chiquito this past weekend as he was closer to him in the group. But that ride was what I'd consider "all mountain". Rocks, DH, small drops, varried surfaces and terrain, and some climbing. I doubt little Mark pushed his coiler for any part of the ride. I'm not a huge Kona fan, but that bike gets the job done in that price range. This is just my opinion, but if you weigh 200+ and like to push things somewhat hard going downhill, you shouldn't be running a standard QR fork when there are 20mm solutions readily available.

But like I always get told when I start evaluating component or frame choices, just shut up and ride. Though I will say I'm really glad I asked the questions I did and obsessed so much over getting the right frame and fork.

Chris

[spookydave]

Originally Posted by Flat Broke

In that price range, Kona Coiler. More beef, and I ride with a kid that takes that bike everywhere. Spookydave could tell you more about how well it did on Chiquito this past weekend as he was closer to him in the group.

Chris

That kid could have ridden a BMX bike down that. He's got the skill. The big bike just makes it more fun.