2009 Top Trail Bikes, which one is best?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Dufferin, Dec 24, 2008.

  1. Dufferin

    Dufferin Tgas TT

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    All I want from Santa is a new Trail Bike. To help Santa out, I have compiled the Top Rated Trail Bikes for 2009. I've narrowed it down to the bikes specifically designed for a 140mm fork and the ones that have received excellent reviews:

    INTENSE TRACER VP
    4.5/5 stars from mbuk.com
    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/tracer-09-frame-33657
    [​IMG]

    TURNER 5SPOT

    4.5/5 stars from mbuk.com
    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/5-spot-frame-shock-09-33618
    [​IMG]

    SANTA CRUZ BLUR LT
    5/5 stars from mbuk.com
    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/blur-lt-08-31093
    [​IMG]

    GARY FISHER ROSCOE
    4.5/5 stars from mbuk.com
    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/roscoe-iii-09-33339
    [​IMG]

    YETI 575
    5/5 stars from mbuk.com
    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/575-09-32275
    [​IMG]

    PIVOT MACH 5 (2pix, one is for the ladies)
    5/5 chillis from mtbr.com
    http://www.mtbr.com/cat/bikes/allmtn-full-suspension/pivot-cycles/mach-5/PRD_416806_1547crx.aspx
    [​IMG]

    KNOLLY ENDORPHIN
    5/5 chilis from mtbr.com
    http://www.mtbr.com/cat/bikes/allmtn-full-suspension/knolly/endorphin/PRD_416804_1547crx.aspx
    [​IMG]

    Santa please pick the best and send it down my chimney tonight.

    (After Christmas)
    Well, I have not really been good this year, ...I only got cufflings. But these are my dream bikes, and its interesting to see what everyone thinks. Happy Trails in the New Year!
     

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  2. Danimal

    Danimal Gary the Cat

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  3. Waldo

    Waldo Lebowski Urban Achiever

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    +1 for the Yeti 575, though I'll admit that I haven't ridden the others on your list. I got my 2008 575 at this time last year, and haven't looked back for a second. With an adjustable-travel fork (I consider my Talas to be essential) it has no bad traits: Great handling in tight stuff, great climbing, great for descending anything I'll ever attempt, and can be built AM-burly or XC-Light (my large frame is around 28 lbs or so with a sensible build). It is an excellent do-it-all trailbike.
     
  4. bvader

    bvader Long Live The Gorn!

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    Ellsworth Epiphany :)

    (Please spare me the baggage)

    Other than that I would vote the Yeti or Pivot ... Rode both recently *very* sweet bikes

    EDIT: Ohhh forgot to add the Tracer got to do a quick ride on that some time back from Jason...
     
  5. mfoga

    mfoga Intense Whore

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    All seem to be very well liked however if I had to chose I would go with the Tracer but not with 32mm fork but a 36 talas making it a more of do it all bike.
     
  6. bdegroodt

    bdegroodt Juñior Member

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    Another vote for the Yeti. I demo'd one for a day earlier this year and it's a great bike.

    Second thought though, I haven't ridden any of the others, so who knows, but I'm a Yeti Fan that's married to Ellsworth. :beer: Santa rules no matter which of those bikes winds up under your rear end.
     
  7. CalEpic

    CalEpic member

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    It doesn't matter what we think. It only matters what you like. Ride as many as you can and pick what feels best to you. Everything on your list is good.

    For me though, Turner, Intense, Pivot. I'm a homer but that new Tracer is pretty nice. They finally figured that VPPoo out I think.
     
  8. jhardeman

    jhardeman Member

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    Blur LT2

    Can anyone comment on why the Blur LT2 doesn't seem to be very popular in socal? The original Blurs were popular. I see them when I am in Oregon visiting family and they have an active following on MTBR.

    I am also interested in the list here and wondering why the blur is never mentioned? I like the Yeti as well. Both are about the same price. The Tracer is really nice but like the Turner probably outside my budget. I'd love to hear what people think about the Blur LT2 if they've ridden it compared to the others.
     
  9. tkblazer

    tkblazer Zack Attack

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    i'd go with the tracer for versatility, run it with a fox 32 140mm fork for long all day rides with big climbs or run it with a fox 36 for more all mountain/dh oriented riding...you can get 2 diff forks/wheels or run a 36 talas with an external headset and it would be dialed! 67*HA in 6" mode or 69* in 5.5" mode..
     
  10. dssgaffler

    dssgaffler Complete Sellout

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    I've wondered the same thing before. When I bought my Intense 5.5, the Blur LT came in a very close second. I guess Santa Cruz owners are just more reserved.
     
  11. newpos

    newpos New Member

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    i haven't found many to demo around these parts... :?:
     
  12. Rivet

    Rivet Active Member

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    I'd go with the Blur or the 575. Intenses have always been too noodly in the rear end for me, don't know about the new Tracer but wouldn't want to find out after the fact. The Pivot and the Turner from what I've heard aren't what you would call plush, which may be okay for a XC bike but a trail bike needs to be fun not fast. I ride a Chumba XCL that if it was a bit lighter would be perfect, best riding trail bike I've ever been on just tad bit portly.
     
  13. OMR

    OMR Old Man Riding...

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    Why not have one of each???

    Well, at least I have one Blur and one 5.5 & love them both. I have the Blur set up for more cross country with a Fox100 fork... light and fast. I took this on the 235 mile San Juan Hut trip ... ran like a champ with no problems. The 5.5 is set up more cushy with a Pike Coil (great fork!). I can ride this bike all day and never get tired... but very similar ride and handling ... really depends on the fork. Can't go wrong with either... or any of these that you have singled out for that matter.

    Like someone said... try to ride as many of them as possible & go with your gut, grasshopper.

    Happy New Year!
     
  14. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej Well-Known Member

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    They are actually very popular. Probably the second most popular frame in the SC line. We have sold quite a few of them over the years.

    My wife has been riding a BLT 1 since '07, and has had zero issues with it. She is getting a new BLT2 next week, and I am sure she will be just as happy with it.

    Alot of people were scared off because of maint. on the pivots. However, the updates that they have made to the frame have solved those issues. Again, after 2 years of riding, my wife's LT is just now starting to get a little squeak, but nothing a couple minutes of maint. can fix.

    It definately is a great trailbike...light enough to ride all day, enough travel to allow you to play on...140-160mm forks, sub 30 lbs.
     
  15. KonaDawgDeluxe

    KonaDawgDeluxe REKE/DMC

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    That Santa Cruz Blur is one nice rig! :bang:
     
  16. Pain Freak

    Pain Freak Dead or Alive

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    One word!
    Turner5spot
     
  17. tonyplanet

    tonyplanet New Member

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    Giant Trance X
    is my choice. Awesome ride quality sub 30 pounds and also sub $2K.

    I have ridden an older Blur LT, and it feels sluggish compared to the Trance X.

    As far as that 2nd Generation VPP, I can not comment.
     
  18. mntbiker12

    mntbiker12 Quest: Singletrack

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    It's an easy choice - always go with whatever gets 5 chilis on MTBR.

    Serial.
     
  19. scruffylooking

    scruffylooking Stuck up, half witted...

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    How cool would it be to have a demo with all these bikes in one place, at one time?
     
  20. RFXIbibisTom

    RFXIbibisTom Wow, how Rad!

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    Are we forgetting the IBIS MOJO CARBON?
    No offense but the Gary Fisher needs to be demoted out of the custom class.
    Put it in with Specialized and Trek.

    I have owned or ridden every other bike except the new Turner.
    90% of the riding population would be happy with any of the choices on their.

    I guess I would be in the 10% that would be disenchanted on the Gary Fisher.
    All the rest of the bikes excel, some are better climbers, others are better descenders, some sit better with a 140mm fork and others work well with 160mm of travel.

    Pick your poison, my poison is a Tracer, an 09 Nomad and a MOJO SL.
     

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