2009 Top Trail Bikes, which one is best?

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

  1. maxwell

    maxwell Dirty Stinky PATH Love

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    Grab A Kona........

    And have enough dough left over to to get some grub after your rides!

    [​IMG]
     
  2. KonaDawgDeluxe

    KonaDawgDeluxe REKE/DMC

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    Now were talking! :bang::bang::bang:
     
  3. BrewMaster

    BrewMaster Thirsty

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    I have not ridden any of those, but I've been shopping for a trail bike and if I had to pick one from the list, I'd go with the SC BLT2. I see tons of them around here and they are do it all bikes, lightweight, and tough. You'll be happy with any one of them, so this is a good problem to have.
     
  4. mcinvale

    mcinvale New Member

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    i have original blur, it's a *GREAT* XC bike. i love it.

    demo'd the ibis mojo for a couple of days, killer bike. almost equals the blur on the flats & climbs, and excels down the bumpy stuff. i wouldn't hesitate getting one of these.
     
  5. Scott V

    Scott V Member

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    +1 for Ibis MoJo. I love the bike. It's pricey, but the frames you're looking at aren't cheap either. It climbs and descends great. The frame is also lighter than any of the other one's mentioned.
     
  6. RFXIbibisTom

    RFXIbibisTom Wow, how Rad!

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    Ibis Mojo Slx Kits, 2999.99!!!!!

    The new IBIS MOJO (Regular frame) with the SLX kit is 2999.99
    !!!!!!!!!!





     
  7. art23rockpile

    art23rockpile Minus Delta T

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    There is no "best" bike. However, there are a number of top-rated bikes, and I doubt you could go wrong with most any that have been mentioned in this thread. Mostly it boils down to personal preference: what looks, feels, and performs best for you.

    My trusty steed is an '08 Yeti 575, and i've been completely happy with it... it does everything well. It gained a lot of weight though, as my riding has become more aggressive.
     
  8. jhardeman

    jhardeman Member

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    Trance X

    I am currently riding a 2007 Trance with 4.2 travel and really like the maestro feel. Going to 5 to 6 inches of travel would be nice.
     
  9. quazi

    quazi New Member

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    For me its between 09 6.6 or 09 Nomad....I can't make up my mind.
     
  10. wingerdinger

    wingerdinger Member

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    Blur LT2

    Haven't ridden any of those bikes, but I'd go with the Blur LT2 after my experience with my 08 Superlight. My GF also rides a 08 Julianna/Superlight and she loves it!
     
  11. Dufferin

    Dufferin Tgas TT

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    Hey guys, I chose these bikes for the "09 Shootout" because I wanted to compare bikes that received significant changes in their design or, in the Mach 5's case, something new - Bikes that promote progression in our sport.

    The Blur LT and the Tracer received the VPP2 and serviceable bearings, and the Tracer also added adjustable travel. Turner showed some balls in changing their suspension to DW-Link. The Roscoe received Trek's ABP and the tapered steerer tube which are revolutionary concepts. Yeti changed the geo of the 575 to make it more compatible to 140 and 160mm forks and, by changing the top tube, managed to make the 575 one of the sexiest bikes around.

    I omitted the Epiphany, Dawg, Tracer, Chumba XCL, and the Mojo because these bikes are pretty much unchanged for the past several years. Mojo owner's can now upgrade to the Lopes Link to stiffen the back end, but I have a feeling the Mojo will receive a redesign in the near future. Eventhough the Mojo is still one of the best trail bikes and is one of the first designs to validate the effectiveness of the dw-link, I would hate to buy a Mojo and find out next year that a sicker Mojo is coming out.

    I agree with Hans Solo, that a demo with all these bikes will be awesome or even a shootout done by a magazine is definitely needed.
     
  12. zipsbiker

    zipsbiker New Member

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    Just got a new Tracer for Christmas today. I rode one during the Intense demo at San Juan Trail two weeks ago. It's funny, because even when you demo a bike, it will rarely be set up how you want it. My demo Tracer had a 140mm fork on it which I felt was too small. Regardless, I think any of the quality bikes mentioned in this thread are great. You can get used to anything, and by the time you get the bike dialed in, it should work great. It's amazing what a shorter stem will do or an adjustment to the rear shock settings.

    It took me a while to decide what I wanted. I had a Blur classic that was great, I currently have an '05 Turner Six Pack that I love, and I've ridden a Mojo that was awesome too. When it comes down to it, pick your price and the bike that you think looks the best.
     
  13. bvader

    bvader Long Live The Gorn!

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    I think the only way to truly do an unbiased "shootout" is to demo them blindfolded.
     
  14. Geronimo

    Geronimo S.T.U.P.I.D.A.S.S. member

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    The best trail bike of those mentioned is obvious.
     
  15. scottay

    scottay New Member

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    I've ridden or owned all but the GF on your list, and I bought a Knolly Endorphin.
    It feels like it has more travel than the Tracer and can handle the big stuff. Very stiff bike, not flexy, very stable. Not cheap, but my buddy is a dealer.....
    I sold my Nomad, thats how well this bike's suspension works. But it depends on where you ride....

    .
     
  16. DISCO

    DISCO Banned

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    Best "new" trailbike?

    or maybe[​IMG]

    The franken bike.


    Classics never go out of fashion.
     

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  17. Stray_Bullit

    Stray_Bullit The sustain..listen to it

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    You took the words right out of my mouth. Ask 20 people get 20 different answers. Just go ride and or check out the bikes you are interested in.
    :-k
    It's really simple, buy any of those top of the line rigs and you will be a happy camper. Don't make too much of a big deal out of it, just go ride the damn thing once you buy it!
    :bang:
     
  18. rjrbignell

    rjrbignell owed a living

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    wheres the giant anthem x? or a little more heavy duty, the trance x?
     
  19. Dufferin

    Dufferin Tgas TT

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    You are definitely right. The Endorphin deserves to be on the Top Trail Bike list.
     
  20. Yangpei

    Yangpei Member

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    +1 Ellsworth Epiphany

    You cannot have a "top trail bike" list without including the Epiphany. Even without any "new" changes for model year 2009, it's still one of the best and would hold it's own against any of the bikes in the list (all excellent bikes).
     

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