Mountain Biking - Help me choose a new bike ($1500)

I'm 51 and want a new Mt Bike. Old one is a now thrashed full rigid Nishiki Cascade. I dide dirt roads, desert trails. I have test ridden Gary fisher Sugar 293 and the Trek Fuel EX-7. My impressions after just an extended parking lot ride:

293: but not sure of the GF Genesis geometry (I'm 6'-2" tall and 230 lbs) but the sales/tech had the suspension dialed great for me.

Fuel EX-7: Tech had the rear suspensin locked out so it was an almost hardtail ride. Bike seemed to fit well. But component level is not up to par with other bikes in this price range.

I would love to find a Giant Trance 3, but none seem to be around in the Phoenix area.

Please comment on your opinion of these bikes for my application.

Eighteen people read this post with no replies. Have none of you readers ever heard of / looked at these new bikes? You all riding old steel bikes like me too?

id go with something a bit burlier if your a big guy, may i suggest a kona kikapu or a bear. i dont know what the pricing is, but also check out a specialized fsr line (epic/enduro/stumpumper). i think your spot on about the genesis, it doesnt seem to work for us tall guys (im 6'1). im not a fan at all of trek, and especially their full suspension. giant is a bit better, but still not my first choice.

I'm not a fan of TREK and Gary Fisher bikes. The Genesis geometry just doesn't work for me and Trek's suspension designs are just "off the mark" for my style.

That doesn't mean they are bad bikes. Don't get me wrong, they are quality, just not a bike I like.

I test rode the new Giant's and was impressed. I liked the Reign line-up over the Trance because I'm a big guy and prefer a more FR oriented bike.

I will say I'm a big fan of Specialized FSR Horst bar designs. The Enduro is a very sweet bike.

I also like all the offerings from Iron Horse this year. I test rode their bikes and really liked them.

I'd do a lot more test riding in as many different shops as you can. Ask if any of the manufacturers are doing any demo days.

and as much big oogling as I do...full suspension bikes are useless to me so I never even look at them.

I was pointed toward the Kona Kikapu Deluxe early in my search, but a local Kona dealer pushed me toward the Fisher Sugar 293 once in the store, stating that the 29" wheeled Fisher would be better for me. Hell, I don't know any different. Logic would tent to support the big wheels rolling over obstacles easier, but there has to be a reason all bikes don't use 29" wheels.

If I could find a dealer with a Specialized FSR (Stumpjumper Disc?) in my size I would love to give it a test too.

Long story shorter, the Knos shop did not have the Kona Kikapu on hand, but the Kona bikes did seem to have a very high grade of components for the price. He did have a 2004 Kona Stinky (heavy duty beast with 7 or 8" of suspension.) the Stinky was not the kind of bike I'm looking for, but it was fun to test ride just for the hell of it as I had neved been on a long travel suspension bike previously.

Now I am totally lost. I may even look at a good hardtail next, save a couple hundred and still get good components. There is no rush, so I may as well see everything that I can before I decide.

Thanks for the reply HANDLEBARSFSR.

I will see if I can find another

and as much big oogling as I do...full suspension bikes are useless to me so I never even look at them.

After 40 years of full rigid bikes I see no drawbacks to the latest full suspension bikes. Why do you not like rear suspension bikes? Is it the extra weight or is there actually a feeling of loss of control? I got so that I could no longer handle the vibrations and bone rattling ride on my rigid bike. Remember I ride on the casual side.

I'm not a fan of TREK and Gary Fisher bikes. The Genesis geometry just doesn't work for me and Trek's suspension designs are just "off the mark" for my style.

That doesn't mean they are bad bikes. Don't get me wrong, they are quality, just not a bike I like.

I test rode the new Giant's and was impressed. I liked the Reign line-up over the Trance because I'm a big guy and prefer a more FR oriented bike.

I will say I'm a big fan of Specialized FSR Horst bar designs. The Enduro is a very sweet bike.

I also like all the offerings from Iron Horse this year. I test rode their bikes and really liked them.

I'd do a lot more test riding in as many different shops as you can. Ask if any of the manufacturers are doing any demo days.

Advice well taken. Thanks.

After 40 years of full rigid bikes I see no drawbacks to the latest full suspension bikes. Why do you not like rear suspension bikes? Is it the extra weight or is there actually a feeling of loss of control? I got so that I could no longer handle the vibrations and bone rattling ride on my rigid bike. Remember I ride on the casual side.
I am heavy...therefore I experience "bob" when riding something that's full suspension. I could understand where you're coming from with the vibrations and what not, but a full suspension rig is going to be heavier than any hardtail or rigid, not to mention you can get a MUCH better hardtail for that price than you can a rigid. The main problem with all this technology is, people don't know how to ride, they hop on a f/s rig and never learn the basics...this is obviously not your case, but that's another reason I'm not too fond of it. If you're going to be doing casual riding you may want to look into the trek hybrid series, they're more upright, and offer a plush ride in comparison to a rigid cruiser...just me .02

if ur riding dirt roads and desert trails what do u need a full suspension bike for?

i would try to get a light hardtail with a bunch of travel on the front to help with ur weight/height. checkout the specialized stuntjumper and rockhopper.

I was pointed toward the Kona Kikapu Deluxe early in my search, but a local Kona dealer pushed me toward the Fisher Sugar 293 once in the store, stating that the 29" wheeled Fisher would be better for me. Hell, I don't know any different. Logic would tent to support the big wheels rolling over obstacles easier, but there has to be a reason all bikes don't use 29" wheels.

If I could find a dealer with a Specialized FSR (Stumpjumper Disc?) in my size I would love to give it a test too.

Long story shorter, the Knos shop did not have the Kona Kikapu on hand, but the Kona bikes did seem to have a very high grade of components for the price. He did have a 2004 Kona Stinky (heavy duty beast with 7 or 8" of suspension.) the Stinky was not the kind of bike I'm looking for, but it was fun to test ride just for the hell of it as I had neved been on a long travel suspension bike previously.

Now I am totally lost. I may even look at a good hardtail next, save a couple hundred and still get good components. There is no rush, so I may as well see everything that I can before I decide.

Thanks for the reply HANDLEBARSFSR.

I will see if I can find another


kona's have lower component spec because they put more $$ into their frames. components break and are meant to be replaced, the frame is not. its more than worth it to get a quality frame and slightly lower components than high end components with a crappy frame. for someone who wants to get into mtb, with your weight, size, and age, a hardtail is just going to suck (in my opinion). when i trail ride, my hardtail always stays at home. i think the dealer steered you wrong with the 29" wheel, i would suggest going back and riding a kona, and search specialized's site for a dealer that would have a fsr for you to ride.

I am heavy...therefore I experience "bob" when riding something that's full suspension. I could understand where you're coming from with the vibrations and what not, but a full suspension rig is going to be heavier than any hardtail or rigid, not to mention you can get a MUCH better hardtail for that price than you can a rigid. The main problem with all this technology is, people don't know how to ride, they hop on a f/s rig and never learn the basics...this is obviously not your case, but that's another reason I'm not too fond of it. If you're going to be doing casual riding you may want to look into the trek hybrid series, they're more upright, and offer a plush ride in comparison to a rigid cruiser...just me .02


obviously your an exception, but for the vast majority of people, a proper spring height (or air pressure) and a good pedaling stroke result in little bob. i can very efficiently pedal my stinky primo (a notoriously poor pedaling bike) on flat pedals because ive been riding f/s for long time, and ive learned to be smooth and pedal in circles. i wouldnt say technology makes people not know how to ride, frankly i think the opposite- technology makes people want to ride more and develop their skills more. for a beginner, having a bike that beats you up- ie a short travel hardtail- is not a great way to encourage them to go riding more. a bike that feels comfortable, and is forgiving to their mistakes and lets them learn how to ride more advanced stuff quicker is best.

why is a hardtail going to suck? a full suspension bike is going to be overkill for what hes doing... theres no need for an fsr bike... it would work, but it would be unecessarily expensive.

why is a hardtail going to suck? a full suspension bike is going to be overkill for what hes doing... theres no need for an fsr bike... it would work, but it would be unecessarily expensive.

thats what he rides now- being that all he had was an old beat up rigid nishiki. with a few months on a nice f/s bike, those trails will quickly get boring and he'll almost certainly move onto some more challenging and more enjoyable trails where full suspension will help. i bought both of my f/s bikes before i was "really" riding trails that required them, and as my skills got better, i pushed myself and my bikes to the next level.

Check out the Kona Hoss Deluxe. It's meant for bigger riders and will give you solid componentry and a super duper-youcan'tbeatitfortheprice frame.

OR, get a free-ride oriented bike. The stronger frames will support your weight just fine.
I like the Gary Fisher GED but you could get a bunch of bikes if you decide to go the free-ride hard tail way.

In case you don't know, free ride hard tails are meant to take drops and jumps and are stronger frames then just plain regular cross country bikes. Their geometry also makes them easier to handle for tricks and what not, but you don't need to do tricks to appreciate the control and strength you get from them. Check out the free-ride hard tial at the top of the forum for bikes in your range!

obviously your an exception, but for the vast majority of people, a proper spring height (or air pressure) and a good pedaling stroke result in little bob. i can very efficiently pedal my stinky primo (a notoriously poor pedaling bike) on flat pedals because ive been riding f/s for long time, and ive learned to be smooth and pedal in circles. i wouldnt say technology makes people not know how to ride, frankly i think the opposite- technology makes people want to ride more and develop their skills more. for a beginner, having a bike that beats you up- ie a short travel hardtail- is not a great way to encourage them to go riding more. a bike that feels comfortable, and is forgiving to their mistakes and lets them learn how to ride more advanced stuff quicker is best.
many people argue this time and time again. Technology versus technique...either way, if he wants a f/s rig that weighs 40lb more power to him :D

Lots of good input here guys. I can respect hardtails and have heard the early rear suspension bikes sucked up a lot of peddaling power in the "bob". One thing I am specifically looking at when I test ride is how much "bobing" motion I get under various peddaling positions and effort levels - these new bikes are very good at not bobing until you are out of the saddle really hammering and then they have a lockout position which makes them basically a hardtail (a hardtail with extra weight as PWRby TRD is saying).

Do I need rear suspension? No, but I can't rule it out unless I find a hardtail that trips my trigger. I do like good crisp shifts and am willing to pay for the components to provide this. Disc brakes are new to me and all I can say is "I like!" the better ones are a big improvment over the old rim brakes, but this comes at a weight cost as well. I'm out there for exercize, I can handle a couple extra pounds for a plush ride (as long as the control is there) and great stoppers.

I will take the advice offered, all of it, to come up with a good ride. Thanks again for the input!

Have none of you readers ever heard of / looked at these new bikes? You all riding old steel bikes like me too?

Not in that pricerange I haven't. If I was to spend that kind of money it would be on a Klein.

Desert trails can go from a "nice trail" of hardpack with some loose rock, to riding down sandy washes hopping from rock to rock to stay on top. These I call pleasant nature rides. Or it can be a ride including half-mile long climb with deeply eroded ruts and allways that darn loose rock. And if you place that front wheel wrong you eat it in a rut or go over the edge ending up stuck to a cactus. The best scenery is allways on these second type rides it seems. I want a bike that pushes me to try more of this second type. Who says old men don't like bicycles? The dirt road rides are weekday rides that my Wife can go allong with me on for relaxation and exercize.

I say go for the full suspension. You only live once.

many people argue this time and time again. Technology versus technique...either way, if he wants a f/s rig that weighs 40lb more power to him :D

i think taht bike weight is wayy over stated. im not overly strong or with that much endurance, but i dont have a problem riding my single ring 45lb stinky up trails- in fact i do it pretty often, and i enjoy the downhills that much more. a few lbs for a more comfortable, more enjoyable ride is a good trade to me, if its not for you, then more power to ya.

Rode a GT Avalanch 0.5 today (hardtail), seemed light and responsive, and a 2004 Haro Extreme X3 (5" front 6" rear suspension), seemed plush but noticably heavier. Both bikes met my need for shifting smoothness and have decent disc brakes. With the '04 X3 on sale both are priced at $999. which is well below my maximum spend amount. Any comment on how these bikes rate with the big names?

I'm going to sound like a broken record but anytime someone wants to spend $1500 + on a mountain bike, I always recommend the same thing: BUILD IT YOURSELF!

Hand picking every piece, from the frame to cables, is a LOT of fun (well, it was to me, anyway) and I am now riding the exact bike I want. Nothing frustrated me more when I bought my first quality mountain bike than spending the next year swapping out parts I didn't like.

While that thought of building my own did enter my mind, I would need to learn a lot more about all the component suppliers before I could do it. Besides, it would seem that a $1500 bike would cost at least $2000 if you bought it piece by piece (or is that incorrect?)

check out www.pricepoint.com

they have unbeilievable prices that might make it so you could make your own bike.

Good stopping power and good crisp shifting are the 1st things i look for in a bike.
(thats aside from your frame)

I do have to say, The new Giants Trance, Reign, etc... Are unbeilievable. I have a HT Giant and its quality. Very light. I think that something along the lines of a Reign or a Trance would be great for you. see if you LBS could order it for you

While that thought of building my own did enter my mind, I would need to learn a lot more about all the component suppliers before I could do it. Besides, it would seem that a $1500 bike would cost at least $2000 if you bought it piece by piece (or is that incorrect?)

It's not as intimidating as you would think, especially with the help of folks on this board. The way I did it was to copy a similarly priced Trek and then swap out parts with what I wanted. The hardest part for me was the frame. I ended up buying a "temporary" frame for super cheap ($99 brand new) and liked it so much I've stuck with it.

Here's a starting point for components for a $1500-ish hardtail:

Drivetrain (Crank, derailleurs, chain, cassette, shifters): Shimano LX
Brakes: Avid Mech
Brake Levers: Avid SD-7
Wheels: Pre-built Shimano LX w/Mavic 717 rims (most online shops have these made already)
Bars, Stem, Headset, Seatpost: Ritchey Pro (can choose better stuff if you have money left at the end)
Saddle: Personal preference
Pedals: Crank Bros. Eggbeater SS
Tires, Grips, etc.: Personal preference

I *think* all that will run you under $1000. In fact, I think my parts were right at $1000 and I used XT drivetrain, a Thompson seatpost, and Raceface headset/stem. This leaves $500+ for a frame and fork. You'll then need to pay to have it built unless you're comfortable building it yourself. I had mine built by my local shop and they gave me a great deal since I bought the drivetrain and wheels through them.

You can price this stuff out at www.pricepoint.com, www.cambriabike.com, and www.jensonusa.com.

Even if you decide you don't want to build it up yourself or that it's more expensive than the Specialized you're looking at, at least you've gained some knowledge of what components cost and can better gauge the value of your Specialized. And, like I said above, it's fun :)

Hey desert rider..I'm in the same boat. I'm 6'3" 240 and looking for a f/s. I ride north shore BC mountains and need the strong frame. I'm looking at DEVINCI bikes right now, the Chilipepper to be exact, and it seems to have what I want. A good strong base frame, good suspension, decent drive train, and good brakes. I am opting for the better "core" of the bike (frame, suspension) over bells and whistles as I just keep smashing all my deraillers anyway. Devinci is a Canadian company from Montreal and is making a good name for themselves. They had a rough start but over the last couple years have really improved. I am spending $1500 Can on one and am giddy as a little school girl in anticipation of my first ride.....hehehehehehe.....I know this post seems a day late but though I'd throw in my two bits.....

i went FSR and I would never want to be without it .. I'm big and heavy.. 6'2" and about 220lbs, I picked up an Iron Horse Hollowpoint Expert '05' with SPV from supergo for $1450.. and I can set it up for little bob at all.. it's not as light as a rigid at about 31lbs(heavy wheels/tires - tubeless) but its less over the weight over a bike 3 times the price than I am over race weight.. go FSR, you'll never regret it.. if you buy one.. you will end up offroad.. no way around it.. it will draw you in.. you will end up looking into places you have never gone or dreamed of..

Good Times, GreyGoat;
I think we are all in similar situation except I am leaning toward the cross country style bike for my desert riding. I hope my 'conservative riding style' will not overstress the frame of a lighter bike. I will be looking at a full suspension Giant Trance 3 today. I finally found a shop that has one in set up and available for a test ride, it is an 18" frame (too small), but I hope to get a feel for the Maestro suspension. If it seems to fit my needs I may have them order me one in a 20" frame, the price is $1650, so it will have to impress me to get the nod.

Another contender is the 2005 GT Avalanche 0.5 (a nice light hardtail at $999), it is a nice looking bike with good components at an attractive price if I choose to go hardtail.

I have all but ruled out the 2004 Haro Extreme X3 (a FS All Mountain type bike, 5-6" suspension, weight of 40 lbs). I don't think I want that much suspension travel, and would like less weight. (But I like the great components and the sale price of $999).

I never found a Kona in a size I could test ride which is a shame as they come highly reccomended, and I have not tested a Specialized bike. The Specialized that looks good to me (on paper) is the Stumpjumper FSR 100 Disc but at $2000 MSRP it is more than I am willing to invest now.

Intrent searching, Calling local shops, Looking around, and Test riding has been somewhat fun, but I'm ready to pull the trigger and get something to ride! Bummer that half the bikes I want are seemingly unavailable.

Test rode four more bikes today, one nice hardtail and three FS Giants (Reign 3, Trance 3, and the 2004 model perdecessor to the Trance/Reign).

The Trance 3 was wonderful! It just felt right when I rode it. So good I bought it (almost), they had to order one in my size (20" frame, tested a 18" frame one). Is supposed to be here and built up by May 7th.

Thanks to all for the assistance in this search!

Edited to add: Got it from Performance Bicycles (a big chain), it goes on sale in May for $100 off so they gave me the sale price of $1549.

Sweet. Post some pictures.

Help guys! I ordered the Trance 3 and thought my problems were over for a while. Now I'm sitting by the phone waiting for the bike shop to call and tell me to "come and get it".

Anxious as a kid waiting for Christmas, you would think at 51 this would wear off. (I hope it never does) Told a few close friends I was getting a new mountain bike, a couple non-riders looked at me like I was from Mars, gave me that "what the hell are you gonna do" look. I know exactly what I'm gonna do, Have fun, explore some new places, and get in better shape so that I can ride harder! Had the old full rigid bike out today puttin in a couple easy miles on a nice day.

I love my sugar, but it is not a 29er. Has anyone out there ridden a 29er on a trail? (29ers have 29" wheels, and are supposed to roll over stuff like rocks and ruts easier than 26" wheels.)