Mountain Biking - What size Bruiser do I want? (Bruiser opinions welcome too)

I've been thinking of getting a smaller, burlier bike then my Fisher HKEK, just to mess around on and improve my trials/freeride skills. I want to get whatever bike has a decent frame and is inexpensive, as it will be upgrade/project bike too.

My lbs might be blowing out a few Trek Bruisers, which are sizes 14.5 and 16.5 - I'm 5'11.5 and 175 lbs. My HKEK is a 19" which is comfortable for xc. I'm guessing that the 16.5 will probably be about right for me...I'm going to use this for an "everything" hardtail and upgrade parts as they break - good idea?

16.5 sounds way to small i ride a 17" specialized and im 5"9' its about perfect

gmoney: But that's very XCish sizing.
Tag1: I have 2 friends with Bruiser 1s, one is about 5'8" and the 14.5" frame is pretty good for him and the other is 5'11" and rides a 16.5" frame. To be honest, there isn't a very big difference between the two frame sizes. Normally, I'd reccomend the 14.5" (I ride a 15" Hardrock at 5'8") but in this case I might suggest buying the 16.5" (the frame size different will feel much less than 2").

EDIT: If you'll be using it for trials then you might want to go for the 14.5". In freeride you'll want to be able to throw the bike around in the air so it's a tossup between the two sizes. Test ride for a long while if possible and get a feel for the difference.

gmoney: But that's very XCish sizing.
Tag1: I have 2 friends with Bruiser 1s, one is about 5'8" and the 14.5" frame is pretty good for him and the other is 5'11" and rides a 16.5" frame. To be honest, there isn't a very big difference between the two frame sizes. Normally, I'd reccomend the 14.5" (I ride a 15" Hardrock at 5'8") but in this case I might suggest buying the 16.5" (the frame size different will feel much less than 2").

EDIT: If you'll be using it for trials then you might want to go for the 14.5". In freeride you'll want to be able to throw the bike around in the air so it's a tossup between the two sizes. Test ride for a long while if possible and get a feel for the difference.

Cool man, thanks for the info. I'm definitely going to ride both, and of course that will be the deciding factor. I guess I just wanted to get some input on the Bruiser too. I think there are a couple guys here who ride them...one question I have is: Both the 1 and the 2 have the same frame right? Just different components/colors?

Yes they have the same frame but most of the components are different. I would go with the Bruiser 2 if you have the option to pay just a little more because it has disc brakes and i like the fork more on 2. Also at my LBS they have a Trek Bruiser 2 for $300. How much are they sselling at yours?

I'd say to go for the bruiser 2 as well. You're getting a lot for the extra money.

I own a Bruiser 2. I have the 16.5 inch frame, I'm 5'9" and I wish I had gotten a 14.5. GET THE 14.5!!! The 16.5 feels more like an all mountain hardtail, definately get the 14.5. If you do choose to get the 16.5 you'll be beating yourself up for it when you get it. I am.

And, Trials is much much harder with the 16.5.

Here's a vid of me trying to pedal hop on my bruiser. It's difficult because of the large fork and large frame. There is a much smaller area on the rear wheel that can be used to pedal kick with, so get the 14.5.

http://media.putfile.com/hard-38

i ride a 14.5 bruiser 1 and i'm 5'6-5'7, 145 lbs.

i think 14.5 is a good size. easier to handle.

and opinion on the bike itself, great bike, crappy components, but you can upgrade those.

it's pretty much my mess around, do everything, cheap, project bike.

Thanks for the feedback fellas...In your experience, if I go with the 14.5, would it be something I could still take on the odd XC trail and not feel like crap riding more then 200 feet, or would it have to be strictly a trials/jump bike?