Mountain Biking - Hardtail: XC vs. Freestyle

Are there any bikes out there that have the ability to take some good sized drops (like a hardtail freestyle), but can also ride on the trail for 10 miles (like a hardtail XC)? In other words, any freestyles which can be ridden on the trail, or any Xc's which can be shot off a downhill.

Since I want to be able to sort of do both, is it better to get a XC and ruin the fork, or get a dirt jumper, freestyle type and take that on the long trail?

Thanks a bunch.

I used to have a Santa Cruz Chameleon, sounds like the perfect bike for you. Just get an all mountain fork and you will be able to ride just about anything you want.

i'm building up a Jamis Komodo FX with that exact concept in mind (plus allot of urban riding). i can't tell you more, becouse i havn't riddin it yet, but at least by my own theory i think i'm heading in the right direction.

i guess the concept is a freeride hardtail frame of a lightweight varriety, with a medium travel fork.

Chameleon

I lust after one of those

Maybe a Transition Vagrant like mx's new one

My friend has a Chameleon but its not the best for XC b/c he has it set up as a SS. But the Chameleon it self would be great for that.

Norco Bigfoot. Ands its Freeride.

I use a GF Mullet pretty much as you describe.

How much are you willing to spend, your biking vocab. tells me not a lot.

Like WannaGetGood said its freeride not freestyle:roflmao:

that santa cruz looks pretty stylin

thanks for the vote of confidence about the "freestyle" comment. Maybe I should go out back and hang myself over it.

Chameleon all the way. I got an '05 frame cheap of ebay, dumped a few parts off my '03 Specialized bighit, added a Sherman firefly and some magura gustavs. I find myself able to handle XC stuff and can jump/drop better than i could on my full suspension Big hit. I think your ability to XC easier/freestyle easier will come down to how big/heavy a fork you put on.

thanks for the vote of confidence about the "freestyle" comment. Maybe I should go out back and hang myself over it.

don't worry, freeriding is just riding freestyle, without style.:D

don't worry, freeriding is just riding freestyle, without style.:D

Hah! +1

any of you seen the Reken deal on Pricepoint for $99. Is that any good (maybe a little too lightweight for big drops). Any Fork suggestions if one were to get the Reken frame?