Mountain Biking - Best FS for XC?

I bought my last mountain bike in 1993 (front suspension Trek 9800). I think it might be time for a new bike.

Last experience I had with full suspension bikes was back in the early 90s when I worked in a shop and sold the Trek TC3 bikes (some of you may remember the stack of doughnuts suspension). That thing had uncontrolled rebound and enough rear end sway to make you seasick. I haven't ridden any other FS design.

Can anyone point me to a primer on the FS designs currently available, and maybe make a recommendation or two on which would be best for cross country riding? I particularly care about reasonably light weight and directional stability (meaning no sloppy forks or rear ends). Edit to add that I weigh about 200 lbs.

Thanks.

Just for clarification, what do you consider light, than guys like me won't chime in ;)...my version of light is likely heavy :D

maverick.

Just for clarification, what do you consider light, than guys like me won't chime in ;)...my version of light is likely heavy :D

My 9800 with a Judy is about 26 lbs. If I could get a FS rig at that weight, I'd be delighted.

Well that rules me out. Sorry not my area of expertise.

However I find it ironic you have an oscar the grouch avatar. That was my nickname through most of school. hahaha

Why?

Come on...you know no one has to justify any of their suggestions on BF! ;)

BTW, how much are you looking to spend?

BTW, how much are you looking to spend?

Price not really an object. Looking for a bike that offers a great ride and excellent control at reasonable weight. I don't want to be extravagant, either.

There's some really good all mountain bikes out there that serve as great cross country rigs. I'm riding a Yeti 575, and my buddy is riding a Titus Motolite. Both are really nice longer travel cross country bikes, each at around 26 lbs.

If you're looking for super light racing bikes, there are plenty of other options. The ones I listed and those similar are more for real riding which is what most of us do. Both of these bikes climb really well, and are still a blast to bomb back down.

Titus of left, Yeti on right...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/gonesh9/sinkline6.jpg

If I were in the market again for an XC bike I have four in mind that I'd look at. In no particular order, Specialized's Epic and Stumpjumper and Cannondales Prophet and Rush. I'm a bit biased because I own a Prophet but the Lefty fork rocks. I was skeptical at first but found that it's very stiff and tracks beautifully on the trail. Also, the bottom bracket is pretty tall and makes it easier to negotiate obstacles.

I can't really speak too much about the others too much but I have ridden an Epic on one decent ride and really liked it. The ride was an out and back that has you climbing all the way out and descending all the way back. The Epic's suspension worked beautifully on the climb, staying locked out most of the time but on the way down it worked exactly as a full suspension bike should. The new Stumpjumper can be had with the same Brain rear suspension as the Epic and I think is probably better suited for the weekend warrior than the Epic. I know it's been getting great reviews. Either way, I don't think you can lose.

There's some....

Titus of left, Yeti on right...



I love both of them. Titus and Yeti.

If price is no concern I would check out the Ellsworth Truth, Turner Flux or the Titus Racer X. All great bikes. My preference would be the Truth but that's just me. For a fork I would go with the Fox F100RLC ($650) if you are not racing, the F100X ($775) if you are racing.

You should be able to get any of those frames for a little under $2,000. The total weight of your build will be dependent on how nice you want to build it. I had my Truth right around 24 - 24.5 pounds.

What bikes do your local bike shops sell? Surely they would be more help than a bunch of ******s on the interweb.

What bikes do your local bike shops sell? Surely they would be more help than a bunch of ******s on the interweb.

That's a good point. However, I was looking for a summary of the available designs and their benefits/drawbacks more than specific manufacturer or model recommendations.

A big part of it comes down to the rear suspension design. Go here to see a comparison.
http://www.ellsworthbikes.com/bikes/comparison/index.cfm

Although to be honest I'd still opt for a Turner Flux even if it no longer has a Horst link.
Main reason: customer service. Many have great experience with Turner. There are many who will say the same about Ellsworth for example, but there are also many who call Tony Ellsworth a "lying sack of ****" for screwing some customers not too long ago.

What bikes do your local bike shops sell? Surely they would be more help than a bunch of ******s on the interweb.

Yeah, local bike shops are not biased against their competitors' lines.

For a 4" rear travel frame, the Santa Cruz Blur, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR and Titus Racer-X have all impressed me, with the Titus sitting at the top of the heap. I'm digging that Yeti as well - so nice...

Interesting, no one has mentioned the Maestro. I think it is one of the best suspension designs.

http://www.suspensionmadeharmonious.com/suspension_comparison.html

I would definitely have a look at Giant Anthem, or Trance for XC riding.

A big part of it comes down to the rear suspension design. Go here to see a comparison.
http://www.ellsworthbikes.com/bikes/comparison/index.cfm

Although to be honest I'd still opt for a Turner Flux even if it no longer has a Horst link.
Main reason: customer service. Many have great experience with Turner. There are many who will say the same about Ellsworth for example, but there are also many who call Tony Ellsworth a "lying sack of ****" for screwing some customers not too long ago.

I should add that Turner customer service is not 100% exemplary. I have read of the occasional bad stories. Basically, do your homework and don't be afraid to contact the vendors themselves to see how they'll take care of you.

Yeah, local bike shops are not biased against their competitors' lines.

So get all the opinions you can from all the shops you can. The other benfit of looking at things in person is that you can, like, ride them.

In todays day and age I don't think you can get a bad FS bike at a real bike shop. Sure they have different designs, who cares? Does anyone buy a car based on the type of suspension it has? No, you buy the whole package. More important than any suspension design is FIT. Try as many bikes as you can, get the one that fits good, and most importantly YOU like the best. The more YOU like it, the more you will ride it.

So get all the opinions you can from all the shops you can. The other benfit of looking at things in person is that you can, like, ride them.

In todays day and age I don't think you can get a bad FS bike at a real bike shop. Sure they have different designs, who cares? Does anyone buy a car based on the type of suspension it has? No, you buy the whole package. More important than any suspension design is FIT. Try as many bikes as you can, get the one that fits good, and most importantly YOU like the best. The more YOU like it, the more you will ride it.

Cars have their own engine, Bicycles don't, therefore efficiency in supension design is a big factor for a lot of riders, Especially XC riders. Design can be just as important as fit

Any feedback out there for the Kona XCs, the Kikapu lineup?

http://www.suspensionmadeharmonious.com/suspension_comparison.html

rofl! Nice chart, shame there's no actual data.

Whats your encore? Linking me a whitehouse.gov page declaring global warming a myth?

http://www.suspensionmadeharmonious.com/suspension_comparison.html

rofl! Nice chart, shame there's no actual data.

Whats your encore? Linking me a whitehouse.gov page declaring global warming a myth?

He owns the bike and has real experience with other designs.

I know. I just found it funny that instead of sharing some of that experience with the OP, he linked a giant webpage with faux science on it.

I always get a kick out of pages like that by manufacturers, all telling us thier system is the best. Its laughable.

look at the cannondale scapel they are very nice and lite
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/07/CUSA/spec/7VP1_blk.jpg (http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/07/CUSA/large/7VP1_blk.jpg)

look at the cannondale scapel they are very nice and lite
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/07/CUSA/spec/7VP1_blk.jpg (http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/07/CUSA/large/7VP1_blk.jpg)

You're a punk kid. What do you know?

You're a punk kid. What do you know?

at 39 I'm no punk kid, plus I have a Scalpel 1. My size Large weighs in just under 24# and like stated above, the Lefty fork tracks awesome.

A lot of what makes a good XC race bike depends on the terrain in the area you are racing. Talk to your local shops and go to a couple of local races to see what the cool kids are running. Odds are if everyone is running 4" bikes you may want to consider one. Likewise, if all the fast boys (and girls) are kicking butt on hardtails then a squishy rear end may be overkill.

Duane

at 39 I'm no punk kid, plus I have a Scalpel 1. My size Large weighs in just under 24# and like stated above, the Lefty fork tracks awesome.


Duane

Leftyforks on Scalpels suck.

Leftyforks on Scalpels suck.
You are so old school.

Leftyforks on Scalpels suck.

It's nice to see you have something constructive to add. How about some more details? I'm sure they will help the OP with his decision.

It's nice to see you have something constructive to add. How about some more details? I'm sure they will help the OP with his decision.

The 'sucks' thing is a joke that was running rampant throughout the Mountain Bike forum recently. What you are reading is nothing but a playful jab between two people.

Why do you assume that this thread is about XC racing?

My bad. I picked up on a comment made in one of the responses that mentioned lightweight race bikes and it stuck in my head. I'll pay more attention next time.

The 'sucks' thing is a joke that was running rampant throughout the Mountain Bike forum recently. What you are reading is nothing but a playful jab between two people.

Yes,I was told that blue bikes suck...........it's true.

Yes,I was told that blue bikes suck...........it's true.

I hope blue bikes don't suck, my Road Bike is blue..........but then again, I wonder if my wife would accept that as a reason to get a new one? Just in case, what color doesn't suck? I need to know should I get the go ahead to buy a new one.

Clear doesn't suck.

http://www.suspensionmadeharmonious.com/suspension_comparison.html

rofl! Nice chart, shame there's no actual data.

Whats your encore? Linking me a whitehouse.gov page declaring global warming a myth?


I know. I just found it funny that instead of sharing some of that experience with the OP, he linked a giant webpage with faux science on it.

I always get a kick out of pages like that by manufacturers, all telling us thier system is the best. Its laughable.

I see the point, but why the attitude?

About the design I don't have any negative thoughts yet, so I could have said "oh, it works great, it doesn't bob, great this, great that", but how much help would that be, seriously?

So, instead of looking like a Giant representative, and trying to sell the bike, I just pointed out that there is another design which hasn't been talked about. I gave the link so that the OP will be aware of it, and I think what was written about the maestro is worth reading.

This was my first post in the Mountain Biking forum. I think it'll be my last.

Too little information; too much noise.

This was my first post in the Mountain Biking forum. I think it'll be my last.

Too little information; too much noise.

Sorry that you feel that way. You asked what is the best fs for xc. Several people gave you their opinions on it. That is the best that could have been done. There is no "best". There are several great bikes, only you can decided what bike is best for you.

Originally Posted by KrisA
Does anyone buy a car based on the type of suspension it has?


Yes.

You mean like buying a Porsche 911 which uses single pivot front suspension rather than a Horst Link, DW Link, VPP, etc?

Sorry that you feel that way. You asked what is the best fs for xc. Several people gave you their opinions on it. That is the best that could have been done. There is no "best". There are several great bikes, only you can decided what bike is best for you.

A few (fewer than 20%) of the 43 posts in this thread have contained useful information. Thanks for that. The rest have contained one word responses, idle, uninformed speculation, entirely off topic comments and/or pi55ing back and forth about whether suspension design is important.

To me, that's not helpful.

A few (fewer than 20%) of the 43 posts in this thread have contained useful information. Thanks for that. The rest have contained one word responses, idle, uninformed speculation, entirely off topic comments and/or pi55ing back and forth about whether suspension design is important.

To me, that's not helpful.

Did you get any value from the 20% of the posts you read?

http://www.suspensionmadeharmonious.com/suspension_comparison.html

rofl! Nice chart, shame there's no actual data.

Whats your encore? Linking me a whitehouse.gov page declaring global warming a myth?

Hey, global warming is not a myth...it has happened many times the past hundreds of years...come on, Al Gore (inventor of internet and Goretex) has a movie out on this very issue. Why he is so concerned about this issue, he travels cross country on private jet...burning thousands of gallons of jet fuel and further polluting the air. Someone get this guy a GM Denali road bike.

I see the point, but why the attitude?

Unintended side effect, sorry about that.

http://www-uxsup.csx.cam.ac.uk/~fanf2/hermes/doc/talks/2004-02-ukuug/crybaby.png

I prefer the WAAAAAAAmbulance.

A few (fewer than 20%) of the 43 posts in this thread have contained useful information. Thanks for that. The rest have contained one word responses, idle, uninformed speculation, entirely off topic comments and/or pi55ing back and forth about whether suspension design is important.

To me, that's not helpful.


Sorry. My answer was incorrect. Silver bikes are best. Green are second best.

>>> Did you get any value from the 20% of the posts you read?

Agree with the sentiment in any human communication. A 20% Signal-to-Noise ratio is actually phenomenal. Oh for a world with such a rich information environment!

For my part, thanks. . .learned a lot.

Again tho'. . .any experience with the Kona Kikapu line?

>>> Did you get any value from the 20% of the posts you read?

Agree with the sentiment in any human communication. A 20% Signal-to-Noise ratio is actually phenomenal. Oh for a world with such a rich information environment!

For my part, thanks. . .learned a lot.

Again tho'. . .any experience with the Kona Kikapu line?


I don't have specific experience with the Kikapu line but with the Kona hardtails. I think Konas are a decent value for the money although in the last season or two I've noticed that the hardtails have been getting a downgrade on their component levels. I don't know if this also applies to the FS bikes.

I know several riders in my club who ride the various Kikapu variants and all are very happy with their bikes.

You wouldn't go wrong by test riding a Kona Kikapu. If you found that you liked it and that it suits you well, you would have done well.

No, like choosing a vehicle with independent rear suspension vs. a solid axle.

p.s. The Porsche uses a Macpherson strut...
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I give up.

This was my first post in the Mountain Biking forum. I think it'll be my last.

Too little information; too much noise.

Oh nooooooooooooo.....