Mountain Biking - Which full suspension bike?

I am in the market for a full suspension bike. I have been riding xc hardtails for years now, and am now looking into getting a full suspension bike. I am interested in an "all mountain bike," so i can get into doing bigger drops without snapping my frame, like in the past. I am not interested in a downhill bike because i live in florida, and there is not much downhill. The Jamis "all mountain bike" series seems to be a pretty good product for its price. Any other ideas? I am hoping to keep it under $2000.00. Thanks

mk

transition preston FR..... buy it ride it love it..... I have a transition dirtbag and love it to death... never had probs with the bike, components, or company, the owners are the greatest to deal with.... forget sh!tmano and trek (cant think of a funny/mean name for trek)

transitionbikes.com

I ride my Jamis XLT. I like my Jamis XLT. I would suggest getting a Jamis XLT. Then you would like your Jamis XLT.


Seriously...I have been pretty happy with it. Mine's 32lbs with coil suspension and fatty rims and tires. You can climb decently on it, but it descends with alot of stability. I think it's pretty comfortable.

I was mulling around the idea of a Transition Preston, but it is designed around a 6" travel fork. I called Transition and they said that they don't suggest a 5" fork. So the Preston would end up around 34-35lbs which is great for the Galbraith mountain area where Transition Bikes is situated, but for my local Kansas singletrack...my 32lb XLT is sometimes a little overkill. I couldn't imagine trying to crank up and down these little hills all day on a Preston. If there were a 45minute downhill to reward my efforts at the end, I'd consider it. Now the Covert looks sweeeeeet for the less gravity oriented trail.

The XLT is going to be phased out in 2008. The XAM is taking its place. There is a new Jamis Parker that appears to be a beefed up version of the XLT and intended for park riding. There's also a new BAM freeride bike that's replacing the Diablo...I want one!!!

But for the "all mountain" riding that you're hinting at, the XAM or a closeout XLT would fill the bill.

Norco Fluid 3 and 4. 3 = $1585 US, 4 = $1365 US
http://www.norco.com/2007bikes/Mountain/AllMountainCrossCountry/model.php?id=43&view=1&deets=2
http://www.norco.com/2007bikes/Mountain/AllMountainCrossCountry/model.php?id=44&view=1&deets=1

3 =
General
Model Name: Fluid Three
Category Name: Mountain
Sub-category Name: All Mountain Cross Country
Suggested Retail CAD: 1799
Suggested Retail US: 1585
Suggested Retail AUS: 1999
Suggested Retail UK: 999
Frameset
Frame: Triple butted & hydraformed aluminum, Horst Link 4-Bar linkage, 108-136mm travel, Fox Float R w/ rebound adjust & factory tuned ProPedal
Fork: Rockshox Tora, U-Turn 80-130mm travel adjust & external rebound adjust
Colour01: Silver
Colour02: Unavailable
Colour03: Unavailable
Wheelset
Front Hub: Shimano M-475
Rear Hub: Shimano M-475
Front Rim: WTB SX-24
Rear Rim: WTB SX-24
Spokes: DT Swiss Stainless, 2.0
Front Tire: Kenda Komodo, 2.10
Rear Tire: Kenda Komodo, 2.10
Brakeset
Front Brake: Hayes Sole hydraulic, 6" rotor
Rear Brake: Hayes Sole hydraulic, 6" rotor
Brake Levers: Hayes Sole
Drivetrain
Crankset: Shimano FC-M442, Octalink BB, 44/32/22
Pedals: Wellgo M-21 Alloy
Chain: KMC Z-9000
Freewheel: Shimano Deore, 11-32
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore, 31.8
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore, long cage
Front Shifter: Shimano Deore, Rapid Fire, 9 speed
Rear Shifter: Shimano Deore, Rapid Fire, 9 speed

4 =
General
Model Name: Fluid Four
Category Name: Mountain
Sub-category Name: All Mountain Cross Country
Suggested Retail CAD: 1499
Suggested Retail US: 1365
Suggested Retail AUS: 1799
Suggested Retail UK: Unavailable
Frameset
Frame: Triple butted & hydraformed aluminum, Horst Link 4-Bar linkage, 108-136mm travel, Fox Float
Fork: Rockshox Tora, U-Turn 80-130mm travel adjust & external rebound adjust
Colour01: Semi Matte Black
Colour02: Unavailable
Colour03: Unavailable
Wheelset
Front Hub: Shimano M-475
Rear Hub: Shimano M-475
Front Rim: Alex DM-18
Rear Rim: Alex DM-18
Spokes: DT Swiss Stainless, 2.0
Front Tire: Kenda Komodo, 2.10
Rear Tire: Kenda Komodo, 2.10
Brakeset
Front Brake: Avid BB5 mechanical, 6" rotor
Rear Brake: Avid BB5 mechanical, 6" rotor
Brake Levers: Tektro MT 2.1
Drivetrain
Crankset: Shimano FC-M410, Octalink BB, 44/32/22
Pedals: Wellgo LUC4, steel cage, boron axles
Chain: KMC Z-72
Freewheel: Shimano HG-40, 11-30
Front Derailleur: Shimano Alivio, 31.8
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Alivio, long cage
Front Shifter: Shimano Alivio, 8 speed, RapidFire
Rear Shifter: Shimano Alivio, 8 speed, RapidFire

Santa Cruz Heckler, or if you're looking for something beefier, Santa Cruz Bullit. I swear by this brand.

http://www.moredirt.co.uk/images/blog/santacruz_heckler.jpg

I swear at this brand too.

transition preston FR..... buy it ride it love it..... I have a transition dirtbag and love it to death... never had probs with the bike, components, or company, the owners are the greatest to deal with.... forget sh!tmano and trek (cant think of a funny/mean name for trek)

transitionbikes.com

They've just upped the prices on the transition website. The cheapest fork with the cheapest component spec on the preston would be at least 3000

Cannondale Rush 6.....

I swear at this brand too.

.....as do I.

.....as do I.:roflmao: I'll bet you do!

I must admit that my son does not cuss his Bullit nearly as much as he did his old DB XTS Moto.

:roflmao: I'll bet you do!

I must admit that my son does not cuss his Bullit nearly as much as he did his old DB XTS Moto.


I need to blame something for my lack of skill.

Specialized Stuumpjumper Expert, used you could pick one up for under $2000.

My good buddy just picked up a very lightly used S-Works Stumpy for 2 grand, lucky *******.

wait, all mountain XC or all mountain freeride?

Scott Genius MC, if available in the market.

wait, all mountain XC or all mountain freeride?

Hahahaha!