Mountain Biking - If you had $2500-$3000 to spend....

on a fs trail mtb which would you buy and why? I'm focusing on xc trail bikes, but fr bikes or all mountan bikes could work too as long as they are versatile. I want something I can ride trails with, while being able to jump intermediate level drops. I like the idea of the Specialized bikes that switch automatically between firm and softer suspension. What would you buy and why?

on a fs trail mtb which would you buy and why? I'm focusing on xc trail bikes, but fr bikes or all mountan bikes could work too as long as they are versatile. I want something I can ride trails with, while being able to jump intermediate level drops. I like the idea of the Specialized bikes that switch automatically between firm and softer suspension. What would you buy and why?

I, personally, would have a Giant Trance or the like. Not a racebike, something around 4 inches of travel and an aluminum frame. BUT, that's just me. If you like the Specialized bikes, take the thing for a test ride:).

The first thing to do would be to start a half dozen threads about your shopping.

My thoughts exactly.

Seriously, go ride some bikes.

Go ride some bikes and narrow down your search...then you'll get a better idea of what you want.

There is a significant difference between a FR bike and a XC bike. You'll feel the difference when you actually get on a few bikes.

I would recommend a Free-Cross All Dirt Trail-Ride Jump Bike like Pete Fagerlin's.

Go ride some bikes and narrow down your search...then you'll get a better idea of what you want.

.

How do you ride all these bikes? Most shops even in big cities like Atlanta don't have that much variety much less a range of sizes. Nor are many going to let you take one or more to a real trail. Rental bikes are limited.

It's even worse with canoes. I had to study canoe hull design, talk to as many people as possible including using long distance phone calls and if I travelled many hundreds of miles, I might paddle a boat I was interested in once in a while if I was lucky.

Al

Hopefully you'll get some advice this time. I'll repeat what I think you should try in this price range.

Try a Gary Fisher Hifi. I think the 08s are pretty much the same as the 07, which finished very strongly in an oft-quoted MBA shootout.

What Al meant to say was:

How do you ride all these bikes? Most shops even in big cities like Atlanta don't have that much variety much less a range of sizes. Nor are many going to let you take one or more to a real trail. Rental bikes are limited.




edit: I removed my advice b/c the 2008 Stumpy FSR doesn't have a Brain shock.


So then...go check out a 2008 Stumpy FSR Elite with the Fox Triad. The Triad has the "propedal feature" that you are liking the sound of. It seems to be in your "ever growing" price range.

Hop on a test bike for a day.

id get a new car. lol

I would buy something coffee colored. Coffee with a good bit of cream colored. I would purchase two, one for each leg.

How do you ride all these bikes? Most shops even in big cities like Atlanta don't have that much variety much less a range of sizes. Nor are many going to let you take one or more to a real trail. Rental bikes are limited.


I didn't say ride all of these bikes, I suggested riding a few of different varieties so the OP can get an idea of the differences between steep, short travel bikes and slack, longer travel bikes. The OP doesn't have any experience with any FS bikes so he needs a little base of his own information/experience to start making some informed decisions.

And it must suck living in Altanta then...I live in a city with numerous bike stores, several of which have a HUGE selection of top quality bikes. But I'm sure you could find some selection in some bike stores now, especially with the 2008 bikes rolling in.

Thank you for understanding. I live in L.A. and everything is spread out. Who wants to drive around all weekend looking at bikes? Looking at 5 different brands I'm considering generally takes different trips.

Just trying to get more input. I rode the specialized epic comp, epic marathon, and epic expert bikes today. I was impressed and wanted to buy right then... but I backed off wanting to see what else is out there. I found an 07 Hi-Fi for $1900 I'm going to check out tomorrow amongst others.


How do you ride all these bikes? Most shops even in big cities like Atlanta don't have that much variety much less a range of sizes. Nor are many going to let you take one or more to a real trail. Rental bikes are limited.

It's even worse with canoes. I had to study canoe hull design, talk to as many people as possible including using long distance phone calls and if I travelled many hundreds of miles, I might paddle a boat I was interested in once in a while if I was lucky.

Al

id get a new car. lol

I have a new car already.

Thank you for understanding. I live in L.A. and everything is spread out. Who wants to drive around all weekend looking at bikes? Looking at 5 different brands I'm considering generally takes different trips.

Just trying to get more input. I rode the specialized epic comp, epic marathon, and epic expert bikes today. I was impressed and wanted to buy right then... but I backed off wanting to see what else is out there. I found an 07 Hi-Fi for $1900 I'm going to check out tomorrow amongst others.

I've driven in LA several times. I'll take Atlanta.

Did you get to ride them on trails? The best I could do was ride them in the parking lots. If nothing else, there's rarely any near-by trails. Cant' really tell a lot about suspension in a parking lot.

I covered several thousand miles over a year and a half between N Florida and Tennessee looking for my first & only FS, however I was really going to these places to ride different trails anyway.

I just built a $3000 price range bike for my wife. A lot less hassle. UPS did all the driving. Spent a lot of time at the PC though shopping for prices.

Al

Hopefully you'll get some advice this time. I'll repeat what I think you should try in this price range.

Try a Gary Fisher Hifi. I think the 08s are pretty much the same as the 07, which finished very strongly in an oft-quoted MBA shootout.

Why,other than the "MBA Shootout" do you think this is a good bike bike?

Wipe that crap off your nose.

Get a job and stop hanging out on BF all day.

Why,other than the "MBA Shootout" do you think this is a good bike bike?

MBA is Deity?

Who wants to drive around all weekend looking at bikes?

If I couldn't get out to ride for some reason, that would be a pretty sweet weekend.

found the bike check out my new post!