Mountain Biking - Ahhhhh, Help me!

I have been through hell the past 2 weeks. I'm going to buy a bike but I don't know a lot about them (as far as experience goes, I know about XTR, XT, Deore, etc. Cranks, BB's, all of the hardware).

I'm looking for a bike that is a 'do-everything' bike. I want to do a lot of trail riding, a lot of road riding, some drops, not more than 5-10 feet though, and I want it to have a 9 speed cassette, I really want it to be 27 speed.

Is there anything out there that can do this that wont cost me over 1,500 dollars?

A hardtail would do this best.

A hardtail would do this best.

What about the Norco Storm? Or is there one that would be better?

A Norco Storm will not work. Try a Norco 150

A Norco Storm will work.

You think it could handle somewhat extreme trail riding, small (3 foot) dirt jumps, and 5-10 foot drops?

You think it could handle somewhat extreme trail riding, small (3 foot) dirt jumps, and 5-10 foot drops? Notice edit.

Notice edit.

I don't know of any Norco 150? Do you mean the Norco One25 or the Norco Two50, the supercross bikes?

Those look like they'd be useless for non aggressive trails and road driving though... And I wouldn't want to pay 1500+ dollars on a bike that I can only use for jumping.

What wouldn't work with the Norco Storm?

Edit: I was also thinking about the Norco Screamer, what do you think about that bike? I'd have the shifters all upgraded to Deore.

Geometry, fork, wheels.

I'm not too familiar with Norco, I'm more of a Kona guy. The one25 will be able to take pretty much anything that you described. Or get a Sasquatch. Both of those are in you range, plus 8 speed is a little more tougher than 9 speed.

Geometry, fork, wheels.

I'm not too familiar with Norco, I'm more of a Kona guy. The one25 will be able to take pretty much anything that you described. Or get a Sasquatch. Both of those are in you range, plus 8 speed is a little more tougher than 9 speed.

Hmmm, what kind of things do you think the Storm could handle? Like how high of drops and how versatile is it?

I'd like to get a bike that's under 1000 if at all possible to see how much I enjoy doing the different things on the bike.

Also, I don't need to go with Norco, if there's another brand that offers a more versatile bike for a better price, then by all means mention it.

Hmmm, what kind of things do you think the Storm could handle? Like how high of drops and how versatile is it?

I'd like to get a bike that's under 1000 if at all possible to see how much I enjoy doing the different things on the bike.

Being that the storm is a 4 year old bike that is no longer made and is designed around a 63 mm fork the biggest fork it can handle safely is an 80mm fork anything over that and it will rake it out so much that it has a good chance that the fork will snap the headtube off.

A storm probably can't handle drops, it's not the correct kind of bike for that, it was designed as a recreational xc bike, not really meant for freeriding. If you go with a One25 or a Sasquatch, they are made for the stuff you want to do.

Being that the storm is a 4 year old bike that is no longer made and is designed around a 63 mm fork the biggest fork it can handle safely is 80mm fork anything over that and it will rake it out so much that it is a good chance thatt the fork will snap the headtube off.

A storm probably can't handle drops, it's not the correct kind of bike for that, it was designed as a recreational xc bike, not really meant for freeriding. If you go with a One25 or a Sasquatch, they are made for the stuff you want to do.

The storm is still made, Norco has their '04 Model right on their site... here check it out. It has a 100mm Marzocchi Fork.

http://www.norco.com/bikes/2004bikes/storm.htm

If you are hitting 10 ft drops definately invest in their burlier bikes. The sasquatch for example.

The storm is a xc recreational bike and is not meant for any real abuse. I could have sworn I have told someone else this recently. It just isn't a bike designed for abuse, if you did 'fr' with this, warranty would be gone.

Still I would not reccomend the storm, still is not the correct geometry for your demands. Get the sasquatch or the one25 you won't regret it. If anyway you taco the wheels slightly you will wind up walking home because of the V brakes.

If you are hitting 10 ft drops definately invest in their burlier bikes. The sasquatch for example.

The storm is a xc recreational bike and is not meant for any real abuse. I could have sworn I have told someone else this recently. It just isn't a bike designed for abuse, if you did 'fr' with this, warranty would be gone.

Do you think it could even handle small jumps? Like 3 foot ones?

Time to lower expectations. What about drops no higher than 4-5 feet, and just regular jumps maybe 3 feet high. I'm talking about biking through the woods over ruts and roots, and maybe hopping off a small ledge over a creek thats about 4 feet high. Nothing like dropping 5 feet to solid rock or concrete.

If the Storm can't handle that type of use, what bike under $1000 can? If any?

The storm is not made for jumping and stuff even if it is small stuff.

The storm is not made for jumping and stuff even if it is small stuff.

Check my edit.

For a little more you can get a Norco Charger

http://www.norco.com/bikes/2004bikes/charger.htm

Kona Scrap

http://www.konaworld.com/2k4bikes/2k4_scrap.cfm

http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=6015&JServSessionIdroot=trixeicedq.j27008

For a little more you can get a Norco Charger

http://www.norco.com/bikes/2004bikes/charger.htm

Kona Scrap

http://www.konaworld.com/2k4bikes/2k4_scrap.cfm

http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=6015&JServSessionIdroot=trixeicedq.j27008


The Charger can handle what I mentioned originally?

Would you pick the 2004 Charger over the 2003 Fluid 3.0 for the uses I mentioned in my original post? (If the charger can handle what I mentioned in my original post)

2k4 charger.

2k4 charger.

So the 2004 Charger can handle everything I mentioned in my original post? Wow... I didn't know there would be that much of a difference between it and the Storm.

Is the main differences being the stronger more built up frame and Marzocchi EXR Pro 5" compared to the Marzocchi MZComp 4"?

I'm definitely a newbie when it comes to what bikes can handle... I apologize for asking an over abundance of questions but I want to get something I will be happy with... thanks for your help BTW. :)

Of those I like the scrap most. I know that frame and it can handle tonnes of abuse.