Mountain Biking - suggestions of xc/ light freeriding bike

I'm finally looking for a new bike, I kinda hold myself back from doing stuff becuase I'm worried about breaking my bike. At first I thought I wanted a full all out freeride pig but I've realized that I won't be able to pedal up to the top (unless I have legs like Arnold). I was looking at the Kona Coiler, what do you guys think about that one? Basically the riding I'll be doing is probably 50% trail riding (xc, jumps, drops) 50% urban stuff (jumpin' off stuff a little bit of skate park). I guess what I need is a xc bike on steroids. I would prefer a F/S but I would be curious what hardtail you guys think would work aswell. Thanks for the info and the interest. :) Oh yeah, probably the biggest drop I'll be taking right now would be a 6 ft., that might be a 6ft. to flat (if I get brave enough).

Check out Kona's line up.

which one?

Hmm, I too was looking at the Coiler. Its a great bike but the LBS only had a 19" frame. Which was much to biek for me. So I bought a Haro Extreme X3. I wouldn't recommend the Haro for riding uphill. The Vanilla R doesn't have very good pedal efficiency. The DJ II's also bob. But its a great freeride bike with limited hills. Although if you can sit down and ride uphill both the fork and the rear shock are fine. If you really like the Coiler and its in your price range i'd say go with that. Its a great bike. I wish it was in my size. (I know the LBS could have ordered it but I needed a bike ASAP.) I was waiting for over 3 months for a bike. So go test the coiler. If you like it, buy it!

Budget?

Coiler would suit what you described perfectly. Look for bikes with a sc up front and a 5x5 suspension setup (maybe ever 4x4)...There are many other bikes in this range. Look for a 68 or 69 degree ha (even 70 if you don't mind it a little steep), shorter chainstays compared to xc bikes and get a little more crotch room.

Ht wise. Look at the p-series, kona dj series, norco supercross, ironhorse porter series etc...69ish degree HA 4 or 5 in fork and short chainstays, and a bike that fits a little small. All trail ridable but small enough to have lots of fun on.

which one?



I'd suggest the Dawg line... they seem to be the best crossover between XC effeciency and Freeride toughness. They'd be better on the trails than the Coiler and its buddies, but wouldn't be as tough for large drops and whatnot. Worth thinking about.



and if you're more XC oriented, and you want a toughened up XC frame and are a light rider it might actually be worth checking out thier clydesdale lineup... they're extra-strong XC bikes intended for heavier riders. I don't know how well they'd handle large drops and they are hardtail, but are basically XC bikes "on steriods."

For hardtail maybe even look at the Rocky Mountain Flow24. My friends getting that. I dunno how it performs. But it looks like a nice bike. Its cheaper then most of the F/S mentioned. But it still has disc brakes and some sweet components.

You do know thats a 24" wheel bike right? And meant more for street and midgets than anyone?

I've been checking out the Santa Cruz Heckler lately, which seems like it would fit the bill nicely.

Specialized Enduro, K2 Lithium, Yeti 575 AS-R,

The list goes on, but I second the Coiler and the Heckler!

L8R

Thanks for all the info guys. I'll probably look for something used (hopefully cheaper
). I'll let you guys know what I get, thanks!

Whats the out-a-saddle peddling efficiency like for the Giant AC 1 or 2?

Avoid the AC1 or AC2 there are so many other bikes that are superior to both of those.

Agreed, The Ac's are overly flexy for their design. Didn't like the feel of them at all :)

Craftworks Frm and rail would be good, ones a f/s the other a HT. Also Secialized Bighit's aren't too bad to pedal, but the P series from secialized and the DJ Konas would be good also.

Avoid the AC1 or AC2 there are so many other bikes that are superior to both of those.


Like what? Just out of curiousity. I was looking at the AC 2 but got something else.

I was checking out a Coiler Dee-Lux at my LBS, sweet ride, but man was it heavy! There is no way a light guy like me could use that for AXC, I think I'd die by the time I got to the top a long climb. I also scoped out a Slayer 50, which was much much lighter, that is something I could see myself riding if I had the gonads to hit the drops that I usually ride around.

Kona Stink/Coiler/roast/stuff, Rocky Mountain Switch SL, Specialized Enduro SX/Bighit/Pseries, Santa Cruz Heckler/Bullit/Chameleon, Titus Locomoto. Jamis Durango XLT, Turner RFX. Somany others that are so much better than the AC series.

The Coiler Dee-lux would be sweet to get but... $2400? Little pricy for me.

Kona Stink/Coiler/roast/stuff, Rocky Mountain Switch SL, Specialized Enduro SX/Bighit/Pseries, Santa Cruz Heckler/Bullit/Chameleon, Titus Locomoto. Jamis Durango XLT, Turner RFX. Somany others that are so much better than the AC series.

Thanks. I was just curious. The Switch SL is a nice bike.

The Coiler Dee-lux would be sweet to get but... $2400? Little pricy for me.

Well a specific price point would help us all point you in the right direction. Without out one we can't give the other.

I would guess 1500 american. Just byhis initial option anyways. (price of the standard coiler)

Well for around $1500 seems like the '04 Jamis Dakar XLT 1.0 would be the way to go. I bought the '03 for my wife and she loves it; just hates the battleship gray color. Or even the Jamis Dakar Sport for $999. They have a pretty good component spec for the price point as well.

I would prefer to stay around the $1500 USD and below but I could go to 1700. KrisA was talking about the Slayer 50, who makes that I've never heard of it.

I would prefer to stay around the $1500 USD and below but I could go to 1700. KrisA was talking about the Slayer 50, who makes that I've never heard of it.


Rocky Mountain Slayer50, It's out of your price range. Its $2,000+ i believe.