Mountain Biking - Bike search

hello,

I haven't bought a bike in a long time, but I've finally outgrown my old BMW bike. I'm looking to get into DH/FR biking, but for now I suppose I'm looking for a bike that will handle the trails and the jumps that go with them.

Would you guys recommend hardtail or full suspension? I have roughly 1500 $ to spend.

Thanks for any help, and sorry if I am vague with my description.

falling to 2nd page

This is a tough choice because you don't offer much to go on. How old are you, what type of riding you're doing and so on. OK, Look at it this way. $1500 is going to buy one really nice hardtail. A STumpjumper Comp at 15% off list would meet your price tag. However, $1500 for a dual Sus would buy a nice entry level dualy. How bad do you want dual suspension? For me, it was worth it to go for the entry level dualy, but that's a personal choice.

I am 17 currently, and I would say I do "trail" riding (according to the FAQ sticky at the top of the page). I have riden hardtails only, and full suspension was just a thought more then a need.

I've decided to go with a hardtail though, since I realized I've never seen myself asking for full suspension. I was also looking at the Giant XTC 1 (its a little cheaper too), so maybe that gives you an idea of where I'm looking.

I would look into the Specialized Stumpjumper HT (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=39220) which might slide into your budget if you found a good LBS. (Love the Fox fork on it too) or even the top-of-the-line Rockhopper Pro (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=09Rockhopper) which has a sweet RS Recon fork and Juicy 3 discs for much less money. As far as full suspension goes, check out the Giant Trance X3 (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/mountain/2272/32147/), w/Fox fork including 15mm TA. I've seen them advertised online for $1550. Happy hunting.

Crap, I forgot about Canadian pricing (I'm in Ontario), so I will have to knock the budget to 1300 $ - my mistake.

Thanks for the suggestions still though.

I'd still go with a Hardrock...I still don't think the OP knows what type of riding he's really going to be in-to.


To you members who are rec.'ing a Stumpjumper HT...he wants to get into DH/FR eventually. That means he's probably gonna punish his trail bike until he can afford to get into a decent DH/FR rig.

The Specialized Hardrock is a great place to start b/c it will do a little bit of everything. It's not going to win XC or WC DH races...but it will let you get your feet wet while you can save for a good burly DH/FR rig. If you find that you enjoy plain ol "trail riding" more than aggressive shredding...you're not out a ton of money and you can spend that saved money on a Motolite or gnarly trail bike.


If you're definitely an aggressive trail kinda guy...check out the Jamis Komodo / Kona Five-O / Gary Fisher Biggun's series / SC Chameleon / Transition TransAm / Surly Instigator

Some burly hardtail.

Thanks for the help, that helped a fair bit. I am going to the shop tomorow and will check out the Hardrock for sure, but the Jamis Komodo also caught my eye. Is there anything bad you would have to say about it?

No...I owned a 2004 frame that flexed a bit, but it was more of a standard trail bike frame. The 2005 to current frames are burlier than crap. I have been pretty impressed with my 2005. There have been a few minor tweaks since '05. Jamis is a decent "good bang for your buck" company. When comparing the Komodo frame to a comparable hardtail from say Kona, Santacruz, etc...the fit and finish may be not quite as good, but I haven't been able to hurt this Komodo. It's a 5lb frame though which is probably 1/2-3/4lb heavier than a trail bike frame.

2007 saw a larger diameter seat tube.
2008 saw a rifled top tube.

Granted...you get what you pay for regarding components. A $500 bike will have cheaper components but even the entry level Komodo is built to take a decent amount of punishment from the entry level rider at the expense of a little bit of pork.

The nice thing is that if you really are planning on DH/FR in the future...the Komodo is a good platform for a Freeride hardtail. IMO...a hardtail lacks control from serious DH'ing...but I haven't got any experience with dedicated DH. I just know that the rear end of a HT bouncing around on the trail would most likely cost you quite a bit in a DH race.

The plus side is that it's a ton lighter and more efficient than a dedicated FR/DH dually...thus making it a good "All Mountain" alternative on the cheap. My Komodo built as a FRHT was around 32lbs. As a "trail bike" it's built at around 27lbs. I've had it lighter, but in the end...the benefits out weighed the extra 1.5lbs of weight saved.

http://jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/hardtails/komodo/09_komodo2.html

What are the main differences in the Komodo 1 and Komodo 2 pricetag (I don't know many compenent brands so it's hard for me to tell)?

Have you ever felt hindered by the 16 speed (I've never had under 24, but I suppose I never go that high anyway in the trails)?

Thanks a lot for your help.

A lot of what gearing you need/want has a lot to do with aht kind of terrain you ride and what style of riding you do. I have a big ring on my hardtail but rarly use it.(I'll put on a bashguard soon) and my DS bike has a 2X9 setup. I'd rather have a 2 ring bashguard set up.If you were riding and racing XC you'd want to mash that big ring.

What are the main differences in the Komodo 1 and Komodo 2

Well...highlights:
Komodo II has better fork with a 20mm thru-axle
-SLX rear derailleur
-slightly better crankset
-much better brakes


I'm not super stoked on everything being the slated $500 better, but I guess when you factor in that you will never pay MSRP for a bike & could only get around $50 out of the Launch fork and even less than that out of the brakes...Hayes Stroker Rydes are around $130'ish + shipping on eBay. The Marz DJ 1 fork is around $300 or so on ebay these days.

I guess it all works out in the end. If you're buying from your local bike shop and can wait 'till Fall...try to get a year-end close out model. If you can't wait (I couldn't :lol:) they could possibly still have a 2008 sitting there that nobody wanted. You may be able to talk them down to $500 or even better on the K1...or a killa deal on the Komodo II.



I'd probably be more apt to do the Komodo I and just save some money for a good Freeride / DH rig. This way you can get a decently rugged bike that will last a while, yet not piss away all your money. In the end...you may find out that it's all you need anyhoo.


Don't forget to check out the Hardrock too...dang good bike, and Specialized "in-house" components are pretty good.


Just ride some bikes and see what feels best to you.

Thanks mtnbiker66, though I don't understand when you say, "If you were riding and racing XC you'd want to mash that big ring." Sorry for my noobness.


Thanks for your help chelboed, I'm going to go sit on some today.

See if you can find yourself a local Fisher dealer too. The Mullet and GED are pretty PIMP. Kona Five-O and Hoss are both nice.

Check out Norco too (Freeride HT line)...they have some good longer travel HTs too. And they're usually pretty well priced.

Awe crap, man...yeah! If you have a Norco dealer in your area...case closed. I never think about them b/c I'm in the Midwest where Trek, Giant, Specialized, and Fisher are the norm.

No norco dealers around, but I called and they didn't have deals going down. I got a good deal on the Komodo 2, a few hundred bucks off, might end up going for it.

Thanks for the help boys.

edit: I wish it did have the longer travel as the Norco did, but i don't think i'll want it right away as i try a few different styles of riding. I might end up throwing a 160mm fork on it in the later days.

Where are you in Ontario? Norco is Canadian and they have a ton of retailers throughout Canada.