Mountain Biking - Upgrade sanity check ...

The quick story is that I have my first mountain bike, a TREK 4300 disc, which has been a great bike for me to cut my teeth on but am now looking for an upgrade/addition. I'm to the point that I am riding it 3-4 times during the week around the surrounding neighborhoods/lakes/parks/etc for exercise and then 1-2 times at the local single track/trails over the weekend. Not that's it the biggest deal in the world but it would be nice to not have to change tires twice a week (once putting the off-road tires on and once putting the 1.95" urban/pavement tires back on for exercise rides). So the goal of the new purchase would be to dedicate the TREK 4300 disc to urban commuting/exercise riding and the new purchase for single track trail riding (and have a nicer bike for the trails).

I've been researching all sorts of stuff (budget of $1000 - $1500 out the door) and keep coming back to the Specialized Rockhopper SL or SL Pro, Specialized Rockhopper Expert Disc, Kona Cinder Cone, Kona Caldera, and the Motobecane Fantom HT Elite (still not sure if bikesdirect.com is a good thing or not with all these differing opinions flying around).

To qualify my weekend riding ... it's flat Florida single track. With that in mind (utilizing my noob bike knowledge) I figured another HT would yield me the most bike for the budget and be an appropriate next purchase.

At this point I am stuck looking at the same handful of bikes with no certainty that I am making the best decision. Please let me know what you feel is best whether mentioned or not (even FS if you think that is something I should look into).

Thanks in advanced.

As far as HT vs. FS, you'll need to decide what you want. You can get a nice mid-level HT, or you can break into the entry level FS category. It's all about what kind of riding you do. "Flat" doesn't necessarily mean to definitely get a hardtail, since a flat trail can still have rock gardens and drops, in which case rear suspension can be nice.

If you go HT, the bikes you named should all be good choices, with the possible exception of the Motobecame, if only because you can't test ride it first. If you liked your Trek, it might also be worth it to look into the Trek 6000/8000 series (forget which one hits that price point), and your Trek dealer will also most likely carry Fisher's line, which is owned by Trek but will fit differently. And don't forget to look for '09 closeouts, because you might be able to get a bike otherwise out of your price range. I saved a few dollars off both my Yeti and my Komodo that way (Komodo seems like a good amount of bike for the buck, btw, so if you can find a local Jamis dealer, it might be worth it to check out the Dakars and Dakotas). If you go FS, all of those companies should also have a full-suspension bike in that price range. Play with a as many bikes as you can get your hands on...when you sit on "the one," you'll know it (With that in mind, don't sit on too many out of your price range. That Yeti I was talking about? Not in my price range. I had to cut back on my grocery bill for a little while).

Thanks for the advice. I am going to a LBS today that is a Specialized dealer to see what they have on hand and see what feels good.

I was afraid you were going to say that FS could very well be applicable to me. There are some rough areas with lots of palmetto roots, rocks and small drop offs that a FS would be nice. I guess the downside of going FS is that with the $1500 budget I would be back kinda where I am in now from the perspective of a entry level bike (like my TREK 4300 disc is to HTs).

The FS route would take me to the TREK Fuel EX5, Konda One20, or Specialized FSRxc Comp all of which are low end FS (and pushing the budget pending actual LBS price vs msrp).

For some reason that Rockhopper SL Pro has really caught my eye. Any other thoughts/suggestions for the confused? Thanks.

You might be able to get a decent FS on sale since it's the end of the season...should you want one.

If I were you, I would get an FS rig. You already have a fair HT, so why not try something like a Kona Dawg ($1550 MSRP) to experiment with? It gives you more options for riding different kinds of trails. You can use the Trek on flattish singletrack or longer distance XC rides, or go to the Dawg for rougher stuff with more downhill sections? I like the look of the Dawg quite a bit, and I've heard that the vertical shock/horizontal pivot design is an enduring classic.

There are bound to be some places that will have some cheap FS's in since its end of the season.

The LBS really pushed me towards a FS Giant today based on their experience of the local trails (and since I already have a HT). Specifically a Giant Trance X3 or X4 pending price and whether I get the 2009 or 2010 model.

What is the local consensus here in regards to that bike?

Did you try it? Cypher (women's Trance) didn't fit me right. Assuming it's a good fit, it should be a good bike. '09 X3 comes equipped with Fox suspension, which is really nice stuff. The rest of the build looks pretty good too. I don't own a Trance specifically though, so I'll let someone else give you their opinion on that bike.

No..... it has been raining solid here since last night at 6pm .... hence why I did not ride today nor does it look like I will be able to ride tomorrow (not that I'm bitter).

I will have to go back to for a test ride. Cool thing about this LBS is that you can rent bikes from them (take it for a nice whirl around the local trails) and any money spent on rental fees can be applied towards a bike purchase.

Where in Florida?

Greater Tampa Bay area.

Nice. I'm further North, it's been raining nonstop up here too.

I've heard the Trance X3 is one of the best value-for-money bikes out there. Fox fork, and dead sexy.

Would people be in agreement that Giant makes a quality bike/frame?

I'd wouldn't hesitate to pick something up that came from Giant, if that's what you're asking. They're a huge frame building company, and they make plenty of quality stuff.

I ended up going with a Specialized but Giant was definitely my second choice. They make quality bikes.

unless you're on rocky terrain go for full rigid. maximum power transfer from your pedals to surface.

Oh boy ... we have gone from hardtail to full suspension to full rigid.

I just finished 16miles of single track and I could see where a FS bike would be nice to take up a bit of the 98347599209857634 roots I hit today. Decisions... decisions.

easiest way to determine your preference? ride both.
go to a place that has some traffic and trails riding environments
(around rehoboth beach delaware for example, go to atlantic city bikes there)
and rent one of each and see how it goes for ya.

it was within Minutes that i felt that front suspension was robbing me of what i was putting onto the pedals.
but yeah, your mileage may vary.

I'll put in a vote for full suspension. I ride mine pretty much everywhere.

But as a less expensive alternative, why not just buy a second set of wheels for your current bike? Mount the road tires on those and it's a 2-minute changeout.

it was within Minutes that i felt that front suspension was robbing me of what i was putting onto the pedals.

Fox with ProPedal. Or any good quality fork. The pros outweigh the cons, IMO.

Thanks for the continued input! Are there any other comparable FS bikes that haven't been mentioned that I should look into? Thanks.

ProPedal

??

??

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=14897747
and/or
http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-78498.html

Ok ... so the final two contenders for the next purchase are:

2009 Giant Trance X3 ~ $1700
http://www2.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/mountain/2272/32147/

or

2010 Specialized FSR XC Comp ~ $1550
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=45745&eid=4201


I'm kinda leaning towards the X3 since it has Fox at the fork and rear shock ....

Thoughts????

I'd say at this point it comes down to which one you like the 'feel' of better and which shop you feel will treat you better after the sale. Both are excellent machines; I'd lean toward the Giant because of the Fox suspension and the solid array of good aftermarket components.

Went by the LBS today and took the X3 for a quick ride around the surrounding parking lots. Man that thing is nice. Makes my current rig seem like a piece of junk in comparison.

I'm actually renting a Trance X1 this weekend from the LBS to really test on the trails. I have a feeling once I return to the shop I'll be going home with something new and shiny.