Mountain Biking - Freeride hardtails

I couldn't find a (recent) topic directly addressing this;
There seems to be many 'freeride' hardtails out, and they are discussed fairly often, but why not have a topic for several of them to be discussed, possibly stickied...?
I or a member of the moderating staff can update the first post to include bikes suggested by people.

I'll start with a couple:
Price Ranges (See the $500 thread for less expensive bikes :)):

> $500 & <= $700:

Gary Fisher Mullet (http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/bike_detail.asp?series=biggns&bike=Mullet)
Giant STP2 (http://www.giant-bicycle.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?lYear=2004&bikesection=8841&range=177&model=10901)
GT Chucker 1.0 (http://www.gtbicycles.com/mountain/catalog/detail.php?id=841)
GT Ruckus 3.0 (http://www.gtbicycles.com/mountain/catalog/detail.php?id=838)
Kona Shred (http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_cart/FrontEnd/Products/product_detail.aspx?productid=103&parentid=182)
Specialized P.1 A1 (http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=9700&JServSessionIdroot=n91z3p62dj.j27005) P.1 Cr-Mo (http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=9701&JServSessionIdroot=n91z3p62dj.j27005)
Trek Bruiser 1 (http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/Mountain/Bruiser/Bruiser_1/index.php)


> $700 & <= $1000:

Cannondale Chase 3 (http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/05/cusa/model-5FSDJ3.html)
Giant STP1 (http://www.giant-bicycle.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?year=2005&model=11032)
Gary Fisher Bitter (http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/bike_detail.asp?series=biggns&bike=Bitter)
GT Ruckus 2.0 (http://www.gtbicycles.com/mountain/catalog/detail.php?id=837)
Kona Scrap (http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_cart/FrontEnd/Products/product_detail.aspx?productid=104&parentid=182)
Kona Stuff (http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_cart/FrontEnd/Products/product_detail.aspx?productid=105&parentid=182)
Norco Bigfoot (http://www.norco.com/05_us/bikes/shorehardtail/bigfoot_us.htm)
Norco 125 (http://www.norco.com/05_us/bikes/supercross/125_us.htm)

Specialized P.2 (http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=9702)
Trek Bruiser 2 (http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/Mountain/Bruiser/Bruiser_2/index.php)


> $1000 & <= $2000:

Cove Foreplay (http://www.covebike.com/foreplay.htm)
Cove Stiffee (http://www.covebike.com/stiffee.htm)
DMR Rythym (http://www.dmrbikes.com/products/frames/rhythm_complete.html)
Kona Cowan (http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_cart/FrontEnd/Products/product_detail.aspx?productid=119&parentid=182)
Gary Fisher Ged (http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/bike_detail.asp?series=biggns&bike=GED)
Marin Rocky Ridge (http://www.marinbikes.com/bicycles_2005/html/bikes/bike_specs/specs_rocky_ridge.html)
Norco Sasquatch (http://www.norco.com/05_us/bikes/shorehardtail/sasquatch_us.htm)
Norco Tactik (http://norco.com/05_us/bikes/shorehardtail/det_tactik_us.htm)
Norco 604 Street (http://www.norco.com/05_us/bikes/supercross/604street_us.htm)
Santa Cruz Chameleon (http://www.santacruzmtb.com/bicycles/chameleon.php)
Specialized P.3 (http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=9703)
Transition Trail-or-Park (http://transitionbikes.com/TrailorPark.cfm)
RM Flow (http://www.bikes.com/bikes/2005/flow/flow-f3.aspx)
Santa Cruz Jackal (http://www.santacruzbicycles.com/bicycles/jackal.php)


Frame only:

24 bicycles Le Toy (http://www.abikeonline.com/en/prods24letoy.html)
Agent Orange (http://www.solcon.nl/ntbrouwer//pages/f_orange.htm)
Agent Smith (http://www.solcon.nl/ntbrouwer//pages/f_smith.htm)
Azonic Steelhead (http://www.azonicusa.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=52_30&products_id=150)
Banshee Morphine (http://www.bansheebikes.com/bike-morphine.html)
DMR Trailstar LT (http://www.dmrbikes.com/products/frames/trailstar_lt05.html)
Evil DOC (http://evilbikes.com/structures_doc.htm)
Evil Imperial (http://evilbikes.com/structures_imperial.htm)
Evil Imperial SL (http://evilbikes.com/structures_sl.htm)
Evil Sovereign (http://evilbikes.com/structures_sovereign.htm)
243 Racing (3 frames) (http://www.243racing.com/page141.htm)
243 Racing (DNA and Ridge) (http://www.sinisterbikes.com/)
On One Gimp (http://www.on-one.co.uk/products/gimp.shtml)
Identiti 666
Identiti Mr Hyde (http://www.identitibikes.com/identitibikes/products/frames/mrhydeframe.php)
BMW Park (http://www.brooklynmachineworks.com/main.html)
Transition Trail-or-Park (http://transitionbikes.com/TrailorPark.cfm) (copied this as it is primarily a frame only purchase, even if you build the kit you have to build most of it)
Soul Cycles Titan (http://www.ridesoul.com/content/titan.html)
Surly Instigator (http://www.surlybikes.com/instigator.html)
Planet X Hammerhead (http://www.planet-x-bikes.com/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=49&MMN_position=54:12)
Planet X Armadillo (http://www.mbuk.com/biketestdetails.asp?id=405)
PDC Hardtail (http://www.pdcracing.com/products-hardtail.html)
ClifCat Tankass (http://www.clifcat.com/us/frames/tankass/tankass.htm)
Yeti DJ (http://yeticycles.com/1_bikes/dj_black.html#)

I forgot to make it clear(er), please suggest some, I only put links to a few I could think of.

Actually, I'll update the main post with the Transition ToP, and I would do so with the Cove Stiffee FR if I knew the price for it...

Since I assume you are doing cost of full bikes. Both of those fall into the above 1000$ and below 2000$ range. They CAN be made more expensive, butno real point.

Awesome thread, Lets no forget the Giant STP and the Marin Rocky Ridge

Trek has a hardatil freeride line called Bruiser
500 > Bruiser 1:http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/Mountain/Bruiser/Bruiser_1/index.php
700 > Bruiser 2: http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/Mountain/Bruiser/Bruiser_2/index.php
1000 < Bruiser 3 (full susser): http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/Mountain/Bruiser/Bruiser_3/index.php

Consider it sticky.

Thanks, kona.

I added the Trek Bruiser 1 & 2 (3 is a full-suspension.. looks pretty though), the Cove Stiffee, and the Marin Rocky Ridge.

1000 - 2000

Yeti DJ
Evil DOC
Sinister Ridge/DNA
can some up with some more later.

Those four seem to be available only as frames, on the manufacturer's website.

Come on, discuss said bikes :P

I'm looking at one in the < 1000 category, I might go a bit over 1k if the bike is really great..
The Giant STP2 seems perfect for this - possibly with a chainguide system after I get the bike.
It doesn't have disc brakes, but the frame, fork and wheels do have mounts for them.
However, I seem to be hearing that V-brakes stop roughly as well, until I bend the wheel or get it really muddy. Is it worth another $175-ish for a set of Avid mech discs, or should I stick with V-brakes?
My current bike doesn't have them, and it's another upgrade issue - why upgrade if it's not a huge upgrade? Possibly the STP1, with discs and a better fork?

We can create a frame only category.

uh....well you can order from a website such as go-ride.com and have them build it in shop....and them ship it.

this is gonna help alot of peaople, its helping me as of now...
good job

OOPS forgot the Azonic Steelhead..............how could I forget, that is a frame only deal and is about 2-250

Is the stealhead actually decent? I haven't ever found a pic for it.

Also, for the DOC, isn't that what konarider24 wanted at one point, then decided that he might go dually again? The frame's pretty cheap compared to the imperial and such. I like cheap and good. :D

Also, I hear the stp's are really nice. I tried an stp2 and man that bike is one hell of a great buy. But the store was way too far away and I didn't want to drive about 35 minutes to my shop.

arent like the p.2 and p.3 specialized's considered freeride hts? or are they just djing

I have a Norco Sasquatch and its a great bike. I have the 2003 model, but im sure the 2005 model is just as good, actually better (2005 has hydrolic disc). The only companies that i know alot about their freeride hardtails are Kona and Norco. I ride both companies alot and they both are really strong and take alot of abuse. I would suggest either a Norco or a Kona.

Why not Evil Imperial or 24cycles Le Toy

Imperial is up there under frameset, and post the link to the 24 LeToy and I'll put it up there as well.

Added a few, and alphabetized the frame-onlys.

Cool, very helpful. Thanks MadMan.

quick question.. would these be good to climb hills and do some XC riding? cuz i want to get into some freeriding too but be able to do some XC and climb some hills..

I think the Cove Stiffee FR has more XC-like geometry (I'm not the most knowledgeable at that), but it has pretty strong components and frame, so if you can afford that, sure.

The Trek Bruiser 1 seems to be less of a 'freeride' bike the more I look at it, in fact the Specialized Hardrock line is probably more FR oriented... Should it stay on the list?

The frame is pretty tough, and yes, I guess Hardrock could be considered low end FR... But I can't claim durability for the other stock parts. They crap out on me... then again I am 6'2" @ 215# and that can be tough on bikes.

The frame, though seems FR-like. I am enjoying mine very much, thanks :)

Is there that much difference between the Kona Scrap and the Kona Stuff?

Better fork, some would say better wheels, some would say worse wheels.
Also paint color... :P

2004 or 2005?

2005:

Stuff:
Has troublesome brakes : HFX 9's, heard they're terribly annoying sometimes, made for xc. Still more expensive than the ones on the scrap
Fork is a bit better, but I think it's still an OEM fork.
Rims I'm sure are better, because I've just realized that maelstroms set was probably defective or something. The rims really aren't that bad. I've done my share of falling horizontally, and unsmooth drops. Alexs are probably worse.
So basically
Fork
Wheels

I wouldn't say colour. Last year's colour was soo much better (the stuff's). But man I love my buffy red. It's so tough and rugged looking in my opinion. The 2005 paint for the scrap, I must say is better. That colour and those close to it (e.g. 2003 Stuff frame) are amazing nice looking because of the army men colour, and as everyone knows, ARMY MEN ARE TOUGH PEOPLES.

Did i miss it or is the banshee morphine really not in here. Awesome freeride hardtail. It;s wicked heavy though so its more of a downhill/drops/shore oriented frame rather than an urban or street althought i know some dudes that dj on it.

That's certainly a good bike for the list.. The ones that are up so far are in now way 'official' or anything.. just ones that people thought of, and could be linked to.
I'll update that shortly.

I just had to throw my 2 cents in.. I have hayes on my hoss and they stop quite well....they even bring me to a grinding hault. They work.

go with the Santa Cruz Chameleon (http://www.santacruzmtb.com/bicycles/chameleon.php). It is the best out there

go with the Santa Cruz Chameleon (http://www.santacruzmtb.com/bicycles/chameleon.php). It is the best out there

I hate it when people say that.

But well done MadMan, good idea for a useful thread.

What do you hate? When they say it's the bhest out there?

When there is one BEST frame probably. Especially when it usually isn't. As is the case the the Chameleon. Decent frame but not in the 'best' category :)...

I added some frames above. If you can find them these are no long made or new so I can't be bothered finding the sites.

Woodman make 2 or 3
Balfa Minuteman (arguably the first to start this fr ht craze. Unfortunately lost forever)
KHA Rigid one (very xc but works well as an all rounder if you like a big bike. Not many places have these anymore)
GSR Hooligan

Added 2 more.

Rocky Mountain Flow

and

Santa Cruz Jackal

I think the Norco Manik is in the 1000-2000 range.

I just hate it when people say "Its the best" because there is always going to be someone who will disagree with you.

When there is one BEST frame probably. Especially when it usually isn't. As is the case the the Chameleon. Decent frame but not in the 'best' category :)...

I added some frames above. If you can find them these are no long made or new so I can't be bothered finding the sites.

Woodman make 2 or 3
Balfa Minuteman (arguably the first to start this fr ht craze. Unfortunately lost forever)
KHA Rigid one (very xc but works well as an all rounder if you like a big bike. Not many places have these anymore)
GSR Hooligan


I do believe I hear my name :D.

What about the GT Ruckus? Specialized P series? Great bikes...

The P series are up there, at least some of them..
I'll put the link to the GT in when I find it (it helps if people post links when they mention bikes by the way)

I saw this bike at Supergo, and I think it'd be a good idea to buy it, take off all the parts, sell the frame and back fork, and get a hardtail frame for the same price.
http://www.supergo.com/profile.cfm?lProd_id=25539#
Thoughts?

Actually, I have heard good things about the frame. Not usually one to skimp on frame quality but those seem to get decent reviews.

But if you want a ht, thats a good plan

Yes, I agree, dont know anything about the "weyless" brand, but the components on that bike are mighty tasty!

Oh, by the way...
Here is the GT link I forgot to include earlier!

http://www.gtbicycles.com/mountain/catalog/category.php?catid=3

norco torrent, or any of the norco ht's

Im pretty sure the Torrent is over 2000 dollars, and the Sasquatch and Manik were already mentioned. I dont know the price of the Rampage because the Norco site only gives Canadian prices. Unless this thread is reffering to Canadian dollars. :( woops.

are the prices on the norco site in Canadian dollars, I'm assuming that they are, but some prices seem insanely good value if they are!

sorry, it says they're in US dollars

I just hate it when people say "Its the best" because there is always going to be someone who will disagree with you.

It would be much more useful to me if everyone backed up their opinions about 'the best' (or not) with an explanation of 'why'. That would raise the quality of this discussion quite a bit; it's a great topic! :D

In my pursuit to find the perfect hardtail, I came across Jamis Komodo and the Gary Fisher GED. Both seem to be Freeride/Trail bikes, any reviews ya'll have seen on these? I might try to go ride them after christmas.