Mountain Biking - New FS XC (some downhill) for $1500?

Looking for a FS bike, mostly for XC but wanted the FS for some downhill I do in the summers on the ski slopes. What are peoples opinions on the type of bike I should get for the $1500 price range? One that is a decent climber, and that is a capable downhiller when needed. thanks!

Yes I tried the search button, but was not coming up with the types of bikes I was looking for :D

I am a 5"10 180lbs guy, so I am not REALLY small, but I am not a big guy either. I was on a hard tail for about 5 years in the early/mid 90's and LOVED it (am keeping it) but wanted a FS ride that I can play around with as well. I plan on hard XC, and quick DH riding.

Kona Coiler

Hey Pyro,

From your description, you should be considering what is now classified as an "All Mountain" bike. A great bike and a perfect example of this would be the Specialized Enduro. Look here: http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=9688&JServSessionIdroot=5vq2412oq3.j27001

One of my riding buddies came to me with about the same criteria as you and I showed him the Enduro. 5" of suspension travel, disc brakes (mechanical) and a decent weight.

He researched and researched and read and read, looked at a wide variety of bikes from all possible vendors. He looked at a Yeti 575, a K2 Lithium, a Cannondale Prophet, a Turner 5 Spot, an Ellesworth Id, a Titus Switchblade and Super Moto, an Iron Horse MKIII and Warrior, the Jamis Dakar, the Haro Extreme, the Santa Cruz Blur and Heckler, that's just a short list.

He ended up getting the very first bike I recommended to him, (the Enduro). He loves it. He did however, swap out the stock fork for a Marzocchi Z1 and a Chris King headset he had on a previous bike.

I was looking at stumpjummpers too..


Which do you think would be the better deal?

05 Stumpjumper FSR Comp Disc 100 for $1799, OR......

05 Enduro 130 for $1699?

The enduro seems better built for DH (which I like more), but I probally will be using it more so for XC because of the lack of hilly terrain here locally....

I like Kona too but I think the the Kona Dawg (http://konaworld.com/shopping_cart/FrontEnd/Products/product_detail.aspx?productid=98&parentid=182) is a better fit for what you will be doing.

I was looking at stumpjummpers too..


Which do you think would be the better deal?

05 Stumpjumper FSR Comp Disc 100 for $1799, OR......

05 Enduro 130 for $1699?

The enduro seems better built for DH (which I like more), but I probally will be using it more so for XC because of the lack of hilly terrain here locally....
Based on your own criteria. I'd say the Enduro. It's sounds like you intend to ride it in rough situations where the design of the Enduro will prove to be an asset.

I was looking at stumpjummpers too..


Which do you think would be the better deal?

05 Stumpjumper FSR Comp Disc 100 for $1799, OR......

05 Enduro 130 for $1699?

The enduro seems better built for DH (which I like more), but I probally will be using it more so for XC because of the lack of hilly terrain here locally....

They're both great bikes and I ride an '04 FSR Pro myself and can't say enough about how much I love the thing. Based upon your criteria of wanting to do some hard XC riding I'd say go with the Stumpy. The thing climbs like a demon and it feels like it has a ton more than 4" of travel in the rear because it's just so darn plush. I came really close to buying a Yeti 575 (5.75" of travel) before I bought this and I'm glad I didn't because this bike is incredible.

I've heard some great things about the Enduro so there's no way I'm going to bad mouth it but, for an all around great climber and EXCELLENT decender, you absolutely will not go wrong with the Stumpy. One other thing to consider is the fact that the Stumpy comes with the Triad shock which is proprietary to Specialized and an unbelievable piece of technology not available on the Enduro.

I would suggest checking out www.mtbr.com, comparing what people who own each of the bikes has to say and deciding from there.

Let us know what you decide.

.. One other thing to consider is the fact that the Stumpy comes with the Triad shock which is proprietary to Specialized and an unbelievable piece of technology not available on the Enduro.

The Triad shock is a three mode selectable shock. It's modes are ProPedal (which is the "platform setting" and the most commonly used setting of the three) Locked (which limits the shock from responding to all but the biggest bumps) and Open (where it acts like any other non platform shock on the market)
The Enduro 130 comes with a Fox Float R with ProPedal which is not a bad shock in the slightest.
As the ProPedal setting blends most of the flatland efficiency of the lock out with most of the bump response of a fully active shock I can't see the Triad being of too much of a concern unless you're XC racing (in which case you'll want the Stumpy or the Epic) . I'm sticking to my guns on this and suggesting the Enduro especially with your DH inclinations

There was someone here who recently got an Enduro and couldn't stop raving about it... I say go for the Enduro. :)

I decided on the 05 Enduro Comp 130 .. It is polished aluminum, and it comes with some upgraded parts.. I will spend a bit more, but I REALLY want the polished aluminum..

I'm a freerider here in Kansas City looking to buy or talk to someone with a Kona Coiler. Any input?

I'd go for the Enduro, know a guy who has an Enduro with a Fox Vanilla RLC 125, he does 80km trips and that's just on a Saturday, he rides very often in one week. In summer he uses it to downhill in bike parts, he also swapped out the rotor to an 8" one to aid in braking.

EDIT: Didn't realise the age of this thread...

This thread is from last February....he probably already bought a bike.

tradmonkey....you'd be better off starting a new thread. **EDIT: By the way, I'll tell you all about my Coiler if you start a new thread! :D **