Mountain Biking - Help me choose a full suspension frame!!!!

Hey,
Alright, I am stuck inbetween 3 full suspension frames. This first is a Giant NRS w/ Rock Shox SID rear shock, the second is a Iron Horse Warrior Pro w/ Rock Shox SID rear shock, and the third is a KHS XC204 w/ a Stratos rear shock. Now the NRS will come with a Manitou Black front fork for $400. The Iron Horse is $324, and the KHS is $305. I want to go with the NRS, but the guy who is selling it to me has ridden it pretty hard, I'm not sure if I would have to rebuild the shocks or not. The Iron Horse and KHS are brand new. Any suggestions?

NRS will offer better long term performance. Neither the khs or the warrior are on par.

NRS will offer better long term performance. Neither the khs or the warrior are on par.

The NRS has been ridden pretty hard...do you think that will matter? I'm not concerned with the frame as much as I am with the rear shock

The NRS has been ridden pretty hard...do you think that will matter? I'm not concerned with the frame as much as I am with the rear shock

Two concerns, the multiple pivots may have developed some slop, and the thin NRS downtube is somewhat prone to denting. Is this a bike you're able to inspect before purchasing? Also, are you looking for such a firm, non-compliant suspension? NRS does absolutely what it claims to, but you may find it harsh if you plan to use it for a trailbike.

Two concerns, the multiple pivots may have developed some slop, and the thin NRS downtube is somewhat prone to denting. Is this a bike you're able to inspect before purchasing? Also, are you looking for such a firm, non-compliant suspension? NRS does absolutely what it claims to, but you may find it harsh if you plan to use it for a trailbike.

Yeah, I am buying it from a guy that is a semi-pro DH rider. He will probably let me ride it a few times before I make my decision. I have heard that the downtube is prone to denting. I mostly want to do XC and FR riding with this bike. I have heard nothing but awesome things about the NRS...So I think I might buy it

Based on that, I've think you've got the wrong bike. The NRS suspension is there for you on bigger hits, but has poor small-bump compliance due to the non-loaded nature of the suspension setup. You'll find that on downhills, as mass unloads the rear wheel and transfers forward, the suspension tenses up making the bike even stiffer. And it isn't constructed with drops and even light hucking in mind. The down tube will ding easily on a minor spill.

I'd really caution you to demo one and really do your homework before rushing into this deal, even if the price is good.

So what would you guys recommend as a good XC or FR bike? I'm only looking at the frame and I would prefer it to be under $400

New, kona cowan is a decent freeride/dirt jump frame.

So what would you guys recommend as a good XC or FR bike? I'm only looking at the frame and I would prefer it to be under $400

I'm totally in love with the dw-link suspension found on Iron Horse Hollowpoints and the North Face-licensed versions of that bike, the Kitchcana and Talkeetna. The '04 frames are strong enough to stand up to general trail use and **light** freeride, but no serious drops or jumping.

Also in that realm, and of the recent Specialized FSR/Enduro bikes in the 4" range are solid choices.

If you want something more freeride oriented, I'm not the guy to ask.

id say a specialized enduro also. ive go a 2000 model, and ive done some pretty decent jumps and drops, even a downhill day at mt snow on that bike, and its always come through for me no matter what.

I just went and looked at and somewhat tested out the Giant NRS that a friend of a friend is selling. I dont know what the guy was talking about earlier, but that thing was amazing! It sucked up small bumps, medium bumps, large bumps, 2 foot drops, and 1 small huck. All it took was fiddling with the rear shock for a little while

The Giant NRS is a XC Race bike it isn't designed to be hucked. It is designed to be run with No Rear Sag which means the suspension is meant to be run topped out with the rider in the saddle. Trying to FR that thing is tantamount to commiting suicide.

The Giant NRS is a XC Race bike it isn't designed to be hucked. It is designed to be run with No Rear Sag which means the suspension is meant to be run topped out with the rider in the saddle. Trying to FR that thing is tantamount to commiting suicide.

Suicide?? Hardly. My definition of freeride is pretty much a cross between XC and DH. I'm positive the NRS could be used in just about any way one desired. It might not be the best bike for freeriding, but I believe it would hold up. Just like a Chevy Impala isn't a rally car doesnt mean you cant rally it. It won't be the best car for rallying, but you can still use it for it, even if that isnt what its designed for. As long as you dont do the things that actual rally cars are designed to encounter, I think you will be ok. Ever used a wrench as a hammer? Did it get the job done? Maybe not as well as an actual hammer would have, but it still put the nail in the wood. Think of where we would be if we used everything for "what it was designed for" How am I supposed to know if I want to become a DH rider? Do I have to shell out the 3 Gs for a DH bike or can I just try my hardtail or XC bike on a downhill course and see if I like it. If I like it with a hardtail or XC, then it will only get better with an actual DH bike.....do ya see where I'm goin with that??? :)

Suicide?? Hardly. I'm positive the NRS could be used in just about any way one desired. No it's REALLY not designed for that.
It might not be the best bike for freeriding, but I believe it would hold up. No it really won't. It's not designed for drops, it's designed to be raced on a XC course, not ridden like you would an Enduro
Just like a Chevy Impala isn't a rally car doesnt mean you cant rally it. It won't be the best car for rallying, but you can still use it for it, even if that isnt what its designed for. You'd have to do one hell of a lot of modifications to rally a Impala modifications wiill not make the NRS into a freeride bike
Ever used a wrench as a hammer?No, I was intelligent enough to have the right tool for the job
Think of where we would be if we used everything for "what it was designed for" A lot better off.
How am I supposed to know if I want to become a DH rider? Do I have to shell out the 3 Gs for a DH bike or can I just try my hardtail or XC bike on a downhill course and see if I like it. If I like it with a hardtail or XC, then it will only get better with an actual DH bike.....do ya see where I'm goin with that??? :)The bike you are looking for is called an "All mountain" it will allow you to do the things that you want to try without getting you killed. I sell Giants I would NEVER sell an NRS to someone that had ANY inkling of doing what you propose. I'd sooner sell him a VT or a Reign for that kind of riding

No it's REALLY not designed for that.No it really won't. It's not designed for drops, it's designed to be raced on a XC course, not ridden like you would an EnduroYou'd have to do one hell of a lot of modifications to rally a Impala modifications wiill not make the NRS into a freeride bikeNo, I was intelligent enough to have the right tool for the jobA lot better off.The bike you are looking for is called an "All mountain" it will allow you to do the things that you want to try without getting you killed. I sell Giants I would NEVER sell an NRS to someone that had ANY inkling of doing what you propose. I'd sooner sell him a VT or a Reign for that kind of riding

You just don't understand what I'm saying and I'm not gonna sit here and argue with you...I'll let you know when I start breaking welds on the frame casue of a few drops...HAHAHA

You just don't understand what I'm saying and I'm not gonna sit here and argue with you...I'll let you know when I start breaking welds on the frame casue of a few drops...HAHAHA


You may have a different definition of free riding, but what I'm thinking of, it is not the best idea to use a NRS to do even light FR. The wheels really shouldn't leave the ground when you have one of those.....

The ultimate choice is really up to you, but we just dont want you to find ou the hard way...

Good luck

thank you for the civilized reply sparks...i appreciate it

This is a freeride bike:
http://www.konaworld.com/Prod/000000111/2K4_StinkyPrimo_460.jpg


This is a Giant NRS:

http://www.giant-bicycle.com/images/_upload_us/bikes/models/zooms/2004/f04-NRS_flat_r.jpg

This is a freeride HT:

http://photo.pinkbike.com/photo/436/pbpic436678.jpg

This is a Giant NRS:

http://www.giant-bicycle.com/images/_upload_us/bikes/models/zooms/2004/f04-NRS_flat_r.jpg

This is your brain:
http://www.thehumanbody.ecsd.net/Brooke_-_brain.JPG
This is your brain on drugs
http://cnnstudentnews.cnn.com/2000/fyi/student.bureau/12/06/brain.on.drugs/story.fried.eggs.jpg
Thanks to Brooke http://www.thehumanbody.ecsd.net/student_gallery.htm for the brain picture

This is your brain:
http://www.thehumanbody.ecsd.net/Brooke_-_brain.JPG
This is your brain on drugs
http://cnnstudentnews.cnn.com/2000/fyi/student.bureau/12/06/brain.on.drugs/story.fried.eggs.jpg
Thanks to Brooke http://www.thehumanbody.ecsd.net/student_gallery.htm for the brain picture

You have quite a bit of time on your hands, you should put it to a better use...just a thought :)

You have quite a bit of time on your hands, you should put it to a better use...just a thought :)
I found both those pictures in under a minute. Not like I had to draw anything

This is a freeride bike:
http://www.konaworld.com/Prod/000000111/2K4_StinkyPrimo_460.jpg


This is a Giant NRS:

http://www.giant-bicycle.com/images/_upload_us/bikes/models/zooms/2004/f04-NRS_flat_r.jpg

This is a freeride HT:

http://photo.pinkbike.com/photo/436/pbpic436678.jpg

This is a Giant NRS:

http://www.giant-bicycle.com/images/_upload_us/bikes/models/zooms/2004/f04-NRS_flat_r.jpg

Man, someone just posted about getting rude responses from people and I now see where he is coming from. All I'm doing is trying to get an answer from you guys with some explanation of why you said or chose what you did. Kona Rider, I'm pretty sure I know what an NRS looks like and I do understand the difference between a FR and XC bike. Show some respect

Man, someone just posted about getting rude responses from people and I now see where he is coming from. All I'm doing is trying to get an answer from you guys with some explanation of why you said or chose what you did. Kona Rider, I'm pretty sure I know what an NRS looks like and I do understand the difference between a FR and XC bike. Show some respect

You put Giant NRS and Freeride bike together, and that is a cardinal sin of mtbing. I was just trying to help. :rolleyes:

heh...some people don't even realize there own close minded-ness