rubberduckynz

I have been thinking about getting back into mountain biking and have seen that there are several good trails in my area. I recently went to the local bike store and got some good advice, was looking at a bike on ebay so glad i didnt bid. Unfortunetely I am 6 1" and Must have at least a 22" frame, owner reccomeneded 23". I know that this is hard to find but would really appreciate some help. Would really prefer full suspension but please advise if other options seem better. Drooled over a Giant WARP DS for a week before going to buy, was crushed when I found out 20.5 was biggest frame. Please give me link to sites or places to buy if you can, I have been bombarded with random names and models please specify as much as possible. Thanks!

Maelstrom 

I wouldn't recommend a dually to my worst enemy at less than 1000 usd.

I notice several things in your post. At 6'1 you should not be looking for a 22 or 23 in frame. At 6'5 I can comfortably and confidently ride 19" frames. Sounds like the shop you went to were a bunch of roadies selling mountain bikes.

The warp is more or less garbage.

My only recommendation would be for a dually in that range, if you didn't intend to ride it on trails. Otherwise you can start the countdown on how long it will last.

schnee

I'm 6'-3" with very long arms, and I ride a 22".

At your price a hardtail will suit you a lot better. Just get some fatter tires (2.3 diameter, if they'll fit) if you want some more shock absorption at the expense of a little weight.

junkyard

When I was looking for a bike, I found that taking them for a test ride was the best way to see if it was the right bike. I wouldn't just take somebody's word that you belong on a 22 or 23. Go to your LBS, test ride different sizes and different manufacturers. That way, you'll find something that really fits.

mcoine

I'm only 5'8" so I don't know for sure, but I would say you don't need a 23", a 19" or 20" is probably more accurate. Its common for older "roadie" or mtn guys reccomend larger bikes, just look at mtn bikes from the '80's, they were road bikes with fat tires, no standover clearance.
As for $650 for fs, I would agree with maelstrom. And the bike shop told you ebay was no good because they want your money. Ebay is great if you are a knowledgable buyer. Definately look for a used bike in that price range.

Drunken Chicken

I'm 5'8" and I ride a size 15" frame so you might want to rethink 23" !

Savior7

If you want full suspension under 650 you're not going to find anything new or good. and 23 is huge. if you want freeride you'll need a smaller frame. look ebay or bike swap for something. The warp does suck big tme by the way. Look at used enduros. they are good for trailrides and are pretty cheap.

Jason222

Ok, a size 23 is WAY too huge! 19 should fit well, 20 at most. Remember it this way, if the thing doesn't sit high enough at 19, bring the seat UP. Mountain bikes arn't meant to be huge. For that price, get a hardtail. Much better investment.

Giant :
https://www.giant-bicycle.com/cn/030....sp?model=10803

Trek:
https://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike...d=1033600&f=19

Gt:
https://www.gtbikes.com/mountain/cata...CAN&brand=moun

Norco:
https://www.norco.com/ts/pass/templat...ival&col=black

sherpaPeak

you may also want to consider Kona hardtails. I like Kona frames and geometry, it fits me well.

www.konaworld.com

also, the iron horse bikes are pretty good.

www.ironhorse.com, if you are sure about your fitting and size, you may check out www.performancebike.com, they have some great deal on 2005 models.

BetaBee

Iron horse sinister $620

I just purchased this bike and I don't think there is a better deal out there....IF you can put it together. i ended up buying a park pcs-1 stand and the nashbar bigger than big tool kit $210-->$99, you can't beat that. I've never owned disk brakes before, so there giving me a little trouble adjusting them. How can you move the outer caliper in? The inner one obviously screws in. anyways.....

I really liked the features of this bike, the only negative thing is that i wish the fox vannilla had a rebound adjustment, but otherwise you can't find all these features together on a sub $1000 DS period.

I'm sorry, but i'm 5'10" and I can not comfortably ride anything smaler than a 19". With today's frame geometrys, you should be fine on a 20"

sherpaPeak

that is a SWEET deal. also check this one out,

https://www.rscycle.com/s.nl/sc.7/cat...t.A/id.6763/.f

the best deal I have seen in a long time. couple of other deals, not as good as the sinister though:

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/....cfm?SKU=20146

and one little beyond your price range,

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=3050

good luck

BetaBee

I was very torn between the sinister and the Iron Horse Warrior Race 2005, but i really wanted a DS. If you are a noob, i would almost recomend that you get the hard tail first, but i know what it's like really wanting a full squishy.

I also like that the IHs are unpopular, so it's almost like being a rebel.

Jason222

Here's a very nice hardtail for a great price:
https://www.rscycle.com/s.nl/sc.7/cat...t.A/id.6886/.f

achc

if you want a FS at that cost...hmm...there really isn't any but the Trek Fuel which droped to $899 CAD at Toronto clearance sale. Thats a bit over 650 usd but that is the cheapest FS bike I can think of that I will ride....

sherpaPeak

even better performancebike.com has it for USD 419.00, not many sizes available though. chimpira was always one of my top pics.

Tag1

You should prepare yourself to spend a bit more money, and then call all the bike shops in your area and see if they have any 04's or 05's on closeout. My LBS was going to give me an 04 Trek Fuel 70 for $700 +tax which would be around $750, but I wanted a hardtail. Don't underestimate the value of buying your bike from a shop, they can really help you out now and in the future (not sure if that applies to the shop trying to sell you the 23"...)

WannaGetGood

Unless you find something used, I dont think that you are going to find anything under that price range.

Check out pinkbike.com. They have good deals. I got my bike from someone on that website.

myenzo

Remember that it also has to do with your type of riding style. If you are doing mainly cross country a bigger bike would be ok, but if you are doing really technical stuff than you want more standover clearence so a smaller bike works better.

willtsmith_nwi

At 6'1" you may be able to do a 21" or 20" just fine. But at $650, I don't think it matters since that isn't enough for a good full suspension bike. If you're insistent, go find a used bike.

As others have said, if you intend to do cross country just get a hardtail. Unless you have some type of medical problem, it's all you need. Just add a $100 thudbuster to add a little bit of comfort and climbing performance. Again, you should should be looking for a 21" bike. At 6'3" with long arms, I ride a 23" Giant Yukon and it's "just right". But I have also felt comfortable and Gary Fisher XLs which are 21" frames with longer top tubes.

willtsmith_nwi

Hmm... a Chimpira. They might have some legal problems with that name. Did the President give his permission?? ;-)

roccobike

Rubberduckynz, I noticed you said you were getting back into mountain biking after some time away. I'm not sure of your knowledge about used bikes, but I just purchased a new dual auspension after searching for some time on ebay for used. What I found on ebay after some research caused me concern. Some bikes with solid brand names had questionable performance reviews. Design changes in recent years have occurred to overcome performance problems. And there was the 'hidden' damage to used suspensions. I landed up buying a '05 leftover. You might consider spending just a bit more and search for a '05 TREK or Specialized baseline dualy leftover. There are still a few out there. I've been seeing them for $800-900. As for the Warp, I looked at that bike real hard last year. I asked the LBS to put it on the scale. The 05 weighed a hefty 36lbs according to the LBS.
IMHO, I think you should hold onto your dream and try for a dual suspension.

Blazinall91

EEK!!!

first off - full suspension for under $1000, EEEK!!!
secondly - 6'1" and 22", double EEEK!!!

I would recomend a good hardtail, or maybe try and find somethign good used

sherpaPeak

I still think that the Iron Horse Sinister for $620 is a great deal, and its a nice bike. I rode one a couple of times and liked it. although I am not a full suspension fan, I think sinister is a great deal at that price.

and Iron Horse may be a small company, but they make solid products. I think they are making some good products to gain the market share. and they know that nothing talks more than a good quality product.

did any of you used a sinister, what's your thought?

igno-mtb

i think its time to say get a rockhopper or a hardrock