Recommendations for full susp. mtn. bike?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Recommendations for full susp. mtn. bike?
Hi all mountain bikers,
I posted this earlier in General Discussion but realized this is where I should've posted it:
I am contemplating buying a full susp. mtn. bike. My current mtb. is a Specialized Hardrock Comp which is fine for street riding and most trails I go on but I'm looking for something that's more fun on the rougher trails. I recently rented a low end Giant Warp and had a lot of fun riding it (on a full susp. it seems like more fun to blast through the rough stuff instead of go around it like on the hardtail) which put it in my head to buy a full susp. bike. However from a little research online (mtbr.com), Trek and Specialized seem like they have better full susp. bikes so I currently have in mind something like a Specialized Rockhopper FSR or a Trek Fuel 80. A local bike shop has a special on the Trek Fuel 80 for $900. This is probably the upper limit of what I'm prepared to spend (I am very value orientated so I'd love to get a great bike for less than that if possible). I haven't looked around for Specialized RH FSR but I'm thinking it would be around the same price as the Fule 80.
Does anyone have any comments on the pros and cons of these 2 bikes or suggestions for something even better in the price range ($900 or less). I'm a faily big guy - 6'2", 200 lbs - if that makes any difference.
And if anyone in the vicinity of San Jose, CA knows of any good deals locally, let me know.
thanks,
Aidan
I posted this earlier in General Discussion but realized this is where I should've posted it:
I am contemplating buying a full susp. mtn. bike. My current mtb. is a Specialized Hardrock Comp which is fine for street riding and most trails I go on but I'm looking for something that's more fun on the rougher trails. I recently rented a low end Giant Warp and had a lot of fun riding it (on a full susp. it seems like more fun to blast through the rough stuff instead of go around it like on the hardtail) which put it in my head to buy a full susp. bike. However from a little research online (mtbr.com), Trek and Specialized seem like they have better full susp. bikes so I currently have in mind something like a Specialized Rockhopper FSR or a Trek Fuel 80. A local bike shop has a special on the Trek Fuel 80 for $900. This is probably the upper limit of what I'm prepared to spend (I am very value orientated so I'd love to get a great bike for less than that if possible). I haven't looked around for Specialized RH FSR but I'm thinking it would be around the same price as the Fule 80.
Does anyone have any comments on the pros and cons of these 2 bikes or suggestions for something even better in the price range ($900 or less). I'm a faily big guy - 6'2", 200 lbs - if that makes any difference.
And if anyone in the vicinity of San Jose, CA knows of any good deals locally, let me know.
thanks,
Aidan
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Parrish, FL
Posts: 7,963
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Generally, the consensus around here is that a decent full suspension bike is in the $1,000 plus range. However, that does not include special deals and closeouts.
Specialized makes one of the best all around suspensions, which many other companies either license or try to copy. It's called a 4-bar Horst Linkage. Many who do not want to license this, use a 4-bar linkage, but the pivot location at the rear drop-out varies, so it's not a TRUE Horst link. Or. they'll change the position of the shock, or use a rocker-arm in lieu of a link.
Regardless, if you can get a FSR for under a grand, you're getting a good deal.
The Trek Fuel 80 uses a rocker-arm, and is a decent design. I like the FSR better, but the Fuel 80 is good. The Fuel is more of a XC design targeting racer types.
If you're an all around trail rider type, i.e., not a racer, I think the FSR is better suited for a wider variety of riding.
L8R
Specialized makes one of the best all around suspensions, which many other companies either license or try to copy. It's called a 4-bar Horst Linkage. Many who do not want to license this, use a 4-bar linkage, but the pivot location at the rear drop-out varies, so it's not a TRUE Horst link. Or. they'll change the position of the shock, or use a rocker-arm in lieu of a link.
Regardless, if you can get a FSR for under a grand, you're getting a good deal.
The Trek Fuel 80 uses a rocker-arm, and is a decent design. I like the FSR better, but the Fuel 80 is good. The Fuel is more of a XC design targeting racer types.
If you're an all around trail rider type, i.e., not a racer, I think the FSR is better suited for a wider variety of riding.
L8R
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
a2psyklnut, Thanks for all the info
So in that case would you advise staying away form something like a Giant Warp which can be got for around $600-$700?
The concensus from a lot of people seems to be that Specialized is the best. Which manufacturers license the FSR susp. and are those bikes as good as the Specialized bikes?
Why is this? Is it because it is stiffer?
Originally posted by a2psyklnut
Generally, the consensus around here is that a decent full suspension bike is in the $1,000 plus range. However, that does not include special deals and closeouts.
Generally, the consensus around here is that a decent full suspension bike is in the $1,000 plus range. However, that does not include special deals and closeouts.
Originally posted by a2psyklnut
Specialized makes one of the best all around suspensions, which many other companies either license or try to copy. It's called a 4-bar Horst Linkage. Many who do not want to license this, use a 4-bar linkage, but the pivot location at the rear drop-out varies, so it's not a TRUE Horst link. Or. they'll change the position of the shock, or use a rocker-arm in lieu of a link.
Regardless, if you can get a FSR for under a grand, you're getting a good deal.
Specialized makes one of the best all around suspensions, which many other companies either license or try to copy. It's called a 4-bar Horst Linkage. Many who do not want to license this, use a 4-bar linkage, but the pivot location at the rear drop-out varies, so it's not a TRUE Horst link. Or. they'll change the position of the shock, or use a rocker-arm in lieu of a link.
Regardless, if you can get a FSR for under a grand, you're getting a good deal.
Originally posted by a2psyklnut
The Trek Fuel 80 uses a rocker-arm, and is a decent design. I like the FSR better, but the Fuel 80 is good. The Fuel is more of a XC design targeting racer types.
If you're an all around trail rider type, i.e., not a racer, I think the FSR is better suited for a wider variety of riding.
L8R
The Trek Fuel 80 uses a rocker-arm, and is a decent design. I like the FSR better, but the Fuel 80 is good. The Fuel is more of a XC design targeting racer types.
If you're an all around trail rider type, i.e., not a racer, I think the FSR is better suited for a wider variety of riding.
L8R
#5
Rides with Cows
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Fixing a flat
Posts: 1,232
Bikes: Trek 7000
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hey acurran where do u ride? My friend and I are trying to find new trails around the South Bay/Peninsula all the time!
Anyway, my recommendation would be a Santa Cruz Superlight, but then again, that's over your budget anyway.
It's really hard to find a decent FS ride for under a grand....unfortunately.
Anyway, my recommendation would be a Santa Cruz Superlight, but then again, that's over your budget anyway.
It's really hard to find a decent FS ride for under a grand....unfortunately.
__________________
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Parrish, FL
Posts: 7,963
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
So in that case would you advise staying away form something like a Giant Warp which can be got for around $600-$700?
I've ridden the Giant Warp, and it's not a "bad" full suspension bike, but if you start riding a lot, you'll quickly outgrow it in it's stock configuration. By the time you upgrade it to better the performance, you can buy a whole other bike.
The suspension design is a single pivot and the ride has a lot of pedal induced bobbing (esp. in the granny gear) and due to the rear wheel travel path (rotation around pivot) the chainstay length changes as it moves through it travel. This can produce the bobbing and Brake Jack (where the rear end rises quickly during hard braking).
IOW, I'd spend the extra money and get a better bike.
The concensus from a lot of people seems to be that Specialized is the best. Which manufacturers license the FSR susp. and are those bikes as good as the Specialized bikes?
What a lot of companies do, is they change the pivot location from in front the rear drop-out on the chain stay. They change it to the TOP of the drop-out on the Seat stay. These bike work almost as well, but do have a tendancy for brake jacking.
Why is this? Is it because it is stiffer?
The FSR suspension works all the time, when you're pedaling, when you're braking, when you're coasting...etc.
Other designs tend to LOCK out from either pedaling forces or braking forces, so if you're going down a steep chute, and are HARD on the brakes, the suspension STIFFens up (not locks out completely, but stiffens), you hit a large rock and FEEL it! This is fine if you're a XC type and just want the bike to absorb the really big impacts, but you're running the suspension so stiff it's almost has a hardtail feel while climbing.
Hope that helps.
BTW these are some really good deals right now!
Freeride Bike
This may be more BIKE than you need for an all around bike, but it is a good price.
Here is a 4-bar, but NOT an FSR, but a decent bike for an all arounder type:XC Type, NOT FSR
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally posted by Chi
Hey acurran where do u ride?
Hey acurran where do u ride?
By the way can you recommend a good place to get my bike tuned up in San Jose or vicinity?
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
a2psyklnut, Thanks again for the replies. I think I will go out soon and test ride a Specialized RH FSR since that one seems to be the gold standard.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Parrish, FL
Posts: 7,963
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Cool!
L8R
L8R
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
#10
Rides with Cows
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Fixing a flat
Posts: 1,232
Bikes: Trek 7000
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally posted by acurran
By the way can you recommend a good place to get my bike tuned up in San Jose or vicinity?
By the way can you recommend a good place to get my bike tuned up in San Jose or vicinity?
I just replied to another member about the same thing. Two places I recommend:
Bicycle Outfitters in Los Altos (Foothill & Fremont)
Palo Alto Bicycles in Palo Alto (University Ave. @ Caltrain)
__________________
#11
Still kicking.
Originally posted by a2psyklnut
Usually FS bikes under a grand are really really heavy, and due to the higher cost of adding pivots, more welds, and a rear-shock, they are adorned with cheap (also heavy) parts.
I've ridden the Giant Warp, and it's not a "bad" full suspension bike, but if you start riding a lot, you'll quickly outgrow it in it's stock configuration. By the time you upgrade it to better the performance, you can buy a whole other bike.
The suspension design is a single pivot and the ride has a lot of pedal induced bobbing (esp. in the granny gear) and due to the rear wheel travel path (rotation around pivot) the chainstay length changes as it moves through it travel. This can produce the bobbing and Brake Jack (where the rear end rises quickly during hard braking).
IOW, I'd spend the extra money and get a better bike.
If it's licensed from Specialized, it'll be stamped, and indicated. I know Iron Horse does this on the upper end frames, and I imagine on all their frames, but I could be wrong. If it is licensed, it's very comparible to Specialized.
What a lot of companies do, is they change the pivot location from in front the rear drop-out on the chain stay. They change it to the TOP of the drop-out on the Seat stay. These bike work almost as well, but do have a tendancy for brake jacking.
Yes, it's stiffer and not FULLY ACTIVE.
The FSR suspension works all the time, when you're pedaling, when you're braking, when you're coasting...etc.
Other designs tend to LOCK out from either pedaling forces or braking forces, so if you're going down a steep chute, and are HARD on the brakes, the suspension STIFFens up (not locks out completely, but stiffens), you hit a large rock and FEEL it! This is fine if you're a XC type and just want the bike to absorb the really big impacts, but you're running the suspension so stiff it's almost has a hardtail feel while climbing.
Hope that helps.
BTW these are some really good deals right now!
Freeride Bike
This may be more BIKE than you need for an all around bike, but it is a good price.
Here is a 4-bar, but NOT an FSR, but a decent bike for an all arounder type:XC Type, NOT FSR
Usually FS bikes under a grand are really really heavy, and due to the higher cost of adding pivots, more welds, and a rear-shock, they are adorned with cheap (also heavy) parts.
I've ridden the Giant Warp, and it's not a "bad" full suspension bike, but if you start riding a lot, you'll quickly outgrow it in it's stock configuration. By the time you upgrade it to better the performance, you can buy a whole other bike.
The suspension design is a single pivot and the ride has a lot of pedal induced bobbing (esp. in the granny gear) and due to the rear wheel travel path (rotation around pivot) the chainstay length changes as it moves through it travel. This can produce the bobbing and Brake Jack (where the rear end rises quickly during hard braking).
IOW, I'd spend the extra money and get a better bike.
If it's licensed from Specialized, it'll be stamped, and indicated. I know Iron Horse does this on the upper end frames, and I imagine on all their frames, but I could be wrong. If it is licensed, it's very comparible to Specialized.
What a lot of companies do, is they change the pivot location from in front the rear drop-out on the chain stay. They change it to the TOP of the drop-out on the Seat stay. These bike work almost as well, but do have a tendancy for brake jacking.
Yes, it's stiffer and not FULLY ACTIVE.
The FSR suspension works all the time, when you're pedaling, when you're braking, when you're coasting...etc.
Other designs tend to LOCK out from either pedaling forces or braking forces, so if you're going down a steep chute, and are HARD on the brakes, the suspension STIFFens up (not locks out completely, but stiffens), you hit a large rock and FEEL it! This is fine if you're a XC type and just want the bike to absorb the really big impacts, but you're running the suspension so stiff it's almost has a hardtail feel while climbing.
Hope that helps.
BTW these are some really good deals right now!
Freeride Bike
This may be more BIKE than you need for an all around bike, but it is a good price.
Here is a 4-bar, but NOT an FSR, but a decent bike for an all arounder type:XC Type, NOT FSR
I'm going to say that the fuel 80 for $900 is a good deal, I'd go with that.
__________________
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.