Terrapin Ben

but jeez. I am indecisive. You know... i probably shouldn't even start it. Anyways, here it goes.

I AM GOING TO BUY A NEW BIKE!!!! (before next season)
I want an all mountain/long legged xc machine. My trails have no reall ttf's or anything. Just a lot of climbing and single track.
While i do trave a lot to bikel, i have only been to a bike park and lift accessed trails once. I rode a specialed demo 7. It was insane. I also got tossed hard around a corner
because i was not use to the extremely slack angles on the bike. My current rig is 05 specialed stumpjumper in straight up XC racer mode.

What i want is something that pedals well, weighs less than 32 lbs, and goes down really well. I want it to be more on the xc side of the all mountain spectrum... I think.
That's about it. I'm looking at bikes between 140 and 160 mm of suspension front and back. I don't want to spend too much more than $3000. Going used is a-okay with
me. However, i am afraid of buying certain bikes without a warranty (carbon frames).

Here are the bikes I am thinking about....

07 or 08 specialed enduro with a lyric up front
09 specialized enduro with the 140 fox with 15mm axle
10 specialed enduro with 160mm of travel (i am afraid this is going to be waaay too much bike for my intended purposes)
10 specialized stumpjumper with 140mm of travel (wish it had a fork with a through-axle)
10 Giant Reign or Reign X which i think are kinda ugly buy ride real nice
08 Trek Remedy for like $1700 brand new and switch a bunch of parts but i think it's super ugly
Ibis Mojo
Transition Covert v2.0 (probably way out of my price range)


Theres are the bikes i am considering. My biggest concerning is buying too much bike for what i ride. your input would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for wasting your
ime, but it's probably too cold out to ride anyways... There will be a new bike in my stable by june.

P.S. The new look for the forum is weird.

dminor 

It's never a waste of time to pass bad advice and heckle you, Ben .

I believe the Covert may price out about the same as the Reign.

ed 

When I first started reading your post Ben, I was thinking a Stumpy FSR. I don't think it would be worth the extra coin to go from a Fox 32 140 to a 150, but if you're building it ground up...the 150 would be good. Otherwise...a stocker IMO is adequate. You can get the Talas in a 150mm QR15 now BTW. I think a Stumpy would suit your XC penchant just fine. Blur / BLT is another good idea.


I kinda suspect that a Lyrik is a bit of overkill for ya...unless you're going to spend some more time over at the lifts...then everything I just said is useless. (as usual)


If you're gonna do more lift stuff...you could go the Enduro route.

I'm all 'bout "the little man" and would love to prop a Covert, but I've never ridden one. I'd take my chances on one myself, but can't recommend it to somebody if I haven't at least given it a quickie. The Covert for this years is now bumped up to 6" of travel, so you'd be a little off balance rolling with a smaller fork than a Lyrik or 36. I guess the Fox 32x150 could be an option there.


FFT, I guess.


For my own personal pleasure, I'd still roll a Heckler / PIKE affair.

mtnbiker66

........Might just be the ticket for ya.

https://www.santacruzmtb.com/heckler/
https://www.santacruzmtb.com/nomad/

.......very versitile bike that you can do a lot with
https://www.bansheebikes.com/bikes/rune.html

.....this is nice

Terrapin Ben

if i went the SC route, i'd probably go the Blur LT route... but that rune looks sweet. thanks for all the quick responses. As always, i will keep BF updated on my quest for the ultimate new ride.

and Chelboed - i find your first post to be kinda confusing. But thanks? And if i did a covert, i would equip it with a lyrik solo air. the covert is so pretty... me likey. Doug, you couldnt manage a BF discount could you?

dminor 

^^ I wish I had that kind of pull. I'm not even sure if I'm 'in' this year myself. (I hope so, I'm acquiring/lining up parts for a new build right now).

ed 

Sorry bout the confusion...

All I'm saying is that you had a great time on a Demo. If you're going to be doing more of that, then go for a bigger (less long legged XC'ish) bike like the Enduro/ Covert. If you're not gonna do the lift stuff...then I think you'd do really well with a Stumpy. As far as I know, a Stumpy doesn't come with a Talas 150 QR15...no biggie if you're buying a complete bike. Just stick with the 140.

But...if you're building the bike yourself piece-by-piece...then I'd spend the extra coin for the 150mm QR15.

ProEdgeBiker

XC Rider + $3000 = 2010 Epic Comp or Stumpy FSR Comp(depending on your riding style) Stick with something that has an LT Warranty.

Terrapin Ben

Epic is too xc-ish. I'm worried that the stumpy might be underkill and worried that the 2010 enduro is overkill. The 09 enduro seems to fit the bill nicely but i don't really like how it fits. I'm right between a medium and large at 5'11". Kinda want to find a nice frame and just build up something nice. I also have entertained the idea of a Pivot mach 5. Right now... I'm leaning towards the Mojo. Just having a hard time justifying spending that much on a bicycle.

Doug - You are an excellent rider and spokesperson. I don't know why a company wouldn't want you to ride for them? Good luck man!

mtnbiker66

At 5'11" I would lean to the medium side of things. If you wan't the bike to really feel right going downhill you'll like the smaller frame.

mx_599

cant go wrong with the mojo. i just sold a medium frame on ebay. mint condition. too bad you didnt mention mojo sooner.

i am buying my small mojo sl very soon. medium was just too big.

i am also looking to buy the gary fisher super fly 100

mx

ProEdgeBiker

I'm 5'11" and ride a Large Epic with a 90mm Stem.. it really depends on your Torso or Leg length.. im my case, I couldnt do the Medium(even though i can ride one) because my knees would hit the stem on a hard pump. Also, I would have to ride the Medium with the Seatpost WAY OUT!

Good luck on your Search

PS: the 2010 Stumpy is getting some great reviews as an All MTB/XC bike