Hendricks97

Yes, another what bike should I buy post

Pertinent info: Im 6'2" 240 and rode a Necro Pug almost constantly last year until I was rear ended, destroying the pug and my back. I shattered one vertebrae, fractured another one and broke 4 ribs. I now have 2 titanium poled screwed into 1/3 of my spine.

I currently own an All City Nature Boy and a Ti Salsa Fargo.

I rode the Krampus, loved it, but wondered if the tires provided enough cushion for my back, reminded me of my beloved Necro Pug

Tried the Spearfish 2 (a 2012 model built up with 2013 components), loved it, felt more confident about my back being able to handle some technical stuff with less fear

My LBS suggested the Horsethief due to the geometry being less aggressive, but they would have to order one for me

I can get the Krampus and the Spearfish for about the same price, and the Horsethief would most likely be about $1,000 more than the other 2.

Logically, the Horsethief would be more suited to the kind of riding I would be doing, but would I notice enough of a difference to justify the cost?

ncfisherman

If it were me, I would hold out for the newly designed 2014 Horsethief/Spearfish with Dave Weagle's Split Pivot suspension, unless the bikes are discounted. If you're paying full price might as well hold out for the Split Pivot.

ncfisherman

The difference between the two bikes will not be a big one. The Spearfish is going to have a little quicker handling up front, probably slightly lighter, and less travel. Spearfish will be a little better for the climbs, Horsethief has the advantage going down. I owned a Big Mama for a little while and it was a pretty decent bike -- fell sort of between the SF and HT.

Hendricks97

If I go with the Horsethief, I will wait for the new ones. Just cant decide if its worth the extra $1000 or more to get the bike thats designed for the riding I want to do or save the money and go for one of the bikes that are ok for the riding I want to do.

ncfisherman

Either way, you're going to get a great riding bike. Suspension systems are pretty dialed right now, so there are a lot of good options out there. With the new design, it's just going to use it's travel more efficiently without relying on a shock platform.

formicaman

I would think you could fine tune riding position with bars, ends, stems and save the $1,000.

Hendricks97

noticed no ones leaning towards the Krampus. As of right now, Im thinking
1. Spearfish2
2. Krampus
3. Horsethief

UTKlein

I'm 6'4" and 215. I have a 2012 Horsethief. Best bike I've ever owned. At your height and weight I would go with the Horsethief. It's a monster truck. I think the Spearfish would be too lightweight for you. It's more of a XC racing type of a bike, while the HT is a trail bike, and has beefed up tubing for Clydes like us. I have the TALAS upgrade on mine and run at 130mm all the time. Try to find a used one, it'll save you a lot of money. However, if I was buying new, I would drop the extra money on the HT. You really need to test ride one, it feels much more solid than the SF.

bones_mcbones

@dgodave just bought a campus and loves it. We'll see if he chimes in.

ncfisherman

2014 Horsethief review: https://reviews.mtbr.com/review-2014-salsa-horsethief

ColinL

The split pivot rear suspension should be a tremendous improvement upon the original Spearfish & Horsethief, especially for a 240 pound rider.

craigcraigcraig

All three of those bikes are "designed" for different types of riding but all of them could do almost anything with strengths and weaknesses in each area. Sounds like comfort is the highest priority since your accident and the horsetheif is really like riding a lay-z-boy and is awesome.

OR you can get the krampus and get a suspension fork for it and have a bike more similar to your pug and be awesome at the same time.

dgodave

Ha. Just noticed this. I totally love the Krampus, but I really dont think it offers quite the back end spine protection you could get out of a good full susp. The 3" tires soften the ride nicely, but they dont eat up big hits.
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