I have been wanting a decent full suspension MTB for a while. I am not a serious mountain bike rider, as there just aren't many places around here to ride. I do make a trip out west almost every year where having an MTB with full suspension will be easier on my old back than my current hardtail. I don't mind paying good money for something that will get a lot of use, but given how little I ride an MTB, I just couldn't bear to have a $2000 wall hanger. I had looked at some closeout bikes for about $1400, but even at that price point I just didn't feel like the amount of use it would see would be worth the expense. I looked at Bikes Direct full suspension bikes, and even with them I'd have to spend over $1200 to get into a bike with good quality parts. I'd just about decided I'd never have anything more than my pretty good Giant XTC hardtail with SRAM X7 when I remembered Ibex used to get a good bit of play in the mail order bike market. So I checked out their website.

I zeroed in on the Ibex Asta Expert. http://ibexbikes.com/products/index.asp?product_key=12. The spec is solid. The spec for the price is very good. A mix of X7 and X9 switch gear, FSA Crank, WTB wheels, Rock Shox fork and shock and Avid elixir brakes. Nothing bottom end on the list. $700 gets you a hardtail 29er with an RST fork and Acera/Alivio grade components and Alex rims. I raced MTB back when suspension forks first came out. I won races on rigid forks while most folks were riding suspension. My reason for mentioning that is that I don't feel like I need the latest and greatest to get enjoyment out of riding. I know 27.5 and 29ers are superior to 26, but at $700 for parts spec that is comparable to what you see on $1500 bikes with 26" being the only penalty, I thought why not? I made a few calls to the company, both of which were answered promptly, politely and my questions answered satisfactorily. I ordered late Wednesday evening. I was immediately emailed a payment confirmation. Yesterday I received an email that said the bike would be shipped today.

Just thought some of you may be interested. I'll keep you posted.