Apache_Mechanic

I've searched the threads trying to answer my own question but I'm not completly satisfied.
I'm new to mt. biking and I'm trying to get a bike that will serve my goals of doing XC races, more specifically the 24 Adrenalin tour.
A few problems I'm having:
I don't know wether to go full suspension or rigid (I'm only 19 so bones/joints aren't a problem)
Linear pull breaks or disc. I know the pros and cons of both, I just don't know which would serve my purpose better.
The frame; I like that aluminum is lighter but I honestly don't know anything about alloy and a lot of the bikes I've looked at so far are alloy.
Also, if anyone can point me in the right direction of a good XC bike as sort of a guide, it would be much apprectiated. I'm willing to spend about $1,500 I guess. More if I need to of course. Can't skimp on the eqipment.

dirtbikedude

For adventure racing I would go with disc brakes. You will get, with rim brakes, a lot of dirt on the rims which will cause your pads and rims to wear quicker and less stoping power when they do get dirty. Alluminum frames are fine, most bikes these days are allu. and any decent xc bike will not weight to much. As for an idea on what bike/frame for 1500? That depends, 1500 USD or 1500 EUD?

Apache_Mechanic

Like I said, I'm flexible with the price. I know a good competition bike is going to be pricey and I know you get what you pay for so I'm willing to pay what it takes.

madbiker555

You would probably benefit from a full-suspension. Rigid would be somewhat faster because it would have no travel, but an FS would absorb all bumps and most XC bikes only have 80-100mm of travel in the fork anyway. I would say get the Kona Dawg-matic

zx108

naw, not the dawg matic, the kikapu deluxe.

https://www.konaworld.com/shopping_ca...5&parentid=182

myenzo

Well if you plan to do a 24 hour race, i would go with a full suspension, because it would take the edge off of it. I've heard that the Giant NRS is nice.

dirtbikedude

The NRS is a very good entry level race bike. The Kona Kikapu will be lighter. Best thing, if you can do it, find a lbs and tell them what you want. If it is a good shop they will set you up on a few xc racers so you can test 'em. Get the best fs racer you can afford. Although you do not need XTR, XT works perfectly well and does not cost as much. You could also go with a bike that has SRAM X.9 or X.7 components (SRAM is my preference).

Bikes like the Dawg are good but are not race bikes. They will be heavier with a more upwright position. For Adventure or 24hr races lighter is better. You may not notice the weight diff between a 30lb and a 27lb bike at first but near the end of the race your legs will deffinitly let you know

Since funds are not much of a concern here are some recomendation in the order I would look at;

Bianchi Caál 8800 Alu - only sold as a frame then you would have to spec it your self
Trek Fuel Line - For the long races I would stay away from the carbon frames
SantaCruz Blur XC - Very nice racer
Kona King Kikapu Delux - Good racer, light, easy to carry
Giant NSR - easy on the wallet good all around racer
SantaCruz Super light - old suspension desing but a very nice and light bike

A lot of riders dont even know Bianchi makes a good xc bike since Bianchi is mostly known for their road bikes.

Slainte

LowCel 

The NRS is actually pretty light if you go with the NRS 1. It is one of the best race suspension designs out there when set up right. Once you set the shock to zero sag it is an amazing climber and descends, for lack of a better term, like a scalded dog.

The Kikapu Deluxe is a good bike but it is a little heavy for xc racing. I was actually talking with the Kona rep about it a couple of weeks ago. He made a good point though, said most of the weight was in the wheelset. If you get the Kikapu Deluxe plan on upgrading the wheels to a lighter set before doing any endurance racing. Other than that it is an awesome bike.

The Superlight is just plain sweet and simple. I raced one for 2 1/2 seasons and it never let me down. Once set up right it is pretty much worry free. Only one pivot so less chances of problems. The only downside is flex. The bottom bracket flexes like crazy. It also has a little brake jack. Nothing that is going to take it off of my top five bikes of all time list though.

The trek may be a great bike but I'm still a little old fashioned, I'm afraid of carbon frames. I know a lot of people use them and have great success, I'm still afraid of them though.

Unfortunately I have never been able to ride the Blur XC. I would like to have the opportunity to try one out though. If it is anything like the past blur's then it is going to be a great frame for a relatively low price (compared to other high end xc race frames).

dirtbikedude - what is it about Bianchi xc bikes that always makes me drool? Any ideas? I have never ridden one but I still can't help wanting one.

dirtbikedude

It's a Bianchi!! nuf said My first real mtb was a Bianchi I bought when I lived in AZ. The guy at the shop said all the riders around there were roadies and he could not sell the mtb so he gave me a sweet deal (this was in '90). It was nice because I was the only mtb'er in the area and had all the trails to my self. Especially when it was 115f out Not even the hikers were out then.

As for the Kona, I like the King Kikapu rather then the Kikapu Delux. Also, not all the Treks are carbon. As I said, especialy for what he wants not to get the carbon. To much can happen during a 24hr or adventure race. Yeah the same problems can happen in any xc race but atleast you are not many many miles in the middle of now where

Apache_Mechanic

Thank you all for the suggestions. I'll be seriously looking into buying one in the very near future.

And by the way, I'm a she not a he

dirtbikedude

Never met a female that worked on Apaches Sory for that. You just working on 'em until you become an officer so you can fly?

Slainte

Snuffleupagus

Just a little aside, the NRS is actually a bit lighter than the Kikapu.

I've got an 05 NRS, and have made some key upgrades that make the bike much more enjoyable. Switched to SRAM X.9 drivetrain from the LX, and ditched the Hayes Sole brakes for Avid Juicy 7 XCs. It is faaaaaaaaaast for a full squish bike, and while it does take the edge off, you still have much of the advantage of a hardtail, as the suspension extends under pedaling - climbing like a goat.

NCO to Soldier (haha...I kid, I kid - I'd never be that much of a tool) I'd have to advise you get the NRS if you don't mind upgrading the brakes off the bat, as I'm not impressed with the Soles reliability. Discs for sure. As for the bike itself, although I'm sure you'd be fine with a hardtail bike, I just really like the way the NRS rides - with my only gripe being a little bit of brake jacking, but that's eaisly counteracted by shifting your weight back on the bike when braking hard.

Apache_Mechanic

Yes, I'll be applying for green to gold next year. And you're right, there aren't many of us in aviation period, let alone on the Apache.

I have a question on tires now. What is a good size? Do most bikes come with good enough tires or should I look at an upgrade?

Snuffleupagus

26x2.0 is a very good all 'round XC tire. Much less and your cornering ability is reduced, much more and weight and rolling resistance become problematic.

For tire design itself though, you may want to get a couple pairs for racing. One for mucky nasty conditions, one for dry, fast hardpack, and one intermediate tire set.

dirtbikedude

What Snuff said. 2.0 is a good size. Wide enough to ride through soft sand/gravel and thin enough to not create to much rolling resistance. As for weather or not the stock tires will be good depends on the bike you get since each bike will probably have a different model and/or brand tire mounted.

Again I second what Snuff stated and try and get a few different sets. That way you will not have to worry about your tires working in a particular condition.

The companies I like are (in this order),
Nokian/NBX 2.0 light,
Maxxis/HighRollers,
Hutchison/Scorpions or Pythons
Pannaracer ( I personally do not use Panna so I am not sure which modle I would choose).