Kertrek

It has lockout suspension, which will make it versatile. But I saw a Trek EX 5 for $2,000, and I've heard lots of good things about it. I'm a full time student working a part-time job, so I've started donating plasma, making $70 a week to go toward towards a mountain bike. I just don't want to shoot for a bike that's insanely expensive. Any thoughts on the Ghost Kato 5? Or just spend the extra money and get a $2,000 bike?

cobba

Not a bad price if it's new.

$2300: https://www.rei.com/product/883661/gh...-275-bike-2015

Kertrek

My bad, it's the Ghost Kato FS3. That's the $1,700 one

JonathanGennick 

Are you sure you don't mean the Ghost Kato FS 3? Because REI shows that one for $1700. The FS 5 is $2300.

The Trek Ex 5 appears to only be available in the 29er wheel size. The Ghost is a 27.5" wheel. Do you have a preference between wheel sizes?

Both are good brands. Ghost has been a solid brand in Germany for years.

Kertrek

I heard 27.5 is more fun, and I'm only 5'6" so 27.5 should give me more clearance from the top tube.

JonathanGennick 

I'm somewhat of the opinion that it makes sense for wheel size to be in proportion to rider size. We expect frame size to be in proportion, right? Why not wheel size too?

For someone your size I'd lean toward 27.5. Not that you can't go 29er if you want it, but I'd probably default toward the smaller size.

It's ideal if you're able to get in a test ride on each of the two bikes. That might help you to decide which you prefer.

Canker

RST isn't known for their quality shocks. X-fusion makes some nice suspension bits but that is their lowest, I think, rear shock and from what I've read no so good. The trek has the same problems. $2k doesn't go very far when it has to pay for both front and rear suspension parts. Now the Ghost Kato FS 5 at $2300 is pretty nice.

Pendergast

People seem to be pretty happy with the Giant Stance for an inexpensive full suspension bike. You might want to check it out. It's 27.5.

dminor 

Careful about snap-conclusions. RST has gotten a bad rap for supplying the OEM market with low-performance entry-level forks; but the First TRL is a legitimate product. Air sprung; adjustable rebound damping; remote lock-out (for those who think that kind of thing is important); 32mm 7050 aluminum stanchions.

RST makes a lot of forks that few see. I'm running pre-production prototype of the new 8" Killah downhill fork and am totally pleased with its performance.

osco53

I ride that shock, It works just fine once broke in, that took about 100 miles,, As for the fork,, not a clue..

Canker

I haven't even seen a RST shock on a new bike for a long time. I'd actually thought they folded before this post. They used to fight it out with Suntour on the lowend but Suntour seems to have won the war at least in the US. Anyway Suntour is the same way. They make some good forks but you never see them on anything over here. Just do some research OP. I'd probably take the $1700 ghost over the Trek. At least it does have an air fork and it gives you $300 to throw around if you don't like the fork/rear shock.

ColinL

A lot of other entry-level FS bikes have a Rockshox XC30 or XC32 fork, so I'd give the RST a shot. It has to be better than a Suntour XC series that is on every damn entry-level hardtail and most hybrid bikes these days...