If this is a tired question I apologize in advance. What would be your best recommendations for a high end Freeride bike? Currently I am looking at the Specialized S-Works Enduro. I want something that can go big and technical but still trying to stay as light as possible while still getting the brawn. Any suggestions and information would be greatly appreciated. In addition please feel to debate amongst one another on the subject here if you'd like. The more information, viewpoints and arguements the better. Thanks again.

if you want to go big, get something made to go big. an enduro is NOT a freeride bike, its only 5" travel, with an air shock. if you really want to go big and still be able to pedal, perhaps a semi trailbike build on a santa cruz bullitt, something like a 6" single crown, dual ring setup.

depending on how much free you have in your freeriding;

Santa Cruz Ano VP Free (8.5'' rear travel)
Santa Cruz Bullit (7'' rear)
Santa Cruz Heckler (5'' rear)

sorry, I don't feel like arguing

Kona Stinky? Specialized Bighit FSR?

Maybe you want to look at all mountain type bikes instead of freeride bikes.
Enduro would be in the ''all mountain'' variety

Totally bighit. The demo 9 is a beast, but it's real heavy. The bighit is lighter I think, with less travel so it should be easier to ride where you have to pedal.

I would have said Kona Coiler, its more pedal freindly.

you could be right. to be quite honest i am not sure when it is no longer "all mountain" and it becomes "freeride". how would you define it? currently i have a really nice XC bike but i get concerned when i am riding and hitting certain gaps, jumpsand/or terrain that if approached right can offer a good lift. i am looking for something that i am not going to worry about these things with and at the same time i can push beyond what i have available here locally for out of state trips. what kind of bikes are being ridden in the videos like Kranked III. I don't mean the hardtail urban bikes but when they are ripping through the single track and launching at every available opportunity? when they are riding on the narrow bridges in the woods and dropping off of them and landing what would easily be 8' drops or more? things like that.

Well, if you are looking for something to land 8' drops you are looking at a freeride bike.
7'' rear travel minimum.
The Enduro would not suffice.

ok. cool. thank you. so along those lines. can you guys give me some additional suggestions?

Well how amuch money are you willing to spend? I think a Kona Stinky, or even if you have the money kona stinky dulux would be nice for freeriding.

actually i thought i would be spending well over $2000. originally i was looking at the s-works enduro which has an msrp over $4K.

well if you want a bike that you dont need to worry about get the norco aline. $3300 and ive beat the f**k outta it. it is a bit on the heavy side(46pounds) so if you want to ride it up hills i sugest geting a dual front chainring setup. mabey a 38-22 setup. its the same with most freeride bikes, the less the weigh usually the weaker they are(although there are acceptions) the konas are better pedaling bikes. but with the DHX on mine i notice very little bob at all. if i cant ride a hill i just push my bike(or do lots of shuttle runs)

so what you have to decide is if you want to bedaly you bike up the hill or if you want a bike that you can pedal and ride somewhat agressivly.

I know they're not popular here but a Cannondale Gemini would fill that role nicely

In that price range you have many choices, check out Kona, Santa Cruz, Giant, Brodie, Cortina, and ... the list goes on. Best thing is to hit up as many shops as you can and ride as many different bikes to find which one feels right for you. I personaly would say the Stinky Supreme or Coiler Primo from Kona. My second choice would be the Foes trail Inferno, this is one sweet rig. You can check its specs out here Inferno . Not only is it stylish it has a sweet ride as well. The frame w/shock will run ya $2k but you can get some good components with the extra 2k you have left.

That is a great looking frame.

very cool. thanks again for the ideas. i really appreciate the feedback.

Orange make some very nice bikes too, this one may suit:

https://www.orangebikes.co.uk/2005bik...bike=patriot66

Is 'free ride' interchangable with 'downhill'?
So in order of abuse it would go DH/Freeride, trail, xc?

yes and No. Most people can ride the bikes and not notice. Most riders aren't generally good enough downhillers to tell the difference. But most downhillers I know can't 'downhill' on a freeride bike without complaining. Wheelbase is shorter, chainstay is shorter, HA is steeper etc.... A fr bike and dh bike are very very different in geometry (as they are meant for different kind of riding). For all round riding, up and down, a good fr bike would be better suited. Freeriding is slow and technical (catch interviews with gracia, he hates freeriding shore style, he can do it, but complains, his flow is different from super T's flow for example) Downhill is fast (very fast) and technical.