I know this has been done to death but..... I'm looking for a hardtail, preferably with disc brakes, a splined bb, and it has to be strong enough in the frame / fork department to handle a 6'4" 250 lb rider riding semi-aggresively. ie XC and some mild drops but more bouncing off of rocks than finessing them. Again I know this has been done but after reviewing the past posts I'm still stumped.

What kind of geometry do you prefer? Freeride or xc. Also a budget helps. I know of a lot of great bikes but at 2000$cdn that may be too steep

If you aren't sure of the differences in geometry check out

www.konaworld.com and check out the Out of Bounds series ht's. They are slacker with the seat further back over the rear tire. Helps with technical riding, steep decents and has a higher standover height.

Or

Regular xc bikes (I won't give a link simply because everyone knows what a basic xc bike looks like )

Sorry thought I'd put that info in. (long shift at slave labor) I like XC geometry and I'm playing in the $1000 US ballpark. I'm looking at a Trek 8000 as I post this: no discs but the rest looks ok. I got scared off the Kona Caldera by someone calling the Marzocchi EXR a low end fork.

Yeah me . It is the lowest end fork Marzocchi makes. But it still marzocchi tough. I am 6'5 and 250 and have no real issues. I do aggro xc to light freeriding (4 ft to flats as of yet). If you are worried about breakage I wouldn't be.

For 1000 american (1500 cdn) you can really get any bike you want in a ht class. Since I haven't really ridden a lot of xc bikes I can't give a solid recommendation. I never feel safe or solid on that geometry

The EXR is made by Suntour for Marzocchi - it's pretty basic but according to my LBS it's a better bet than RS Judy TT's... Fairly reliable but basic.

Really I didn't know that. I knew it is the only marz fork mad in Taiwan. hmmm

As far as I know - it's made to Marz's design. I read a bit about it on www.bikemagic.com several months back when I was looking for a new fork. The consensus (along with the lbs) was it's a perfectly okay fork but not as good as the MX series.

Richard

Well you can't do anything with it except preload. It has held me up well. But it is time for retirement.

So no stand outs that need to be seen? Few people I know understand why I'd spend a G on bike. They think I'm crazy! It's not the idea of the money to me it's the "bang for the buck" factor that's making me loopy.

Well I think you will have to check shops and decide what components you need. LX components are cheap and long lasting and easily replaceable. You could get a great lightweight durable frame with parts and a high end fork.

Giant, Specialized, Kona, trek etc...all make similar quality xc ht frames. The geometries are all very similar as well. Since frame is out look for a deal around you with high end components.

With 1000 american you have enough to get a good bike with above average components ...

Hey Raiyn,

You could buy a lot of bike these days for $1,000. and as far as other people being shocked by how much you spend, don't worry about it. If it's (or one of) your passions, who cares. These are the same people who golf and see no problem spending $350 on a single club! Or Scuba Dive and spend $250 on a BC....etc.

There are a lot of hardtails that are available. With your weight, I'd suggest a beefier more "freeride" oriented hardtail rather than a "production" XC frame. I'm about 225 to 235, and I rode a Specialized P.3 and could easily hang with all my friends on their bikes. BTW, the "P" series bikes are very nice this year.

Another "dark horse" brand that doesn't get a lot of press, but makes (has made for them) good bikes, is HARO. They've got some great bikes and the prices are hard to beat. Check em out at www.harobikes.com The shop I work part-time is a dealer and I can get you some MSRP prices if you let me know which model you like.

This is a sweet bike with a great spec for the $$$$$, plus, I really like this color for some reason, I think it's sweet!

Going shopping later today (its 2:30 am as I type this) My girlfriend's brother has found a Giant Rainer which is one of the first bikes I was looking at. This is the 2002 version with the Zoch fork. I'm told that the LBS wants to move it and will bump up the rims cheap. I'm also gonna have the crapola BB / crankset swapped out for a RF Prodigy setup. I'm hoping they'll be reasonable about a set of Mavic 321 Disc rims or some Sun Rynolites. Wish me luck!

If you get the trade ups you'll have a real nice bike - not bad without.

Good luck

2002 Giant XTC SE1

color Team Yellow/Silver
size 14", 17", 19", 21"
frame Supersized ALUXX SL double butted aluminum frame, integrated forged headtube, double gussets
fork RockShox Sid SL, 3" travel
derailleur Front: Shimano Deore LX, Rear: Shimano Deore XT
derailleurshifters Shimano Deore XT, 9-speed
cranks RaceFace Prodigy ISIS Splined, 22/32/44T
pedals None
handlebar Titec Enduro XC, 7075 butted
stem Titec Fast Al
headset FSA integrated, Cartridge bearings
brakes Avid AD 7 direct pull
saddle WTB Rocket V
seatpost Titec X-Wing, 27.2

Now I'm trading the SID for a Duke XC U-Turn and a price break.(better suited to my style and fat a$$) I'm also swapping the wheelset with my girlfriend's brother for a set of Rynolites built up on XT Disc hubs and a set of Avid Mechs and a bit of payola.

rims Mavic Crossmax UST Tubeless, 24H
hubs Mavic Crossmax UST Tubless
tires Hutchinson Python Tubeless, 26x2.0
cassette Shimano Deore XT 11-34T, 9-speed
spokes Mavic Crossmax UST Tubeless

Now how's that for wheelin' an dealin' under a grand?