mtnbiker66

I find this whole thread a bit funny. If I was trying to find a bike,I would be more confused after reading all of this.

wheelhot

hehe, but after sorting out all the confuse part you will realise which bike is the most suitable for you

Dannihilator

Ditto, if I was looking for a bike, I wouldn't even ask, I'd just go out and find what I like and get it.

Pheard

I just kinda wanted to poll people on what they liked about any of the bikes Im thinking about. Of course I dont think I got one answer to my actual question and I do feel a bit more confused now.

Kona- We know you wouldn't ask, because there isn't anyone here who has alot more bike know how. You know what to look for, not everyone does.

leonardotmnt

It's just hard for people to give you a definitive answer when you ask which is the best bike among 11 total. It might be best to go out and ride some of them and make a list of your favorites. Obviously not all are the same and each has it's strengths and weaknesses so it's very hard to recommend just one or even two that are the best.

wheelhot

Well leonardotmnt is correct, 11 bikes, wow thats hard to choose but If you looking throught MTBR, read all user reviews about those bikes, shorten your list, listen to your inner self and try the bike at your bike shop to see if the geometry suits you. Remember Frame is more important then it components when you are buying a complete bike unless you have a money problem like me

achc

My bad, the 6500 & 4900 do have little Geometry different but the material is the same which I personally don't like "Alpha SL Aluminum". Their higher end ZR9000 which I also had one before I traded one of my bikes is much lighter then the Alpha SL Aluminum but its extreamly weak which is used in the 8000 series and Trek higher end line, "Klein".

hey, do they still make 4900 coz they stop last year I believe? and it came back this year?

Yes, the Blur XC is 1/2 a lb lighter but the LT and 4X is not, also, like you mention, the superlight is cheaper, here in Toronto, the Superlight frame is $600 cheaper then the Blur.

wheelhot

Wow, not bad at all SantaCruz Blur is a pretty nice XC bike, I got Manuels mail and he gives me Giant Maestro Catalogue (It has everything you need to know) and KonaKikapuDeluxe is 100USD more then Giant Trance 3, OMG now I just tied my self with confusion again, well lets test ride my friends Kona

sherpaPeak

while I agree that picking one out of 11 bikes is difficult, I also think that thats where every bodys starts from. what I find healthy and positive about this forum is that whenever anybody ask for a bike recommendation, it starts a discussion about different options, experiences, deals, pros/cons etc. which is very effective when you are trying to buy a bike. it helps a great deal to narrow down the list and help you ask the right questions while you are making the decision. and remember, local bikeshop representatives are not gods angles, they are sales person, so they would want to make the best for themselves. So, if you dont ask the right questions or dont have some insight, you can be taken advantage of.

So, our discussion about 11 options is helpful, even if we dont come up with ONE answer.

MTBR review my friend is an enigma. when I was trying to make a decision and was reading the review, I was almost convinced that an "X" (dont want to name names) was the best, but I later figured out that that was not the case. it is more like, people buy the X bike and ride it for sometime and if it is better than their junky, poorly fit, absurdly adjusted/assembled X-mart bike, it gets a FIVE STAR. and, you will also see that some people made recommendations only after a month of riding. how representative is that?

Also, one person rode a Stumjumper before and then he/she buys a rockhopper base model and think that its a POS, thats not fair. cause you are compairing different priceranges, function and qualities.

So, as someone in this forum said, take the MTBR review with a grain of salt.

I find the discussion/arguments in this forum much more helpful while makind a bike purchasing decision than MTBR. Cuase, here you can have conflicting opinion and ongoing discussion about peoples preferences and you understand the subjectivity more clearly than a flat one directional review.

thats just my opinion.

wheelhot

Ok, for me in choosing a bike the frame is the most important, components could be upgraded later. This is my list of some Suspension design that is in the Good List:
FSR
Maestro
ICT
Cruz's VPP

Other suspension might in the list but this is so far the best I found. Im not sure about KONA 4 bar design though cause I find no review about No Pedal Bob or anything most people say that the frame is helped by Fox RP3 shox

Siu Blue Wind

NoF3ar, I say to just enjoy the bike you have, wait until you know what your needs of the new bike will be (in the meanwhile save up for it) and by then it will be easier for you to decide. I think maybe you might feel a little pressure to get another bike due to the latest "challenge" that had occured.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with your current bike. Don't give in to others who may jab you for not having the newest biggest and most expensive bike there is. Remember how this bike has been good for its purpose until all this Trek bashing occurred. It's still a good bike. And deep inside I think you know it. So just enjoy it until you have a reason for a new one. And when you are ready, take your time. There's no rush.

Okay?

C Law

Pheard

The only thing wrong with my current bike is the fact It isn't meant for my riding style or my body size as I was not there when it was purchased.

torment

05 stumpjumper fsr.

leonardotmnt

NoF3ar also said he was buying parts at the rate it would cost to get a new bike anyway so that could be a sign it's time to get a new bike.

sherpa, it's always good to have discussion about bikes but when you put 11 into the mix it's almost just like asking someone what the bike they'd suggest is without giving none. You'll usually have someone recommending any bike you can think of. Since each has it's strengths and weaknesses it could make it even harder to narrow down if you're someone like me who thinks forever about decisions that cost a good bit of money just to make sure you're getting what you want. If he rides all the bikes and finds that he likes say 3 or 4 out of the range it's much easier to get more specific information about the ones he likes. Just what I think about it anyway. Good luck in your search though.

sherpaPeak

I agree with you. and I think I am more tentative than anyone else when it comes to make a decision involving more than $50.

Siu Blue Wind

Alright then, nevermind. I take it all back.