Meek

Been out of the game for a while, what are the top full-suspension XC racing bikes available today?

Please list your top 3 to 5. Thanks for the opinions.

I plan on demo-ing the winners (if possible) and hopefully determining my winner, which will have a loving new home...

EthanYQX

The Giant Anthems or Trances?

anomaly

Why are you going to drop $7-9,000 on a top of the line bike if you've been "out of the game" for awhile? You are just going to end up breaking parts on them since they are so race oriented. If you are made of money get a Yeti 575 or something and save 4k.

Meek

Been out of the MOUNTAIN BIKING SCENE for a while, not biking in general, smartguy. XTR and/or perhaps XO probably will be on those bikes too, which I have ridden for years (XTR), so basically what FS frame and fork is desirable to race on, like I asked?

trek1

Consider warranty and your LBS for service, that is what made my mind up. I looked at Giant, Canondale and Specialized but I finally came back to a LBS that had served me every time I needed something and bought my Fuel EX-8. BTW they also loaned me a Fuel EX-7 for a weekend and I really liked it so I got the EX8 on sale. Buy what will make you happy and not want something else in 2-3 months-Good luck.

BP302

I test rode Trek, Specialized, G.F., and Cannondale. I settled on the Cannonadle Rush Team Replica because I liked the feel of the Lefty Speed Carbon fork the best. The sram X0 shifters/derailers work awesome and I like the modulation of the Magura Marta SL brakes.

bsyptak

I'd take a look at the Specialized Stumpjumper FSR and Yeti ASR-SL and Titus. The FSR has 5" travel in the back to the Yeti's 4". The FSR is avail with a 4" or 5" fork, depending on model. Not sure about Yeti. Don't know a lot about the Titus except that they are well liked.

anomaly

I just don't think you anyone who has been off a mountain bike for awhile would be competitive even if they were doing other riding for a season or two. That being said Yeti or Titus should serve you well, or you could take my Iron Horse and buy me the Yeti =)

dfioc

Giant Anthem - 1st
Specialized Epic - 2nd

mtnbiker66

Why is that.I had no clue that race bikes were so fragile.Do tell.

dinotekka

giant anthem

womble

Titus Racer-X, Scott Spark, Yeti ASR, Anthem Advanced. Pick the fully spec'd out racebikes of any top manufacturer...

bikerboyd

santa cruz superlight is a viable option as well, at least, it's going to be my next investment. Plus, there's also a lifetime warranty on the pivot bearings

gr@sshopper

I really like my superlight, but I think I'm going to sell it. Too much more bike than rider!

mtnbiker66

Well...I guess I get no answer to why race bikes are sooooo fragile.

Pheard

Rock shox SID, reba, Fox f100, or MZ world cup? not sure about that one.

clemsonrider

I had been out of the scene for a few years too after riding nearly everyday in college. I was always pretty die hard on having a hardtail for XC riding. I rode a lot of bikes and loved the FSR. I ended up getting a good deal on a 2006 FSR Expert test bike that never had even been put together. I would definitely ride one if possible. Also - have your dealer do a search for test bikes across the country. This is a good time of year to catch them in between models.

jabara572

racebikes are usually more fragile because they use parts and frames that cater towards being superlight over being durable. Hence they naturally break more often.

mtnbiker66

But they are far from fragile. I have friends that ride Epics,Anthems and the like on some nasty trails without issues. The way some of you guys make it sound there are parts from race bike littering the trails. You don't want to go freeriding with them but they are more than durable for trail riding.

junkyard

Nobody has mentioned Ellsworth or Turner yet.

ed 

Hmm...one's a race bike and the other is a trail bike. Sure, I'd race on a Trance but it's not a race bike. (unless maybe you're doing some sort of "all day epic" race or something.

ed 

Giant Anthem
Specialized Epic
SC Superlight
Fisher Raceday
Jamis XCR (a little heavier)
Cannondale Rush


Basically nothing you haven't heard yet except I really don't like the Trek Fuel. I ride with a local who has broken his Fuel frame 2-3 times. He's not that aggressive of a rider either.

Forks:
Fox F80, F100, FX
Rockshox Reba, Sid (if you're a lightweight)
Marzocchi Corsa
Manitou Black Super Air

ghettocruiser

I have found race bikes have excellent longevity when used for the intended application (i.e. XC not FR). For instance, I had a SID SL which lasted five years and about 20,000 km. including all-winter riding. I'll be replacing it with another lightweight fork which I anticipate will last just as long or longer.

I think that what these bikes give up is impact resistance, rather than durability, which are not the same thing.

McGuillicuddy

No love for the Rocky Mountain Element Team?

mtnbiker66

Dead on. I have a friend,Chris Herndon, who raced an epic prototype in a DH race(he won) and just flogged the crap out of it and had no problems. It's not what the bike was made for but that is what the Specialized guys want him to do with it. I've seen him do some other bikes the same way. I don't understand the "that bike will fall apart" way of thinking.