Gonna Buy a New Bike...
 

...so i figured i'd start the obligatory ask for your advice thread.

Riding Style: aggressive XC/all mountain. I climb A LOT and then like to ride downhill as fast as i can and then climb again and repeat. Don't really have any technical trail features where i live, but i like to travel and enjoy log rides and skinnes and the like. Can't really see myself doing drops any bigger than 5 foot. but who knows? I def want to be able to ride this bike off some big stuff.

Riding Background: this will be my first full suspension bike. Currently riding a fast, light, and twitchy stumpjumper with a very racey geometry. I am used to a pretty streched out cockpit.

What I Want: Something between 5 to 6 inches front and back that goes up just as well as it goes down. I want a strong bike but it needs to be under 30 lbs. The lighter, the better. I also want to be able to be a playful bike that i can flick and maneuver all over the trail.

Budget: I would be will to spend $4000, but would like to keep it closer to $3000. If i can stay near $2000, even better! I am not opposed to buying used.


Sooo after all that, the bikes I am considering are as follows.

Specialized Enduro SL 09 (or 08 with a single crown fork)

Trek Remedy 7 from 2008 and then upgrade brakes drivetrain and wheels

Giant Reign

Ibis Mojo (would need to find a used one me thinks... but what a sexy ride! Ohh La la!)

Transition Covert


Anyways, i've only been able to test ride the enduro, reign, and remedy. I am very confused about sizing. All the bikes the LBS put me on feel way to cramped, but i worry if i go up to a larger size i would loose flickability. Who knows.

Anyways, if you've made it this far thanks for reading. I know I have probably left out important info and asked too much in a very roundabout way, so thanks for any input in advance!

Not sure on price or weight, but check out the Rocky Mountain Slayer. Mainly because the name of it is "Slayer".

Wow, Ben, you've thrown out a lot of good choices there for consideration. I would say, if you can swing it, the Mojo should be tops on your list, followed by the Enduro with a Fox. You know I have to rank the Covert up there too for the obvious reasons; but it is, after all, a single-pivot bike and you might be better-served for your riding by one of the others.

Sorry, no RM dealer near me. However, i see your point and kinda have to agree...

That's too bad. I hear "Raining Blood" screams from the cash register when you put the money down to purchase one.

Thanks Doug. The Mojo and the 09 Enduro are actually the two bikes i am most serious about. Unfortunately, they are also the ones that are going to hurt my wallet the most. I really like buying used - it saves me money and puts a (hopefully) perfectly good bicycle to use. My biggest concern with buying the Ibis used is not having a warranty... we'll see how this goes. Thanks for your input!

Check out the Scott Genius 40: http://scottusa.com/us_en/product/1662/11769/genius_40. They retail for significantly less than they list on the Scott website.

I rode my boyfriend's Mojo SL this weekend. It's a nice ride - if you can afford it...

Am I the only one that thinks this sounds dirty?

It's kinda reaching, junkyard.

Everything sounds dirty to junkard.

Gotta agree on this one.

Test ride the reign too. They're real nice bikes Also. Can't go wrong on your list, all good bikes. I think you'll figure it out when you start testing them. Good luck!

Transition TransAm

^^ Flatlander. He rides in mountains . . . big, Rocky mountains.

the trans am looks super sweet, but i already have a hardtail. it's time for this young padawan to go to the dark side.

it not only looks super sweet, but it is also an amazing ride. i am so in love with mine that im thinking of building another one...this time with gears

Now, consider how amazing your Trans Am is and multiply it by three or more. That's a Transition with suspension ;).

Or maybe let me put it this way:

Topeka skylines:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/...cd419736b2.jpg

http://www.davidmixner.com/images/20...lll_2002_2.jpg

Bakersfield skylines:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lzBg_JWq9B...sfield+033.jpg

http://therealbarackobama.files.word...8-for-sale.jpg

Montana skylines:

http://www.cas.umt.edu/phil/gifs/mou...rees_blend.jpg

http://www.cas.umt.edu/phil/panorama2.jpg

http://www.gibsonmansion.com/images/areatop.jpg

mmmm... Montana skyline. **Homer Simpson drool**

So here's an update.

Tested the Enduro Sl. I'll have it setup full xt drivetrain and thomson stem and post and king headset. It's gonna cost abour $4,200. This will be my first brand new bicycle since my haro super schreder in 4th grade.... this would basically be a dream bike build for me (sans king wheels).

I also tested a reign 1. I dont really like the aesethetics, but i liked how high the bike rode and felt like i coulld ride wheelies on it forever. I also don't care too much for raceface components. I know i am being picky, but this is a ton of money. Another con on the reign 1 is that the fork does not have adjustable travel. I think this one was going to cost $3300. For another grand i could get adjustable travel fork and some higher end components, but i think the reign 0 is even uglier so it's kind out of the question...

finally, i have tracked down an ibis mojo used with a fox 36 talas fork. owners near vancouver and bought the bike in April 08 and has riden it once a week since he got it. it's black with the clear finish which is okay (i already have one black bike, a black snowboard, and a black bike - i know it's kinda silly to worry about color but again I am spending what is to me a small fortune). it will cost about $2500 plus shipping. Right now, that sounds like a great deal. The only catch is i have never even riden a mojo. Haha. Nearest dealer is like 3 hours away...

What do ya'll think? Right now I am still pretty hung up on spending so much money. I mean i know it'll be worth it, but other than school this will be the second largest investment i've ever made. And bikes just eat up money as the years go on. what to do, what to do...

Is that over here? If so, shoot me a PM and maybe I can help.

You have some tough choices. I'm pretty sure you won't regret the Enduro. Wonder if anyone over here has any leftover 08 S-Works models for similar price range?

my closest ibis dealer is actually in Whitefish MT... I called and asked if they had any demo bikes i could try out there, but unfortunately they didint. I guess i could still day trip up there to fit in a parkling lot test and a trail ride my my current bike... we'll see.

I really like the 08 green enduro expert. pair that with a lyrik and i would be a happy camper!

damn D you had to pick the most depressing shots of the bakersfield skyline. but it matters not since i dont ride in bakersfield :D. i usually ride kernville/sequoia national park area :thumb:

I don't blame you :D.

Oh, and I didn't have to search too intensely to find those :p.

Yeah...our skyline sucks...(not that I get down there) but:

http://ksfreeriders.com/mediac/400_0...08~AM_0020.jpg
http://ksfreeriders.com/mediac/400_0...avdropseq2.JPG
http://ksfreeriders.com/mediac/400_0/media/jbignas.jpg
http://ksfreeriders.com/mediac/400_0...9.2_edited.jpg
http://ksfreeriders.com/mediac/400_0/media/15.5feet.jpg

I don't think you will have a warranty with the Mojo...

yeah. i think the mojo is out of the question anyways. guy hasn't responded to my email for like a week... oh well. basically, i have come to several conclusions right now. one, bikes are exspensive. two, there really isn't anything wrong with my current rig. and three, phish tour costs a lot of money too.

Phish tour? Oh dear...don't let pcad hear ya say that.