Finding the bike that fits...
 

Ok usually I'm on the giving end of advice (asked and unasked :o ) but now I need to get some advice. I have a 2004 Stumpjumper Comp HT. I LOVE the way the bike climbs, and how responsive it is, but at the same time, I do from time to time like to do some lightly abusive riding, and with a few Northshore trails being built in IL I will be heading down there.

The radially laced front and 3.olbs frame just aren't up to the task. I can see the Fox F80x blowing a air chamber on a landing, not to mention the very racing oriented geometry.

Heres the problem though... I used to have a fairly beefy Kona Cindercone upgraded with a Marzocchi 80mm fork from the originaly 63mm RS fork. It SUCKED for climbing, and felt heavy and slow, and rather sluggish for the handling. All things I can't stand. But at the same time I don't race, and I see myself as moving towards being a trailrider more than an XC guy. However the handling and weight distrobution of the trailbikes tends to work against my 6'1 150lbs frame. I feel like I need something light I can toss around, and something to handle some abuse when it comes time.

I can get bikes from Surly, Kona, Azonic, Specialized, Giant.

Basically as I see it, I want something that doesn't exist. I'm looking at hardtails primarily. Input please...

You might like the Surly Instigator, sounds like the perfect set up for you. To get a Kona DJ frame to become more trail orientated(Kind of like I did.) It will take alot of cash to get it to that point.

So you think an Instigator with a 125mm fork might do it? Wonder if I could build that for about a grand? What forks should I look into? I'm a very lightweight guy and not a fan of excess weight up front...

Yes, with a Fox Vanilla 125 or a Manitou Sherman Firefly or a Rock Shox Psylo/Pike/Reba or Marzocchi Z1 Freeride SL.

One of my friends just put a Z1 on his Identity 666... I was pretty impressed, and so far its killer on his 20ft gaps he's doing. Something else to price out at work tomorrow :D

hi im in need of sum help.
i have become very interested in freeridebut i am 14 and about 4foot 10 inches and want a full suspension frame or bike with atleast 5'' of travel on the rear .
is there any small freeride frames that would suit my size.

thom79@hotmail.com