htam_har

Heyy guys,

I'm thinking of buying an entry level bike for cross-country, but im hoping to start some rougher biking/all mountain.... theres two bikes that i like in particular, the Scott Spark 60 and the Norco Sasquatch 2010... just like some opinions, btw my budget is under $1800 and if it helps, i live in ottawa, ontario, canada

thnx =]

electrik

IMO neither are really suited to xc-trail, the sasquatch would be ok for some drops but any hard-tail w/ 160mm of travel is going to be a handful on the trail because the head angle will keep changing dramatically making it a handful.

Keep searching, something with a beefy frame designed around 120-140mm would be nicer.

victim

That's a pretty good budget, usually around here you hear " I wan't to start downhill racing and I have 500 budget for a bike and helmet". Check out Giant Reign and Speshy Enduro, you should be finding 2010 closeouts pretty soon.

htam_har

how about the Specialized Rockhopper SL Comp? The sales at my lbs said that its not bad, strong frame, good for a bit of trails and xc...and anyways, im only planning to try trails cuz ive mainly done only xc

electrik

Since the season is half over, you may just want to wait till october to upgrade? You can get a good deal then.. bicycles in Canada are pretty expensive, so don't be afraid to try and cut a deal on some season closeouts. The rockhopper sl comp is a beginner xc bike, so if you were planning todo drops and stunts it isn't spec'd for that. Otherwise the frame is ok, parts are so-so.

htam_har

i dont think im anywhere near being able to do drops and stunts tho == im only starting on fundamentals needed on trails, like rock walks and hops....im only starting so by the time i can do that stuff, i think ill be read for a better bike =] my dream bike is the Yeti 575, it looks soooo nice

meanwhile

Prices on retiring models usually dive over the autumn. It's the best way to buy.

htam_har

so september october?

Daspydyr 

Look at the Norco Nitro. Its a good XC choice. hefty enough to handle some downhilling. The Scott Spark 50 is @$2K, but a smoking FS deal. Good Geometry.