Pinkbike Poll: The One Bike

Jun 6, 2013 at 23:06
by Richard Cunningham  
What if you were forced to choose one bike that you would have to use for every aspect of your cycling for the rest of your life? Let’s say that the brand of the bike doesn’t matter and you must pick from one of the major categories like, downhill, all-mountain, XC/trail, or slopestyle, etc. Could you live with a dual-crown gravity sled and pass on trail riding? Would you take the practical route and buy a hardtail with aggressive enough geometry to handle the steeps? Short-travel dual-suspension trailbikes are awesomely capable these days, but could 120-millimeters get ‘er done if you decided to try some enduro racing? By far, the model of the moment is a 150-millimeter AM/trailbike, but could you session with it at the jump park?

testing the Yeti SB-66 self-portrait

Brad Walton puts the six-inch-travel Yeti SB 66 to task in the roots of Bellingham, Washington. Accomplished Big Bike riders like Walton can coax an all-mountain trailbike like the SB 66 down and over almost every feature that they ride their gravity bikes on. Brad Walton photo



Life throws other considerations into the mix that could dramatically affect your decision. Mister Spandex XC might fall in love with Miss Pro DH and find himself wishing for something more than a road bike with lumpy tread and flat handlebars. How will that freestyle hardtail and your size-six, double low-rise stretch-jeans be working for you ten years from now, when the magnitude of your butt is on par with that of the average Harley Davidson rider? Will you be pulling your daughter in her Hello Kitty trailer around the park behind that Demo 8? I’ll bet that 29er single-speed rocked when you worked in Wisconsin for Trek, but now that you took a position with Yeti in Colorado…? Are there lift-access parks in Florida?

photo

Kyle Strait demonstrates that there are some situations where only one bike will fill the bill. Arguably, the biggest jump at Red Bull Rampage 2012. Margus Riga photo




Take the Pinkbike Poll

So, what would be your one bike for life?




Cruising through the forest aboard the Chromag Aperture

Chromag Aperture hardtail in its element. Mike Kazimer proves that dual suspension is not a requirement for shredding parks and technical trails. One wonders, however if a 30-pound steel hardtail is as fun as a 27-pound carbon dual-suspension trailbike? Brad Walton photo




Bonus Poll - 1




<Deleted photo>



Bonus Poll - 2




Niner RIP 9 hero

Big wheels can make up for lost suspension travel, should you choose to downsize from a long-travel all-mountain/freeride machine to hedge against a future lifestyle change. Niner's RIP-9 has proven to be a capable choice for technical trail riding. Ian Hylands photo



Author Info:
RichardCunningham avatar

Member since Mar 23, 2011
974 articles

319 Comments
  • 187 4
 All mountain, do it all, can we go ride now!?
  • 24 2
 Amen to that.
  • 9 2
 are we talking about a bike we can ride as we get old or a bike we can ride to our max ability at all times? im slopestyle fs but i know i cant throw barspins and 3s when im 65.
  • 25 0
 Gosh Darn I Love Bikes!
  • 20 0
 At the moment a P Slope would be perfect.
  • 20 14
 200 dual crown on the front, and 200 on the rear, and I can go anywhere.
  • 114 4
 Except up big hills.
  • 48 9
 except 5 miles on flat
  • 7 1
 master, i will follow you
  • 9 2
 Canfield The One. 200mm rear and 180mm front. 34lbs. 20 mile rides no problem. This is "The One Bike".
  • 14 4
 hehe, 20 mile rides arent much at all......."the one" bike should make it much farther.
  • 50 0
 Five years ago this was a hard question. Today it's a no brainer. 160mm travel, slack head angle, 30lb build. Climb it, jump it, shred DH runs. Done.
  • 4 0
 @ jejQ: now that's what i call a man! right now i'm 25 and I haven't met a climb I couldn't attack (from the ones i actualy want to anyway), let's just hope we can keep that up for as long as we ride bikes! it's amazing how steep and far a little fitness and determination will get you. I picked 180mm plus tough and reckon that at 65 I will need a little bit more than a little fitness and determination to get me to the top on such a rig!
  • 11 1
 I think we are close to being able to have one bike. The V10 is adjustable from 10" to 8.5" and weighs the same as a nomad. All we need is a V8 that goes from 8.5" to 6.3" and weighs 6lbs, with a fork that does the same. Two sets of wheels, 1x11 and a dropper and you've got all you need. DH wheelset could have 6 or 7 speeds with a switch on the shifter or mech to block out the rest. Dropper could have an easy way to remove it (hydraulic snap fittings) so you can have a lightweight post and saddle to swap out when you don't need it. Pretty much every other component is the same on my nomad and v10 anyway.
  • 5 0
 I'm struggling to see why there is a distinction between FR/DC and DH/DC as they seem to me to be more descriptive of riding style than the machine it's done on. Seems like "Long Travel Dual Crown" would've made more sense.
  • 8 40
flag WAKIdesigns (Jun 7, 2013 at 7:29) (Below Threshold)
 JejQ and jhmm - Yes, I think DH bikes are the way to go, everything below is just marketing, a leech sucking money and energy from people - most importantly the stoke! I used to be anal on people using front mech, but thanks to you I can come out now, with what I truly believe in: a real man will ride a DH bike anywhere and can uphill the steepest gradients, anyone else is a pussy. Here's how I did it first time: I inserted a latex replica of Jenna Jamesons vagina into the hole in the tree on top of the mountain. Then I took 4 Viagras at once... SRSLY - sometimes you can hear me riding up the hill singing: I'm in the mood for loooooove!
  • 11 4
 There was this guy that came into our shop who put on slicks on his dual crown Kona Stinky because he couldn't find a road bike that fit him decently (6'4", a solid mass of muscle with a really short torso but super long limbs.) He would keep up on the 35 mile, 23 mph road rides. He ended up getting a custom frame from Moots.

Any bike can go anywhere. The limitation is the rider (and arguably the tires) which is why statements like this are kinda pointless.
  • 15 7
 The best bike out there is the one you own now, not the one you'd like to. Advertising created all this necessity for "better"...
  • 6 2
 Maybe not a pure DH bike built for alpine terrain (e.g. Scott Gambler, Intense M9) because it would be a nightmare on tighter sigletracks but I do think a good enduro/trail/whatever bike is a 'mini' downhill bike only with a dropper post and a bigger cassette.

Trying to combine uphill and downhill performance in most cases ends up as a compromise that's far from cool to ride - why have a 70mm stem when you can spec a 50mm one basing the reach and stack around it? Why have a specific enduro tyre (Schwalbe HD) that doesn't corner like ,say, a Minion but still is a drag uphill? Why have such light frames that you're afraid to send it on a rock guarden?

Take my Honzo. Dropper post, pure DH tyre (Spesh Butcher), 50mm stem, 760mm bars, flat pedals and so on. Current weight is around 13.2kg, which is only 700gr more than a regular 29er hardtail and it rolls quite good (comparable to a 26er on RR's) while being an absolute blast on the downhills and singletracks.

In short, the little gains for climbing aren't worth the big costs in fun..
  • 23 19
 At the end of the day a skinny full on XC racer with long stem 620 bars and bar ends can do much more than a DH bike, period. If anyone one is about to discover what MTB is about and you can give him one of those two, the XC bike will be the way to go. Just the idea that most people here are into gravity does not change the fact that DH bikes are the least all round mountain bikes out there. They might provide the most vivid experience, but not the broadest range of experiences. And most people ride stuff that falls into 120-180 category that this poll and sales numbers of all companies clearly point out. At the end of the day it comes down to the fact that very few people owning MTBs live in mountain areas

Joseph - it works the other way around as well: sometimes little gains on donwhill can bring big costs to all roundness.
  • 6 0
 Giant reign x, sorted
  • 1 3
 Definitely a "freestyle jumper" lol
  • 6 1
 Waki, a skinny full on XC racer would last about 30mins under me. I'd double flat, dent the rims, bend the shock mounts and break myself from ridiculously narrow bars. If I gave my wife a bike like that when she was a beginner she'd be playing golf by now. XC bikes are as specific as DH bikes and each one sucks at the other. For those that have said you can climb a DH bike up anything, you've forgotten to consider that a DH bike actually is not the fastest, nor the most fun way down well over half of the most awesome trails out ther. I love my V10 and ride it about 80 days a year, but it's the last bike I want to ride on the other 100 days I'm on my bike. Either my hardtail or my Nomad gets the nod.
  • 10 12
 I guess we can agree that "uphillng a DH bike up anything is a plain preschool bullshit". XC bike in usual XC setup will get up to the start of Fort William DH track and get down it, which you could probably do that twice in one day. A DH bike in usual DH setup won't get pedaled up there probably at all.

I did mention: if you live in mountains. Majority of people owning mountain bikes doesn't live in place with hills higher than 1000ft because big cities where most of people live, are founded far from mountain areas. Don't worry I am not going into history of establishing cities.

and kramster: you are either 250lbs or you are trying to come out real tough... XC racer will not allow you to get too fast on a regular ride - if you are as good, you will adjust your technique to the bike maximum capabilities. You won't send a single thing with such bike thus you can't break it easily.
  • 5 0
 Stumpy evo. The best all around bike I have ever owned. Swapped the shit SRAM brakes for shimano. Put xx1 cranks on. If I had to chose one bike. It's the one I have now. And you always need a dirt jumper.
  • 10 1
 NO HARDTAIL LOVE Frown
  • 2 2
 Waki, why would I want to adjust my riding technique to suit your silly idea? You may as well say you can do trials on a carbon road bike. Yeah it's been done, but that last thing I want to think about when I'm riding is whether my front tire is going to blow now or in a few minutes from now.
You don't have to be 250lbs or much good to flat 2.1 single ply tires and wreck 350g rims. I can ride my Nomad without 'adjusting my technique' at all in Whistler if I feel like it. Sure, it will be marginally slower and less comfy and won't last as long, but good luck sending the Crabapple Hits, or riding Mt7 Psychosis on 70D head angle 21 pound race machine with 2.1 tires and 620mm bar and 6 inch rotors.
I regularly bent the shock bolt on my Blur 4X, cracked a V10 at the headtube and a Chameleon at the chainstay yoke. No, I'm not a tough guy at all, but does that give you a clue that someone other than you might be capable of destroying a pure XC race machine on a DH track in a run or two? It's got nothing to do with being tough, and everything to do with horses for courses and that little pony cannot take much I guarantee it.

Not sure if you're just trying to stir shit, or maybe you very unfortunately just don't have a clue because you don't have terrain that makes your idea sound laughable. But either way thanks for jab big guy.
  • 7 0
 Ever heard of this little town called vancouver? The world is a big place. Stop making broad statements about places you have obviously never been.
  • 3 0
 wow, people sure take other people's opinions personally ........... funny stuff..........
  • 3 0
 Everything turns into an argument. The idea was to just picture your one perfect bike. Everybody's idea of that will be different, depending on style and terrain. Heck, It really might just come down to your passion. not even what's most versitile. Some might say well I could not live without DH, so that's my pick.
  • 2 0
 Darkstar I agree with your view that it's all personal and didn't mean to turn this into an argument. Should have just let the jab go, but clearly have nothing better to do than talk crap on the internet since breaking my arm.

Waki, on revisiting your first post I now think I see what you mean. If you're trying to say it's more versatile I would agree. If you're trying to say you can do 'more' on it, that's all dependant on what 'more' you want to do. Is it good for a beginner? Depends where you live I guess; I personally wouldn't recommend it to a non racer around here. If that's the bike you'd choose forever that's your call and I'm sure some people would live happily ever after and wouldn't be riding trails that are bike breakers anyway. Looks like we'll both be negged into oblivion anyway.
  • 5 0
 yea I kind of meant that, and I kind of wanted to create a stir as you have noticed... I have this psycho delight of throwing people feeling in comfort, of being in a leading group out of it, and it is a dogma here on PB that you better say that DH bikes are super cool. I gave an example of an extreme. Me personaly, even if I could be given only a XC hardtail to ride for the rest of my life, I would put wide bars and short stem to it, then as fat tyres as I can fit in there. As Darkstar says, each terrain and rider profile will have a different most versatile bike. If one lives in big mountains then 7" bike makes perfect sense, if one lives in the hills that would be a huge overkill.

Those polls are inevitably guiding people to try to find the best bike for everyone everywhere. I don't know why we are fine with accepting diversity when choosing tyres while, same logic can be and should be applied to nearly every component of the bike. Like: wide bars FTW, but what if one lives in area with damn tight vegetation, how do you make your bike stable in other way than putting a long stem, when you can't have bars wider than 650?!
  • 8 0
 Cut trees, not bars Wink
  • 2 0
 What about a bonus poll # 3 - Which bike! Wink
  • 2 0
 Always been curious of how those ride.sounds like a killer bike
  • 3 0
 waki - enduro bikes are already quite gravity orientated so for 'real' climbing I wouldn't think of riding one. Which brings us back to my point - why not go all the way so it's pretty much perfect for the main purpose (i.e. descending, technical stuff, jumps) and acceptable for the other (climbing) , which, let's be honest, is less important?
  • 5 10
flag beanbelly (Jun 7, 2013 at 20:26) (Below Threshold)
 Apparently there are 665 fags....... Damn 29rs
  • 1 0
 Like my Orbea
  • 2 1
 Full custom 2011 Kona AbraCadabra! Seen alot of Kona Bashing in the couple years I've been on here, but it all seems to be directed to a couple bad production runs from years back... or people that simply don't like the available colour schemes.

Simply put, I can climb almost as well as an XC rig, and I can descend near as quick as a DH rig. I can lock out front and rear for long road and flat trail rides.In all, I have ridden DH,(On downhill courses) and I have ridden XC racers... mostly on my local trails, and I find my 150 front 160 rear is a perfect balance for all riding.

My parts specs are burly enough to handle a good amount of abuse, and the build is also light enough to keep riding a hundred plus km at a time.(in the average month I put 600-1000 km on my bike, mostly weekend riding, with the odd 5k jaunt through my locals.). So my one bike is a mish mash of none stock on a sickeningly light enduro/AM frame.

Thanks for reading guys!
  • 1 6
flag beanbelly (Jun 8, 2013 at 5:00) (Below Threshold)
 My bad 724 fags now
  • 6 0
 Calling people who prefer to ride a different wheelsize fags is seriously lame. The IQ of people like "The-mnt-life365" must be similar to the IQ of a goldfish. Ride and let ride. We share the same passion, calling fellow riders names for not prefering the exact same set up like you is just low. Very low. What's next? Calling everyone names who don't have the same frame color as you do? Seriously, grow up. And keep your mouth closed until you can't behave like a normal person.
  • 6 0
 Just checked out "The-mnt-life365"s profile: another 15 years old kid thinking he's though on the internet. Just another kid who shits his pants when anyone talks to him in real, but acts like a thug on the internet.
  • 3 3
 It was a joke!!! My best friend rides a trek mamba... A 29r and I joke around with him about it all the time!! And thug.... I didn't say anything truly malicious at all... And ya I get excited when people talk to me in person....I get pumped when I get comment replies, I get excited about everything dude I follow you anyway I have for a while and I have respect for anyone who bikes... If you have a bike doesn't matter what size wheels I think it's chill cause there are like 5 kids that bike where I live everyone else is older than 35 and is at that point in there life where it's not about really thrill of biking anymore but more about just getting some exercise... But I digress... A lot. But anyways I was kidding and my apologies ill try to take the comments down.
  • 6 0
 Looks like he shits his pants when anyone talks to him on the internet too.
  • 1 0
 Me or spongebomb?
  • 3 1
 Ok who thumbs down a sincere apology??? like I could have been a douche and taken the low road and just been retarded but I didnt. i did what a respectable person would do and what was right and I still get hate
wtf ppl.... You just don't give it any props just leave it flat and move on with your lives
  • 52 1
 Funny thing is, I pretty much live this poll. Ride an old ass freeride bike can't afford new. I do it all on one bike, like I have a choice. funny
  • 9 1
 Same here! With a teenage budget, I can't afford much. I ride a kona coiler for everything off road. It's heavy but fuck it I'm getting stronger goin up hills
  • 5 0
 We all did this when we started out. My bike was a 1996 GT Zaskar. Still have and use it too. I it all, xc,trials,dh, dirt jumps, and everything in between. If i had to give up my other bikes now i would stick with that bike.
  • 4 0
 I work in a bike shop- rode a $4600 FS 29er last summer, sold it to go back to riding my 2002 kona stinky this year, which I don't think I will ever sell.
  • 3 0
 Everybody has that one bike that no matter how old it is and how much it needs an upgrade, they will keep.
  • 1 0
 I rode a coiler for a few years boogaloo77, I agree, It helped make me a stronger rider as it was my do everything bike as well. When you do get to upgrade, I suggest a bike that is a little more stretched out, takes a bit to get used to the geometry, but taking the strength you get from climbing the coiler and putting it on something a little more suited to an enduro/weekend warrior ride will make the ups alot easier... and if you stay in the AM suspension range(130+) you will love it.. I ride 150front 160 rear and it kills on everything... wouldn't flatty it though, lol.
  • 1 0
 thank you for the advice. i will keep this in mind!
  • 34 1
 A bike made of boobies
  • 6 0
 That we can ride up to hooter hill and ride the titty twister!!
  • 26 0
 This is almost like relationships and significant others, go for broke or stay low maintenance, quickie or tantric, slut or future mom, blond or brunnette ? Spit or... nevermind ! You get the idea right ?
  • 4 0
 Hahaha bullseye!
  • 17 1
 I think in second question its very dificult to decide i think the shimano or sram its a very good brands and dont have much diference into the 2 brands that's my opinion Wink

sry for my English xD
  • 54 2
 If we're talking about the drivetrain, I agree with you. But Shimano brakes are way ahead of Sram's, in my opinion.
  • 13 2
 ye I hate avid brakes, constant bleeding!! shimano brakes are so much better!!
  • 5 2
 My "new" rear XT brake has NO power... can anyone help?
  • 21 1
 The problem is that SRAM wins the drivetrain with XX1, but shimano wins the brakes competition. So most people will vote for shimano as their drivetrains are still very good, while many have been put off by SRAM brakes...
  • 5 1
 @richierocket: Yes. Ask a wise buddy in real life or head to your LBS.
  • 7 5
 New avid brakes are very good!
  • 7 2
 My codes are the best brakes I've ever ridden, that and I'm a SRAM drivetrain guy and it's an easy choice
  • 3 5
 Interesting discussion... I vote for Shimano because in my opinion their drivetrain are way ahead, you just can't ignore that smooth shifting. However, as for brake choice I go with Avid; my new Code brakes are incredible and more precise (i.e., progressive) than the Saints! Smile
  • 6 1
 I've got the new Code brakes too, and they are incredible! Never have had a problem with X9 either...not once.
  • 4 1
 How are the XO Trail's? I hear they are powerful and quite reliable too.
  • 5 5
 I am amazed people prefer Shimano brakes to Sram. I will NEVER purchase Shimano brakes again. Case in point: Gee bird video pre-ride brake pump...dumb!
  • 4 1
 Both companies are very good, I've ridden bikes with both Shimano and Sram components. Unfortunately the constant need to bleed situation with Avid is very irritating especially if you notice the smallest amount of fade. Shimano's ice technology is pure genius and certainly means Shimano have the braking edge over Sram. Drivetrain is a similar story, sure XX1 is all very smart blah blah blah, bottom line is: 1. Shimano developed the revolutionary clutch system. Sram simply adopted it. 2. XX1 is relatively new kit. Shimano will match if not better it.
  • 4 2
 I have new XO Trails and can say they are the best brakes I have ever used. They have been on the bike for 6 months with zero problems.
  • 7 1
 Wait 6 more months when the dot fluid starts to eat away at the seals and your brakes stop working, then buy shimano.
  • 2 1
 @captainvonawesome.... he was just adjusting the reach on his levers. It's probably a pretty common thing to have to do when you travel and re-assemble your bike constantly.
  • 3 0
 +1 for XO Trails. ive been using it for almost a year(11 months to be exact) with no single issue. tons of stopping power BUT bleeding is much more inconvenient compared to shimano.
  • 1 0
 ehhh... He was probably adjusting the reach because of the air build up in the system causing the lever to bottom out. I'm sure they work great until they don't. Been there; won't live like that anymore. I have three sets of srams one set is five years old!. Flawless (after flushing the factory bleed).
  • 5 0
 I don't know if I stand alone in liking shimano's trigger shifters WAY MORE than SRAM. For some reason how easily they shift makes me love them.
  • 1 1
 XO twist grip > everything else. You have no idea until you've ridden/owned a pair.
  • 1 0
 I've used Shimano and SRAM a fair bit. Currently, I like SRAM mostly because the bar set up is so much better. They both shift well. Shimano brakes feel nice but make hard to position my reverb remote. XO trails are excellent, especially with Hope rotors. The one place I really like Shimano above all is my XTR cranks. They are super light, strong and reliable and come in more length options than SRAM (I use 180 mm because I have long legs)
  • 5 0
 i will never use twist grip gears again not a chance.
  • 3 0
 yea ive been running x0 trails on my glory for about 8 months. they get thrashed regularly and work perfectly every time and i have never needed to bleed them either! so much more modulation than saints and they weigh nothing
  • 2 0
 I have avid elixir 9 and no issues after 100 hrs of riding. I can adjust the feel right on my bars but have yet to touch it as its the same as day 1 and great stopping power. I like that the dropper integrate together with the brake levers for a simple setup on the bars. I also have x7 shifters and they are bang on! As well as the x9 deraillers I have yet to adjust anything after a lot of nasty gnarly riding , multiple crashes. Could not be happier.
  • 1 0
 Hey my tektro decro brakes have gotten really soft and I've only had them for 2 weeks... And they're on my DJ.... The thing Is they are soft but if I squeeze them a couple time really quick they stiffen up... Then if I don't squeeze them for about 5 seconds they go crazy soft again.... Any help I need them to work I don't have a back up bike.... And I've got group rides!!!
  • 1 0
 It's happened really quick too like ....they where fine then i went some where came back and then i dont know .....they now need some Viagra or some shit.
  • 1 0
 Sounds like you need to bleed them. I have seen new brakes come from the factory and need to be bled.
  • 1 0
 Ya they ended up needing to be bled! They have lasted much longer since then but im getting rid of the bike soon! Thanks for the help!!! I think the factory seals were faulty and went bad immediately!!
  • 11 1
 29" Hartail for sure. Remember this is for ALL your riding for forever. Want to do a road ride? Put som skinny tires on the 29er and you are good to go. Touring, commuting, xc racing, general cross country, a 29" hardtail is the most veristile bike out there.
  • 3 1
 I agree.
  • 5 0
 I have a hardtail 29er and I agree, but there are lots of times when I wish I had a little (80-100 mm) squish in the rear.
  • 2 1
 This is the most realistic answer so far but unless you're really riding off-road most of the time or a recreational rider and don't have to get stuff done on your bike, why should your only bike be a MTB at all? The true most versatile bikes are the cyclocross-style road bikes: ride trails or road, mount points for racks & fenders, tire widths up to 34-38mm, preferably drop bars for choice of hand position, maybe single speed or internal hub for reduced maintenance and reliability in winter.
  • 7 0
 I've done just that, I've only room in my shed for one bike nevermind budget considerations so I have 160mm Rocky mountain slayer. Yes its over kill for some situations but it still pedals very well round our XC loops and is never out of its depth on the big runs either. As for drive train I've used both sram and shimano and had no issues with either but the brakes swayed me to shimano as I just cant get on with my elixers. 26 for life!!!
  • 10 0
 due to the ridiculously high prices for bikes and components we are really forced to ride just one bike
  • 10 0
 I have trouble narrowing it down to six bikes, and I still don't have an All Marketing carbon 650b All Terrain Velocipede.
  • 8 0
 i am happy with the bike i have right now its like everything else look after it and if its not broken dont try to fix it . hope everyone of you out there has a great summer .
  • 10 4
 lol that last poll on wheels says it all, I don't want to hear anymore marketing bull or see anymore films of pros having "so much fun" on big wheels.
26 is the best option for the rest of us and the pros can keep their massive hoops for the races.
  • 11 1
 Must be a slow day in the office.
  • 9 3
 Slope Style...

They're short travel, so you can rip trail riding with at least some semblance of efficiency, while probably having more fun than your XC/trail bike riding nerd friends, just make sure your seat post is long enough!

They're slack geo wise, so you can make it down any DH riding if you're smart with your line choices.... sure, you can't race, and your buddies might beat you on the tech trails, but you can rip the jump trails with the best of 'em.

Toss on your Holy Rollers, and BAM! You can shred up the urban scene or the skate park with class and style. No biggy.

Any other types of riding? Those are for nerds anyway, you don't need it!
  • 2 2
 Oh, and 26, and Shimano. Just preference.
  • 3 2
 Really? A purpose built competition bike is your "one"? Hey like they say there's an ass for every seat, ride on man!
  • 1 0
 My Dob LePink is my favourite bike of all. It's amazing how much I can get away with on it, AND it makes everything at least 73x more fun xD
  • 1 0
 Something like a Mongoose Nugget or a GT Distortion would be an awesome "only bike" to have! That dobermann looks pretty sick too. All you have to do is switch tires... minions for dh, ardents for trail riding, and holy rollers for the park and cruising around town. bingo.
  • 1 0
 Actually I've been running Continental Mountain Kings for everything and they're pretty good all round. Plenty of grip and barely any rolling resistance. With the setup I have atm, I'd be pretty stoked on the Dob even if I couldn't change out any components!
  • 5 0
 I`ve been with my (t)rusty Bottlerocket (coil shock) and 160 float rc2 fork for past 4 seasons and I`m still not convinced I need a change. And I do ride everything from XC to light DH on it, with some DJ in between or just going out for a beer.
  • 1 0
 Hmm I think if you tried a true am you would be surprised the difference it would make in your overall abilities
  • 5 0
 as much as I love my downhill bike it's just not practical to have around, yes I love riding downhill and the things you can do on a downhill bike are amazing (you can sort of ride the same trails with 160mm enduro but it takes the fun out of it) but soon enough I won't be 15 anymore, I'll be moved out at some point after that and then shuttles will become a pain in the ass and I won't have them nearly as often, I'll never sell my enduro/all mountain bike unless it's to get a new enduro/all mountain bike, these bikes are just too practical even if it's a bad ride up and a bad ride down
  • 8 0
 Wow, if you think modern enduros are a bad ride anywhere you are very blessed to have missed out on a lot of crummy bikes.
  • 1 2
 going from 203mm to 160mm is going to be a bad time no matter what as my trails are mostly steep, fast, and rough, but you have a valid point I started out on a B1 Woodbumble Plus with a manitou stance/manitou metel rp suspension combo and hayes nines handling the braking, that was brutal and I'm happy to avoid the time when bikes were even worse then that
  • 1 0
 I can tell you the newest 160 am/enduro bikes climb like a billy goat and rip going downhill. Trust me my 2013 covert is a true DO IT ALL. Xc or dh or trails its top notch at all aspects. I climb like never before. And add that it has ctd with climb mode ohhhh how sweet it is!!! Come join the OTHERSIDE
  • 1 2
 ummm I ride a 2012 rocky mountain slayer 70 and a 2012 commencal supreme dh v3, am bikes don't descend as well as dh bikes period. yes you can ride almost all the same stuff you can on a downhill bike but it's just not as fun, you can't just plow shit and take ridiculous lines the same, maybe it's just being a kid but I love how downhill bikes are, impractical but more fun than any other bike out there
  • 1 3
 actually here I'll use a car comparison, think of an all mountain bike as a ford escape and a downhill bike as an lamborghini aventador, yes the escape is more useful and really does do it all but you can't have the same level as fun as you would with the aventador (ignore the car prices to make it an effective comparison)
  • 2 0
 Ya that's how u ride maybe. But I Plow through everything I see and don't think twice on my am. And my covert is the Bugatti of mountain bikes thanks. I prefer the lighter am for more fun. Not sure why u think your dh is more fun?? I ride the same dh trails on my covert as all the full dh no issues no difference other than I use my dropper and can pedal alot more efficient.
  • 1 2
 different areas maybe, here on the shore the unsanctioned trails are quite a bit steeper and a whole lot more scary then anything else, they're just not fun on the am because you're braking the whole time trying to pick lines, you can't just thrash the bike, the official trails and whistler on the other hand make quite a bit more sense for an am bike, so I can agree with you if you're just hitting up blue mountain or whatever you guys got there
  • 2 0
 How can u say whatever we got here when stuff is steep and gnarly everywhere?? Or you think where u live is the only place??
Check how slack the recent am bikes are. My fox float is almost 7 inch with 67 degree. Trust me I don't brake and pick lines I pound straight through the gnar just like you bud! Have you been to blue mountain? How can you say what it's like??
  • 2 0
 Tr 450 is 63 degree and tr450 64.5 degree so tell me I can Plow steep gnar??
  • 1 2
 I have been to blue actually... that's the funny part, not insulting your riding spots because I'm sure there is a few unsanctioned trails in your spot that at least compete with whistler, whatever you say though dude, just try out a good dh bike and find some nice sketchy trails (or build a few) or some big mountain riding (if thats not just a bc thing) and then tell me what you think
  • 1 0
 Yep been there done that many times, sorry you feel that a dh bike is more fun not in my opinion....
  • 6 0
 The rule states that the correct number of bikes is "n+1", where "n" is the current number of bikes owned. Therefore this poll is axiomatically incorrect.
  • 3 0
 Agreed - the poll is inherently flawed. One bike? That's like saying one beer or one pair of shoes. There can't be only one!
  • 2 0
 4 is the magic number for me dh "intense socom" ,trailbike "altitude 750" ,bmx "fit eddie sig ", and dj/slope bike ive had em all and feel like im always mising something everytime i sell one so im gonna build my fleet and replace not just sell
  • 1 0
 By definition of rule #12, your assertion that 4 is the "magic number" is incorrect.
  • 1 0
 Unless by 4, you mean inches =]]
  • 4 0
 The best do it ALL bike ever made in my opinion is the banshee wildcard. With its adjustable travel and geometry it can be set up as everything from a Full DH rig to a slope bike depending on what fork and build you have on it.
  • 3 0
 agreed. slope bikes are a great choice for people that literally do everything! jumping, downhill, climbs better than a full dh, and does everything inbetween very respectably.
  • 4 0
 Scott Voltage FR is the one you're looking for!
  • 1 0
 Exactly. I love my voltages!! So versatile.
  • 3 0
 I just got my bike for life last week - 2013 Reign 1. Drivetrain and brakes pure Shimano SLX and work like a dream - can't get over how good the brakes are. 150mm front and back - can run a taller fork if i want and will fit 650 b wheels when I destroy the DT's on it at the moment.
  • 5 1
 PB - how much do you get from the bike companies for all the poll info- just wonderin? :-) Based on this one - they should all abandon 29ers and 650 b and start designing sixers again!
  • 2 0
 I'm gonna guess that most people are voting based on what they HAVE as opposed to what they WANT. It's how we're wired as goofy consumers.
  • 2 0
 i chose slope bikes, used to have one, wish i had one again. loved that sexy bitch. i agree with abandoning those wheel sizes though, as long as we're still tacoing 26 in rims it makes no sense to me to start over with something even larger.
  • 5 0
 I'd probably go with something that could be many bikes like the Scott voltage....
  • 3 0
 Great bike. Had one and was extremely versatile. I now ride a 180mm travel Canyon Torque TrailFlow and am yet to be disapointed.
  • 7 1
 Thanks God that we don't have to choose only one bike...
  • 4 0
 All Mountain leaning toward the freeride side. Something that you can still ride back up the hill.. Hey wait. I have that already It's a RM Slayer!!
  • 5 0
 All I can think when I do these polls is how much are mountain bike companies paying for this market research?
  • 2 0
 I kind of feel like the pinkbike audience is a lot shittier market research than looking at actual sales numbers, or asking shop owners what people are curious about, but you know...
  • 6 0
 You are missing freeride-single crown in the poll.
  • 2 0
 This is a good question. Despite that i have three bikes, 150mm fullsus, DH-sled and xc-hardtail, i think i spend most of my ridingtime on a hardtail. Then, on the other hand i have most fun time on DH-bike and most overall-riding/qualitytime on my fullsus.
I know i can´t ride DH forever, my body says it "no more" somewhere distant future. So i´ll say, i starded riding on hardtails and i end it on hardtails. 26 wheeled, Ti or Steel Hardtail with 120-140mm fork would be my most realistic choise, for rest of my life.
  • 3 0
 I feel like nobody who answered this poll commutes by bike and realistic distance. A 20 mile flat commute will cause most posters here to pick a fairly xcrountry-ish geometry with some sort of lockouts.
  • 2 0
 Good to see in that poll 29ers get the lowest vote. Seems to be a allot of talk about the industry being able to support only two wheel sizes long term. I think is 10 years time people are going to look back and laugh about 29ers... 26 and 27.5. Job done.
  • 1 0
 bet you a slab there's still 29ers in 10 years...
  • 1 0
 You're on.
  • 2 0
 I could live with my rigid single-speed 29er. I live in the Blue Ridge Mts. of Virginia and mostly ride a fantastic place called Carvins Cove. At 41 years old the climbs keep me in shape and not having suspension keeps me honest. But the 4 inch travel old Iron Horse sure is fun on the downhills!
  • 2 0
 Heckler served me well for 9 years, went through multiple transitions and is still running strong, "Respect". Replaced the Heckler this year with an Intense Tracer 2 sporting Fox Talas 160mm fork, CCDB shock with 26" wheel set, and loving every minute on it. Ride on!
  • 2 0
 A light 120-140 mm travel 29er FS or a 100 mm travel 29 FS with heavier wheels and tires. Dropper post and XX1 on both. Gonna roll the dice on X0 Trail brakes on my next rig even though I've been on XT brakes for a year now; XT brakes and SRAM shifters don't really play well together... I enjoy covering big miles, and regardless of what haters say, a 29er is the best for covering big miles.
  • 2 0
 Wow this is kind of an obvious question.... If u could only have one bike, wouldn't it be something that struck a compromise between xc and dh... I.e., all-mountain?? The obvious answer? It's like, if you could pick between a knife, a fork, or a spoon, of course you'd pick the fork??
  • 3 0
 I would have picked 27.5 but then I remembered there is no such wheel size. When will the mountainbiking community realise 650B is not the same thing as 27.5

650B = 27.1 get it right peeps...
  • 3 1
 Carbon AM frame with 150mm, single ring w/ 10 rear. Float 34 in the front with ENVE wheels. XTR cockpit to Saint components. Dropper post. Carbon bars and crankset. Ceramic bearings, ti bolts... to start
  • 2 0
 It seems like you have given this some thought...
  • 1 0
 Yes to this. Needs photos but I would swap Fox for Bos suspension.
  • 4 3
 Mojo HD, so versatile and as good in any of the 3 modes you can run. 140 with 150 fork, light AM/XC, 160/160 perfect all mountain Enduro bike, run it with a 170 or 180 coil travel fork and coil shock its bees nees, go DH that puppy, also its light still pedals like a beast and strong as na na nails, run over snails! Forget wheel sizes just get the right frame, Sram because XX1 kicks everything else before it to the curb, been running that for 8 months not dropped a chain missed a gear, summer Fall now in winter, yeah baby!
  • 4 0
 Only problem I have with XX1 is the price. I'll get it eventually but not on my current frame, XT all the way for that until I get XTR. Thinking a Mojo or a Bronson with Hope Everything and XX1.
  • 2 0
 In my country, average fresh grad doing executive job get MYR2000/month equivalent to USD650+ , a Giant reign 2 cost MYR6800
  • 5 0
 Cant imagine my life without my Nomad C. DH, AM, XC and tootling around with my old lady(please don't tell her I called her that).
  • 1 0
 Its pricey if individual components or upgrading, but if you need a complete drivetrain then its not that bad, but still they need an X9 version A sap! Its the best thing to happen the mtb since disc brakes, death to the front D before 650b!
  • 1 0
 SRAM XO1 is supposedly on its way for the fall... Maybe we'll see X91 next year...?
  • 6 0
 specialized enduro
  • 1 0
 carbon
  • 3 0
 Looking at those results, are people really wondering why Trek isnt building this Slopestyle Bike "everybody" wants soo bad ?
  • 11 1
 Here we go to one of the great fascinations of people working with target groups and polls in marketing and PR, this is the deep shit:

People don't necessarily buy what the say they want to buy.

1.What they think 2.What they say they think, 3. what they actualy do 4.Then what they think they did, can be completely unrelated to one another. Anything can happen when we buy products that are not the necessities at the moment of necessity. Feeling that you are completely disilusioned is the biggest delusion
  • 2 0
 very true Waki. our nsa can work with marketing depts now, too! the one bike would be whichever one i see the most of in the buy/sell for local pick-up only.
  • 1 0
 I hit the trails on my demo.I cross country train on It also it makes for great strengt h training. I ride nothing less than 3.0 and when I hit the road I firm up the tire pressure and even give road bikers hell with only 9 gears. The power of love baby :-)
  • 2 1
 I would probably get a slopestyle bike, but set it up like an all mountain bike. A bike like that would let me ride up any hill with the pedal efficiency, and back down with a longer travel fork and the frame durability. And it would look badass. And I could do jumps. etc.
  • 1 0
 My Iron Horse 6Point4 gets it all done, I use it for xc and am duties, even serves me well for the occasional uplift day or the jump park razzle. I'd say if I could have anything, it'd either be the Kona Entourage, or the Yeti SB-66. The SB-66 shreds so damn hard, especially at local(Glentress) it has such great trail flow. Not saying I'd rather not ride my Iron Horse though haha, I'm actually getting rid of my 24'' hardtail because I'm just getting a bmx for street/park. I'm not exactly sending proper trails style dirt jumps so I feel I don't really need the spare bike. An AM bike with 150mm, pro pedal and maybe at a push lockout(because CTD sucks balls) and that'd be a great all rounder, such as a Trek Remedy 8/9 or a Bronson.
  • 1 0
 Ride an '05 Horst Link 130mm Turner 5 Spot. Still totally solid, though feel like I'm starting to push it a bit hard. Eyeing a Banshee Rune or Knolly Chilcotin; happy to take on more weight for capacity. Don't plan on ever riding full on DH or big-huck freeride. Haven't spent enough time on 29 or 27.5 to be sure, though I *seriously* love the playfullness of 26 and am willing to work harder on technical trail; don't really care how fast I can descend, I care how much fun I can have. On my brief forays into >26" wheels the trail just felt too smooth, and the bike seemed harder to flick. Maybe it's just the bikes I rode (Santa Cruz Tallboy and KHS 6500) or maybe it's just in my head, though climbing yesterday up through the rooty rocky singletrack that's standard fare for Maine, I was loving the fun of having to pick a line and actually ride the bike up, rather than just spinning up a fire road. Then again, being able to more easily session the descents would be pretty sweet!!!
  • 1 0
 After 20 years of riding I finally bought my "one" bike. 2012 Tracer 2 26" with a Fox 36 160mm fork and SRAM XO/X9 drivetrain. It is a little sluggish in the climbs but it flys with great confidence when pointed down the hill! I voted SRAM over Shimano because the shifting performance of the XO is amazing. I haven't had any issues with the Elixer 9 brakes yet but I'm no stranger to the common complaints of Avid. The only things it is missing (for now) is a dropper post.
  • 1 0
 i dont actually have a trail bike but 150mm altitude 730,90,50and 70s are pretty much the best thing ever right now no one else really match it either than maybe the new bronson but yea im trying to get one right now and i feel like its gonna be the best thing ever
  • 1 0
 Going from 200mm to 140mm of travel makes a lot of trails more fun. If there wasn't a chairlift here I'm not are I'd still have a dh bike. In a couple of years I can see myself with just a 160mm machine. Pretty good for everything
  • 1 0
 I'd be perfectly happy riding my 26", single-pivot swing-armed, lefty'd 2x9 2007 Cannondale Prophet for the rest of eternity. However, I would prefer to stick with a SRAM drivetrain, but have Shimano brakes. I prefer the thumb-thumb shifting of the SRAM units over the shimano pull-push style, and the more solid CHUNK of the gear changes over the smooth SCHKMP of the shimano unites. Brake-wise, I just can't get along with the SRAM brakes I've used, the shimano servo-wave doohickey has the best lever feel, I've tried, plus they're easy to service, and use mineral oil rather than corrosive DOT fluid. Now for suspension, I do really like the feel of a coil fork; especially the maintou-gutted coil-sprung Lefty Max I have. However, given the chance for any fork (or strut) on the market today, I'd quickly switch to a Manitou Minute with a 20mm axle for durability and serviceability's sake. Rear shock wise, I'd prefer to move away from my fox float for either a coil shock, or just something that doesn't need new seals every 20-30 hours of riding.

All-in-all, I just want a simple bike that can handle most everything thrown at it, that doesn't weigh too much (30 pounds is no problem for me!), 26" wheels, and no being stuck with proprietary parts. I want my bike to be durable, easy to service, and straightforward. I don't care about flash, I don't care about acronyms, I don't care about exotic materials, and quite frankly; I just wanna ride!
  • 1 0
 i'd go trail bike cause i have an xc hardtail, dj, trailbike, and a dh steed, and i ride my trailbike 10x more than the others combined.
160front / 150 rear, 67.5 head tube and a dropper post. can do just about everything reasonably well
  • 1 0
 I've learned the majority of my riding technique and skills on my 160mm "do all" bike. Everyone should have one one time in their lives. I've sinced moved on and bought a true dh bike and an xc bike and am glad I learned to handle the rougher dh stuff on a shorter travel bike, and learned to suffer on the climbs on that's same bike where it wa overkill.
  • 1 0
 My vote for best all around bike goes to the Chromag Stylus. Insanely capable when fitted with a 6" fork, I have yet to find a place this bike won't go. Bike park - Check, Flowey single track - Check, Jump park - Check, Technical trails - Check, Commute to work - Check, and all things listed are FUN to do on it! It sprints like mad, jumps easily, and descends like a dream. Don't believe me. Go try one yourself. :-)
  • 1 0
 Specialized 08 Enduro SL Carbon (with 09 suspension internals). 2 rings with a bashguard and chainguide, got all the tabs so any ISCG can be put on if you want more (I still haven't dropped a chain on this current setup). Got a super stiff dual crown fork but with adjustable travel for climbing, and the shock has optional mounts for adjustable geometry. SRAM X9 all over. All I whish for is a dropper seat and I'm in heaven!
  • 1 0
 Just came back from a week at Switchbacks Enduro riding my Transition Bandit with 130mm back and 140mm front and it rocker some of the most technical natural singletrack the world has to offer. I reckon most people have more travel than they need.
  • 1 0
 When I went to Whistler last year I was asking for a Specialized Enduro but could only get get a Demo - I could have had more fun and done the same runs on the Enduro! I came back to Australia and I'm loving my new S-Works Enduro because I can slam it DH and throw it into anything! All-mountain!!
  • 7 2
 specialized sworks enduro (with 27.5 wheels) and xtr/fox
  • 12 2
 Have fun getting your 27.5 enduro
  • 2 0
 No 27.5 for my new S Works Endruo, please. No 29 for that matter, either.
  • 1 0
 I love my 2010 Specialized Stumpy Pro Carbon FSR 26r with full 140mm of squish and wide carbon rims for tight twisting single track with lots of climbing. On the other hand I really like my Tallboy Carbon with 120mm in the front and 100mm in the rear for rocks, roots, and long flat single track. If I had some carbon wheels on the TB I think I could manage to hit everything almost as well as I do on the Stumpy. Both weigh about 25lbs even in size large so the choice is a hard one so it's a good thing I have 2 to choose from.
  • 1 0
 I have an old Ellsworth Moment (150mm) with a set of revs, a set of Lyriks, pair of Crests, a pair of Flows and numerous tyres. It's one bike that I can build to 28lbs for long XC, or 34lbs for thrashing the dirt. I've spent weekends away with all this shebang in the boot, and it takes about 20min to swap from one build to the other, and only that long because I have to move the casette over. I love being able to drive somewhere to camp for a while and know that I can be sorted for most trails 'cept big ol' DH.
  • 3 0
 Truthfully, every mountain bike is a freerider - it's about riding, not the bike. We were freeriders when the mountain bike was first invented, we just didn't know it. I just had to address that a lot of us don't race DH, but we choose to ride big bikes.
  • 1 0
 True that!^
  • 3 2
 If money were no object: Carbon Enduro bike (SB-66c)
If money were "a little object": a burly 120-140mm trail bike with 160 coil fork (Banshee Spitfire)
If money were "a big object": 120-140 hardtail with open bath coil fork
If there was a global oblivion: Stiff 29" singlespeed.
  • 3 2
 Hey Pinkbike, why do I always feel like I'm simply helping with "market research" when I visit? Oh, right, because nearly every page is a poll these days...

I'm still convinced this site exists only so Tyler and crew can get some free parts and sell some ad-space. I wouldn't mind if it wasn't so naked and shameless.

(Yes, I know the response is going to be "Don't visit.")
  • 2 1
 It would be:
200-100-locked frame with air shock as plush as coil with bottle cages
200-100-locked single crown air fork as plush as coil
Wide bars with bar ends so I can strech forward on steep uphills
35 stem
Dropper post that will push the saddle forward and up for climbing, and down and back for dh
Superlow gearing to go up and chain device for dh
Good brakes (saint?)
Wide light strong rims no fancy spokes please
Minions dh 2,5 for sure
25 lbs
The rest is up to you...
Now this is a bike that i would pay what they are asking for todays bikes
Good luck trek, spesh, etc...
And dont bother me with your damn,stupid, wheel size war,that I can not afford to keep up with until you acomplish this mission
  • 1 0
 www.pinkbike.com/photo/9538746

Let's see.... Last month, I rode my Mongoose Khyber Elite at the Dark Mountain Super D, which was more like Blue Velvet at Whistler, at Snowshoe for the opening day (fun on the jumps on Powerline, Ninja Bob, and Missing Link as well as M and O line), then ran the Oak Mountain Bump 'n Grind Super D where getting to the start was like heading for an enduro stage and the race itself seemed like 7 minutes of pedaling!

Yeah...., AM bikes kick a$$.
  • 2 0
 One of my buddies has one of those, I always enjoyed ripping it for a run or 2 when we'd ride.

I do have an old 'Goose ECD, kinda like your bike's great uncle or something, right?

Cheers.
  • 1 0
 I'd say. The ECD is pretty awesome too! I'd like to see Mongoose remake this bike seriously. Less stand over and slightly slacker with a 170 up front and a adjustable head set.
  • 2 0
 Well really, that's what the Boot'r is, it was based around what they had done for the ECD.
  • 1 0
 Didn't the Boot'r and Khyber come out the same year?

Whatever the case, I love Boot'r's too and am seriously thinking of picking up one of those as well. The new GT Fury is really tempting me. :-)
  • 1 0
 I had a hard time choosing between the 160mm Enduro or a slopestyle bike. I haven't spent enough time on a slopestyle bike so I chose the Enduro has mountain biking has always been my roots. But given that I'm starting to take a liking to jumping the slopestyle seems like it could be versatile. However I'm sure the lack of dual ring on the front would make for some pretty gruelling trail rides.
  • 1 0
 I definitely would choose my all mountain 150mm front and rear end travel Scott Genius. It weighs 29.5lbs and 28.5lbs if I slap on some lighter tires then my Schwalbe Hans Dampf. With that I can do it all...at a reasonable speed of course. I'd still have fun and wouldn't be scared of a few big drops or some steep ass climbs.
  • 1 0
 Foes fly set at 8 in the rear with a 180 single C up front, a 2x9 gear spread and dropper post. has been my bread and butter for 6 years up and down mountains and at 33 poinds is fine for me earning all my grinds up and hucking some 5 footers coming down....
  • 1 0
 WTF? I like lots of bikes. You cannot tell me I can only have one! Chose "other". This means I would rather die than have only one bike!! I have AM, DH, DH, BMX race right now. Hope to add road, marathon XC, bmx park. One choice? FTS!
  • 2 0
 Lapierre Spicy 916 w/o the Easton wheels...I prefer my hubs functioning and not disintegrating when on the mountain when changing a flat....good times.
  • 1 0
 LOL!
  • 1 0
 DMR bolt frame with 120mm at the rear and a 120-160mm adjustable fork at the front, running hope brakes and SRAM drivetrain. Works like a dream, i can do XC DH and dirt jumping on it.
  • 1 0
 For people who only own one bike whatever bike they are riding is "The One".
The poll is kooky why must I choose only one company for all my parts?
Whoever makes the best product gets my coin.
  • 1 0
 i would buy a large travel AM bike with 180 up front so i can put a totem or a 36 on the front and stick a coil on the back and there you have it the best peddling dh/fr you will ever buy
  • 2 0
 Id keep my voltage fr 10, adjustable rear travel, single crown fork, and a smaller frame compared to alot of other dh/freeride frames. I already use it for everything anyways
  • 1 0
 Fat Bike! Can go where other bike can but make riding possible in condition the others can't handle. Check out what the Sandman dudes are doing in everything from BC bike race to Megaavalanche
  • 2 0
 my Canfield The ONE, pedals well uphills at 34lbs, set at 200mm rear travel and a Bomber 66 fork, bombs downhills too, cant complain, makes me wanna sell my JEDI
  • 1 0
 A very under appreciated bike!
  • 1 0
 quote: In short, the little gains for climbing aren't worth the big costs in fun..

Unless your fun is climbing. You can easily put downhill in place of climbing in this statement.
  • 1 0
 Isn't it funny (not really) that when there is a "poll" on a product or bike etc., it always turns into a pissing contest with the pinkers instead of just voicing your opinion on the specific topic or product ?????? !!!!
  • 2 0
 Santa Cruz Heckler with a allmountain/freeride build or if Rocky decides to respec the Slayers with Fox fork and rear shock for the upcoming year.
  • 4 0
 Tr250 with fox and a complete spank spike and saint build
  • 4 0
 Steel mid travel HT...hump it anywhere...
  • 4 4
 Wusses ride dual suspension. I have ridden quality bikes for 6 years now, and it's a no-brainer if I had to choose
over a duallie or a HT for my only bike. Hype surrounds the back shock, but it's your legs that count. My legs
will perform better than any suspension design however complicated it is, and I just need front travel to save my
wrists, cause they are not capable of heavy hits like ankles. They are much more fun on 90% of the trails around
too, but this fun is only opened once you stop hoping it will grow a back spring. Cause it wont.
  • 2 0
 I have respect for folks rocking the hard tail. My 40 year old back after a life of hard playing and a fair amount of labor makes a rear linkage a requirement. I'm looking to pick up a hardtail for pump track riding and perhaps some lighter trail rides. I think I rely heavily on the large fudge factor granted by a soft tail and always look forward to progressing my riding...
  • 2 0
 Cannondale Claymore is such kind of bike. burly enough for bike parks. light and able to climb like a trail bike. and handles so well.
  • 1 0
 It's not a good question because it depends on where you live. On flatter ground I'd have a shorter travel trailbike/jumpbike mix like a GT distortion for the hills I'd go for something 160mm and burlier.
  • 1 0
 Answer is simple... The one you love riding, for all your riding and put a smile on your face. I have one bike to do it all. Might not excel at certain disciplines but it gets the job done. Mine is a Tallboy LTc... Silly
  • 4 0
 Specialized SX Trail.
  • 1 2
 I'm disappointed that a Klunker wasn't an option. Yes, it's technically a single speed hardtail, but it's not the same! Klunkers are the original and you don't have to worry about being stuck with a fad bike for the rest of your life.
  • 3 0
 Hardtail, 160mm fork, 26 inch wheels. I choose fun over anything else!
  • 3 0
 There is nothing more fun then dirt jumping!
  • 2 0
 I have to agree with this. able to jump and cycle long distances (with a long seat post), take in drops. perfect
  • 3 0
 Ride my unicycle till I die.
  • 3 0
 Brakeless, 26" dirt jumper: pure perfection.
  • 1 0
 SRAM for the drivetrain, but definitely shimano for the breaks... But which is more important? Being able to stop or being able to pedal at fast speeds? Big Grin
  • 2 0
 Norco truax with totem, 7 inches of travel to bomb down the mnt and just enough slack to pedal back up!!!
  • 1 0
 I probably wouldn't have ever gotten into cycling if it wasn't for my 24" trials bike. That's my one bike Smile
I love my remedy too, don't get me wrong
  • 1 0
 I probably never would've gotten into cycling if it wasn't for my 24" trials bike, that's my one bike
I do love my remedy too tho Smile
  • 1 0
 From my answers it would be a Hardtail 120/140mm, with 26" wheels and shimano drivetrain and brakes. Which is lucky really as that's what I ride everyday.
  • 1 0
 Why would you pick shimano over sram? Madness.... (for Dh fr and slope). I agree shimano is super smooth to shift, but they have so much flex....
  • 1 0
 single crown fr bike for sure. it can rip dh, pedals pretty well for am xc loops, and of course kills fr lines and bike parks. sx trail is my bike of choice.
  • 1 0
 my old school 2002 big hit with the 24" rear and 26" front with 6" of travel can handle anything i throw at it (im 240 pounds) and it pedals!
  • 1 0
 The rider makes the bike. The bike doesn't make the rider. A skilled rider finds a way to make it work no matter what the bike is.
  • 1 0
 Hmm, I'd probably go with an AM bike and just hope that Miss Pro DH finds her way into my life! Don't think I'd hold my breath on that though.
  • 1 0
 Anyone know what difference between All Mountain, Enduro and Super Enduro? there are different bikes for all modalities or you can use the same bike for all?
  • 1 0
 shimano, 26", but i really think 150mm is the sweet spot. i suppose that would be long travel trail bike in this poll, but i'm thinking more like an AM enduro style 150mm.
  • 1 0
 Talas 36 140mm/180mm is what I'm after....140 for climbing, xc, and even mellow AM stuff, then flick it to 180 for bike park or crazy trails.......
  • 1 0
 The hello kitty reference was funny. The wife suggested I put a seat on my bike so I could take my daughter on rides. I ride a Flatline. How's that gonna work!?
  • 1 0
 since i ride dirt and pavement, up and down, to work and play, i'm going to stick with my custom disc drop-bar bike with clearance for 700x52 tires. #rideeverything
  • 2 0
 I will just keep my 2008 sx trail II till i die !
  • 1 0
 enduro/am bike with 6" travel front and rear, a cyclocross bike for training / fun and you are good to go. Wink
  • 1 0
 Where's the option for a Freeride single crown bike... pinkbike you make me sad :-(
  • 2 0
 slope bike Razz hard as nails, and isnt going to break before you do...
  • 1 0
 So people think they can ride slopestyle the rest of their lives? Interesting...
  • 2 0
 Bought my one bike a couple of weeks ago. Cannondale Claymore 2. Love it.
  • 1 0
 Just upgraded my mk1 nomad to full SLX. Raw'd the frame. Set of xm819 wheels for general use an ex853's for Dh. Perfect
  • 1 0
 I love my Spz Enduro =) Can ride it 80km a day and got a DH podium 1 month ago.
  • 1 0
 Agreed
  • 2 0
 Well this outcome really didn't surprise anyone. Did it?
  • 2 0
 Any bike I can out run Zombies on.
  • 2 0
 freeride dual crown? Are they still in production?
  • 1 0
 My Intense Uzzi, simple. All Mountain free ride that downhills too and can climb back up.
  • 1 0
 tell me that you lot don't feel like you're on family feud when you're answering these questions
  • 1 0
 One bike, three sets of wheels and tires, adjustable suspension and you can go anywhere and do anything on a 6" AM/Enduro.
  • 1 0
 A carbon enduro evo with an air fork/shock, stans flow ex could be the one bike. 180mm all around at about 31lb.
  • 2 0
 29" XC race hardtail with SRAM. Wooooo minority!
  • 1 0
 specialized sx with a fox 32 talas single chain ring w/9 speed dose about everything for me. even ride bike parks with it.
  • 1 0
 If I had to choose just one bike for the rest of my life then I don't really have to think: Stumpjumper.
  • 1 0
 Demo 7 with a few sets of tires (street, XC, DH) a dropper post and lockout

BAM
  • 2 0
 what about freeride single crowns?
  • 1 0
 Well, I had to pick a 650b hardtail. The commute to work would be a bit of a bear on a squishy bike with 26 inch tires.
  • 1 0
 I'd be happy with just my sb66 for everything...luckily I can still have my dh bike too
  • 1 0
 I have 3 on the list. I want one of each but that would probably lead to a divorce.
  • 2 0
 Long baggy shorts and a squishy slopestyle till the end.
  • 1 0
 all mountain/enduro.
Better with lockable fork and rear shox, in order to climb the steepest hill esasier.
  • 4 2
 i had to give it to shimano because i like good brakes.
  • 1 0
 Since when are brakes a part of the drivetrain?
  • 1 0
 @spongebomb read carefully Wink
"If you had to pick both a drivetrain and a brake system from one brand – for life – would it be Shimano or SRAM?"
  • 2 0
 My bad, misread it!
  • 1 0
 2x9 Bottlerocket. I'm not the fastest up the hills but I only ride for fun anyway......and it is!
  • 1 0
 Who are the 7 here who want their BMX forever? Didn't expect to see any at all!
  • 1 0
 Long travel trail vs enduro?
Whats the difference?
Both sound like a bike around 150mm, 26-30lbs, 3x, 2x, or 1x...
  • 1 0
 230mm in the front and rear, then a mini nuclear battery integrated inside the frame for climbing up! yayy!
  • 1 0
 All mountain w/Shimano Groupset...
  • 2 0
 Foes FXR
  • 1 0
 hell yeah....
  • 1 0
 My Canyon Strive for sure!
  • 4 2
 ENDUROS RULES
  • 1 0
 Where in Bellingham is this? (1st Picture) Chuckanut or Galby?
  • 1 0
 Downhill for sure.... I`m a DH rider, not an AM rider.
  • 1 0
 I'm stickin with dirt jump and Sram drivetrain
  • 1 0
 I ride a hardtail for dh and jumps but I would rather have a dh for life
  • 1 0
 Santa Cruz Nomad! (note: I haven't tried a Bronson yet)!
  • 1 0
 I have a 2009 meta 4X which does everything, from DH, XC and BMX tracks
  • 1 2
 I ride my 50 pound dh bike xc and I get to the top faster than the people i ride with... dh bikes arnt that bad going up ethier.
  • 1 0
 Carbon Nomad. No question.
  • 1 0
 DS SS for sure... Bomb DH, good pedal platform, great in the air.
  • 1 0
 what i would like to know is can you climb on a Scott voltage
  • 1 0
 i have a 160mm 27,5 inch enduro bike with 34 forks and love it!
  • 1 0
 that's a hell of a good question i would have the bike i have now
  • 1 0
 thought it was Miss spandex...?
  • 1 0
 Devinci Dixon Carbon, 160mm up front
  • 1 0
 Pivot Firebird one and done!!
  • 1 0
 Chromag Samurai, fox Talas 120-160. sram all around. rode it today.
  • 1 0
 800+ guys would choose a 29er??
I'm surprised its as many as that...
  • 1 0
 Just vote for what describes the best my own bike ! Smile
  • 1 0
 I pretty much really had to make this choice. My mission was the answer.
  • 1 0
 If u dont have enve ur not cool
  • 2 0
 another marketing poll?
  • 2 0
 More bikes always wins.
  • 2 0
 ONE BIKE!? TR-250
  • 1 0
 170-180mm rear travel bike with Totem and 1x10 or even XX1.
  • 3 3
 Bonus poll 1 is annoying as id take Shimano brakes and Sram drive train.
  • 1 0
 2010 MARIN QUAKE!
  • 1 3
 Sram breaks every time I run sram I go through their parts in two to three rides. They are cheaper cause your always replacing the them. Pay more to get a way better product.
  • 1 0
 Stumpy Evo, that is all
  • 1 0
 blur 4x. still the best
  • 2 1
 SC Nomad w/ Marzocchi 55
  • 4 4
 ha, in your face every wheel size that isn't 26"!
  • 1 2
 I enjoy riding downhill bikes too much. They have their downsides, but which bike doesn't.
  • 1 2
 The way things are, I would take like a 36 inch wheeler to keep up with the bike indu$try!!
  • 1 3
 Ok, so the majority want a 160mm plus AM/ Freeride/ Enduro bike....

Bonus poll 3: How many people will openly admit they are over-biked the majority of the time? Smile
  • 2 1
 26" for life
  • 2 3
 Death to all 29ers...ridiculous bikes
  • 1 1
 Yeah 26 inch!
  • 1 1
 One bike!!!!!!!!!!! FTW
  • 1 0
 oh yes
  • 2 4
 I have only ridden SRAM. Shimano is too pricy.
  • 11 1
 true. the xx1 kit is so much more affordable than anything shimano offers.
  • 3 2
 Shimano doesn't make an 11 speed. If they did it would be double the price. So, for products that Shimano can compete with, SRAM is cheaper. Period.
  • 1 1
 Yeah like Yumyeuya or what eve the F they called it!
  • 1 0
 What?
  • 4 0
 to be fair, xx kit is cheaper than the nearest equivelant, xtr, and x9 is cheaper than xt, and x7 is cheaper than slx. x0 doesnt fit into shimano's range, but the x0 downhill kit is cheaper than saint.
  • 1 1
 The Answer is Simple 08 Specialized sx trail fitted with a Totum,or Lyric -with Avalanche internals-built for mini dh-loose the rear shock and put an Avy dhs rear in .run it until it cracks -then warranty it for Status .2nd choice would be a carbon Operator -by Kona.
  • 1 1
 There is an All mountain Zerode,Norcos 650 b carbon sight,a bike like a Transition Covert that looks interesting-If they make a Carbon Glory i would Pull the shoot on .
After seeing Proto type 650 b Scott Gambler is it a composite frame?







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