Suggestions for appropriate bike

PB Forum :: All Mountain, Enduro & Cross-Country
Suggestions for appropriate bike
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flag raukymountainman
Posted: Feb 11, 2011 at 7:17 Quote
Hey everyone. I know you all have your own personal opinions and preferences so, I'd like to open this up so you can share...

I'm relatively new to this sport but have a growing passion for it. I am in the market for a new/used bike but, not sure what I should be concentrating on looking for exactly. I like to ride with a group which rides 2-4 hours at a time, lots of up and down hills and single tracks. I'd like something that could handle that plus, give me some more travel for small to mid size jumps (nothing big). Therefore, from what I can gather, I'm looking for a XC/All Mountain. With this being said, please share your opinions or personal experiences. Oh, and one more thing...I would like to keep it under $2000.

Stats - 5'5 - 170 lbs


Thanks!
J
flag pbuser102331
Posted: Feb 11, 2011 at 7:24 Quote
I started in xc but progressed onto freeride,i can't do tricks/stunts to save my life but my current bike suites my needs perfectly,not too big and cumbersome for the odd xc jaunt and not to light and flimsy for when i find gravity assisted fun.

If it was my money i would look at say a hardcore freeride hardtail,will do the xc/am stuff with your saddle up,and when you wanna play drop the saddle for better clearance,plus you will get a new bike for your money.

Ns surge.
Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://pds.exblog.jp/pds/1/200709/27/44/d0074144_037789.jpg
Kona five-0.
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flag raukymountainman
Posted: Feb 11, 2011 at 8:32 Quote
Ok, great marquis...one question though:

-are you recommending a hardtail to keep price point down or for functional reasoning?
flag lovie
Posted: Feb 11, 2011 at 9:11 Quote
Hardtails are good because, you'll get a better spec bike for the money (a better set of forks, brakes, and drivetrain e.t.c). Also their better for learning on, because u can make mistakes on a full-sus and get away with them, hardtails are much less forgiving.

IMO the spec of a $2000 (guessing thats around £1250) fullsuser, is good enough for me.

I recently picked up a used 08 specialised PItch Pro, for the equivelant of $1000. and i think its great!
It can do everything from XC to DH, really versatile!
photo
flag pbuser102331
Posted: Feb 11, 2011 at 9:20 Quote
cts-B-group wrote:
Ok, great marquis...one question though:

-are you recommending a hardtail to keep price point down or for functional reasoning?

Both,plus you learn to be smoother on a hardtail.
flag raukymountainman
Posted: Feb 11, 2011 at 12:31 Quote
K, perfect. Thanks guys!

What do you think of the Camber Comp by Specialized? Would that fit the bill?
flag stratmastertj
Posted: Feb 11, 2011 at 12:49 Quote
I think if you are just riding for fun and as a hobby, get the full suspension. It's much more comfortable to ride a full sus bike. You can go faster over rough terrain and it's easier on your body when going on long rides. All this talk about hardtails making you a smoother rider, yeah, it may be true but if your just doing it for fun like most people I would get whatever is most rider friendly and will provide the most fun. You can find some good deals on full sus bikes for 2000 and under, Since 2011's are out you can usually find some good deals on 2010's.
flag raukymountainman
Posted: Feb 11, 2011 at 13:01 Quote
Good point stratmasterj. It is a hobby and for fun.
PS-nice collection! what are you playin in your pic? Ibenez? PRS? Peavey?
flag stratmastertj
Posted: Feb 11, 2011 at 13:08 Quote
It's a Warmoth guitar. They are a company that builds custom guitars and basses. You basically tell them what you want, and they build it.
flag fatducky
Posted: Feb 12, 2011 at 9:53 Quote
lovie wrote:
Hardtails are good because, you'll get a better spec bike for the money (a better set of forks, brakes, and drivetrain e.t.c). Also their better for learning on, because u can make mistakes on a full-sus and get away with them, hardtails are much less forgiving.

IMO the spec of a $2000 (guessing thats around £1250) fullsuser, is good enough for me.

I recently picked up a used 08 specialised PItch Pro, for the equivelant of $1000. and i think its great!
It can do everything from XC to DH, really versatile!

Would you teach a new driver in a much less forgiving car? Why are bikes any different?
flag zizzy34
Posted: Feb 12, 2011 at 9:58 Quote
If you want to go full sus, Bike magazine tested the new Trek Fuel Ex 8 for 2300 US dollars. the bottom line, and this is a direct quote, is "The trek in not just a good bike at this price, it's a damn good bike at any price. If you want a good xc/light AM bike, I'd seriously consider this. That said, I also support the idea of buying a good hardtail, as it will teach you to become a smooth rider. As for the small/meduim jumps, I've seen local's kill our dirt jump section here in Ocala on 29'ers.
flag pbuser102331
Posted: Feb 12, 2011 at 14:31 Quote
fatducky wrote:
lovie wrote:
Hardtails are good because, you'll get a better spec bike for the money (a better set of forks, brakes, and drivetrain e.t.c). Also their better for learning on, because u can make mistakes on a full-sus and get away with them, hardtails are much less forgiving.

IMO the spec of a $2000 (guessing thats around £1250) fullsuser, is good enough for me.

I recently picked up a used 08 specialised PItch Pro, for the equivelant of $1000. and i think its great!
It can do everything from XC to DH, really versatile!

Would you teach a new driver in a much less forgiving car? Why are bikes any different?

lol how many driving schools in your area have ferraris as learner cars,most stupid comparison ever.

Hardtail has less maintenance needs/less to go wrong/less to service,it's a capable bike for beginners and seasoned riders alike.
flag fatducky
Posted: Feb 12, 2011 at 20:20 Quote
marquis wrote:
fatducky wrote:
lovie wrote:
Hardtails are good because, you'll get a better spec bike for the money (a better set of forks, brakes, and drivetrain e.t.c). Also their better for learning on, because u can make mistakes on a full-sus and get away with them, hardtails are much less forgiving.

IMO the spec of a $2000 (guessing thats around £1250) fullsuser, is good enough for me.

I recently picked up a used 08 specialised PItch Pro, for the equivelant of $1000. and i think its great!
It can do everything from XC to DH, really versatile!

Would you teach a new driver in a much less forgiving car? Why are bikes any different?

lol how many driving schools in your area have ferraris as learner cars,most stupid comparison ever.

Hardtail has less maintenance needs/less to go wrong/less to service,it's a capable bike for beginners and seasoned riders alike.


Stupidest advice in the history of advice. Beginners get the easiest of everything in everything. May be you should do university math before high school math. Oh wait ... you probably never been to schoollol
flag anotherbikerguy
Posted: Feb 12, 2011 at 20:30 Quote
fatducky - Bikes aren't cars, or math. Don't be a jerk. Making an analogy doesn't mean you're a genius.

If you start by learning on a hardtail, you will be forced to learn how to choose a good line, because a hardtail won't compensate for poor line choice. Riders who start out on a full-suspension bike can take lines that aren't as smooth, because the suspension will absorb the roughness, and so they're less likely to focus on choosing good lines. As you progress, you'll find that line choice is crucial. Riders who start on a hardtail can have an advantage because they learn by necessity to ride the right line.

This isn't to say that a full-suspension is bad for a beginner. Full-suspension bikes are great - just be aware that they will mask mistakes sometimes, which can be good but also can prevent a rider from noticing and correcting those mistakes.
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