help me pick a fs bike

[semlin]

so help me to pick up a full suspension xc bike. where i live now the trails are rough and have tons of steep extended climbs and descents and there is a lot of single track. my old trek 930 hardtail does not cut it climbing or braking on descents to the point i have more or less stopped trail riding. i like to ride from a to b, so obstacles, jump descents etc... do not thrill me, but i don't mind a technically difficult trail that goes somewhere cool or gives me a good workout.

the question is, what do i get? i am looking for something durable and light that will shift and stop when i need to without breaking the bank. I am 5' 7", 150 lbs and 44 and in ok shape.

the local bike stores have pushed on me
giant anthem 1 or anthem x3
trek fuel ex8
cannondale rush 6

the trek is the closest but is spendy and doesn't feel right. cheaper new fs bikes I have tried feel too heavy. also, in a perfect world i would rather grab something used and save some money. there are lots of used bikes around here if i am willing to drive around a fair bit but I'd like to make some informed guesses as to what would suit me so would appreciate suggestions.

 

[davegonz]

I'm happy with my old Giant NRS1. It's probably going to be your best bang for the buck.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

You might need a kids bike, if you're really 5'-7"

 

[Lugboot]

Okay, so they pushed only one wheel size on you, too--26". There's a world of 29ers out there, too, that are really good.

1. Try lots of bikes, both 26" and 29".

2. Do real test rides on them (not on pavement) with the suspension properly set up for you.

For typisch XC stuff like you are speaking of, about 4" of travel in a 29er will probably be good and about 5" in a 26"-wheeled mtb would probably work.

As far as height considerations, there are people your height riding 29er successfully and loving it, so don't let the shop steer you one way or the other based on their opinion of the 26 vs. 29 issue.

I'm not trying to steer you towards 29ers, I'm just saying look at that possibility, too. And then get what you like!

 

[ravewoofer]

Semlin,

Check out the Canadian firm Rocky Mountain bikes. They really build bikes for West Coast Canadian riding. I ride the Rocky Mountain Element, but the company makes some burly bikes for the type of riding your describing.

Go no further than your local manufacturer. There's gotta be a ton of RM dealers near by.

 

[tag3]

Find a price you're comfortable with, then ride bikes within $200 dollars of that price. If you're 5'7" I would not recommend a 29er. 4 to 5 inches of travel are good for a cross country bike with an air sprung shock. Coil sprung will be more plush but not as nice for the climbing. Most should come with a Pro pedal or a lockout for the rear, again climbing will be nicer. .02

 

[LukeZero]

x2. If you really are 5'7"- you don't want the increased stand-over height of a 29er.

 

[Lugboot]

Not necessarily. Try one and decide. My wife is 5' 5" and swears by her 29ers.

May not be for you, but don't rule them out immediately.

 

[yooper]

I just bought a 2009 Specialized StumpJumper Comp 29er. I am exactly the same height as semlin (we compared in person) except I probably have shorter legs. The frame geometry is such that I have more stand over height clearance than any bike I've owned in my life, it's almost like a girl's bike.

Go 29 and you'll never go back. WOW it's nice. It took me about ten seconds of riding to love it.

I just got it home an hour ago:



This is the medium size frame.

 

[tag3]

Better than a 29er find a 650b, right in between a 26 and 29er. Mix it up will ya.

 

[yooper]

My bike is air sprung with 5" of travel btw.

standover height is 28.27" according to my owner's manual, which is measured at the horizontal centerpoint of the top tube.

 

[Dirtgypsy]

If you have "tons of steep climbing" then a 29'er may not be the best bike but like the others say don't rule it out completely. It's just tough at times to keep the big wheels rolling. Call around to the shops in your area and ask about demo's or rentals. They may not be the exact bike you are looking for but it will give you an idea on how a manufacturer likes to make a bike and for the most part what they like the geometry to be. Its hard to beat Giant and Trek for what they are able to spec for the $$ and it is hard to beat some of the technology that Cannondale has on thier new R'Z line.

Also check out Felt, Yeti, and Santa Cruz. Felt has some superb bikes that are well spec'd and the price is right.

Clint

 

[et3surge]

I don't want to hi-jack the post but I have a nice bike for sale. I love this bike I just recently bought a newer Titus model and need to pay for it somehow. Check it out and email me if interested.

Titus Racer X Mountain Bike

 

[et3surge]

I'd rather you buy my bike but the Trek EX8 is a great bike.

 

[semlin]

looks nice but a large frame won't fit me

 

[et3surge]

looks nice but a large frame won't fit me

Yeah I knew that being a little shameless but like I said that EX8 is hot! rides and climbs like a dream.

Have you looked at the Titus X aluminums? I also love the FTM longer travel but with adjustable front end and RP23 that bike can climb or plummet your choice.

CYA on the trails

 

[semlin]

trigger pulled. got a used slightly downgraded from stock older rocky mountain etsx70. it belonged to the wife of a serious rider and was hardly ridden and seems to be in very good condition. the bike frame fits me very well and the weight and performance is within reach of new bikes i have been test riding, although the ride is definitely not as smooth

so for a fraction of new i can see how much i like those hills. did a ride today and so far i love the bike.

 

[semlin]

i also bought this frame before the rocky mountain came on sale. it is a 2002 trek fuel 100 size small and i got a good deal with the original front fork. i was going to swap over everything off my 1999 trek hardtail onto it so i had something to ride while i was shopping. now i am thinking it might turn into my boy's bike. then again, it might be a better frame than the rocky mountain so maybe i should rob the rocky mountain and bild the trek then build the rocky mountain with my old hardtail stuff

 

[LukeZero]

trigger pulled. got a used slightly downgraded from stock older rocky mountain etsx70. it belonged to the wife of a serious rider and was hardly ridden and seems to be in very good condition. the bike frame fits me very well and the weight and performance is within reach of new bikes i have been test riding, although the ride is definitely not as smooth

so for a fraction of new i can see how much i like those hills. did a ride today and so far i love the bike.

So you're telling us that you bought a girls bike. Good for you

 

[ravewoofer]

trigger pulled. got a used slightly downgraded from stock older rocky mountain etsx70. it belonged to the wife of a serious rider and was hardly ridden and seems to be in very good condition. the bike frame fits me very well and the weight and performance is within reach of new bikes i have been test riding, although the ride is definitely not as smooth

so for a fraction of new i can see how much i like those hills. did a ride today and so far i love the bike.

You're welcome.