MTB shopping....

[woody]

Got out and did a test ride or two today, may get in another shop tomorrow....took out two Gary Fishers, both 29ers....first was the Caliber for $1300 and the other was the Hifi Plus at $2000.

The Hifi was the definite winner....and gets some great online reviews too...

I'm set on a 29er, but am not convinced on a rear suspension ride as of yet...trails will be ALL over the country, so it needs to be a good all-around bike.

6'3, just shy of 200#, so it better be sturdy too.....any thots?

 

[ravewoofer]

Why are you set on the 29er? So far, it's been a real compromise of an idea as there are very few replacement parts for that size. Your standard 26 incher has much more variety of forks, shocks, rims tires etc., to suit almost any riding style.

Personally, I'd wait on the 29er for a couple more bike seasons, just for diversity's sake.

 

[woody]

considering I've had my current ride for 15 years, waiting 2 for common replacement parts is no biggie...lol

I've ridden on both sizes, and the 29er's are significantly more fitting....

hittin another local shop late this aft, hope to get out a hardtail 29 and see how it rides....leaning that way now, just not 'stupid' enough on the singletracks to need a full suspension....

I think....haha

 

[ravewoofer]

The new full suspension bikes with "platform" damping are amazing. The new dualies basically ride like a hard tail 'til you hit a bump. Once you've reached a preset threshold, then the shock activitates. This lets you haul like you're on a hardtail, and float over the rough stuff. The new dualies will make you ride faster with a bigger grin than ever!

 

[Liam]

i need to get on my bike and ride.....although we are about to get some sleet so i guess i will wait until next year....

 

[Liam]

The new full suspension bikes with "platform" damping are amazing. The new dualies basically ride like a hard tail 'til you hit a bump. Once you've reached a preset threshold, then the shock activitates. This lets you haul like you're on a hardtail, and float over the rough stuff. The new dualies will make you ride faster with a bigger grin than ever!

there are some crazy bikes out now. It's just amazing how far technology has come...

 

[tcb]

29er is the only way to go once you've been on one. I prefer steel frames and full rigid bikes....

As a matter of fact, I am waiting for a delivery of parts on Wednesday that should allow me to get my new single speed 29er up and running for this weekend. I'll post up some teaser shots tonight.

Woody, are those '09 bikes or '08's? Killer deals if they're '09's.

 

[tcb]

Why are you set on the 29er? So far, it's been a real compromise of an idea as there are very few replacement parts for that size. Your standard 26 incher has much more variety of forks, shocks, rims tires etc., to suit almost any riding style.

Personally, I'd wait on the 29er for a couple more bike seasons, just for diversity's sake.

There's a metricshitton of new products for the 29ers. If he was talking about getting a 650b format, I'd agree... but with Woody being 6'3", there is no sense in him remaining miserable on 26" wheels. 29ers are here to stay.

 

[woody]

the Caliber was an '07, the HiFi is an '08

still not totally sold on the full suspension, and frankly, $2k is more than I was interested in....have to see what tonite's shop has on the floor to test out....

 

[tcb]

the Caliber was an '07, the HiFi is an '08

still not totally sold on the full suspension, and frankly, $2k is more than I was interested in....have to see what tonite's shop has on the floor to test out....

What brands does the afternoon shop carry?

Ahhh... I was thinking it was the x-caliber hardtail. Don't know much about the full squish.

 

[cary]

For your height a 29er is a great bike. If it is will be your one bike for doing everything everywhere, I would suggest you look at full suspension over a hardtail, it will be more comfortable, allow you ride longer, and properly set up have virtually no climbing compromises. I would suggest you look at some other brands, the Fisher bikes are good bikes, but the G2 geometry is something people either love or find not to work very well. You haven't said your budget, so I am going to mention some bikes that I would look at, but they may be over budget.

1) Pivot 429- Brought to you by Chris Chocolis (sp) the founder of Titus bikes. The pivot offers a very hardtail feel when climbing, but takes the edge off descending. Chris likes his bikes to feel racier than most of the competition building the same sized bikes. Fully built out with the base kit you are looking at about $3500.

2) Turner Sultan- I don't know if there are any 2008 frames left, for 2009, they have gone to the DW link like the Pivot bikes, but tuned to be a bit more plush, as well as being a 120mm rear travel instead of 100mm. Turner is offering fully built bikes for the first time this year, I believe the Sultan will set you back $4000 for the base level build. Turner is considered by most the gold standard of full suspension bikes, but I put Pivot right up there (I have a Turner and two Titus bikes). You might want to try and hunt down a used Sultan, the 2008's are popping up on MTBR and ebay for good prices.

3) Niner- Check out the RIP 9, lots of happy rider.

I would suggest you check out the 29er board on the MTBR forums.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

I have ridden a hardtail for the last two years until I got my full suspension this year. I always hung in there hard with the hard tail (and I truthfully love them) but every time I went to Moab for example, I would get just ravaged. I ended up renting full suspensions in places like this because they just thrash you. You can hang for an hour or two maybe and other than that you are in pain (and not riding the technical stuff like you would want to). I hate to say it but this alone, particularly with the lifestyle you live (all over the place) means full suspension... I am also a 29er convert, takes a hair more energy to get going but just mows over everything. Makes you a better rider, more powerful, better climber. Sort of like 35's or larger

If it helps we carry Turner and Ventana and a couple other sick bikes at a shop I do online sales for (Uinta Bicycles), I'd be happy to hook it up if need be! We also have a couple of used bikes we'd be happy to hook it up on too including a large Ventana El Rey 29er 4" bike (or optional 5")... I am also doing the web site for Lenz which is also a cutting edge 29er full suspension manufacturer (their site current blows but you can check it out). Check out the reviews on MTBR. I also had a Gary Fisher, they are nice! I am on a Ventana right now (retail $5000 bike though, doh!) and it is literally awesome... Also the laterally stiffest bike on the market... A Turner is a very close second...

 

[cary]

I
If it helps we carry Turner and Ventana and a couple other sick bikes at a shop I do online sales for (Uinta Bicycles), I'd be happy to hook it up if need be! We also have a couple of used bikes we'd be happy to hook it up on too including a large Ventana El Rey 29er 4" bike (or optional 5")... I am also doing the web site for Lenz which is also a cutting edge 29er full suspension manufacturer (their site current blows but you can check it out). Check out the reviews on MTBR.

I didn't mention Ventana but they build great bikes, I would take a hard look at the El Ray as it is an excellent bike and by buying a used one it could get you into a top notch bike for the same price you are looking at now.

 

[Fast Eddy]

x2 on Niner. They're great bikes for the price. Surly is another option for a low-cost, good-performing 29er.

Hard to believe you mention Ventana and Turner after he said that $2000 was the top-end of his price range. Sheesh.

My $0.02 is that you can get a 26" wheel bike in a large or XL size. 29er wheels will always be weaker and less laterally stiff than a comparable 26" wheel. I like the way a 29er rides on fire roads or anything smooth, but in rocks or on twisty singletrack you will not be able to keep up with me on my 26" wheel bike with 2.5" wide tires, er I would not be able to keep up with me on a 26 vs 29er.

I normally ride a rigid Phil Wood SS, but this weekend I dusted off my Titus Motolite for an overnighter with about 9 hours of total ride time and lots of steep climbing.

The Cruiser habit has really hurt my fitness...

Cool new forum Woodmeister!

Me on "The Waterfall", South Mountain, Phoenix:

 

[woody]

yeah, $2k is more than my plan...but after shopping today and a ton of online research, I've about got my head set on that Hifi Plus....

dammit...

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Eddie, for the reason mentioned here:

I didn't mention Ventana but they build great bikes, I would take a hard look at the El Ray as it is an excellent bike and by buying a used one it could get you into a top notch bike for the same price you are looking at now.

I would take a lightly used Ventana or Turner over a new Gary Fisher probably any day of the week personally... They are just so much more laterally stiffer, minimal weight gain, and better overall constructed. Plus the perks (made in the USA instead of Taiwan). Here are Turners on Ebay for reference... http://sporting-goods.shop.ebay.com...mfsb=&_trksid=m270.l1313&_odkw=&_osacat=98083. One of our customers just upgraded to the new DW link Turner so he wants to sell his large El Rey, it would be a perfect candidate... It won't be $2000 but it won't be much more and probably close to what he'd pay for the HiFi plus. I am mostly riding my 650b bike currently and we ride with some really hard riding guys and there appears to be no difference in "keeping up" regardless of wheel size with the guys we ride with. Most are on 26" and some of the best riders and even former pros around here in Park City but again it hardly matters... Lungs or physucal condition trumps wheelsize more than anything else...

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Woody maybe check here. There are always sick deals on lightly used bikes because of annual model changes. You can get something with minimal differences to '08 or '09 models but for a song... Briefly glancing over it there is a sick deal on a XL rip 9 for example...

MTBR.Com Classifieds

I found the El Rey we sold earlier this year, looks like it sold... Sick deal as well...
http://classifieds.mtbr.com/showproduct.php?product=26439&cat=38

 

[Fast Eddy]

I would take a lightly used Ventana or Turner over a new Gary Fisher probably any day of the week personally... They are just so much more laterally stiffer, minimal weight gain, and better overall constructed. Plus the perks (made in the USA instead of Taiwan). Here are Turners on Ebay for reference...

I agree 100%. Ventanas are sweet. My first SS was a 1999 El Toro.

 

[Ruadhrigh]

Woody maybe check here. There are always sick deals on lightly used bikes because of annual model changes. You can get something with minimal differences to '08 or '09 models but for a song... Briefly glancing over it there is a sick deal on a XL rip 9 for example...

MTBR.Com Classifieds

I wish I hadn't followed that link. Too many smoking deals!

 

[Fast Eddy]

I wish I hadn't followed that link. Too many smoking deals!

I love the Pugsley...