Aggressive XC/Trail bike

Looking for an aggressive XC/trail bike (not freeride super duper huckstar etc bikage) that could be available for under 1500 used. Disc brakes are a must. Light weight is preferable, but not a deal breaker - i.e. around 30lbs would be fine but 40 is not. Suggestions? The Ellsworth Id looked really appealing, specially its suspension design, but its much $$$. Same deal on the 5-spot. I test rode a Marin East Peak and didn't really think that the rear shock did a helluva lot in comparison to my hardtail... and it makes a ton of noise going downhill, and the rear wheel seems to deflect sideways alot on rebound... sooooo.. yeah that be greeaaaat.

Rocky mountain Switch?

My buddy just got a Jamis Dakar XLT for around $1300. It's a sweet setup: 5" front and rear, Hayes hydros, Husselfelt cranks, etc.

It's as light as my hardtail, and looks like it should be able to take some abuse.

check it out: http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/05_x...lamisbikes.com

Plus, it's Ninja Black.

Dakars are really nice.

You might be able to pick up last year's Dakar XLT 2.0 for around $1500.

It's an extremely sweet ride that lots of people around me are satisfied with.

The Jamis is a good suggestion. Also look at the Iron Horse Hollowpoints.

I'm looking for pretty much the same bike as you(price range, xc/trail, etc) and while reading this thread i searched for the Jamis Dakar...anyways, this seems like a good price Jamis Dakar XLT
Good luck +++

Check out the new Giants, as well. I test rode a stupid amount of bikes over the last 6 weeks and the only thing that came close to Giants Maestro susp. was Santa Cruz. The Reign is a sweet ride w/ 6" travel that climbs like a hardtail and the Trance (which I ended up going for) is awesome for a 4" travel bike.
Trance 4 is priced right and you should be able to upgrade it to hydraulic discs in your price range.

Rocky Mountain Slayer!!!

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Originally Posted by NorCalPWDR

I'm looking for pretty much the same bike as you(price range, xc/trail, etc) and while reading this thread i searched for the Jamis Dakar...anyways, this seems like a good price Jamis Dakar XLT
Good luck +++

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I'm dumb, and that bike is as good or better than the XLT 2.0 anyway, plus it's brand new.

Up until '04 Jamis licensed the Horst Link (FSR) rear suspension design from Specialized. In '05 they dropped it in favor of a linkage design to shift some money away from licensing fees and towards a higher end component spec.

Neither one is necessarily superior, but the 2 systems do behave differently, so it might be worth a test ride to see which style you prefer.

I ride an Ells ID and can attest to the quality of the ride, but if I had a smaller budget, I'd look at the Specialized Enduro. I like the ride, it has a great suspension (always active, even under breaking and hard pedaling), and there are plenty to be had at a good price.

Honestly, with the new speed sensitive valving found in most of the newer rear shocks, even once poor suspension designs feel pretty darn good today. Find one and ride it before you decide though.

try getting a ride on a special ed enduro. i got one last year for 1000 new (got the 03 model on closeout). hydraulic brakes 4 inch marz. fork and pedals well. you could find one under 1500 easily.

KONA Kikapu or Kikapu Deluxe...

There must be eleventy billion used Santa Cruz Blurs for sale right now. 4.5" of efficent travel.

Also, a quality 4" Horst link, like a used Specialized or Turner Burner would be trick.

devichi remix 1 for $1700 CAD ~ $1400 US new, if you need one talk to me

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Originally Posted by bagtagley

Up until '04 Jamis licensed the Horst Link (FSR) rear suspension design from Specialized. In '05 they dropped it in favor of a linkage design to shift some money away from licensing fees and towards a higher end component spec.

Neither one is necessarily superior, but the 2 systems do behave differently, so it might be worth a test ride to see which style you prefer.

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Actually they never had to pay for the licensing. They had worked a deal with Horst before the Specialized era. In '04 things changed and they droppped it instead of having to pay the licensing fee.


If it was me I'd go for mntlion's deal on the Devinci. That's a sweet ride. Sorry Bag but I'd tell Iron Horse to go blow no matter what the price or spec is on their hollowpoint.

http://www.devinci.com/english/rx1.html

Remix One $1,767.50 and its NEW!!! not used

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Originally Posted by gravitylover

Sorry Bag but I'd tell Iron Horse to go blow no matter what the price or spec is on their hollowpoint.

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Why is that? (serious question, not being a pain in the ass)

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Originally Posted by bagtagley

Why is that? (serious question, not being a pain in the ass)

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I think the DW link was supposed to be a good concept, but Iron Horse rushed through it and didn't use the entire design to Weagle's spec. I remember reading that somewhere, and I'm too lazy to search for it.

I'm pretty sure that was on earlier models of the Hollowpoint.

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Originally Posted by mntlion

http://www.devinci.com/english/rx1.html

Remix One $1,767.50 and its NEW!!! not used

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PM sent.

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Originally Posted by AfroMullet

I think the DW link was supposed to be a good concept, but Iron Horse rushed through it and didn't use the entire design to Weagle's spec. I remember reading that somewhere, and I'm too lazy to search for it.

I'm pretty sure that was on earlier models of the Hollowpoint.

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Well, that's a solid piece of information to base a $1400-2200 decision on.

dw has a big post on MTBR where he denies that strongly. I know where it is but I'm too lazy to post the link for you :D

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Originally Posted by Spats

Well, that's a solid piece of information to base a $1400-2200 decision on.

dw has a big post on MTBR where he denies that strongly. I know where it is but I'm too lazy to post the link for you :D

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Hey, it was in MBAction! It must be true. :wink:

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Originally Posted by phUnk

Rocky Mountain Slayer!!!

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What he said!!!!