Sooooooooo........do I need/want a second bike?

[zion zig zag]

My AS-x comes in right at 40 lbs. with the single crown sherman breakout plus, but that is with wire bead 2.5 tires and heavy DH tubes. But still, it climbs so well that I would swear it's lighter. I'm not gonna win any xc races on it, but I don't dread climbs either, just get in a low gear and go. And I think the travel changes from 7" to 5".
If you put on a marz jr.t I guess that would bump up the weight a few pounds. Bagtagley, what improvement would a DC make? I'm guessing stiffer, better tracking, plusher? The breakout tracks pretty well now but I've never ridden a DC fork.

[bagtagley]

Yeah, I'm not sure. I would imagine that the 888 would be stiffer than an sc fork, but I really don't know about some of the lighter-duty dc forks. I have heard that Manitou's new freeride stuff is uber-stiff, so who knows?

The Z1 is the "biggest" sc fork I've ridden, and it's a noodle compared to the dc forks I've tried. However, it's not in the same league as the Shermans or even the Z150, so not really a good comparison I wouldn't think.

[lph]

been doing my research and thanks for your guys advice.

right now, i am thinking of definitely a dc fork. i want this bike to be significantly different from the heckler. i am thinking either the super T pro or the manitou slider. with the slider it sounds like the spv dampening is really nice. so, i am leaning towards the manitou.

as far as the frame, i am really leaning towards the yeti as-x i have read nothing but good things. the other bike i was considering strongly was the vpfree, but again, i want to mix it up a little, i got the sc heckler, i know it will likely be a long wait for the vpfree.

123bikes is supposed to be one of the best LBS here in tahoe, they do a lot of web business as well, i think it is time for a visit to start the dialog of getting a build going, only problem, never been in the store before, so, i might see if the LBS that i use wants to build this for me. they are much more likely to give me a significant locals discount as i give them alot of business.

couple other questions: (possibly stupid)

1) are avid mechanical 'enough' brake or do i go for the hayes hydraulic with the 8" rotors?

2) what wheelset would you guys recommend? do people run tubeless on freeride/dh bikes?

whaddya think, can i get this bike to come in at 40lbs and under $2500?????

[zion zig zag]

I'd go with the 8" hydraulic.
I've heard that the tubeless does'nt work as well as with the big, wide tires.
call Krispy at go-ride . The kit he builds them with is good and he will tweak anything you want. he really knows his stuff and will give you advice where you need it. The link above mentions a $300 in store credit, i think he'll just knock that off the price. plus, you would'nt get charged tax would you?

Damn, we should get a maggot discount at that place. Mr. AG sent me there and since then I've sent two more.

[lph]

arrrrrrrrgh, well spoke to my LBS, one of the guys has the AS-X and says because of the 1.5 headset it is pointless to put a dc fork on there. the 1.5 headset is made specifically for those long travel sc manitou forks to add stiffness. there are no other forks that will fit without a headset reducer. although i will have to check on the manitou slider.

so, they are pushing me towards a stinky dee-luxe which is a pretty good price point, out the door at 2500 or so, comes with the junior T. gotta check it out. thing about kona's they are so damn heavy. even kona's brochure gives the stinky a 1 out of 5 for pedaling.

they are saying that the stinky dee luxe is the best production free ride bike i will find and that to 'build' anyother frame up will cost significantly more.

[altagirl]

I think the AS-X is close to the same price range and that fork is pretty bomber, but is more versatile. Mr.AG just called me from Boise and said he just finished an XC ride (with a kick ass descent), locked the fork down for the climb, which it made it easy, then easily cleaned a rock garden that's been tricky in the past on the way down. And then he said he might consider using his AS-X instead of his DH bike for some of the easier DH races... It's a pretty versatile bike. I think the fork is probably plenty stiff, especially with the 1.5.

Oh, and for your other questions: I'd go with hydraulics/8" rotors. Hayes, Hope, or XT. Don't know of anyone riding tubeless with their DH/FR bike.

[White Chocolate]

Originally posted by lph
arrrrrrrrgh, well spoke to my LBS, one of the guys has the AS-X and says because of the 1.5 headset it is pointless to put a dc fork on there. the 1.5 headset is made specifically for those long travel sc manitou forks to add stiffness. there are no other forks that will fit without a headset reducer. although i will have to check on the manitou slider.

so, they are pushing me towards a stinky dee-luxe which is a pretty good price point, out the door at 2500 or so, comes with the junior T. gotta check it out. thing about kona's they are so damn heavy. even kona's brochure gives the stinky a 1 out of 5 for pedaling.

they are saying that the stinky dee luxe is the best production free ride bike i will find and that to 'build' anyother frame up will cost significantly more.

Tell the guy at the bike shop to piss off. Double vs. Single crown is a personal preference, the 1.5 allows you to do both. Pointless my ass. and no shit that there aren't other forks that will fit, that's why there are adapters. It isn't a big deal. seriously. The guy at your bike shop is a tool.

[lph]

AG, thanks for the all the input it is helping alot. I have sort of convinced myself that i want the dc fork up front. seems like most of the FR/DH bikes come with the hydraulic standard.

WC, I totally agree. He is a nice guy, but you are right it is just a matter of a simple adapter. The more i think about it, the more i am confused about why he would push me away from yeti, just cause i said i wanted a dc fork.

ya, tap, i was just on mtbr triing to get some ideas on other makes. i will check out the norco.

damn expensive hobby!!!

[Particle]

lph-
get the AS-X. As far as build quality goes, it's hard to beat a Yeti. They are beautiful bikes.

And, get a Super T Pro. Light, 7" travel, SWEET fork. I used to run the 6" version on my Big Hit. I sold it and now have a Z1; while I love the suspension quality on the Z1 (same internals as Super T), there's nothing like a DC fork for just PLOWING over everything in your way. The SC definitely gets thrown around noticeably more by loose rocks, etc.

p.s. and if you REALLY want to spend some bank on a DH bike that can get to the top of a climb, check out the Foes Fly. I've got a Foes FXR, and the thing is an incredible trail bike. If I had the $$$, I'd love a Fly. Or maybe their new 7.5" trailbike, the Inferno.

[lph]

that might be the call particle. sounds like the junior T is getting panned on mtbr.com. yet the super T is getting much better reviews.

actually i am triing not to break the bank on this bike, i did that with the heckler. this bike has gotta come in alot cheaper, preferably 2500 or less.

it sounds like the kona and yeti will come in pretty similar in weights with the super T. i wonder if they will pedal considerably differently. also, have to see what kind of price point we are talking on those two bikes with similar components.

[hev]

my hunch is that the asx is going to pedal alot better than the kona.

here's a link to a slider review, another good fork for you to consider

http://www.mtbreview.com/reviews/200...t_122915.shtml

[lph]

Originally posted by hev
my hunch is that the asx is going to pedal alot better than the kona.

here's a link to a slider review, another good fork for you to consider

http://www.mtbreview.com/reviews/200...t_122915.shtml

that was the fork i was leaning towards until the guy at my LBS said the new manitous are better than the last couple years but still shitty. wouldn't know if from the reviews on mtbr.com though.

and ya, i would guess the asx will pedal better too, which is why i went into my lbs last night and said i wanted to do an asx with a sherman slider. i left 40 minutes later with a kona catalog. it is hard when you really don't have the knowledge or experience. it took me long enough to learn about buying a xc/trail bike. this is like starting over on a whole new sport. its funny i am actually nervous about my first ride on whatever i get even though i am a decent rider. go figure.

[bagtagley]

Whatever you do, don't let somebody talk you into buying a bike that you're not interested in. I have a friend who just bought a Stinky D, and though it's a very nice bike, I think you'd be a lot happier with the Yeti.

I realize that you're trying to stay within a budget, but the last thing you want to do is settle. Spending a little more money to get the bike you want, the way you want it will make you a much happier person in the long run.

Another thing to keep in mind is the fact that many bike companies (ie, Kona) have sales contracts that require a shop to spend a certain amount of money to carry their bikes. That may be why he's pushin the Stinky so hard.

[Mr. Altagirl]

Sorry I'm chiming in so late. I LOVE my AS-X. The Manitou is WAY better than I thought it was going to be. I was going to go with a Super T but I have full on DH bike already (Yeti DH-9 with a Shiver) and I wanted to save a little weight. My AS-X is my everyday bike and will climb it up any trail there is (not quickly but that is due to my fat ass, not the bike). I would say that it peddles better than any other bike I have ever owned (I used to race XC and even liked climbing at one point in my life). I switched to Hope M4 brakes - AWESOME. I also took the DH tubes / tires off and went with normal tubes with Maxxis 2.35"; I bet I shaved 2-3 lbs easily.

As much as I love the Yeti, another option would be the new Giant AC-1. Our buddy has one and it came decked out for $2500 (Manitou DC Slider, Hayes w/8" rotors, Swinger 4-way shock, race face, full XTR).

Good luck (get the Yeti).

[lph]

Thanks for the input, Mr. AG, i was waiting patiently for you to chime in.

I am going to look at the AC 1.

right now i am leaning towards my initial thought which is the yeti with manitou slider. i am going to go to a different LBS, one i haven't been to before and start talking about the set up. I definitely won't settle, if i spend this amount of money i want to be happy.