I want a new bike....

[PlayHarder]

but, technology has passed me by since I was last serious about riding.
Currently riding an '02 Brodie HT that I built up before I discovered the difference between Vancouver/Whistler riding and Calgary/Banff riding. Now, I know I want full suspension.
Any suggestions on a couple of decent FS rigs to check out would be appreciated. Climbing ability much more important than being able to suck up big drops, I'm too much of a wimp to drop anything bigger than 3' anyway.
I took a Rocky Mountain Slayer 30 and a Specialized Enduro Elite out today, but just on pavement around the shop. Prefered the $2500ca price tag of the RM to the $3600ca price on the Enduro and also prefered the ride of the RM.
I'm willing to spend +/-$3000, is there anything out there that I NEED to check out before making a decision or are most bikes in that range going to be pretty equal except for personal preference?

Sorry for being a little long winded, but this is like 6 pairs of new skis I'm spending.

[danadog]

Check out a Santa Cruz Blur. I just rode one the other day. Climbs with the best of them.
What size are you looking for?

[PlayHarder]

6'2" - 17.5"/18" I guess.

Asking because I'm a little confused after checking some magazines and then going to the LBS. Mags said that the Enduro was more freeride oriented than a climber, but the guy in the shop pointed at that & the RM - which seemed like 2 totally different bikes.

Made me realize I know nothing about newer FS bikes, and for $2500+, I really don't want to screw up.

[yentna]

If you don't want to screw up on the $2500 bike, you could......

.....do what I'm doing and take the easy way out: stall. Buy a cheaper but effective bike while you slowly build the bike that is exactly what you want. Just bought a 2004 FSR for something like $600 to ride for this summer, since I a.) don't have the money for the perfect bike right now and b.) don't know exactly what I want. Spend the year riding something decent while testing things and looking around and figuring what I want on the dream bike. (Mmm, Heckler) Then for sure won't screw up the $2500 since I/you'd be positive it's what I/you want.

Just a thought.......

Good luck either way.

[gravitylover]

You won't go wrong with the Jamis XLT 2 or 3 and the Marin Wolf Ridge will also treat you well. All of them should be within your price range.

[Rippinsick]

I absolutely love my jamis xlt 2. When I was looking last year there was nothing that even came close to what you pay for and what you get with the Jamis. My .02

[peterslovo]

Don't exclude the Giant Reign or Trance either - the Reign is a great trailbike that can handle the big hits as well, while the Trance is a bit more XC oriented. They've gotten great reviews for the maestro suspension. Great component spec, good range of prices for the 1, 2 and 3.

http://www.giant-bicycle.com/us/030....2005&range=199

Great reviews of the Reign 2 on MTBR:

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Freeride...t_124718.shtml

Just my $0.02

[PlayHarder]

The Jamis looks like it'll go on the list, hadn't even thought of Giant's.
Yentna, it's not that I don't know what I want in a bike - I just haven't kept up on suspension technology. A cheap FS won't cut it, I ride 7 days/wk - 1 or 2 - 20km rides in the evenings, longer rides on the weekends and laps on the 5km loop in the river valley by my house for the rest. All rocky singletrack and most rides generally include anywhere from 500m to 1000m of climbing.
With the line kind of blurry between all-mountain/XC and all-mountain/freeride, I just wanted some suggestions that favored the xc side without being too weight conscious and wimpy for fast downhills and small drops.
Thanks for the replies so far.

[Monique]

Find a local shop (where are you?) that carries Moots and check out the Smoothie Al (aluminum frame). I first rode the titanium version at Interbike a few years ago and almost wept when I had to give it back, which was somewhat embarrassing as I was test riding competitors' bikes for another manufacturer. Then a couple of years ago I wandered into the Moots factory in Steamboat and the easygoing lads there loaned me one for a few days. A local took me on a mixture of road, single track and places I dubbed "no track." The bike climbed like an absolute champ--my fitness was the only limitation. It felt crazy-light underfoot and I felt like my power was placed in just the right spot, like on a road bike. It was also a gas on technical descents, seeming to find a line all on its own--"Look Ma, no hands!"

I was priced out, though, even when Moots came out with the aluminum frame, but I just found a Smoothie Al fully built as a barely used demo (like, 2 miles on it) from Speedgoat for $2,700. It was set up with all decent parts and really good parts where it counts, like a Fox Float RLC Talas fork and Progressive 5th Element rear shock. The bike would probably retail for about $3,500. All I'm having to tweak is the seatpost, saddle and stem for fit, and the tires for northwest terrain. At the point I found it, I was considering a Jamis but even the shop that would have hooked me up with about $1,000 off on the Jamis said "run do not walk" to get this deal on the Moots. I've only had the bike out on its first couple of rides and I'm still working with the fit, but so far it's every bit as fun as the ti frame version was. (Backyard pic of new toy attached.)

I see Speedgoat currently has a 16.5" Smoothie Al on their site for $2,000, with lower end parts...at that price, you could upgrade as you go. They also have a wide range of other bikes. Both Chris and Steve there are extremely helpful. Good luck--

http://www.moots.com/bike-mtn-smoothieal.php
http://www.speedgoat.com/demos.asp

[Darkside]

I think the Slayer would be a great choice, but I would think about moving up to the Slayer 50, much better components, especially the fork. From Specialized, maybe an FSR 120 would be a better choice, though the Enduro Elite (2005 6" F+R) is my new favorite bike, but it might be overkill for you it sounds like. Check out the Trance also and maybe the Reign, my shop just started carrying Giant and they look really good. As for Santa Cruz, the Blur can handle anything you throw at it, but a more perfect trail bike will be coming out from them in a month or two, 5.3" of rear travel, less cross country angles.

[mntlion]

C'dale prophet is a great option
under #30 (like 26-27 I guess) 6" travel, lifetime warranty, SPV for no bob climbing.

If you want to try a med let me know, I have one for sale used too.

[freshies]

Check out a Santa Cruz Blur. I just rode one the other day. Climbs with the best of them.
What size are you looking for?

what he said. i rock a blur, and its a perfect all around'er, not DH/FR (obviously), but not XC weeny FS either....4.5 rear travel w/a fox float 100rl up-front kit'ed out w/full XTR Disc and some Thompson schwag...its the shit.

Except, now I am jealous of the new Blur coming out...its called the Blur LT (long travel), gives ya 5 of rear travel w/some slacker angles so its more FR oriented..sound slike the perfect compromise between the need to still climb and have a nimble feeling bike w/some beef and travel too....check it out on SC'ss web site. Good luck! I love shopping for new bikes/skis....so great.

[roscoe]

i ride a rm switch and love it it has hit some 6-8' drops but not after i blew my knee out it rocks on the down hill and is ok on the ups