mtb ?

[spanky]

Originally posted by board
once again no brainer...get the Blur with the 5th element best set up going !

I just picked one up late last year. Only ridden twice, but an amazing improvement over my Cannondale hardtail. This is in your price range of 2-3K if you go with full XT. Upgrade to XTR will put you in a little over 4K.

Specs on this bike:
Full XT
5th Element Rear
Fox RLC front
Hayes Disc
Mavic 717/Onyx wheelset

http://tjdesantis.com/temp/dsc01839_small2.jpg

Larger picture here.

Edit: Weight 26 pounds as pictured (XL frame). It rides MUCH lighter.

[freshies]

hands down, the Santa Cruz Blur is the best (IMO) all around, do everything dualy out there. excellent engineering/concept on the VPP (no bob on climbs), solid feel, descends well, handles tight, twisty single track well......it rocks.

spec it w/XT and a Fox Float 100RL fork, and you be good to go.....

can prob'ly get that set-up for $2500 - $2800....MAYBE LESS..

I know this guy Greg that runs Mountaineer Cycles in WV, and he will sell you this rig @ bro/pre deal pricing above...

Let me know if you want his email..

[Crinkle]

Check here for some great reviews on every bike on the planet.

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2004_full_suspension/

I have a Jamis Dakar XC comp. Came fully loaded for about $1100+tax. Weighs 27.75 lbs. I weigh 180# @ 5'10". Other than wearing out the tires and stadard wear and tear, no problems and 600 miles in less than a year. As far as PNW, might want to change the tire. The bike comes with XT rear componets, fox float, and manitou black adjustable front shock w/lock out. If you are looking not to break the bank and don't want to have to change any componets (besides the seat) after getting the bike, look into it.

http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/04_xc_comp.html#

Mountain Biking Magazine bike of the year. 2003

[Theodore]

I have a Santa Cruz Superlight with XT. Mavic CrossMax UST wheel set. Thompson stem and post and Easton carbon bar. Fox Float RLC front and Float RL rear shocks. With tax and all it was $3300. I love it, the only thing I dont like about it is the stem has a little too much rise on it, but thats minor. I also worry a bit cause lately I've discovered how fun dropping off of stuff can be and the superlight frame isn't as great for that kind of stuff. Great bike, sky is the limit with it as it has won a NORBA championship. Hope some info is useful for you.

Ted

[shmerham]

Originally posted by board
once again no brainer...get the Blur with the 5th element best set up going !

No argument there. But, fyi almost any bike with 4 bar linkage will climb great (provided it's not a tank) and all the gimmics (epic brain, spv, etc) work great but have some sort of minor drawback.

[board]

Originally posted by Tap


- as to the Blur, it's a great XC frame, no doubt, but not the burlier ride Natty is looking for, and I hear that there have been some breakage problems in the lower linkage

Natty says " Any suggestions on a good, solid full suspension bike for pnw singletrack (no extreme jumping or crazy DH stuff) "

sounds like a blur to me ???

[Viva]

Natty's new bike!

http://www.allposters.com/IMAGES/MMPH/246461.jpg

[natty dread]

Originally posted by board
Natty says " Any suggestions on a good, solid full suspension bike for pnw singletrack (no extreme jumping or crazy DH stuff) "
sounds like a blur to me ???

Given a choice between 2 bikes, one lighter and one heavier, I'd probably go a little heavier if it were stronger as I tend to break things. And versatility would be a good thing. I just don't see myself taking big air or killing it on the DH anytime soon--but who knows

I checked out the Blur yesterday--seems like a very good choice. I think I'll demo it soon.

[ski_steep]

Originally posted by Crinkle
Check here for some great reviews on every bike on the planet.

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2004_full_suspension/

I have a Jamis Dakar XC comp. Came fully loaded for about $1100+tax. Weighs 27.75 lbs. I weigh 180# @ 5'10". Other than wearing out the tires and stadard wear and tear, no problems and 600 miles in less than a year. As far as PNW, might want to change the tire. The bike comes with XT rear componets, fox float, and manitou black adjustable front shock w/lock out. If you are looking not to break the bank and don't want to have to change any componets (besides the seat) after getting the bike, look into it.

http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/04_xc_comp.html#

Mountain Biking Magazine bike of the year. 2003

What he said....

I've got the Dakar XC Comp as well and it kicks ass IMO. I test rode a Superlight and couldn't justify the almost $1K price difference.

[zion zig zag]

I'm with my man CS on this one. Santa Cruz Heckler. Very nice bike. As far as locking out the rear shock, not that big of a deal, once you get your pedal stroke smooth and get used to the feel you would prolly never use that feature. As a matter of fact I think it's easier to climb techy stuff with the travel, keeps the wheel down or something.

[basom]

Originally posted by CS
It's the VP free. Somthing like 8 or 9 inches of travel. Ok, kind of too much, but it's just so damn sexy.
Check out the Heckler. It's got 5" and is a solid bike. I've got the Bullit (7") and love it.

for pnw trail riding with partial burl and the mobility to get more burl the bullit is the freeride bomb imo. heckler if its just strait trails (climbs like a goat). i have a elsworth joker - "6 rear with a double clamp- i huck 10 footers on it and havent broken it, but the guy i got it from broke it twice (warenteed both times) its the lightest bike with 6", and roooools on single track. but sata cruz makes very good bikes

[mountainbored]

Blur and the VP are two different animals.
Look at the weight alone. Both killer rides but for all around fun I would say the Blur takes the cake unless you are getting ready to "step up" to serious freeride. 2003 Mtn Bike of the year.

[funkendrenchman]

Definitely check out the Giant XTC series. The Blur would probably be your best choice but it is kind of pricey.

[PlayHarder]

Might want to check out some of the BC built bikes. Can't lose with Santa Cruz, but Cove (gotta love any company with names like Stiffee, Hummer, Handjob) and Brodie are pretty bomber and decently priced, as well. Rocky Mountain is always a good choice, as well.

[AK G-Dog]

Originally posted by flykdog
I'm with my man CS on this one. Santa Cruz Heckler. Very nice bike. As far as locking out the rear shock, not that big of a deal, once you get your pedal stroke smooth and get used to the feel you would prolly never use that feature. As a matter of fact I think it's easier to climb techy stuff with the travel, keeps the wheel down or something.

I agree as well. I like the simplicty of the single pivot. Mine climbs like a Billy Goat in heat. I opted for the "X" version and got pretty much bargin basement parts (LX and such). I have a fox rear shock, with no lock out. I have never had any issues with climbing (other then I am fat and out of shape). It sure feels like I have better traction going uphill on my Heckler then I ever did on my Fisher hard tail. It is also a very comfortable commuter, but the tires wear pretty quick, I doubt that is the bikes fault. I like the little niche it fills, not a racer, not a full on free rider. Nice light, nimble and strong. Could it be the R:ex of bicycles?

Plus I got it in yellow to match my Xterra!

[phUnk]

These threads always rock. Full of people recommending nothing but the bikes they wish they could buy...

Want advice on skis, go to a ski forum.

Want advice on mountain bikes, go to a mountain bike forum

[Telephil]

Originally posted by phUnk
These threads always rock. Full of people recommending nothing but the bikes they wish they could buy...

phUnker, I do actually believe that most people in this forum own the bikes they recommended. CS and myself being two of them, plus a number of others that I read through, but don't remember names.

[CS]

I guess my "I've got the Bullit" comment was too complicated. And why not ask about bikes? People are asking about cars. The collective obviously has some bike knowledge (recommendations for Shore bikes nothwithstanding), so it was a wise choice. Again I say Natty: SantaCruz. Heckler, or Bullit. That is all.

[zion zig zag]

dear phUnk, come trail season I am going to own you on my Santa Cruz.
-love, flyk

[descender]

Travel is addictive. It is like width on skis. Personally I think 7" in front and back is about right these days. More for a DH only bike.

Head angle is really important. The slacker the easier steeps and drops will be, and the worse going uphill is going to be. Wheelbase and bottom bracket height are also key.

I would go with one of the budget brands like Giant, Iron Hoarse, etc.

XT is fine. XTR is just lighter, and everything is going to break anyway.

https://files.xythos.com/users/amorg...opSequence.jpg

[DaveTV]

Originally posted by phUnk
These threads always rock. Full of people recommending nothing but the bikes they wish they could buy...

Want advice on skis, go to a ski forum.

Want advice on mountain bikes, go to a mountain bike forum

Mr Negative, as usual..

[Mr. Altagirl]

If we're not skiing, we're riding something with two wheels (preferably really fast in gnarly terrain).

I have had a Giant AC1 for two years now and love it. I even had a triple clamp on it the first year, ran a rock ring and raced in downhill (with a front derailleur). I can't say enough for how versatile it has been. I've lighten it up a bit and it's my trail bike now.

I want a Santa Cruz but you can almost get a fully decked out Giant for the price of the Santa Cruz frame. My brother races a Blur and that thing is sweet. He brought it out here and we rode Moab for a week and it held up. I worry that it is too light (3 UPS runs in 5 days and it was creaking a bit, lost a few spokes, bent some bars). I hate to push Giant so much but you should at least check them out.

Also check out the classified ads at http://mtbr.com/. We have both bought and sold bikes here. There is always good stuff on this site for sale at good prices.

Let us kow when you want to go for a ride (especially in Moab).

[powderpyg]

Natty, I've got a Rocky Mountain Slayer...incredible allround bike! Six inches front and rear, super easy lockout on the rear for climbing and it only weighs about 30 pounds. Handles great on single track and holds its own on fireroad bombing. They are also made in North America, which is big in my book. Runs around 3000 to 3500 Canadian, so if you bought up here you could save yourself some change .

[phUnk]

Originally posted by Telephil
phUnker, I do actually believe that most people in this forum own the bikes they recommended. CS and myself being two of them, plus a number of others that I read through, but don't remember names.

My main point was most people are telling Natty to get the bikes they like for the kind of riding they like to do and the kind/level of riders they are. (eg. A VPP Free? Come on.) Don't see how that helps our main get a bike that would work for him.

By the end of this thread, Natty's going to have a list of 15 companies to check out and every model from 3.5" travel racers to 9" travel freeride monsters. That's helpful, eh?

My recommendation is still to focus his research on www.mtbr.com

Oh, and I have a Rocky Mountain Slayer, so he should get that.

PS. Flykdog & TelePhil don't stand a chance against me this summer. Those guys are too fat.

[bagtagley]

I'd like to suggest Ridemonkey as well. Typically a bit more helpful than emptybeer.

Natty, the best thing you can do is get out and ride them. Nobody is going to know what you like more than you. There must be tons of bike shops where you are. Look around, ride stuff and see what fits...same as skis, only easier. I also recommend trying to deal w/ a local shop before doing mail order. If you find something you like, offer a good bit below sticker, even if it's a special order, they are almost always willing to deal, and if not then try somewhere else. Even if you pay a bit more at your LBS, it's worth it in the long run in the form of free tune-ups and a good relationship with someone close by. In particular, get to know the bike tech. A sixer can be a powerful thing.

Going from my understanding that your a ripping skier that isn't afraid to step it up, I'd definitely say go with something beefy that you can grow into. Honestly, I don't care how light you are, things will break as you start to push the limits. I'm barely 155 in the summer, and I've broken 2 frames and countless front forks.

Invest your money in a solid frame, a very high quality front fork, and good hydraulic disk brakes. Then, determine how much you have left for parts/componentry, and get what you can afford, plenty of the cheaper stuff will outperform the lighter, more expensive stuff.

Linkage bikes will have a more plush ride, but are more likely to fail. Single pivot bikes are a bit harsher, but are typically stiffer, simpler and there are a lot less moving parts to go bad. If you're getting a bike with a 4 bar linkage, then rear shock hardly matters. With a single pivot bike though, you definitely want a shock w/ stable platform damping (5th Element, Manitou SPV).

Incidentally, you can build a mean hardtail for easily 1/2 the cost of a nice full suspension bike.