Another what bike for me thread.

[systemoverblow'd]

I haven't been on a bike that wasn't made for the road in 5 years. Where I live I will need something that goes up as well as down. Have no need for a downhill monster, but something that can absorb some smallish drops would be nice.

I'm 5'8", 150lbs. Shops around here suck so I will probably be forced to buy online. Would rather not break the bank but want something solid as I hope to do a lot of riding this summer. I'm not opposed to used if it isn't beaten to hell.

Also, I used to build bmx at a shop so I know my way around that stuff but have never worked on suspension (on a mountain bike) or fancy derailleurs and such. Can I fumble my way through this and learn as I go or will I be killing myself?

[schuss]

Drive up to Portsmouth, NH and buy one tax-free at Papa Wheelies. While not the best shop ever, they do have a pretty comprehensive selection and plenty of knowledgeable dudes. Also, I believe a free tune every year (which you can take there or back bay bicycles).

What's the budget?

[systemoverblow'd]

I don't really have a budget. Lets say I would like to keep it under $3k.

[Anospa]

Where are you located that "shops suck." You're asking about mtn bikes and say you have no idea what you're looking for, but still have enough of an idea to know that you won't luck out in any shops?

$3k will get you a decent full suspension trail or all mountain bike, go ride some and find out what you don't like.

[skinipenem]

First question is what's more important to you: covering lots of ground/climbing performance vs. downhill performance? less travel vs. more travel.

Second question is: nimbleness, turnability, jumpability, amount of technique required? if you answer a big yes to these then consider 26">27.5">29".

Terrain, personal preference, ballz etc... all play into the above two questions. For example, in Utah we have a lot of trails that are up, up, up and then down, down, down so our smallest mtn bikes have 6" travel, big tires, and are sweet; but, if you have rolling up, down, up, down, up, down, trails then our bikes would suck.

IMHO the answers to the above questions will probably be enough to decide upon the amount of travel and wheel size. From there.... it is a matter of preference and dollars.

A dropper seatpost is a worthy investment no matter what you get (arguable for a DH bike though, but you aren't looking for DH.)

have fun and welcome back from the darkside realm of the spandex mafia.

[JeffreyJim]

Yeah, you really should ride some shit. But...since I'm bored:

1) How tall are you?
2) Where do you want the bike to excel? Climbing? Descending? Balanced?
3) Be honest -- how technical are the trails you ride?
4) What bike are you coming off of?
5) What do your buddies ride?
6) Would you consider yourself coordinated or more of a spaz?
7) What do you ski?
8) How much do you plan on riding?
9) Can you push your budget to 3.5K?
10) Do you plan to do any kind of racing? (XC, enduro, etc)
11) What road bike do you ride?

[systemoverblow'd]

Yeah, you really should ride some shit. But...since I'm bored:

1) How tall are you? - 5'8"
2) Where do you want the bike to excel? Climbing? Descending? Balanced? - Balanced
3) Be honest -- how technical are the trails you ride? - Not very. Think single track and fire roads. Some chunck and drops but we aren't talking anything hardcore.
4) What bike are you coming off of? - Jamis Dakar was last I owned.
5) What do your buddies ride? - I don't know enough of the names of models to even begin to know.
6) Would you consider yourself coordinated or more of a spaz? - co-ordinated
7) What do you ski? - I snowboard. Nothing shorter than 160 nowadays. prefer bigger, charger to spinny, flippy. I like to go fast.
8) How much do you plan on riding? - After work and on weekends - let's say at least 2 times a week on short little rides after work and most of the weekends, most of the day.
9) Can you push your budget to 3.5K? - possibly
10) Do you plan to do any kind of racing? (XC, enduro, etc) - no
11) What road bike do you ride? - Bianchi Pista fixed (just sold) and Trek Madone

[grskier]

Start with a trail bike, plenty of options discussed around here.

Go to pinkbike and see what's in good shape.

Ride your ass off, and figure out your likes and dislikes, and 'knowing' you, figure you'll be looking at something more tailored to 'you' next year or so.

[toast2266]

you're in MA, right?

[systemoverblow'd]

you're in MA, right?

correct.

[Anospa]

Head to JRA in Medford then. I will agree that most shops in the greater boston area are lacking, but they make up for it. They've got a LOT of bikes in your size and budget and preference.

[systemoverblow'd]

Head to JRA in Medford then. I will agree that most shops in the greater boston area are lacking, but they make up for it. They've got a LOT of bikes in your size and budget and preference.

I will certainly check them out. Didn't know of them and they look to be well stocked!

[Tuckerman]

I was in the same boat as you with less money to spend. I went with a Trek Stache 7 if I had more money I would have got the Stache 8. Also trying to upgrade a bike seemed kind of expensive compared to spending a little more up front. Not sure if that helps.

[Anospa]

Everyone in the shop rides a bunch, so they'll definitely be able to guide you in the right direction.

Not sure if its feasible or not, but there'll be a ton of demo bikes up at the nembafest event at Burke this weekend.

[schuss]

If you're going to be riding lynn woods, make sure you don't have a bike that feels "flexy", as there are a lot of tech moves there.

[toast2266]

MA has lots of awesome, technical singletrack. Most of what I used to ride there was relatively low speed and really rocky, so these suggestions are coming from that frame of reference. Lots of people might suggest bikes with longer travel and slacker geometry, but a lot of times those can be overkill on the trails in MA; you never really get going fast enough to really utilize the added stability that you get from those frame designs (but I haven't ridden in the east in many years, so maybe the trails have changed).

If I were buying one bike for that area, I'd probably be looking at something with 4-5" travel. I'm roughly the same size as you, and I'd probably stick with 26" wheels. The bigger wheels will roll over chunder easier, but 29ers tend to feel really long and they can be a handful on tighter trails. Personally, I'd go with maneuverability over roll-over-ability.

For new bikes that are around $3k, I'd probably look at a Giant Trance X1. Other options that might be worth looking at: Specialized Stumpjumper, Trek Fuel, Santa Cruz Blur. There's plenty of options; at a given price point, the big brands are usually going to have similar specs, so you're really just looking for something that fits you right and feels good.

Another good shop to check out is Belmont wheel works. Also, lots of shops do demo days. It's worth it to check those out because you can ride fancy new bikes in the setting that they're actually intended for. A parking lot test ride can only tell you so much.

[Anospa]

I was in the same boat as you with less money to spend. I went with a Trek Stache 7 if I had more money I would have got the Stache 8. Also trying to upgrade a bike seemed kind of expensive compared to spending a little more up front. Not sure if that helps.

Yeah, definitely buy what you can afford. Carrying a little extra money for replacing things you inevitably break is good, but you won't save much in the long run thinking you can upgrade things down the road. If you're looking to cut costs, buy used parts.

Yeah, demos are great; there's already been an Ibis and Pivot demo, there may be another Pivot demo on June 29th (the Pivot Mach 5.7 would be a perfect NE trail bike).

Toast kinda hit it perfectly, 4-5" trail bikes are the best fit here. A lot of people have moved to 29ers, but on some of the slower speed techy or jumpy trails, I'd see that not being as fun. I ride an enduro (160mm travel) and its overkill for 90% of the riding I do on it, but nice for when I can push it on some trails.

[strawjack]

I like this site as a very general guide to at least get started with price points.

http://mountain-bikes.findthebest.com

I have a 26" and a 29" full suspension. The 26" is definitely more playfull, but the 29er is a lot more enjoyable overall. It's much more efficient and smoother on rough terrain. I'm riding techy EC stuff and haven't noticed too much difference in the handling...it's there, but not enough for me to give a shit. The 650b may be a good EC ride...idk. I'm not racing. We just ride then drink beers and get irie mon!

[creaky fossil]

I'd go with toast's recommendation. He's a good rider and knows his sheee-ite. Remember he has one of the nimbler 29er hardtails (Yelli) and can use that experience between bikes, and on your local terrain, to compare a 4"-5" FS 26 wheeler to a ground-covering 29 wheel that is pretty quick handling for a 29 wheel. Bonus of FS is your overall comfort on a longer ride, especially if you have some old injuries to hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders. I've put in lots of hours on 26 FS and 29 HT, and one season on a 29 FS, and I've done plenty of riding back in NH-PA-NJ, and I'd agree with toast.

[schuss]

MA has lots of awesome, technical singletrack. Most of what I used to ride there was relatively low speed and really rocky, so these suggestions are coming from that frame of reference. Lots of people might suggest bikes with longer travel and slacker geometry, but a lot of times those can be overkill on the trails in MA; you never really get going fast enough to really utilize the added stability that you get from those frame designs (but I haven't ridden in the east in many years, so maybe the trails have changed).

If I were buying one bike for that area, I'd probably be looking at something with 4-5" travel. I'm roughly the same size as you, and I'd probably stick with 26" wheels. The bigger wheels will roll over chunder easier, but 29ers tend to feel really long and they can be a handful on tighter trails. Personally, I'd go with maneuverability over roll-over-ability.

For new bikes that are around $3k, I'd probably look at a Giant Trance X1. Other options that might be worth looking at: Specialized Stumpjumper, Trek Fuel, Santa Cruz Blur. There's plenty of options; at a given price point, the big brands are usually going to have similar specs, so you're really just looking for something that fits you right and feels good.

Another good shop to check out is Belmont wheel works. Also, lots of shops do demo days. It's worth it to check those out because you can ride fancy new bikes in the setting that they're actually intended for. A parking lot test ride can only tell you so much.

This is great advice. I echo the 4-5 inch bike with good climbing potential. Most trails are tight and rolling up and down, which is really quite fun, but totally different from the normal west coast ride up large hill/mountain then ride down. Most guys I used to ride with that were really happy were on stumpjumpers or mojos. Not a lot of giant penetration (heh), but the trance is a great bike with the right characteristics to ride the east.

[shirk]

Get the red one.

[systemoverblow'd]

Does it go faster? I want a fast bike.

[nickwm21]

Giant and Kona are the best "bang for your buck" bikes out there.

A $3k giant trance will have the same components as a $5k sc blur....

sent from the future using my mind powers

[schuss]

Looks like some Pivot and Ibis demos are coming up from JRA, so that should be a good foundation on what's out there and how it feels.

[systemoverblow'd]

Yeah I saw those! Definitely want to check them out.