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Hardwrkr13

Hardwrkr13

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I need a recommendation on a mtb. I was using an 07 Giant Trance 3 the past two years but it was a bit big for me so I recently sold it. I haven't looked at bikes in a few years but I'd like a quick trail bike that can handle small jumps off roots and things and not break (I'm 215lbs). My Trance was ~32lbs so maybe something lighter as well but my main concern is reliability. I don't race, more of a weekend warrior.
Budget is in the $1500 range so I'm obviously going used. Been checking out a Fuel and a Anthem.
If anyone has one something that suits my needs or has a recommendation I'd love to hear it.
 
For $1500 you can pretty much buy anything you want.

I usually stick to full suspension, I have a Cannondale Jekyll at the moment that's a phenomenal bike but i rarely leave the ground. I'm not sure how the bizarre Lefty fork would cope with drops but for aggressive trail riding it's great.

The Cannondale Jekyll or a Santa Cruz Heckler would be my suggestions for full suspension bikes.
 
Yeah I forget to mention I want to stay with a FS bike. I did look at a Jekyll but like you said I was concerned about the fork (and at its super lightweight I was concerned if it would break under me).
One thing I'm concerned with is if I will like a more race-type bike like a Top Fuel or the Anthem for use as a trail weapon or not (less suspension travel, more aggressive, not as comfortable). They are lighter but are they good for my needs.
 
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caboose483 said:
I'm not sure how the bizarre Lefty fork would cope with drops.
Click to expand...

Multi time World Dual Slalom, 4x, BMX champ, and factory Cannondale rider Brian Lopes doesn't seem to have a problem with his. Mind you, it has Works internals, but for mortals, the stock fork is fine.

crankworx.jpg


jump3.jpg
 
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caboose483 said:
For $1500 you can pretty much buy anything you want.

I usually stick to full suspension, I have a Cannondale Jekyll at the moment that's a phenomenal bike but i rarely leave the ground. I'm not sure how the bizarre Lefty fork would cope with drops but for aggressive trail riding it's great.

The Cannondale Jekyll or a Santa Cruz Heckler would be my suggestions for full suspension bikes.
Click to expand...

I'm of the opinion that two fork legs are better than one, just like swingarms, but the Lefty, as FullMoto suggests, is plenty strong for most people. I've been into cycling for many many years, built a thousand wheels, and I can say that some people are very hard on bikes while others are not. I regularly get 2' of air on my rides and I'm 190lbs..but I'm fairly smooth when I ride. I've seen 130lb guys destroy wheels and bikes in no time because they are elephants when they ride..technique is a big factor. I'd stick with a steel steerer-tube fork and coil springs..they are durable and a bit heavier. And I agree that $1500 is a very good number for getting a good bike.
 
Invictus: I got to play with this in the pits at the 96 24 hrs. of Adrenaline. It was........unusual. I don't think I'd be doing any runs down WC #6 at Bromont with it on the front of my bike.

p4pb4672787.jpg
 
It really sounds like you need a trail bike. Every manufacturer is building sub 30 lb, 5 inch, efficiently pedaling bikes now that a can take a beating (but as someone mentioned earlier, a smooth rider can get away with a 'lighter' bike). All these bikes will go fast with appropriate legs and lungs.

Specialized Stumpjumper
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=46578&menuItemId=0&gold_ses=

Trek Fuel EX (I've test ridden the 8, and it felt great)
http://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en/bikes/mountain_full_suspension/fuel_ex/fuelex8/

Giant Cypher (replaced the Trance). The anthem is a 4" travel bike, a little more 'race' oriented. Depends on how you like to 'feel' on the bike
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca/bikes/model/cypher/8109/45638/

Rocky Mountain Altitude
http://www.bikes.com/main+en+01_102+ALTITUDE_30.html?BIKE=904&CATID=1&SCATID=22&Y=2011

Norco Fluid
http://www.norco.com/bikes/mountain/trail/fluid-1/

Cannondale RZ 120 (Don't fear the lefty, no issues with strength)
http://www.cannondale.com/can/bikes...-suspension/rz-120/2011-rz-one-twenty-3-16257

There are many other brands with bikes in-line with what you need. It's just a matter of finding something used. Here is a Fuel EX 8 (large)

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/810119/

Examples of bikes that generally fall in this range (mixed sizes since you didn't state a height)

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/6198886/
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/803231/
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/724642/
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/820782/
 
FullMotoJacket said:
Invictus: I got to play with this in the pits at the 96 24 hrs. of Adrenaline. It was........unusual. I don't think I'd be doing any runs down WC #6 at Bromont with it on the front of my bike.
Click to expand...

Haha! :) I mean, it's simpler to make..but think of the lateral load on the pivots. I always think of the standard single-shear, double-shear connection from first-year engineering.. :)
 
invictus43 said:
Haha! :) I mean, it's simpler to make..but think of the lateral load on the pivots. I always think of the standard single-shear, double-shear connection from first-year engineering.. :)
Click to expand...

Because of the "J" path (AMP, Interloc), it has a tendency to twist to the right under compression, especially under braking. Not exactly confidence inspiring.
 
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CptSydor said:
It really sounds like you need a trail bike. Every manufacturer is building sub 30 lb, 5 inch, efficiently pedaling bikes now that a can take a beating (but as someone mentioned earlier, a smooth rider can get away with a 'lighter' bike). All these bikes will go fast with appropriate legs and lungs.

Specialized Stumpjumper
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=46578&menuItemId=0&gold_ses=

Trek Fuel EX (I've test ridden the 8, and it felt great)
http://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en/bikes/mountain_full_suspension/fuel_ex/fuelex8/

Giant Cypher (replaced the Trance). The anthem is a 4" travel bike, a little more 'race' oriented. Depends on how you like to 'feel' on the bike
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca/bikes/model/cypher/8109/45638/

Rocky Mountain Altitude
http://www.bikes.com/main+en+01_102+ALTITUDE_30.html?BIKE=904&CATID=1&SCATID=22&Y=2011

Norco Fluid
http://www.norco.com/bikes/mountain/trail/fluid-1/

Cannondale RZ 120 (Don't fear the lefty, no issues with strength)
http://www.cannondale.com/can/bikes...-suspension/rz-120/2011-rz-one-twenty-3-16257

There are many other brands with bikes in-line with what you need. It's just a matter of finding something used. Here is a Fuel EX 8 (large)

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/810119/

Examples of bikes that generally fall in this range (mixed sizes since you didn't state a height)

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/6198886/
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/803231/
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/724642/
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/820782/
Click to expand...
Sorry I should've mentioned I'm 5'10". I did go through pinkbike yesterday and that Fuel EX is already sold. I need a size medium (I'm guessing around 18" as my 20" was too big). My road bike is a 54cm.
 
caboose483 said:
For $1500 you can pretty much buy anything you want.

I usually stick to full suspension, I have a Cannondale Jekyll at the moment that's a phenomenal bike but i rarely leave the ground. I'm not sure how the bizarre Lefty fork would cope with drops but for aggressive trail riding it's great.

The Cannondale Jekyll or a Santa Cruz Heckler would be my suggestions for full suspension bikes.
Click to expand...

sorry, but 1500 will NOT get you whatever you want... a new heckler is over 2k if im not mistaken, with x7/x9 componentry... and the new Jekylls are over 3K

if you want used, 1500 could get you something decent from MTBR.com... take a look at the classifieds.

heres a pic of my new bike, just because i never show it off and i want to. 10 RM Altitude 70RSL avec RS Revelation RLT Ti

2011-02-25_11-22-36_533.jpg
 
MG said:
sorry, but 1500 will NOT get you whatever you want...
Click to expand...

I think he meant get you a pretty decent bike of any type. I'd agree that $1500 is a good price point to get a bike at..I'm racing on a $1000 bike..does the job just fine..
 
FullMotoJacket said:
I only paid $375 for my Catalyst off kijiji. I guess it's not good enough.
Click to expand...

sorry, id not want to come across as an mtb snob, but from shopping around and biking as long is I have, ive found that 1500, is about the sweet spot for a good hardtail... For a FS, a decent starting spot is around 2k, especially if you're looking at 140+mm of travel... caboose made it seem that if you walk into a bike shop with 1500 you can pick anything up, which definitely is not the case

not a personal insult or anything like that
 
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MG said:
sorry, id not want to come across as an mtb snob, but from shopping around and biking as long is I have, ive found that 1500, is about the sweet spot for a good hardtail... For a FS, a decent starting spot is around 2k, especially if you're looking at 140+mm of travel... caboose made it seem that if you walk into a bike shop with 1500 you can pick anything up, which definitely is not the case

not a personal insult or anything like that
Click to expand...

No worries..It's just the built-in anti-bike-snob programming.. :) I was just saying there are good bikes out there for $1500..it's not really necessary to spend huge bucks..
 
invictus43 said:
No worries..It's just the built-in anti-bike-snob programming.. :) I was just saying there are good bikes out there for $1500..it's not really necessary to spend huge bucks..
Click to expand...

Although I always appreciate the people that do and then move on, it moves some sweet rides into the used market. I bought my bike (Titus FCR 29er) off the original owner for many thousands less than he paid for it 2 years before (and no, it wasn't hot, I bought it from a reputable bike store). He had too much money and too many bikes and some had to go.
 
MG said:
sorry, but 1500 will NOT get you whatever you want... a new heckler is over 2k if im not mistaken, with x7/x9 componentry... and the new Jekylls are over 3K

if you want used, 1500 could get you something decent from MTBR.com... take a look at the classifieds.

heres a pic of my new bike, just because i never show it off and i want to. 10 RM Altitude 70RSL avec RS Revelation RLT Ti
Click to expand...

In that case you probably don't want to know what i paid for my Jekyll or the Heckler i had before that.
 
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