Mountain Bikes

[jeepinxj01]

Hey guys. Just want some opinions good or bad and what some of you would suggest. I'm thinkin' of buying a new mountain bike. Something decent. Prefer a hardtail. Front suspension. Would like disc brakes, but not required. Don't wanna spend an obscene amount of money. I have a '97 Gary Fisher Joshua Z2, and I love it, but it's a little dated and I don't really need a full suspension. What would some of you mountain bikers recommend for a good all around x country hardtail? Thanks

KyS

[Lawn Cher']

I'd love to help you dude, but I can't...

http://jitcrunch.cafepress.com/jitcrunch.aspx?bG9hZD1ibGFuayxibGFuazoxNTJfRi5qcGd 8bG9hZD1MMCxodHRwOi8vaW1hZ2VzLmNhZmVwcmVzcy5jb20va W1hZ2UvMTA0OTMyOTFfNDAweDQwMC5wbmd8fHNjYWxlPUwwLDE 2MywzNixUcmFuc3BhcmVudHxsb2FkPXRtLUwwLGJsYW5rOjE1M l9GX3RtYXNrLmpwZ3xjb21wb3NlPUwwLHRtLUwwLFRleHR1cmV NYXNrLC0xNTksLTEwNXxjb21wb3NlPWJsYW5rLEwwLEFscGhhQ mxlbmQsMTU5LDEwNXxjcD1yZXN1bHQsYmxhbmt8c2NhbGU9cmV zdWx0LDAsNDgwLFdoaXRlfGxvYWQ9c2FtcGxlLGh0dHA6Ly93d 3cuY2FmZXByZXNzLmNvbS9jb250ZW50L2dsb2JhbC9pbWcvc2F tcGxlX2NydW5jaF9vdmVybGF5LmdpZnxzY2FsZT1zYW1wbGUsM Cw0ODAsV2hpdGV8Y29tcG9zZT1yZXN1bHQsc2FtcGxlLEFkZCw wLDB8Y29tcHJlc3Npb249OTV8

[jeepinxj01]

I'd love to help you dude, but I can't...

http://jitcrunch.cafepress.com/jitcrunch.aspx?bG9hZD1ibGFuayxibGFuazoxNTJfRi5qcGd 8bG9hZD1MMCxodHRwOi8vaW1hZ2VzLmNhZmVwcmVzcy5jb20va W1hZ2UvMTA0OTMyOTFfNDAweDQwMC5wbmd8fHNjYWxlPUwwLDE 2MywzNixUcmFuc3BhcmVudHxsb2FkPXRtLUwwLGJsYW5rOjE1M l9GX3RtYXNrLmpwZ3xjb21wb3NlPUwwLHRtLUwwLFRleHR1cmV NYXNrLC0xNTksLTEwNXxjb21wb3NlPWJsYW5rLEwwLEFscGhhQ mxlbmQsMTU5LDEwNXxjcD1yZXN1bHQsYmxhbmt8c2NhbGU9cmV zdWx0LDAsNDgwLFdoaXRlfGxvYWQ9c2FtcGxlLGh0dHA6Ly93d 3cuY2FmZXByZXNzLmNvbS9jb250ZW50L2dsb2JhbC9pbWcvc2F tcGxlX2NydW5jaF9vdmVybGF5LmdpZnxzY2FsZT1zYW1wbGUsM Cw0ODAsV2hpdGV8Y29tcG9zZT1yZXN1bHQsc2FtcGxlLEFkZCw wLDB8Y29tcHJlc3Npb249OTV8


LOL!! I'm too fat myself, but I'm trying to lose the spare tire.

[Jeep914x4]

What are you looking to spend? Just before upgrading to full suspension I had a Specialized Hard Rock. It had disk breaks, a decent fork and hooked up great. The bike felt very effecient climbing hills. For the decked out Hard Rock you're looking at about $700
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=06Hardrock

Next step up from that would be a Rock Hopper. Never owned one but have heard good things about them. A top of the line Rock Hopper will run you about a grand.
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=06Rockhopper

I should mention that I am partial to specialized. I have never had a problem with their bikes with the exception of a crank arm on an early Hard Rock I had about 5 years ago. The bike wasn't a year old so it was replaced for free. They actually upgraded it to a nicer crankset while they were at it.

Good luck. Consider getting a full suspension. Now I have an FSRxc. Great bike, super light and plush ride compared to my hard tail. Runs about $1500with disks.
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=06FSRxc

HTH

[jeepinxj01]

What are you looking to spend? Just before upgrading to full suspension I had a Specialized Hard Rock. It had disk breaks, a decent fork and hooked up great. The bike felt very effecient climbing hills. For the decked out Hard Rock you're looking at about $700
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=06Hardrock

Next step up from that would be a Rock Hopper. Never owned one but have heard good things about them. A top of the line Rock Hopper will run you about a grand.
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=06Rockhopper

I should mention that I am partial to specialized. I have never had a problem with their bikes with the exception of a crank arm on an early Hard Rock I had about 5 years ago. The bike wasn't a year old so it was replaced for free. They actually upgraded it to a nicer crankset while they were at it.

Good luck. Consider getting a full suspension. Now I have an FSRxc. Great bike, super light and plush ride compared to my hard tail. Runs about $1500with disks.
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=06FSRxc

HTH


I'm not in any price range at the moment, I just haven't found anything that really trips my trigger so to speak. I've never even ridden a Specialized, so I may have to look harder at them. I have the full suspension now w/ the Fisher, but I don't know. Sometimes I think I may go through and just upgrade everything on that one. Still a good bike.

Thanks for the info.

[PhunkXJ]

I love my Specialized Hardrock sport disc, picked one up for my nephew this year too. Both times I bought the previous years model and saved a few bucks.

[Mike1331]

I have a p3 that I use for cross country and downhill, the dirt jumper is a heavy fork for anything but dirt jumping but all-n-all a very well built bike, almost over-built if its possible.
The enduro is the downhiller for northstar,downyville and such and is a little weak for what I put it through.

[Weasel]

I have a P2 that I really like. It's heavy and overbuilt though and I don't even come close to riding it like it should be. Mine's only an 8 speed, which is fine I never use more gears then waht it has to offer anyways. Started to street ride it but having a hard time popping the front end up so I don't nose dive off stuff. First bike with and decent brakes and the disk are pretty dang good.

[riverfever]

I've always had a preference for hardtails. I'm not a Specialized fan but it's got nothing to do with their actual product...more from a retail standpoint and how they treat their dealers. That said...I'll throw some other brands into the mix. OK...what I've compiled here is a list of a few of my favorites. These are XC bikes not Freeride or Downhill. I kept the price to be what I consider pretty average. I am and will always be a Shimano guy. So...I tend to move others toward them as well. I always had a hard time trying to seem jazzed about selling a customer a bike with Grip Shift or anything non-Shimano.

I really began to like most of the stuff that Felt put out after I had more experience with the company. Good solid 6061 frame with carbon seat stays and a nice mix of parts. LX/XT/Deore bike with a lockout Manitou fork. It does not have discs which is a bummer. I wouldn't buy a bike now that doesn't have discs. They gave you carbon but the trade off is you get v brakes and rims by Alex. About 1100.
http://bigshark.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&sort=brandasc&id=4409

The RXC Pro is 7000 series aluminum with a Manitou Skareb fork. Full XT bike with XTR rear der., Mavic rims. This weighs just over 22lbs. (not sure on the size bike used to measure but IIRC Felt didn't post numbers for size 15's). 2100 bones.
http://bigshark.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&sort=brandasc&id=4407

Scott has some kick ass stuff too. The Scott Scale 50 is a double butted 7000 frame, Manitou Axel (same as the first Felt I posted), mix of XT/LX parts, Shimano discs, cranks, 520 clipless pedals. Same price as the first Felt...1100. Nice bike.
http://bigshark.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&sort=brandasc&id=3250

This is one of my favorites. Scott Scale 40. Rougly same frame as the 40 but with Manitous Elite fork. LX/XT stuff, clipless, Shimano disks, and what I think is the nicest looking paint scheme that I've shown you thus far. About 2200 beans.
http://bigshark.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&sort=brandasc&id=3249

OOOHHHH....then there's the Scott Scale 30. Now you get a full carbon frame. I'll admit Scotts carbon program back in the late 90's was pretty shoddy but they are putting out some amazing stuff now and wait til you see what's coming next year from them. Crazy light. Anyway...Fox F80 fork, LX/XT stuff, Sun rims, clipless. Almost the same parts thrown on a crabon frame and Fox fork. 2200. This one makes me randy.
http://bigshark.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&sort=brandasc&id=3248

I get so excited with bikes. I wish I could stay enthused about them and get back into racing. They can be quite fun.

-river

[ckh550]

I have a Trek 3900 with front suspension, and I believe the 4300 has disk brakes and front suspension. They're around $350 or so I believe, not too bad. I use mine mostly for transportation, but for the few times I've gone mountain biking it's worked great for me. I am a beginner, and you sound more experienced, but try the Trek 4300 series.

Chris

[cracker]

I wouldn't take anything less than a Santa Cruz Nomad tricked out with XO :D

[XJ Jeepin Girl]

I have an older version of this, a Kona Blast. --> http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_cart/FrontEnd/Products/product_detail.aspx?productid=89&parentid=182

Mine doesn't have disc brakes, but this one does. I've been totally happy with mine.. had it for.. 3 years now? Hoping it lasts a lot longer too.

Or, like people have mentioned, basically anything Trek is great. My bike before this one was a Trek, don't remember the model, though.

[Mike1331]

Just get a Karpiel, you won't look back...unless you want to gaze back and laugh at the people behind you that can't keep up.

[Grifter144]

sorry no link here, but i ride a 04 giant rainier...and i love it..it has been very easy to upgrade..it came with avid disc's and a manitou axle fork up front...i swapped the bottom bracket for a hollowtech 2 crankset. the orig. tires for panaracers fire xc pro's..as well i swapped out the shimano base line clipless pedals for crank bros eggbeaters.

three years later: i am now in the market for a new fork...

...at 800 brand new it is an excellent platform...i got it from a liquidated bike shop in minnesota on ebay for a lil under 500 brand new...keep your eyes open and wait a sweet deal will arise...

i have no experience with specialized but they are supposedly 100% made in the great USA..you cant beat that..

as well due to my original bike shop being bought out recently, i have been in the loop for a new shop and recently ran into REI..our REI bike dept here is top notch and according to their(REI) bike shop guy, their line of bikes are equal to if not better than the current market..for the price...with my experience and knowledge it seems they do have a decent product.. i may look there for my first full susp...just a fellow area mtn bikers thoughts, i hope this helps...

Grifter

[kubtastic]

Go find a 29" wheeled mountain bike.
This is afterall naxja. Bigger tires are better for rolling over stuff.

[riverfever]

Just get a Karpiel, you won't look back...unless you want to gaze back and laugh at the people behind you that can't keep up.

So it's the bike...not the rider?

Not quoting you Mike but....why is anything that's a Trek good? I hate Trek. The GP likes Trek b/c of Armstrong, and Lemond. Fat City and Bontrager all went to hell after the money machine bought them up. I broke numerous Trek frames when I was racing and I am not a big guy nor did I bash things.

[METAL MONKEY]

technology for bikes have come a long way since '97. you'd be surprised how well a fs xc (3" travel) setup perform. take a look at the giant trance line as well as the cannondale rush line. both are excellent platforms. as for a hard tail, anything between the $800 -$1200 range will be more than plenty for Indiana riding as well. take a look into the ibex 650 too. for around $650 direct from the factory, it has a component set that is hard to beat at that price. only downside is, no test ride.

on a side not, BGI will be having their labor day sale soon at the north store in Castleton off of 82nd. if you can hold out until then, you can usually find some good deals. don't be bashful to bargain with them either. i got a couple hundred off a bike for my wife a couple of years ago. they carry giant, cannondale, and trek. Also Gilles fitness on the south side carries specialized and trek. so, between the two stores you can test ride a large array of bikes. unfortunately in Indy, there aren't a whole lot of dealers that carry the higher end bikes like kona, santa cruz, etc.
oh, if you go to the sale at BGI as for Shawn Hawk and tell him Cameron sent you.

[riverfever]

Dude....Indiana is nothing to shake a stick at with regard to mountain biking. They have an incredibly tough series called the Dino Series at it's brutal. Ski Paoli, Muncie or that b!tch of a course over at Wapehani (I hate that place). We had plenty of Colorado guys roll into town and get smoked.

[METAL MONKEY]

i raced the DINO series for two years. grant it i was in the intermediate class, but i'd take riding here in Colorado any day. much more variety, and not so far to drive.

[cracker]

i raced the DINO series for two years. grant it i was in the intermediate class, but i'd take riding here in Colorado any day. much more variety, and not so far to drive.

Intermediate?

You mean Sport Class?

[riverfever]

Are you serious? Man...some of those places they took us to were ridiculous. How long ago were you out that way? I know there are tons of places to mountain bike here in CO but up here in the WP it's all straight the f up. You CAN'T get an easy ride in. That part I hate.

[XJ Jeepin Girl]

Not quoting you Mike but....why is anything that's a Trek good? I hate Trek. The GP likes Trek b/c of Armstrong, and Lemond. Fat City and Bontrager all went to hell after the money machine bought them up. I broke numerous Trek frames when I was racing and I am not a big guy nor did I bash things.

I've only had/have one Trek, so maybe that's not enough to justify them being "great." I've ridden about 3 Treks, my family members have owned a few, and we still have a really old one. All worked fine for me. Why do you hate Trek?

[riverfever]

I've only had/have one Trek, so maybe that's not enough to justify them being "great." I've ridden about 3 Treks, my family members have owned a few, and we still have a really old one. All worked fine for me. Why do you hate Trek?

Mostly because I come from a retail standpoint. Having managed a shop for about 10 years, they are an absolute bear to deal with. They left another, and different, bad taste in my mouth when I not only worked to push their product each day but rode their product on the race course. I cracked one of their OCLV frames and they replaced it and that same season I cracked it again. They told me they wouldn't warranty it. It was completely unacceptable whether I worked for a LBS or was an average consumer. It was a great deal of money for a frame. Lastly, they forever changed the style and flavor of the MTB industry by buying up Keith Bontrager and Chris Chance. Granted, it's a free enterprise. If some shoddy mom and pop bakery is for sale down the street and they are known for making crazy, one of a kind streudel and I come in with my checkbook and buy them out of their monetary despair...that's life. But...If I am a true bakery connoisseur and appreciate a quality streudel and it's changed into a mass produced donut...it's the entrepreneurs discression to do what they deem necessary based upon their practices and what the public is demanding. I just had a special place in my heart for a kick ass steel frame whose quality will only be neared by a few companies (mainly Independent Fabrications and Land Shark) again. I know I'm strange. :D

There was a guy that came to our shop once (Outback Bikes...probably non-existent anymore) and he brought his trailer with him. The hippy dippy neighborhood we were in was having it's annual freak festival and he came for it. He set up a tent and built a few frames. He fillet brazed everything that day. I got to fillet braze a top tube on a MTB frame and it was pretty sweet. That's how Fat City and Bontrager were...the owners, the underdogs doing most of the fabrication themselves. I see that a lot with Jeep stuff too. Those are the guys/gals I like to give my money to. Their soul goes into each piece.

Felt and Scott are the same industry giant as many others. They just haven't bought up any small operations (that arguably had for sale signs out front) yet.

[meatplow5150]

I had a Santa Cruz Bullit that I used for everything (recreation and commuting). Kinda heavy (mine weighed about 42lbs) but it climbed well and is built like a tank (at 250lbs, I'm too heavy for the lightweight fs bikes). Had the 5th Element shock and a Marzocchi fork with ETS (a lock-out of sorts). Used to ride Henry Coe (south of San Jose, CA) every other weekend... lots and lots of climbing with some really nice downhills afterward. Sold it after I busted up my elbow (on a downhill :skull1: )...spent the proceeds on Jeep stuff :D .

[jeepinxj01]

Thanks for all the info. I had never heard of Big Shark. I'll check the links. Thanks River.


on a side not, BGI will be having their labor day sale soon at the north store in Castleton off of 82nd. if you can hold out until then, you can usually find some good deals. don't be bashful to bargain with them either. i got a couple hundred off a bike for my wife a couple of years ago. they carry giant, cannondale, and trek. Also Gilles fitness on the south side carries specialized and trek. so, between the two stores you can test ride a large array of bikes. unfortunately in Indy, there aren't a whole lot of dealers that carry the higher end bikes like kona, santa cruz, etc.
oh, if you go to the sale at BGI as for Shawn Hawk and tell him Cameron sent you.

I was in BGI last night after I posted. I was lookin' at Trek's, but it came into the back of my head that I had cracked a weld on an old Trek I had years ago, so I don't know. Thanks for the info man. I can hold out until labor day, unless I find something else better along the way. Thanks guys!

[XJEEPER]

i have been in the loop for a new shop and recently ran into REI..our REI bike dept here is top notch and according to their(REI) bike shop guy, their line of bikes are equal to if not better than the current market..for the price...with my experience and knowledge it seems they do have a decent product.. i may look there for my first full susp...just a fellow area mtn bikers thoughts, i hope this helps...

Grifter

Been shopping for bikes for my wife and I, good thread here with some nice hardware links........BTW, REI supports the Sierra Club and Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, two enviro-activist groups that receive strong financial backing from the East and use the money to lobby the closure of thousands of miles of Jeep, ATV and bike trails in the Western States, in their effort to re-invent "wilderness".
They'll get none of my money..........

[xjcrawlr]

Go find a 29" wheeled mountain bike.

X 100!


If you are going to stay hardtail, then 29" is the ONLY way to go. The larger wheel carries more inertia, making the bike both more stable and easier to keep you momentum going, not to mention the fact that it will roll over things easier.

Heres my favorite offering right now; (single speed for me though)

http://www.ninerbikes.com/emd9.html

My second choice would be;

http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/series.asp?series=trail-29er

[cracker]

.

X 100!


If you are going to stay hardtail, then 29" is the ONLY way to go. The larger wheel carries more inertia, making the bike both more stable and easier to keep you momentum going, not to mention the fact that it will roll over things easier.

Heres my favorite offering right now; (single speed for me though)

http://www.ninerbikes.com/emd9.html

My second choice would be;

http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/series.asp?series=trail-29er

You forgot to mention that with the 29" wheels it is slower to climb and a $hitty aftermarket tire selection (will be getting better shortly).

[jeepinxj01]

I was thinkin' that when I looked at the 29er online. Gotta be a shitty selection of tires. Oh well. I'm on bike overload right now. I've found about 50 I want and think I need. Oh well. My Fisher Joshua Z2 isn't lookin' too bad right now. :)

[xjcrawlr]

You forgot to mention that with the 29" wheels it is slower to climb and a $hitty aftermarket tire selection


Have you riden one?

I've noticed no difference, but I'm not a racer either.
I'm saving for a SS 29er, so the climbing thing doesn't much apply to me when to bike is geared properly. As for tires, while the selection is slim, its good with offerings from Bontrager, Kenda, IRC, Continental, and WTB to name some of the bigger companies.

[xjcrawlr]

Oh, and heres a "short" list of 29er companies;


http://speedgoat.com/product.asp?par...at=160&brand=2 -- Asylum (House branded Titus RX in Aluminum)
http://www.nishiki.com/
http://www.orbea.com/
http://www.29inch.com/
http://www.moots.com
http://chainwheel.com/site/intro.cfm (see Sofa Kings)
http://www.litespeed.com/home.aspx
http://www.sevencycles.com/
http://www.slingshotbikes.com/showro...in/bigshot.cfm
http://www.kellybike.com/
http://www.ionicbikes.com/
http://www.bti.com
http://www.deanusa.com/index2.htm
http://www.mattchester.com/
http://www.fisherbikes.com/index.asp
http://www.gunnarbikes.com/
http://www.ingliscycles.com/retrotec/
http://www.vanillabicycles.com/
http://www.sycip.com/
http://vandesselsports.com/main.html
http://www.mikkelsenframes.com/
http://www.huntercycles.com/mainpage.html
http://moots.com/home.php
http://www.vandesselsports.com/b_buzzBomb.shtml
http://www.slingshotbikes.com/
http://taylorbicycles.com/
http://www.swiftcycles.com/home.html (broken?)
http://www.vulturecycles.com/
http://chainwheel.com/site/ (Sofa King link in upper right)
http://www.strongframes.com/
http://www.quiringcycles.com/home.html
http://www.peytocycles.com/
http://www.cookbros.com/
http://www.desalvocycles.com/
http://www.davidsonbicycles.com/
http://www.anvilbikes.com/
http://www.airborne.net/
http://www.bohemianbicycles.com/ (limited I think)
http://www.curtlo.com/
http://www.tetcycles.com/
http://www.willitsbrand.com/
http://www.oxbrandbikes.com/
http://www.viciouscycles.com/
http://www.soulcraftbikes.com/
http://www.surlybikes.com/
http://www.ifbikes.com/
http://www.serotta.com/
http://spotbikes.com/
http://www.bilenky.com/index.htm
http://www.beone-bikes.com/
http://29inch.com/
http://www.duratec.cz/
http://waterfordbikes.com/ (not in thread but since they make Gunnar…)
http://www.titusti.com/ (not in thread but since we've seen 29"er Racer-x pics…)
http://www.steelmancycles.com/ (not in thread, will they do custom?)
http://www.sevencycles.com/ (not in thread, will they do custom?)
http://rivbike.com/ (not in thread, see Atlantis model)
Voodoo Cycles
http://www.wilycycles.com/
Nicolai http://www.nicolai.net http://forums13.consumerreview.com/c...b45.2@.efda0de
DaVinci 29" Tandems http://forums13.consumerreview.com/c...b45.2@.efd9dc2

[METAL MONKEY]

Are you serious? Man...some of those places they took us to were ridiculous. How long ago were you out that way? I know there are tons of places to mountain bike here in CO but up here in the WP it's all straight the f up. You CAN'T get an easy ride in. That part I hate.

I just moved to Fort Collins last may, so I raced in the '04 and beginning of '05 season.

Intermediate?

You mean Sport Class?

From what I remeber (mind is a little fuzzy) the classes where as follows:

youth
beginner (novice?)
intermediate (beginner?)
sport
expert

[cracker]

Have you riden one?

I've noticed no difference, but I'm not a racer either.
I'm saving for a SS 29er, so the climbing thing doesn't much apply to me when to bike is geared properly. As for tires, while the selection is slim, its good with offerings from Bontrager, Kenda, IRC, Continental, and WTB to name some of the bigger companies.

Unfortunately, it is my job to be 'on top' of this shit. :(

For the west coast, most of those tires blow ass. For 2007 there are a couple of more agresive (and some large tires up to 2.3) being offered. Right now, the mostly 'XC Race' treads offered don't have the same effect west of the missippi. There are a few that work but compared to 26", few work well (as far as tires).

29" bikes are slower on the climbs. They are faster on the flats. Descents are debatably worse. Is there a 'cult' following behind them now? YES. Does it make the bikes better? NO. Will they be around for a while? FOR THE SHORT WHILE AT LEAST AND POSSIBLY LONGER. For 2007 MANY companies are coming out with 29" single speed bikes at CRAZY low prices and even some companies are coming out with long travel Freeride-ish bikes too.

[cracker]

I just moved to Fort Collins last may, so I raced in the '04 and beginning of '05 season.



From what I remeber (mind is a little fuzzy) the classes where as follows:

youth
beginner (novice?)
intermediate (beginner?)
sport
expert

*FIRST TIMERS (VERY RARE)
*BEGINNERS
*SPORT
*EXPERT
*SEMI-PRO
*PRO

[Roxtar]

Raced sport class in Dino for a few years.
Some great courses, Logansport, Indy, Portage, and Warsaw were very sweet.
Nashville was a bitch, though. I swear I never stopped climbing the whole race.:explosion

Hardtails are dead. Put a fork in them.
Unless you're racing expert or pro, or just want an around town cruiser, there's no reason to ever buy a hardtail.
The new designs have all but eliminated the peddling or braking effects on the suspension and the weight has come way down.

I'm riding a carbonned out AMP Research B5 that weighs in at an honest 22 lbs.
BTW, it's for sale:D
I'm lusting after a new Intense VPP 5.5.

[xjcrawlr]

And that is at heart of what I was trying to say, IMHO, if hardtail is what you want.....then "I" would recommend a 29er.

By that same token, I truly love my RM Slayer!

[Mike1331]

So it's the bike...not the rider?

Not quoting you Mike but....why is anything that's a Trek good? I hate Trek. The GP likes Trek b/c of Armstrong, and Lemond. Fat City and Bontrager all went to hell after the money machine bought them up. I broke numerous Trek frames when I was racing and I am not a big guy nor did I bash things.

Yeah I believe the bike can play a big role in a riders style and success with vairous decents. Speed, weight, intergrity all play roles in keeping your confidence level high with your bikes abitlities, in turn helping you to be a better rider.

Never been a big fan of trek myself.

[cracker]

http://beta.propichosting.com/FileHandler.ashx?pa=501326&sub=181&timecode=632896063863750000&checkref=1

I love hard tails. :D

I come from the 'old school' era of bikes though.

[xjcrawlr]

And its a SINGLE SPEED!




I cant wait for the 07's to come out so I can get one. :thumbup:

[cracker]

And its a SINGLE SPEED!




I cant wait for the 07's to come out so I can get one. :thumbup:

Too bad I am not in enough shape to ride it :(

[Mike1331]

Thats a whole lotta seat post

[cracker]

Thats a whole lotta seat post

I guess you are not familiar with Chameleons

The 'do-all' frame. The dual slalom, single speed, xc, dirt jump, downhill frame.

It doesn't help that I have a 34" inseam either.

[NHextremeXJ]

www.sinisterbikes.com DNA or Ridge ......mmmmmm yummy(for hardtails)

me, I'll take an R-9 anyday !

[jeepinxj01]

I'm kinda leaning toward the Specialized hardrock disc. For what I do, It seems reasonable. What do you guys think?

[Roxtar]

Old school meets new.

AMP B5
Carbon seatpost, bars, bar ends, cranks, saddle.
All XTR/Sram drivetrain.
Risse rear shock, Noleen Mega Air forks
Bonty/Chris King RaceLite wheels

4" F & R travel, 22 lbs

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c192/kid4lyf/AMP-RR.jpg

[Jeep914x4]

I'm kinda leaning toward the Specialized hardrock disc. For what I do, It seems reasonable. What do you guys think?

I don't think you till be disapointed. I had the 04 (I think...?) model with the flame paintjob. Not one complaint. Just DON"T clean your disk breaks with brake cleaner. :roll: Use compressed air to get the dust out of them and you're good to go.

[egon]

Cannondale.

I have a '04 F800. Hard tail, Lefty (100mm, air, lockout), XT, hydro discs. Zero complaints.

--Matt

[planefixer]

Here's my old ride, now owned by MMIXJ.Had to sell due to a back injury which prevents me from riding anymore.

FSA carbon cranks
Fox suspension
Grimeca hydro disc brakes
XT/XTR drivetrain
Mavic XC 717 disc wheels with XT hubs
Easton stem
Ritchie Pro Riser bars
Thompson seat post
Selle Italia Gel seat
etc.,etc.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i65/planefixer/P9290003.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i65/planefixer/P9290001.jpg

I really hated to get rid of it but I couldn't justify keeping it if it wasn't going to be ridden.

[xjkid08]

man whatever u do get a good priced bike. get a cheap bike that is mostley a good frame and wheel set and build off it. thats my advice. http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/4048/meatthenewdt0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)heres a pic of me on a lil ramp. i dj so i love hardtails