FULL SUSPENSION QUESTIONS?

[Body2Big]

OK I am starting to look at FS bikes but man am I confused. I just got into riding and love it. I have a TREK 6500 Hardtail. I rode two Rocky Mountain bikes at the Blue Hills day and they were incredible but for 3k not so sure its worth it? I don't mind spending the money but is it really worth 3k when I see Santa Cruz Superlights for 1600 or so. I see Gary Fisher cake 1 for about the same? I also see all the different configurations of rear suspension single pivot, multi pivot, coil over air etc...

AS for my type of riding Cross country is about all I do. For now. I know when I got on the RM Switch I had a lot more confidence on the trail than my hardtail. I know a lot of people will say you have to ride them but When I go to a local dealer ya you can ride but on the street thats no good. Any local MA or RI dealers have trails near by? Any help or suggestions? OH yeah don't forget I'm a big guy too 5' 10" 260 lbs I am trying to get down to about 230 - 240 lbs.

Thanks in advance
Shawn

[slapheadmofo]

Cycle Loft in Burlington MA has a demo program where you can take the bike for a few days and really try it out.

[gnurider1080]

check out bikes at the cycle loft. they have some trails behind the shop where you can ride. plus they have quite a big selection of bikes that will suit your needs.

Iron Horse at JRA cycles.

ALso look int the Jamis line.


Both are solid rides with good components at reasonable price points.

Stay away from anything with light in the name. You will be disapointed with the loggevity, regardless of what their marketing data says. Light never equals strong.

bill
former 240lb now 190lb all diet and MTB

Hey Gnu,

If you are going to promote a shop where you are employed, you sholud fully disclose that information.

[EVIL BOTA]

By far the best starter FS bike is the specialized fsr xc. Cheap and very reliable. Every year the get the best review for afordable xc bike. $1099 and very upgradeable.. 1400 w/disks!

http://texomacyclingcenter.com/site/itemdetails.cfm?ID=1874

[ArmOnFire]

The Specialized might be worth checking out, I have friends that love the 4 bar linkage design, for me it seemed like it moved to much while seated and climbing, doesn't bother some, but it was the reason I stayed away from FS bikes.
Then I rode a SC Blur and the GF Cake, the SPV does a great job of keeping the rear travel at a minimum during climbing.
Pricepoint of the 2 bikes drove me to the Cake, plus I like single pivot over virtual pivot.

My $0.02, and I don't work at a bike shop

-dan 6'3" 215 / aggresive(?) XC rider if you have to label me

[randall]

I agree with justbill, stay away from light bikes until you are confident with your riding style and weight. When I rode 4 days/week, I used to ride sub 25lb HT XC bikes @ 6 foot 6, 220lbs with no issues. Then I got a desk job, finished my degree, and rode very little. 3 years later I'm 260lbs and getting started on the "fat boy on a diet" lifestyle . Along the way I trashed many light weight FS XC bikes. I've been on a Jamis Dakar XLT with SPV for 2 months and love it. Sweet ride on the W.Mass singletrack. Also, my original HT Specialized stumpjumper is about 10 years old and still going strong. Specialized makes one hell of a frame.

I saw this once on MTBR.com:
Strong, Light, Cheap. Pick Two.

[Slider]

Newer rider, big guy. I'm thinking something "all mountain" rather than cross country. Beefier, easier to set suspension up for your weight, and built well enough to take the stress while you drop a few pounds. Bike weight means little unless you are racing.

Giant has a great entries in that line, the Reign, the AC and the Warp. In general, Giant seems to hit the price points more effectively than most, and you get a lot of bang for your buck.

http://www.giantbicycles.com

Slider

[Dave]

Check out Dedham Bike, the last time I went there, they had a demo program and I would imagine they still do. They sell Rocky Mountains mainly, but I think they demo most of what they sell and it's the same thing where you can have the bike for a few days and they're real good about setting folks up with the right frames for their size and style of riding.

[vinnycactus]

Newer rider, big guy. I'm thinking something "all mountain" rather than cross country. Beefier, easier to set suspension up for your weight, and built well enough to take the stress while you drop a few pounds. Bike weight means little unless you are racing.

Giant has a great entries in that line, the Reign, the AC and the Warp. In general, Giant seems to hit the price points more effectively than most, and you get a lot of bang for your buck.

http://www.giantbicycles.com

Slider


I agrre with the giant line up although I would probably stay away fromt he ac since it my be too "freeridish" and heavy, the warp may be a little too "low end" and outdated(no offense to you warp riders). Buddy of mine has a Reign 2. Bike friggen does everything at just a shade over 30lbs. He got it for $2000 and I think I saw a Reign 3 in my shop for $1200. Also there is a Giant Trance. Couple inches less of travel than the Reign but again it is a giant and it is hard to go wrong.

Now don't rule out IH. Certain *gasp* online stores have 2004 leftover's that will come in under your price range for a pretty high-end bike.

For a guy your size, I'd probably stay away from Gary Fisher. I've seen a lot of broken chainstays on them from smaller riders. Granted it was on Sugars so I may be talking from me bunghole.

[Body2Big]

Thanks for all the info guys. I am not sure how many of you were at the Arcadia fun ride but a guy has a 04 Specialized FSR XC Disc for 1050 or B.O. Now I see the brand new one is about the same price? The bike looks Brand new. What is a fair price? Not sure if the owner comes here(nemba forums) or not but I don't want to insult him on a price either. But I don't want to overpay either. I may be looking at it wed. morning.

OK I called Cycle Loft as well and just gave the guy all my info as I did here new rider big looking at FS, He mentioned the Specialized Enduro? any comments??

Thanks
Shawn

[EVIL BOTA]

Offer him 1000. It'S a good price. Stay away from the enduro .Good bike with bad frame design. Every one I know that had one has cracked the frame.. GOOD LUCK!

[gnurider1080]

Offer him 1000. It'S a good price. Stay away from the enduro .Good bike with bad frame design. Every one I know that had one has cracked the frame.. GOOD LUCK!

are you talking about the new frame? the new enduro with 6 inches of travel looks really nice. im looking at the 05 enduro expert myself.

[Body2Big]

Offer him 1000. It'S a good price. Stay away from the enduro .Good bike with bad frame design. Every one I know that had one has cracked the frame.. GOOD LUCK!


Are you him? J/K I read some reviews on the enduro that said that too but it was the 2002? frame after that supposedly it was fixed, OK but why is the FSR XC so cheap but something like the Rocky is 3k?? I know I can always upgrade the components but is the FSR a food frame and suspension design?
Thanks
Again
Shawn

[EVIL BOTA]

No ,But I've had a fsr xc and had great luck with it.If you are doing xc and some small drops ..The bike will be fine..

[truckboy]

why is the FSR XC so cheap but something like the Rocky is 3k??


The Rocky frame is hand made in Canada. The FSR is machine made in Taiwan. That's the price difference. I have a friend who's brand new to mountain (roadie) who loves his FSR XC Pro. $1500 all around town.

Try Belmont Wheel Works. You can hit trails behind the McLean Hospital nearby and they carry all the biggies, plus have an annex with leftovers around the corner. They are a bit inflexible, but a good place to test ride.

[MTBME]

I also have a Specialized Stumpjumper FSR. Depends on what your looking for but this bike does everything well, if you know your limitations. Its fast, light and climbs well. You wouldn't go propelling yourself off a 6 foot drop with it but that's not what its made for. The Enduro's have had their problems. Because of your weight Shawn, I would look at the all mountain category which is a little beefier than XC.

[slapheadmofo]

Offer him 1000. It'S a good price. Stay away from the enduro .Good bike with bad frame design. Every one I know that had one has cracked the frame.. GOOD LUCK!


I've had a couple Enduros (00 and 03) and like them a lot. I was cracking chainstays on the 00 on a regular basis until they updated the design and beefed them up; seemed to take care of the problem. I can't imagine that I would've had less of a problem with an FSR XC doing the same riding; conversely, I think I would have killed it in a much shorter time. Luckily Specialized has an awesome warrantee and has always taken care of any problems right away.

No issues with the 03 yet. I'm 170 lbs or so, ride somewhat aggresively and am not all that smooth and hit 3-4' drops regularly with it. Great all-around bike.

[Body2Big]

OK still not sure what to look at money just got tight as my PT job fell through I worked two shifts and now they don't have enough work ::) But I am looking at an Rocky Mountain Element and A Sugar 3? any good or bad on either? Both are used. I beleive they are both 2004 models

Shawn

get the RM Element.

The sugars have a design problem with the rear triangle, lots of breakage at the chainstay where the little pipe peice goes across between.

[slapheadmofo]

Kona Coiler (or Dawg depending on the model year) might be worth looking at also. Believe there's a decent deal on one in the classifieds here.

[Body2Big]

Is this frame any good and or worth 400.00?????

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v499/betterbikes/2004FR2000/03FR2000.jpg

Thanks
Shawn

[slapheadmofo]

No on both counts.

[Body2Big]

Thanks slap, I am looking like crazy and just prices and styles everywhere. I found that same frame for 300.00 as well but if its no good then forget it. I am shooting for the RM Element still.

Shawn

[Body2Big]

wheelworld has this one for 600.00. I am thinking if I can get a good frame I can use my components of my hardtail and upgrade them as needed.

http://wheelworld.com/merchant/129/images/large/KonaDawg04frm360.jpg
Shawn

[Mr_Cheeze]

My only suggestion is to make sure that whatever bike you choose, option for the heaviest duty wheels that can handle your frame. They won't be cheap, or light, but will save you loads of spoke breaking and rim warpng hassle down the line. I can speak from experience there.

[OldSloDoggie]

B2B,
My 2cents worth is to test ride as many different makes and models as you can. 90% of the guys I ride with or came across on the trail, let me give their bike a try when I was "shopping", and weren't shy about discussing pros and cons of each.

[Body2Big]

I tried the Rocky Mountain at Blue hills and loved it but of course nothing to compare it to for FS bikes. I should have ridden more at that event but I didn't. I am a very impatient person and that hurts me a lot to not have it NOW. LOL. I am trying to wait for this weather to clear up and then I can go to different shops and ride different bikes.

SHawn

[slapheadmofo]

wheelworld has this one for 600.00. I am thinking if I can get a good frame I can use my components of my hardtail and upgrade them as needed.

http://wheelworld.com/merchant/129/images/large/KonaDawg04frm360.jpg
Shawn


Some parts will swap over nice and easy, some inevitably won't, sending you on many missions back and forth to the bike shop for 'just one more thing'. Usually for a 'newbie', I'd recommend spending a little more up front and getting a complete bike - probably save you some $$ and headache in the long run. Also, used bikes are the way to go as far as I'm concerned, as long as they're in good shape.

There's a lot of other local bikes for sale on bustedspoke.com, but the site was hacked last w/e and will be down until at least tomorrow AM.

[Body2Big]

wheelworld has this one for 600.00. I am thinking if I can get a good frame I can use my components of my hardtail and upgrade them as needed.

http://wheelworld.com/merchant/129/images/large/KonaDawg04frm360.jpg
Shawn


Some parts will swap over nice and easy, some inevitably won't, sending you on many missions back and forth to the bike shop for 'just one more thing'. Usually for a 'newbie', I'd recommend spending a little more up front and getting a complete bike - probably save you some $$ and headache in the long run. Also, used bikes are the way to go as far as I'm concerned, as long as they're in good shape.

There's a lot of other local bikes for sale on bustedspoke.com, but the site was hacked last w/e and will be down until at least tomorrow AM.


I figured that to, but what better way than too learn how to build/ repair one than this? I may get a frame then a build kit with A good group of components. Depends on $$. If other people would stop using my credit since I spent so much time creating a good credit report I had someone in GA steal my name and Soc. and rack up a 2,000 phone bill. Damn thieves.

Shawn

[Body2Big]

told you guys I'm bored ;D on vaca in rainy weather, want a good one I locked my keys in my shed ::) now thankfully my wife has another key but she gets home after 5pm. :'( Also lucky for me I keep a spare car key in my wallet.

I'M BOOOOOORED

Shawn

[juiceguy03]

Couch's bullit might have bee a good choice for you if you're looking at used, but I think it's gone. If I hadn't bought a new bike last spring I'd have jumped at it.
Just my two cents. I bought a giant VT2- pretty good component group for the price, plus i got %30 off retail so it was too good a deal to pass up.

[Body2Big]

HEY all still looking at FS bikes. someone on busted spoke mentioned the IRONHORSE line so I found this online

http://www.rscycle.com/core/media/media.nl?id=2725&c=364039&h=ffd695f8b25fe27d584b

Its 799.00 plus shipping. anyone ride IRONHORSE the frame looks a lot like the Santa Cruz Heckler and for 1/4 of the price

it just sounds too good to be true

Thanks
Shawn

[EVIL BOTA]

I have a Iron horse. Love it.. I bought mine from there...

http://www.rscycle.com/

Got a great deal too..

http://www.teambota.com/botasig/evil/Family%20297.jpg

[Body2Big]

I am actulally thinking about this one from rscycles

http://www.rscycle.com/s.nl/sc.19/category.394/it.A/id.7304/.f#

this is the same as the blue one but better components what do you think?

Shawn

[EVIL BOTA]

Shawn the link didn't work .which bike was it?
I was very surprized on how well my bike drove. I'm sure you will be happy with Iron horse. Plus you can't go wrong with there prices@ Randell scott.. I believe if you give up 5 e-mail addys you get another 20% off.. Something to think about:)

The only thing that I wasn't happy with was the sram derailers.

Don't liston to the big corporation haters.. Shimano is much better than sram... Little more $$,but worth it in my book.

[Body2Big]

Its the Warrior Elite try this for the pic

http://www.rscycle.com/core/media/media.nl?id=3011&c=364039&h=4b94d999a950cc7a50b9

its at rscycles its also on supergo for the same price.

There is a Kona Stinky on busted spoke classifieds to any comments?? here is the Kona

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/bullitboyz/DSCF0935.jpg


Shawn

[Body2Big]

I am so damn confused??
I think I am down to these three for now unless I wait till next spring and save some money ::) And go for a better bike. I am really looking for the best frame and suspension not too worried about components yet! if a component brakes I'll just replace it. Now my TREK 6500 has been taking a beating so far so good with nothing brakeing

so here are the top 3 for now

03 Cannondale Gemini 1000 used 1300.00
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/03/images/large/vg1000.jpg

01 Kona Stinky custom built nice components 975.00
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/bullitboyz/DSCF0935.jpg

05 Iron Horse Warrior Elite 1300.00
http://www.ironhorsebikes.com/images/bikes/large/warrior_elite.jpg

Any comments would be appreciated.

Shawn

[EVIL BOTA]

I would say it goes like this.........

Kona : Pro's You said your a big guy..Suspension looks good on the Kona. Con's Used and more for free riding than xc.

Iron Horse: Pros' good bike ,But more $$$ than the Kona..
Note: Remember the 5 e-mails you give you get 20% more off the price @ Randle Scott
Cannondale: Pro's can't think of any..lol Con's can't think of any..lol

I am so damn confused??....


No wonder your confused, let me try to clear things up. I have quoted you below. Read it in the parafrase i left it in. It would seem you have a policy there that your desire is over riding. Apply the following to your present bike and you will find peace.

......if a component brakes I'll just replace it. Now my TREK 6500 has been taking a beating so far so good with nothing brakeing



Feel Better?

[Body2Big]

NO- but its very true. I don't NEED an FS Bike I want one. ::) I want to do more with a bike and seems I have more confidence while riding a FS. anyone else who rides or has ridden both and feels this way? when I rode the Rocky Mountain Switch and slayer at Blue hills day I felt I could go over anything on the trail. I got back on my Hardtail and I was less confident in what I could or should do.

I may end up waiting before I get anything still not sure. :'(
going to test ride a bunch and see. but hard to test a bike that you order online. I did find an Iron Horse dealer within 20miles I may go tommoro and check them out too.

Shawn ;D

[gleeke]

B2B

What kind of riding are you looking to do? FR/Dh...AllMountain/XC? How much travel r u looking for?
I've got an 05 enduro SxTrail and I love it... Can handle everything my bullit could handle. For your size I wouldn't skimp an the most important parts of the bike THE FRAME and THE WHEELS...Did you look at that Banshee yesterday?
I'm Trikster from BS...

[Body2Big]

B2B

What kind of riding are you looking to do? FR/Dh...AllMountain/XC? How much travel r u looking for?
I've got an 05 enduro SxTrail and I love it... Can handle everything my bullit could handle. For your size I wouldn't skimp an the most important parts of the bike THE FRAME and THE WHEELS...Did you look at that Banshee yesterday?
I'm Trikster from BS...


Freeride /XC riding. The Banshee is gone before I got to look at it. I am going to try out the Gemini tommoro then I am going to cycle loft in burlington and see what I can try out there. Now I just found a 04 Gary Fisher sugar 4 for 900.00 I just don't know.

Shawn

[Body2Big]

Scratch the GF sugar just read MTBR reviews on it.

SO just my 3 picks above to try out

Shawn

I got back on my Hardtail and I was less confident in what I could or should do.


You keep asking for advise so I will continue to give it.

If you use technology to skip over vital parts of the learning curve, you will never gain the skills you will need when your riding takes you past what any technology can support.

To coin an old adage, "its the rider, not the bike".

Patience, perseverance, practice. Use these you should. Support you they will, when all else fails.

[slapheadmofo]

To add to that advice - 260 lbs learning to freeride on an XC oriented bike is asking for trouble. None of the three P's will support you when your bars/frame/seatpost/fork disintergrates under you. IMO, the bike you have the most fun on is the best bike for you. Why spend years grimacing around on a hardtail learning how to pick lines thru rock gardens when in less time you can learn to fly right over them on your fully with a big smile? Time on the bike will give you skills, and you'll spend more time on the bike if you're having a good time on the bike.

I'd go with the Stinky w/ the beefy parts. You'll have a blast on it, and even if you don't, you could probably part it out and end up MAKING money (unlike any of the other bikes listed). Plus, you can always jump back on the 6500 for some penance if you feel the need.

[Body2Big]

The Kona may be gone the seller is saying he has a buyer, I just got back from riding the Gemini and I'll say that it rides AWESOME. I was able to use it on a small dirt road and a small huck it was light fast and agile. The only problem was it was pretty beat up and really unsure if in its condition if its worth 1200 He came down 100.00. I went to another dealer who carris Iron Horse and they did not have any of the ones I was looking for in stock to try out. so I am still on the hunt for now.

Thanks for all the help.

Shawn