After months of denial...

[Evan]

I've realized that the Rocky Mountain Blizzard I bought when I was 15 (took a lot of saving...) really does not fit me anymore. I even started a thread here about disc brakes for it and said "it was perfect," but you know what? It is not.
I am selling it, but that is for a different thread (any suggestions on price though? It's a 2001, 15.5, great condition, full Race Face, Marzocchi Z2, 9.0 and XT)
ANYWHO

I'm looking for a good All-Mountain bike, around 2200 bucks. So far I'm jonesin for a Giant Trance 2 and the Rocky Mountain Slayer 50. Any other suggestions?
Medium Travel, Discs and an Adjustable Travel Fork would be rad.

[Geoff G.]

how tall are you?

[Evan]

I am 5'10-11ish

[Geoff G.]

yeah, I'm 5'11", and I've been riding this http://www.bustedspoke.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=12660&highlight=enduro
suprisingly the xl is a great fit, the seat tube is not to long, it has good standover, and a nice long top tube. I'm finally getting a short stem in this week to replace the silly long 120mm stem on there, so it should feel loads better.

It could be yours! come give it a test ride!!!

[Evan]

That is reallly nice. I am closer to the 5'10, however and do need to unload the Blizzard before I get agressive with shopping, you know? I also need to ride the Trance and re-ride the Rocky.

That frame, though..mmmm

[Geoff G.]

okay, when you are in the market, shoot me a pm, I think you will like how it feels. Should be perfect with a shorter stem.

[BadDNA]

I'll second the praises for the Enduro. I'm 5'11" and also ride an XL Enduro Expert. I test rode both the L and the XL and felt just as good on both. The L got sold while I was testing the XL so I ended up on the bigger bike but I really like it.

[slapheadmofo]

'Nother Enduro fan here, also around 5-10 or so. Mines a medium and fits fine. Could probably get away with a large, but XL I think would be too big.

I was checking out MTBME's new Slayer the other day and it looked like a helluva sweet ride too. Decisions... ???

[ssnoobie]

Is there any reason you want to make the move to full suspension? If you are happy with the blizzard, other than the fit, why not get another hardtail? Or just sell the frame and buy a newer, larger Blizzard frame and a hot rod fork and save yourself $1000. Just another option.

[imploded]

I'll second the praises for the Enduro. I'm 5'11" and also ride an XL Enduro Expert. I test rode both the L and the XL and felt just as good on both. The L got sold while I was testing the XL so I ended up on the bigger bike but I really like it.


I have abused BadDNA's Enduro XL around, I'm 6'2" and it fits like a dream. I've watched Eammon beat the snot out of his and it fits him very well too. IIRC when he rode my Epic it was a bit too large for him.

Cheers,

-Andrew

[Superb Man]

Where do you live, Evan? If you live and ride primarily in the eastern part of New England (Eastern Mass and RI) yyou can go bigger. But if you live in the White Mountains, Northern Vermont or Western Mass-if you get a bike that doersn't climb well--I mean really well-especially up technical wet rocks and roots for long stretches--you'll have a NO-Mountain bike. "All Mountain" is a broad phrase and means different things to riders in different areas. I'd never sacrifice climbing efficiency for burly-bigness. But I live and ride Westerbn Mass--If I was primarily a rider in the Lynn Woods area-I'd probably sing a different tune.

The Trance (don't own but I've ridden)--is a great compromise-leans towards the xc end of all-mountain and climbs very well.

BUT (i gave this advice on another thread just recently), every major bike maker (and all the minor ones too) makes a bike that fits this description. If you walk into any shop (that you trust and like) with $2200 in your pocket ready to go--you'll come away with a great performer that you'll love.

I ride a fairly short travel xc dualie that never disappoints me up or down.

Liam
ginaliam@mac.com

oh, I do like the classic, agreesive look of the Canadian made slayers--and, yeah, looks matter ;)