New XC Bike... thoughts.

[Jr.]

So I've been riding my Trek 820 hardtail for about 5 years now and I think it is time to retire it and get a DS. I've been looking around for a while and still can't decide on what to get. This will be for XC singletrack/technical trails.

I can only spend around $1000 so my choices are kind of limited.

I have been looking at...
Kona Kikapu
GT i-drive
Gary Fisher Sugar 4
Giant NRS 3
Trek Fuel 80

Just curious if there are others out there that I am missing (i'm sure there are many) and what others think about them.
I'm thinking more on the new side rather than used.

Jamie

[vinnycactus]

My thoughts:

Kona Kikapu- don't really know much about it.
GT i-drive- good, but could do better for the price.
Gary Fisher Sugar 4- two words, broken chainstay.
Giant NRS 3- would choose a Giant Trance over it.
Trek Fuel 80- see giant NRS 3.

Personally, I would look at the Giant Trance. 4 inch travel bike that everyone raves about. Giant is getting ride of the NRS suspension design and replacing it with the new Maestro design which is what the trance has and the Trance 3, I believe, about the same price as the NRS 3.

Depending on your price range, take a look at Santa Cruz. Something like the Blur or maybe even a Heckler.

[MTBME]

I've found you get a lot of bang for your buck, and a great warranty, with a Specialized product. You should be able to find something decent for that money.

[TheHeckler]

for your price range the Specailized XC series might be a nice fit.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=9675&bikeTab=features

[MMcG]

Look into Iron Horse FS bikes too.

Great value there as well.

[Jr.]

I actually purchased a Ironhorse Warrior Trail last month but it was very poor quality and the rear suspension was defective. I'm not sure if this was just the lower end of the IH bikes or not...

I didnt think about Specailized bikes... I will check them out.

Thanks for the feedback.

[Superb Man]

Few Thoughts,

1. All the major bike makers make very good bikes these days-and the xc dual suspension is one model the industry has got nailed down. At around $1600-1800-you're cost not neccessarily MSRP-you can't miss.

2. At $1000.00-you can find a great bike but I'd look for less conventional methods. I don't think going for the lowest trim on a hold over design is your best bet (Sugar 4, etc.)

Suggested Approaches:

1. Look to buy Demos from Local shop (s). The Pedrofest is this weekend and Nembafest in a month. Regional bike reps will be dumping the demos from these festivals at local dealers--find out who your local shop is friendly with and try to buy one of these designs.. My local shop (Bicycles Unlimited on High St. in Greenfield, MA) is selling a bunch of 2005 K2 lithium 4.0's some closeouts, some slightly used demos for $1000-1300. Pretty good deals. Got some great deals on closeout Razorbacks, too. But any bigger local bike shop will have similar deals so look around--don't get stuck on a particular brand, but rather a particular kind of bike (and, you're in luck 'cause xc dual suspension is the most common serious ride these days).

2.Take a risk and buy used from individual ala ebay, friends, nemba website, mtbr sale, etc. Lot of people get a lot of bike for a little money this way--the risks and benefits are obvious.

3. For a $1000-cash-you may not be in line for a great new xc dualie--but you can definately score a great new hardtail (xc, trail ride or dirt jumper for that matter). Every company has a very solid, well equipped serious hardtail (raceable and rideable) at around the $1000.00 price point. And, since these bikes don't move that well-you might find great deals (if you ask-and bring cash) on pricier hard tails as well. Something to consider-since your goals are xc oriented anyway.

Final thoughts- If you have a local shop that you like-buy what they sell--short of some exceptional boutique bikes-they're all the same and you're really buying service and a sporting enthusiast relationship anyway. And add the forgotten, oft overlooked, k2 Razorback to your list of possible contenders. I have yet to find the terrain this speedy machine doesn't handle with aplomb. Don't think too much about the buying part-get a bike and think about the riding part!

Liam

[bike187]

i have an 03 i-drive 1.0 in xl if you're interested. there's an ad in the buy/sell part of the forum.

if you're going strictly new, i'd reccomend specialized. I remember them ahving a wide range of fs bikes as far as pricerange. not sure of the pricerange of trek fs.