New Bike question???

[bkenney228]

I am a weekend rider who is currently riding a Giant Warp. The bike is pretty much stock with the exception of the fork (Marz. MX Pro w/ETA (120mm)). The bike has been great, and there is still alot of life in it, but I find it heavy, and it has alot of bob when riding flats and going up hill. I would categorize my riding style as "aggressive XC" I guess. I do mostly trail riding, but I dont shy away from aggresive lines or drops (no more than 4 - 5 feet ). I do alot of my riding in Foxboro, Wrenthem, and Lincoln woods. If you are familliar with those areas then it might give you an idea of the terrain I ride most of the time.
I am looking into getting a new bike that is lighter, and has better components and geometry than my current. I have been told to go with a hard tail because you get more bang for you buck. I am not particular on whether it is HT or FS (though having FS has been pretty nice thus far), just as long as it will handle the terrain I am riding. I am looking in the sub $1000 price area (the wife is very adiment that I stay under $1000). So, my questions are... Does anyone out there have any recomendations on a bike in the sub $1000 price area that would perform well for the type of riding I do as well as allow me to progress, but not grow out of? Or... Should I look into putting more money into my bike to try to upgrade the components and drop the weight?

Thanks in advance...

[Jisch]

There's some great deals out there right now because of the end of the year thing. However, I think you will have a really difficult time getting a better bike than the Warp for under $1K (maybe in a HT?) depending of course on the build - but cheaper bikes will have cheaper builds.

You might consider going the used route and moving parts over from the Warp. I know around here Bul-lites are pretty prevelant - basically a SC Bullit built up with lighter parts and air shock/fork. I know some here will disagree with me, but I love FS and won't be going back to HT any time soon. Its just too comfortable for my old body.

As far as upgrades to the current bike - new wheels are an excellent choice. Its amazing the amount of weight in a heavy wheelset versus a lighter one. You might benefit from a Pro-Pedal or other system for your shock which will reduce/eliminate bob. Again, amazing difference between having and not having that.

John

[Doro]

there is no way you will find a complete new fs trail/fr bike that is under 1k. I would go out and buy a frame/ w shock and swap parts over. You can buy a nice frame like the transition preston or yeti asx for around 1300For a ht check out the sc cameleon or the sinister ridge. If your dropping/hucking then you want something w/ a beefy chainstay. These bikes are not xc oriented so they are not light but w/ proper suspension w/ far surpass your warp. Although My buddy bought a low end prophet for short money but all the parts are crap and are quickly breaking...i told him so!! The shock on your warp is your main problem, replace that if you want to save some cash. Check out santacruz website. They are selling shocks for $100 and might have something w/ the matching i2i/stroke if your lucky.

[fisherking]

I, like John before, prefer a FS. I picked up a hardtail earlier this year as a backup bike and ended up not liking it at all. So if you think you are going that way, I would try to borrow a HT and make sure for your body/riding it is OK.
That said, I think the FSR Stumpy is a great all-around bike. Afew friends have picked some up and if you are looking used I think you can find one around 1000, or pick up a frame like this:
http://classifieds.mtbr.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.pl?db=MtbReview&website=MtbReview&language=&session_key=&search_and_display_db_button=on&results_format=long&db_id=106267&query=retrieval
And swap parts from the Warp and lighten as you go along. Also a Heckler might be a good possibility used...
I also second the wheels suggestion.
Good luck!!

MIke

[Slappy]

Buy used!!!!

Shop around and find a lightly used FS bike a few years old - you can literally save thousands.
Paying full retail is for suckers! :p ;)

For example:

http://www.nemba.org/forums/showthread.php?t=17966

http://www.bustedspoke.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=28055