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Need advice on a new mountain bike.

Corn

Corn

Diamond Member
I've got a 1999 Schwinn Homegrown that needs to be retired due to age.....not the age of the bike mind you.....it's my age that's the problem. Right now that bike is on my trainer, and if all goes according to plan, there it will stay for the duration of its life (obligatory trainer link, I highly recommend this trainer).

Due to the nature of the trail I mostly ride (obligatory link to the trail description), I'm just getting too beat up on my hardtail and need to get a full suspension bike.

My price range is ~ $1500 or so. I've checked out and like the Trek Fuel EX 7, but am curious as to anyone's experience in other brands such as Gary Fisher, K2, etc.... Any other recommendations out there in my general price range?

 
I love my Haro. Kona is supposed to be pretty good. How much rear travel do you want? it sounds like it needs to be able to handle technical climbs and also eat up the bumps.

mtbr likes the Stumpjumper, and the Giant NRS and VT.

personally I'd look at the Giant VT or Kona Coiler, but I don't plan on buying a new bike in the near future.
 
At least 4" of rear travel Stark. Yep, lots of roots.......and the most ridiculous "rock garden" you have ever seen. Wish I had a pic handy......
 
Originally posted by: Corn
I've got a 1999 Schwinn Homegrown that needs to be retired due to age.....not the age of the bike mind you.....it's my age that's the problem. Right now that bike is on my trainer, and if all goes according to plan, there it will stay for the duration of its life (obligatory trainer link, I highly recommend this trainer).

Due to the nature of the trail I mostly ride (obligatory link to the trail description), I'm just getting too beat up on my hardtail and need to get a full suspension bike.

My price range is ~ $1500 or so. I've checked out and like the Trek Fuel EX 7, but am curious as to anyone's experience in other brands such as Gary Fisher, K2, etc.... Any other recommendations out there in my general price range?
Click to expand...

Depending on where you live, I'll sell you my Schwinn 4-banger for $1,000. 2000 model. PM me if interested. I live in CT.

Been wanting to sell it for a while now.

 
I rode the Trek Fuel in Idaho last year on some pretty gnarly downhills.

It's my only softail experience but I loved it. You could turn off the body shock if you are climbing and then back on for the downhill.

I rode for about an hour yestday on some decent trail. It was kinda chilly but good for the soul.!!
 
Originally posted by: Corn
At least 4" of rear travel Stark. Yep, lots of roots.......and the most ridiculous "rock garden" you have ever seen. Wish I had a pic handy......
Click to expand...

check out the coiler. it should eat up anything you can throw at it.

my Haro x3 would eat that trail up, but it's not a real great XC bike (40lbs).
 
I feel that the best rear suspension design is the 4-bar link. Like the Turner Burner. Problem is the frame eats up your whole budget.

I would recommend the Rocky Mountain Element, or something with a similar frame design.
 
Kona is four bar. So are specialized (they have a patent on one of the four bar linkage methods).

FORGET THE BRAIN EQUIPED SPESH'S - YOU MIGHT AS WELL RIDE A HARDTAIL. <--Fair warning, but I haven't ridden the new 'adjustable' ones.
 
Hmmm.... interesting. I'll be purchasing a mountain bike this spring and will be looking for a good one.
 
Thanks for the offer IHMJ, but I need a warranty on the frame and CT is waaaaay too far away. 🙂
 
get something with rims that'll accomodate wide tires.. throw some fatty 2.4s on there and run the pressure low
 
Elevation Gain: 300 Feet (91 Meters)
Climbing: Steep At Times
Click to expand...

Uh... 300 feet in 16 miles is steep? Steep for what, 50 yards?

For terrain that flat, I don't see why you'd need anything bigger than a stout cross country bike. A Stumpjumper or a Blur or something.
 
There are so many great bikes. Check out these:

Rocky Mountain ETSX-30
Rocky Mountain Slayer series.

Trek Fuel 80.

I know these bikes are probably over $1500 new BUT I think it is really worth setting your limit at $2000 - $2200 instead. These bikes will last a long time.

I own a Rocky Mountain element race myself and it's a great bike. I've tried many FS bikes on trail at demos. For example:

Trek Liquid : great long travel bike, very plush.
Trek Fuel : tried the top-of-the-line carbon bike and it was super light and very nimble. I felt fast 😀
Titus Racer-X : Probably my favorite XC bike right now. Made in Phoenix AZ. Has a similar feel to my Rocky.
Klein Palomino : Nice bike but with many special parts on it.
Specialized S-Works : It has got the 'brain' damper in the rear and has a 'hardtail' feel to it but with the hard bumps taken out. Feels nimble and fast.
 
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Kona is four bar. So are specialized (they have a patent on one of the four bar linkage methods).

FORGET THE BRAIN EQUIPED SPESH'S - YOU MIGHT AS WELL RIDE A HARDTAIL. <--Fair warning, but I haven't ridden the new 'adjustable' ones.
Click to expand...

I like my Specialized Epic thank you very much. It only a hard tail when you need it to be one. However it more of a racing bike then a general XC bike.

I would look at the Specialized Stumpjumper.

Good form to check out is

www.mtbr.com
 
Originally posted by: BullsOnParade
Hey Corn, what's a cheap decent trainer that I could get for my mom in lieu of a dedicated stationary bike.
Click to expand...

I can't recommend any "cheap" trainers as either they seem to wear out quickly (mag or fluid, it don't matter, at least the magnetic trainers don't leak), or are too loud and don't have enough resistance (air models). I've gone through several models and the 1upUSA trainer I linked in my first post is the only one that I can recommend.
 
Originally posted by: notfred
Elevation Gain: 300 Feet (91 Meters)
Climbing: Steep At Times
Click to expand...

Uh... 300 feet in 16 miles is steep? Steep for what, 50 yards?

For terrain that flat, I don't see why you'd need anything bigger than a stout cross country bike. A Stumpjumper or a Blur or something.
Click to expand...

Climbs are short, but are very steep (yes, 50 yard climbs). Definitely don't need a downhill bike, but keep in mind I do ride other trails with far more elevation, but this trail is my "home trail" as it's a short 10 minute warm up from my garage to the trailhead. I need something that can handle roots, rocks, and 2'-3' jumps without damaging my body too badly.....

 
I'm following this thread closely too, because I'm interested in replacing my GT Pantera fully rigid bike with something w/ full suspension. My main priority is weight. I want something super light. Super, super light. I don't even know where to start, but I've been trolling thru ebay a bit lately seeing if there are any good deals to be had.

A couple of questions: What's a good price/weight point? I don't want to spend a fortune and it would help to know the "sweet spot." What seems to be some of the best systems for locking out the rear suspension on hill climbs? I'm really partial to GT, but I believe they were bought out recently. I know they were selling their i-drive system which seemed pretty cool. Any comparable systems out there?
 
Well, I completely blew my original $1500 budget out of the water and went with the Stumpjumper FSR 100 expert disk. I paid $2300, included in that price the LBS upgraded the front derailleur to an XT part and also the shifter/brake assembly to the swanky XT dual control setup. Pretty slick. I'm a clydesdale class rider, and the Stumpy seemed much sturdier than the Trek Fuels did under my 220 lbs......

While there and in the mood to spend some more money, I picked up a bike for Mrs. Corn, Stumpjumper Women's. It's her first "real" mountain bike. As with everything else she's tried, I'm sure she'll be kicking my ass out on the trails in no time at all. Well, at least I can still frag her ass in UT2004.......sigh.......

Now I just can't wait till for the snow to melt and the ground to dry up some........c'mon spring, get here already!!!

 
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