Mountain Bike Reviews Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Considering Specialized Fuse 27.5 Basic vs. Sport for New England single tracks?

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 22 Posts
P

Paulp10

· Registered
Joined
·
34 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
New to forum:

hello all, it seems this is a great resource to get some good feedback. This will be a bit long so bear with me. A bit of background…used to ride a lot back in the late 90’s on my cannondales m300 (have two) . of course trails I rode on were not as technical or elaborated as what I see now. (also this was in Florida… flat as a pancake)

Fast forward 20 years a few road motorcycles (ducatis, BMW, aprilia) and some recreational motocross (as well as a few less pounds) and have been seduced by the possibilities of single tracks in the New England area. Mud, forests a few jumps here and there sounds good to me.

done some research on what to get for this as a newbie, lots of info, lots of choices, full suspension, hardtail, Salsa, Marin, Cannondale, Diamondback, etc etc….crazy prices, all this can become confusing too.

Looks like specialized fuse 27.5 is a good option for what I need now.
considering my budget I am in between the “basic’ or sport models , is it worth the extra 1k between one or the other ? Are there any other brand/model I should look at within this budget?
Fuse Basic retails at $1.5 k, sport at $2.4K
I am 5.10/11 about 185lbs
thanks to all in advance for your feedback
p
 
#3 · (Edited)
New England is rocks and roots. You need a fork with good small bump compliance which is high speed compression damping. Even the $3k Fuse fork is junk with the low level Motion Control damper.
Zero reasons to buy any Fuse.
A Trek Roscoe 9 would be adequate with a Fox 36 with a Grip damper for $2800. All in stock to ship to your local shop.

You can order a bike from CRC. 4 days delivery when they periodically restock. 90% assembled.
The Ragley Big Al 1.0 is at a reduced price of $1275 with a Marzocchi Z2 fork with a Grip damper. Fox owns them. It also has wide rim wheels. This is a steal.
Ragley Big AL 1.0 Hardtail Bike - Raspberry | Chain Reaction (chainreactioncycles.com)
Add shipping but no tax. Sign up for notifications for a Large. This frame has some rear compliance. It won't beat you up.
Rear compliance is very significant for riding a hardtail in rocky terrain. Few hts have it. For example, the Santa Cruz Chameleon doesn't.
Here's a review.
2021 Ragley Big Al Review - How Does a Budget Aluminum Hardtail Stack Up To Sedona's Trails? - YouTube
Watch all his reviews over the holiday. Unfortunately the Marin Team is experiencing seatstay breakage. That frame has rear compliance in the 90% range. Join his Patron for a month for his personal consultation.

You can look at used bike off Pinkbike Buy/Sell. BikeFlight ship.
This 29+ could soften the ride with Plus tires.
2016 Trek Stache 7 29+ - Heavily Upgraded For Sale (pinkbike.com)
The carbon rim wheels are worth 1k.
 
#6 ·
louiesquared said:
This is an amazing price for a Boost Frame! Reach is bit short but not terrible.
Click to expand...
Sync'r is a very popular bike for intermediate riders. I've always wanted one! I'm tempted to buy but I'm running out of excuses for my wife lol!
 
  • Like
Reactions: TwiceHorn
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Thank you for your comments gents, looks like the Sync’R could be a great option for what I have read today and the price cant be beaten. Liked the Ragleys, though it concerns me a little the small network of dealers around where I live at least.
may pull the trigger on the diamondback unless I see something worth exploring.
thanks again
paul
 
#9 ·
Dealers. You don't need no dealers to ride your bike. You need performance. The Marzocchi Z2 is the same as a Fox 34. Same company. That fork with the Grip damper will let you have control which equals fun on any trail. Plus, the frame has good rear compliance.
CRC ships it to your door 90% together. YouTube the rest- easy.
Sync'r has a Recon with the low-end Motion Control damper. It stops working at speed and doesn't have much small bump compliance. Figure in $500 for an upgrade. The frame doesn't have the same rear compliance. 27.5 doesn't give you the rollover you get with 29. Good luck.
 
#10 ·
Paulp10 said:
Thank you for your comments gents, looks like the Sync’R could be a great option for what I have read today and the price cant be beaten. Liked the Ragleys, though it concerns me a little the small network of dealers around where I live at least.
may pull the trigger on the diamondback unless I see something worth exploring.
thanks again
paul
Click to expand...
Great to hear! We sang praises for the Sync'r here on MTBR for quite a few years. It's a great all round trail hardtail and grows with you as you get better. I'm trying so hard to not buy one but the N+1 is strong! Wife might have to kill me.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #11 · (Edited)
Pulling the trigger on the Sync, (someone just called me offering me a sweet deal on a marin st Quentin also ) but can’t beat the price.
It will serve me well until I gain experience, prob beyond that too.
Also from a local dealer, which is important to me (support them) who can put it together and service.
appreciate many of the suggestions, some too detaield for me to understand 😄
will report when I get it.

thanks for the tip Battery!👍👍
 
#13 ·
Paulp10 said:
Pulling the trigger on the Sync, (someone just called me offering me a sweet deal on a marin st Quentin also ) but can’t beat the price.
It will serve me well until I gain experience, prob beyond that too.
Also from a local dealer, which is important to me (support them) who can put it together and service.
appreciate many of the suggestions, some too detaield for me to understand 😄
will report when I get it.

thanks for the tip Battery!👍👍
Click to expand...
No problem! Biggest recommendation is to upgrade your touch points if you don't like the way they feel. If you want a set of grips that are insanely comfortable, find a set of Deity Supracush grips. They are so worth it. I don't know if the Sync'r will come with pedals so you may want to hit up a local shop and grab a set. RaceFace Chester or OneUp Composite pedals are great for $50. That's all I run on my bikes. Last but not least is the saddle. If the stock saddle doesn't work for you, I recommend having your sit bones measured and poke around for a saddle that can support the measurement. Bike shops might be able to help with that. I like Specialized and Bontrager saddles because they have a wide range of saddle sizes.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#15 ·
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#18 ·
More and more riders are riding trails with full face helmets. IXS Trigger and Kali Invader are a couple of lighter and more breathable FF helmets. I have an IXS and my buddy has a Kali and we both like them.

IXS has that adjustable ratchet band like a kids’ ski helmet, which I found helpful. Like shoes, what fits one person well may not fit another at all.

They are a bit spendy but so is the dentist and plastic surgeon…
 
Discussion starter · #19 · (Edited)
You bring a good point, I have used full face for years when I rode sports bikes and motocross bikes. Never found them to bother me.
I thought about a FF helmet and then wondered if I would look ridiculous especially as a beginner riding not too challenging trails (prob being a beginner more of a point to wear FF) but you are right, at the end who cares what other people think? Risking injuring your jaw or face or loosing your teeth is worth taking precautions.
 
1 - 20 of 22 Posts
About this Discussion
21 Replies
9 Participants
Last post:
Paulp10
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
posts
16M
members
534K
Since
1990
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Discussion Downhill - Freeride California - Norcal Shocks and Suspension Passion