[matthewcornell]

Hi Folks. I had my 2016 Cannondale Habit 4 (27.5") stolen, and I'm looking for a replacement. I ride various cross country trails that are a mix of climbing, downhills, and single track, and I want a good all-around bike that's sporty an fun to ride. The local shop carries Specialized and Cannondale (and Trek at another), but of course choices are limited due to COVID-19. The few I've tried in my size (I'm 5'9", 165 lbs) and my price range (~$3500) such as the Specialized Stumpjumper Comp Alloy (S4) have felt like boats - the opposite of an agile and playful bike that I'd enjoy. I'd love some recommendations from you for bikes that would fill the bill. Ideally I'd like to try one first, but I'm open to suggestions. I hope that's enough detail. Thanks!

 

[screamingbunny]

trek top fuel

 

[Scott O]

Sounds like you might want to look at hard tails?

 

[BansheeRune]

Hi Folks. I had my 2016 Cannondale Habit 4 (27.5") stolen, and I'm looking for a replacement. I ride various cross country trails that are a mix of climbing, downhills, and single track, and I want a good all-around bike that's sporty an fun to ride. The local shop carries Specialized and Cannondale (and Trek at another), but of course choices are limited due to COVID-19. The few I've tried in my size (I'm 5'9", 165 lbs) and my price range (~$3500) such as the Specialized Stumpjumper Comp Alloy (S4) have felt like boats - the opposite of an agile and playful bike that I'd enjoy. I'd love some recommendations from you for bikes that would fill the bill. Ideally I'd like to try one first, but I'm open to suggestions. I hope that's enough detail. Thanks!

I'll stick with my RSD Wildcat, thankya. Hardtail, Middlechild.

 

[2021Mach6]

Are hardtails an option? I'm in PA and aside from bike parks, there's really not much mine can't handle. There's a few lighter ones, but for the most part bikes have gone away from trying to be lighter. Mine is about 32lbs which is about average for a FS. I know what you mean by feeling like a boat on the showroom floor, but hopefully you can demo one out in the wild. You'll be suprised how nimble and playful (I hate that I just used that word ... It's in every single piece of marketing material nowadays).

And personally I'd go Specialized or Trek over Cannondale. Used to love their bikes even just a few years ago, but I think they're kinda living off past reputation nowadays. At least that's my perception.

 

[Curveball]

The Guerrilla Gravity Shred Dogg would fit the bill perfectly.

 

[FrankS29]

Full squish, Ibis Ripley.

HT, I hope to be able to suggest a RSD Middlechild soon.

 

[matthewcornell]

Thank you everyone. Re: hardtail, the terrain here is often pretty bumpy - roots, rocks, stumps, etc. I rode a friend’s hardtail and I found it jarring. I’m glad you brought it up, though.

 

[TwoTone]

I'd say in that price range, Ripley AF. 2 builds under $3500 so you can choose Shimano or Sram.
But you won't be able to ride one first, which I doubt will happen for almost anything right now.

 

[Curveball]

Shred Dogg - Custom Builds & Frameset

The Guerrilla Gravity Shred Dogg is a short travel trail 27.5 full-suspension mountain bike. This MTB has 130 mm rear travel in Trail Mode and 140 mm rear travel in Gravity Mode, using 27.5" wheels. The Shred Dogg frame is manufactured in Denver, CO using Revved Carbon Technology and the Modular...

ridegg.com

 

[Crankout]

increase your budget to 6K and consider the Santa Cruz Blur.

 

[TwoTone]

…… and my price range (~$3500) …..

The Guerrilla Gravity Shred Dogg would fit the bill perfectly.

Shred Dogg - Custom Builds & Frameset

The Guerrilla Gravity Shred Dogg is a short travel trail 27.5 full-suspension mountain bike. This MTB has 130 mm rear travel in Trail Mode and 140 mm rear travel in Gravity Mode, using 27.5" wheels. The Shred Dogg frame is manufactured in Denver, CO using Revved Carbon Technology and the Modular...

ridegg.com

Price = $5195

Love MTBR, why suggest the lowly Rally build, if you're going to completely ignore someone's budget go full tilt.
Suggest the frame only then gettting AXS and 2k carbon wheels

 

[fisherk]

If you are wanting to stick with the 27.5" wheel size, then I would throw in the Ibis Mojo 4 as it ticks all the boxes you provided. It may be above your price point though. As previously mentioned the Ripley AF might be a good alternative, if you would consider 29" wheels.

 

[abeckstead]

Evil Calling


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FrankS29]

Evil Calling

What one would suggest that’s $3,500?

 

[abeckstead]

What one would suggest that’s $3,500?

Gotta pay to play, sorry not sorry. Evil just stopped producing these frames, there’s used frames or complete bikes out there though. Most Evil fans state, the Calling is a bike they should have never sold.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FrankS29]

Gotta pay to play, sorry not sorry. Evil just stopped producing these frames, there’s used frames or complete bikes out there though. Most Evil fans state, the Calling is a bike they should have never sold.

This is flat out laughable.

There are plenty of bikes in his $3,500 price range that are fantastic bikes.

Idiotic attitudes like thinking you have to spend $6-$8k to mountain bike is only going to hold the sport back.

 

[TwoTone]

This is flat out laughable.

There are plenty of bikes in his $3,500 price range that are fantastic bikes.

Idiotic attitudes like thinking you have to spend $6-$8k to mountain bike is only going to hold the sport back.

It's MTBR, even a first time rider needs a 6k+ bike.

 

[Nick_M]

Ibis AF series will super playfully and good value
Specialized
Polygon

Good as well


Cheers

 

[kpdemello]

Hi Folks. I had my 2016 Cannondale Habit 4 (27.5") stolen, and I'm looking for a replacement. I ride various cross country trails that are a mix of climbing, downhills, and single track, and I want a good all-around bike that's sporty an fun to ride. The local shop carries Specialized and Cannondale (and Trek at another), but of course choices are limited due to COVID-19. The few I've tried in my size (I'm 5'9", 165 lbs) and my price range (~$3500) such as the Specialized Stumpjumper Comp Alloy (S4) have felt like boats - the opposite of an agile and playful bike that I'd enjoy. I'd love some recommendations from you for bikes that would fill the bill. Ideally I'd like to try one first, but I'm open to suggestions. I hope that's enough detail. Thanks!

Well the Stumpjumper S4 is probably at least one size too big for you, so that could be why it felt like a boat. Your height puts you square in the middle for S3 size. You could probably even size down to an S2 if you wanted more playful.

Ibis Ripley AF is also a great bike at a great value, but again consider sizing down to make it more playful.