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All Mountain to Bike Park

2.5K views 16 replies 11 participants last post by  wanderingjim  
#1 · (Edited)
Answers from the prompt

1) Your budget. 1500-3k (Frame only)

2) What bikes, if any, are you already considering?

Currently riding 2020 Fuel Trek EX 8, size M/L with 130 coil and 150mm fork which I’ve been loving. Its also the first full suspension Mountain Bike I've owned and it go my hooked on the sport. However, I need a bigger big bike, a proper size Large. I would love to be able to swap the fork a summer trips to the bike park.

Current bike specs —Fuel EX 8 Gen 5 - Trek Bikes with Lyric Ultimate fork and coil upgrade

I’m not mad at my components, sure T-type transmission would be awesome but the analog components work well and are cheap to fix for my stupid lines, so I’d really just like to buy a frame.

Currently looking at:
  1. Banshee Prime V3 - Top contender, the fork range, mullet capability, small company. Love the look of these bikes. Reading some reviews and people love them.
  2. RAAW Jib v3 LT - Looks like it can handle a 160mm fork.
  3. Revel Rascal or Rail- New model looks awesome, great for the trails where I live but can’t over fork it for the bike park
  4. New Trek Fuel - the price is nice for what you get… but seems uncool, haha

3) What type of riding do you intend to do? (e.g. Cross Country, Freeride, Downhill, paved paths)
I primary ride in San Luis Obispo, so lots and lots of climbing and lots of chunky fast downhills. By no means do I need carbon frame. The 130/140 rear and 150 front seems like plenty of suspension for my riding. However, it be sweet to overfork a bit for the occasional trip to the bike park in the summer. I like to pedal and I like to go down...

4) Do you have a preference over a hardtail or full suspension?
Full Suss

5) Age, weight and height. (In many instances very important for a variety of reasons).
35, 170. 6’

6) What sources will you consider buying from?
Open, used would be fine.

7) Do you want people to offer you alternative suggestions to issues such as budget, bikes already considered, and sources?
Sure
 
#2 ·
How old is your current bike? What fork, wheels, and drivetrain does it have? Will you swap the parts yourself, or pay a shop to do it?

If your bike has non-boost wheels, mid-grade suspension, and/or you'll pay a shop to swap parts - you might be better off spend $3000 on a better spec'd used bike or possibly a new Ripmo AF.

If your bike is only a couple years old, with mid/high-grade suspension, and you'll swap the parts yourself - buying the frame you want may be a better choice.
 
#3 ·
How old is your current bike? What fork, wheels, and drivetrain does it have? Will you swap the parts yourself, or pay a shop to do it?

If your bike has non-boost wheels, mid-grade suspension, and/or you'll pay a shop to swap parts - you might be better off spend $3000 on a better spec'd used bike or possibly a new Ripmo AF.

If your bike is only a couple years old, with mid/high-grade suspension, and you'll swap the parts yourself - buying the frame you want may be a better choice.
Thanks for the input. I updated the post with the a link to the current spec and the upgrades on it. And I got some homies that are wrench savvy.
 
#4 ·
Call around to some specialized dealers and ask them about old inventory - they were doing a not so advertised sale a few months back and i got two bikes for almost 60% off.

Specifically ask if they have the enduro. I was a trail/ all mountain rider (stumpjumper) that needed a bike to go to parks with my son. Now the enduro is all i ride........ mix of 90% trail and 10% downhill

As i typed this i went to get a link for the bike and its on sale for $3999 - you can do better if you call dealer. Thats a lot of bike for $3000 which is what it was going for a few months back.

 
#5 · (Edited)
So much of this is personal preference and how/where you ride but since you asked, my opinion is even overforked that bike is going to hold you back in the park. Doesn't mean you can't, I see people with hardtails having fun. But if you really enjoy going downhill and still want to be able to pedal, with that budget you could go all in on something like a YT Jeffsy or Capra, or Canyon Spectral, to name a few complete options. It's not just the components and travel to consider, but the geometry too. Why not have 2 bikes if you can, right!?
 
#11 ·
I love pick, chrome, mariposa, RG and mdo, haha. I think the stumpy EVO is the call, the price drops are crazy right now and seems to be the goto around here. I think over thinking the bike park aspect for how often I actually make it there. Maybe 3-8 days out of a summer, its just so much fun. I also don’t have a garage so the one bike quiver is kinda all I have space for.