[2ndgen]

Sorry I don't agree with that statement.

I also don't agree that a FS rig under 1K is not worth buying. For example I can point out a 30 speed bike with Rock Shox fork and shock, 30 speed SLX/XT drivetrain, and Avid Elixir brakes for around that price point.

I agree. Guys who ride $10,000. uber-mtbs are giving praise to cheaper bikes with their trickle-down technology that are giving entry-level riders a lot for the purchase price.

Oh, and name that bike! I'm curious now!

this one's not bad:
Kona Tanuki Deluxe Bike from .com

That's a winner right there. So far, I'm giving it to this Kona. It undeniably offers the best bang for the buck.
If I had about $1,000. to spend and that was my limit for a long time, it'd be this Kona Tanuki Deluxe without a doubt.

5" Travel, the only weak point in the drivetrain is the FD Alivio (which could be rectified with an XT FD)
and a rear shock upgrade and that bike is competing with bikes twice it's price. And it comes "with" SPD's? Damn!

(What I'd change right away...)
Frame Material: Kona Race Light 7005 Aluminum Butted
Suspension: 4 bar
Rear Travel: 130 mm
Front Travel: 130 mm
Rear Shock: Kona Fastrax AF2
Fork: Rock Shox Sektor TK
Wheelset: Shimano MT15
Front Derailleur: Shimano Alivio
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT
Shifters: Shimano Deore
Crankset: FSA Alpha Drive
Chain Rings: 44 x 32 x 22 t
Sprocket Range: 11 x 34 t
Pedals: Shimano PD-M505
Brakes: Avid Elixir 5 185mm fr/r
Tires: Maxxis Ardent 26 x 2.25
Saddle: WTB
Weight: (17 inch) 31 lb 13 oz
Manufacturer Warranty: limited lifetime

 

[Kona0197]

Oh, and name that bike! I'm curious now!

See post number 12. Thanks!

 

[2ndgen]

See post number 12. Thanks!

Got it! :thumbsup:

 

[2ndgen]

$2750 MSRP

3900$ MSRP

Hi Michael1. Can you re-size this pic please?
It's expanding the thread and making it hard to read.
Thanks.
:thumbsup:

 

[Kona0197]

Just use Adblock and block the image.

 

[2ndgen]

Just use Adblock and block the image.

Thank you. :thumbsup:

 

[torreyaz]

this one's not bad:
Kona Tanuki Deluxe Bike from Hucknroll.com

Spec-wise that is a good deal for a FS at the price point.

 

[David C]

2011-12 Slayers.

Around $2 000 for a Slayer 30 and up to $5 000+ for a 70. But frame is the same. That's why I'm getting a frame only to transfers my current parts.

Maybe over 1k, but I'll says that so far it's the bike (talking about the frame, because you put whatever you want, XTR on a Wallyworld bike don't make it race worthy whatsoever ) that has show the best in AM category in my researches.

Geometry, quality, design, and price. I'd even consider the Slayer over the SB-66 right now in my situation (not for the price, but performance for my riding style).

And it's damn sexy.

 

[2ndgen]

2011-12 Slayers.

Around $2 000 for a Slayer 30 and up to $5 000+ for a 70. But frame is the same. That's why I'm getting a frame only to transfers my current parts.

Maybe over 1k, but I'll says that so far it's the bike (talking about the frame, because you put whatever you want, XTR on a Wallyworld bike don't make it race worthy whatsoever ) that has show the best in AM category in my researches.

Geometry, quality, design, and price. I'd even consider the Slayer over the SB-66 right now in my situation (not for the price, but performance for my riding style).

And it's damn sexy.

I'm seeing that turned up bottom tube on a few new bikes now.
Even the Turner I'm going for has one.

 

[David C]

I'm seeing that turned up bottom tube on a few new bikes now.
Even the Turner I'm going for has one.

Your Tuner had DW-Link. This has rocker link type.

But if you are talking about the shaped down tube, yes, it is a bit more common now. Pretty much to deflect rocks and allow better clearance overall. And looks good too.

What got you into the 5-Spots ?

 

[Kevin_Federline]

I bought a last years model stumpy for 1600, you can find good deals, but 1g is hard to do

 

[Kona0197]

Pretty much to deflect rocks and allow better clearance overall. And looks good too.

Matter of opinion. I prefer the old school look.

 

[David C]

Matter of opinion. I prefer the old school look.

But it still ride way better

 

[mrbigisbudgood]

Used Santa Cruz Heckler.

 

[dragoon]

$2750 MSRP

3900$ MSRP

At less than 1k it is not worth getting a full suspension bike because the components suck and the bike is going to be really heavy. At that price-point it makes more sense to get a hard-tail, which your skills will keep improving on, until you are committed enough to invest more money. Carbon fiber is not intrinsically expensive, it is the lay-up process that is very expensive. Thus the best bang for your buck will be an aluminum frame. Specialized makes the best and lightest aluminum frame with their proprietary alloy. The two bikes I listed have very capable components, good suspension with air not metal springs, and the weight is reasonable. I would personally go for the elite because of the superior components and suspension. At mikes bikes the stumpy FSR elite is at $3500, stumpy fsr comp at $2500 and it will get even lower during their April sale. I don't have any affiliation with either of the companies I mentioned. In fact I bought an Ibis Mojo SL this fall instead of a stumpjumper fsr elite, which I might have gotten otherwise.

To sum it up, there are no good full-supsension bikes at under 1k; they all suck. Either get a hardtail or invest more money with an aluminum frame stumpy.

The odds of their aluminum actually being "proprietary", as in nobody else is using the exact same alloy, is about zero in my opinion.

As for weight, that depends on the rider. When I ride, I'm taking a total of about 280 pounds with me (total). To shave 5 pounds off a bike ( a lot)....it matters such a small amount, it would be hard to measure, unless I'm racing. If you're 140 pounds....the weight of the bike matters more as a % of the total.

As for the components, I'd bet they aren't that bad.....Hell, I bet they are all 20x better than what we all rode on in the 90s......and never had a problem.

 

[michael1]

I am about 170 lbs total adding bike and pack weight, so it makes more of a difference for me. However, 5 pounds is still a small percent and when I first tried some high end full-suspension bikes at a demo, they felt significantly lighter than my 32 lb. hardtail. The lighter wheels allow faster acceleration and a lighter bike is more nimble and turns easier. When considering all those factors it explains why a bike that is only five pounds lighter feels significantly lighter.

When I go backpacking, I try to go ultralight and I count ounces and even grams with some items, which is a much smaller percent than five pounds on a bike.

Also, we have what we have in terms of new bike technology. We can't go back to the 90's and thus we redefine what are good quality components and which are unsatisfactory. Before bicycles people would walk on trails and they were happy with that.

 

[2ndgen]

Your Tuner had DW-Link. This has rocker link type.

But if you are talking about the shaped down tube, yes, it is a bit more common now. Pretty much to deflect rocks and allow better clearance overall. And looks good too.

What got you into the 5-Spots ?

Handmade in the USA (as of 2012), classic styling, proven reliability & simple tech.

 

[socalkev]

This one xD oh can you say 40$

 

[Bro]

Maybe over 1k, but I'll says that so far it's the bike (talking about the frame, because you put whatever you want, XTR on a Wallyworld bike don't make it race worthy whatsoever ) that has show the best in AM category in my researches.

Wow.... I was gonna say this bike was the best bang-for-your-buck at a mere $88 at your nearest Walmart, but I guess not.

 

[floydlippencott]

But it still ride way better

Sure you do, Kona doesn't even ride.