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205 Posts
Here's the skinny - I'm 6'1", 220, ride mainly XC on dry, rocky singletrack w/occasional fire roads. I'm currently on an '02 NRS 3; love the efficiency going up, hate the sketchiness and lack of plush on the descents. I rode a Blur and loved it, but the price tag's a little steep. Two different LBS suggest I go with a beefier frame due to my build, so here's my options and assumptions:
Giant Trance 2 - Seems closest to Blur, sold at LBS
Giant Reign 2 - Burlier than Trance w/not much weight difference, sold at LBS
Yeti 575 Enduro - Excellent spec for $, rave reviews here and in mags, exclusivity
IH Hollowpoint MkIII Expert - Better spec than Giant (IMHO), similar to Giants suspension
2004 IH Hollowpoint Team - Top of the line parts, by far biggest bang for the buck
What I'm most concerned with is fit, efficiency in climbing and durability. I know I will bomb downs much faster on any of these bikes than my NRS, but I also earn those descents with the climb. Here's my concerns:
Do I need more than 4" of travel?
With the MkIII on the market, is the 2004 Hollowpoint suspension obsolete?
Is it wise to buy a new suspension system (Maestro, DW MkIII) in it's first year?
Will I break the "knuckle" on the Yeti's top tube?
Are the online fit guides (Wrenchscience) a foolproof way to get the bike fit right?
Help a brother out and pass on your advice, experience in the saddle with any of these bikes, and/or affirmations or corrections to any of the assumptions I've made. Hope to hear from you all after you ride today!
Giant Trance 2 - Seems closest to Blur, sold at LBS
Giant Reign 2 - Burlier than Trance w/not much weight difference, sold at LBS
Yeti 575 Enduro - Excellent spec for $, rave reviews here and in mags, exclusivity
IH Hollowpoint MkIII Expert - Better spec than Giant (IMHO), similar to Giants suspension
2004 IH Hollowpoint Team - Top of the line parts, by far biggest bang for the buck
What I'm most concerned with is fit, efficiency in climbing and durability. I know I will bomb downs much faster on any of these bikes than my NRS, but I also earn those descents with the climb. Here's my concerns:
Do I need more than 4" of travel?
With the MkIII on the market, is the 2004 Hollowpoint suspension obsolete?
Is it wise to buy a new suspension system (Maestro, DW MkIII) in it's first year?
Will I break the "knuckle" on the Yeti's top tube?
Are the online fit guides (Wrenchscience) a foolproof way to get the bike fit right?
Help a brother out and pass on your advice, experience in the saddle with any of these bikes, and/or affirmations or corrections to any of the assumptions I've made. Hope to hear from you all after you ride today!