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FS Recomendations under $1500

1347 Views 21 Replies 16 Participants Last post by outdoornut, Dec 22, 2005

nitrochris

Discussion Starter · Dec 9, 2005

Hello, I'm new to this forum as I have been looking into getting a FS ride at some point. I am 6'3" and weight about 260. I curently ride an older (8 years old) Trek 920 singletrek with no suspension, and I think its time for an upgrade. I mostly ride XC with some technical stuff (I'm in the Minneapolis, MN area).

My budget is in the $1000-1500 range and want mid to upper range components (LX, XT or X7-9) as well as disk brakes. I'm thinking something in the 4-5" travel range would be good. I don't race so weight isn't a huge issue, though I don't want a brick. I would rather have a durable ride that is reliable. So far I've looked at Trek Fuel EX 6, Cannondale Prophet or Rush 600, Specialized FSR and the Kona bikes. My brother has a Fuel 80 which is nice but I'd like more travel(he is the same height but not a clyde). I'm open to about anything and would enjoy suggestions.

Thanks,
Chris

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

Guyechka

· #2 · Dec 9, 2005

2 suggestions

1. If you want something from the Kona line, then go with the lower end Coiler.

2. if you don't mind buying used, then get a SC Bullit. Just when I have enough money for a new Bullit frame they stop making them. Still, they have to be one of the most versatile frames out there. You just need to find one that is built up more as a XC or light FR bike.

Call_me_Clyde

· #3 · Dec 10, 2005

Would you build from scratch?

If so, check out my profile, it has the specs on the build I made which is a 5" aggressive XC bike, and is definitely clyde-worthy. I kept the cost at around $1400.00 as I recall. The frame is not well known, but if you read the reviews here (under 2005 XC full suspension) they're dead on.

Bob

nrsrex

· #4 · Dec 10, 2005

i hear that the trance 3 is somewhere around that price range with a really good parts picks.

Descalzo

· #5 · Dec 10, 2005

nitrochris said:
My budget is in the $1000-1500 range and want mid to upper range components (LX, XT or X7-9) as well as disk brakes. I'm thinking something in the 4-5" travel range would be good.

IMO $1500 is right at the bottom end of "entry level" for a decent FS bike. Others will dissagree with that, but it's my opinion, not theirs. I think it's going to be imposable to find a bike spec'd with the level of components you want for anything less than 1500. Even then you'll find that "LX level" bike only has an LX level crankset & R. derailuer, but probably is finished out with an acera F derailuer, Deore hubs & shifters, cheap headset, low end fork, no-name bars, etc.... Last time I went shopping I was amazed how much you had to spend to get a true XT bike out the door - which is one of the reasons I now just buy framesets and roll over my components, upgrading whatever I thought was weak or extremely outdated by the standards when I built the frame (anyone need any 7-speed stuff?) but that's me, about you ~

Last year ... the Jamis Dakar XLT's were the best spec'd bikes vs $ on the market - that's the main reason they were the all the mag's "bike of the year". A darn good bike with great parts vs the $. I don't know about the '06's - I'm not shopping, but 1500 should let you consider the "low end" XLT 1.0

Ironhorse bikes - people will sneer at your bike with the "Wallmart" name, but the higher end bikes are worth looking at. Tough frames, DW link rears, and ok spec vs $.

I'm tempted to mention GT as well, but the Co. had frame durability issues, been bankrupt, sold, & sold again since '02. As far as I know the frame issues been long solved with the redesign, & again the company has a "Kmart" name recognition - which usually means a better bike, cheaper on the high end of the lineup.

IMO I think if you shop for "the name", like Specialized, Kona, Trek, Fisher, etc you're gonna get hose'd paying more for that name while trying to get the spec you want.

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nitrochris

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 10, 2005

Descalzo said:
IMO $1500 is right at the bottom end of "entry level" for a decent FS bike. Others will dissagree with that, but it's my opinion, not theirs. I think it's going to be imposable to find a bike spec'd with the level of components you want for anything less than 1500. Even then you'll find that "LX level" bike only has an LX level crankset & R. derailuer, but probably is finished out with an acera F derailuer, Deore hubs & shifters, cheap headset, low end fork, no-name bars, etc.... Last time I went shopping I was amazed how much you had to spend to get a true XT bike out the door - which is one of the reasons I now just buy framesets and roll over my components, upgrading whatever I thought was weak or extremely outdated by the standards when I built the frame (anyone need any 7-speed stuff?) but that's me, about you ~

From looking around I realize I won't get a fully XT speced bike around that which is fine for me. It seems the front drailure is usually a step down and from my understanding it is not as critical as the rear. I don't have the budget for more and it seems there are many decent options in that range for how I'll be riding.

Thnaks for mentioning the Jamis bikes, I hadn't looked at those and they look nice for the price. I've also looked at Iornhorse and the Giant Trance 3 but forgot to mention them in my original post.

Thanks for the replys,
Chris

Elzippo

· #7 · Dec 10, 2005

You typically can not touch a Prophet 800 with Lefty TPC for less than $2k.
There are a couple on EBAY averaging around $1500 lately.
Gor for a Large or X-Large & don't look back.
I've tried quite a few different brands & the Prophet is the best FS bike going in my opinion.

LyNx

· #8 · Dec 10, 2005

seeing that ur looking at the likes of the TREK Fuel EX lineup, and other similar builds I feel I would be very remiss not toremind u of GIANT's Maestro line-up. I believe that either a Trance or a Reign would suite u very well - depending on how much travel you want. The maestro bikes have proven to have excelent suspension and pedaling and part specs are very good for the prices.If u could find a '05 Trance3 or '05 Reign3 u could prob pick them up for under $1200.

nitrochris

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 12, 2005

More food for thought

Elzippo: I have looked at the Cannondales 600 level (Rush and Prophet) and I like the looks of those though I doubt I could afford the 800 level.

LyNx: I saw the Giant Trance 3 at a LBS and that looked nice as well. I'll keep it in mind.

Another bike I've come across is the IBEX Apogee LX which seems to have a lot of components for the $1200 price. I'm also a mechanical engineering student and could more than handle assembling that myself. I've looked around the IBEX forum and reviews here and they seem to have good reviews. Any other Clydes ride them?

Thanks

Call_me_Clyde

· #10 · Dec 12, 2005

Thoughts on the Apogee

nitrochris said:
Another bike I've come across is the IBEX Apogee LX which seems to have a lot of components for the $1200 price. I'm also a mechanical engineering student and could more than handle assembling that myself. I've looked around the IBEX forum and reviews here and they seem to have good reviews. Any other Clydes ride them?

Thanks

I have yet to see one in person, but I bid on one of the frames in an ebay auction with the intention of building one up. It is an outstanding value at $1200 given the component selection, but I can not vouch first hand for the "clyde-worthiness" of the frame.

Post a thread in the Ibex forum and see what you come up with in terms of respose.

Bob

Haggard

· #11 · Dec 12, 2005

I second the 2005 Jamis Dakar XLT.

I am 5'6", 260 lbs and it has held up perfectly to four months of abuse. For the money (About $1,400) you'd be hard to find a better FS bike with better components (and now that I've used SRAM, I'm never going back to Shimano).

The only thing I'd reccomend is putting a stiffer spring in the Fox Vanilla fork.

SHIVER ME TIMBERS

· #12 · Dec 13, 2005

buy a used Stinky or Coiler from 700 to 1000 dollars...by the time you outride that bike you will know what you really want to ride (plus you will have an extra 500 to 800 dollars in your pocket)

also you can sell that bike for about the same price

nitrochris

Discussion Starter · #13 · Dec 13, 2005

SHIVER ME TIMBERS said:
buy a used Stinky or Coiler from 700 to 1000 dollars...by the time you outride that bike you will know what you really want to ride (plus you will have an extra 500 to 800 dollars in your pocket)

also you can sell that bike for about the same price

I've seen the Coiler mentioned twice and it to me 6" travel seems to be overkill for what I'll be riding. I'm not overly concerned with weight but I don't think I want to lug around a 40 lb bike for XC. How is the Dawg line? That would seem more in my riding range, unless I'm thinking wrong about this.

Thanks,
Chris

SHIVER ME TIMBERS

· #14 · Dec 13, 2005

nitrochris said:
I've seen the Coiler mentioned twice and it to me 6" travel seems to be overkill for what I'll be riding. I'm not overly concerned with weight but I don't think I want to lug around a 40 lb bike for XC. How is the Dawg line? That would seem more in my riding range, unless I'm thinking wrong about this.

Thanks,
Chris

6 inches is nice to have....but the 04 coiler was 5 inches and so was the 02 stinky and the years before....a bullitt would be real nice...or

I would really look into a Santa Cruz Heckler...this bike sounds like what you really want.

redstar

· #15 · Dec 13, 2005

nitrochris said:
Elzippo: I have looked at the Cannondales 600 level (Rush and Prophet) and I like the looks of those though I doubt I could afford the 800 level.

LyNx: I saw the Giant Trance 3 at a LBS and that looked nice as well. I'll keep it in mind.

Another bike I've come across is the IBEX Apogee LX which seems to have a lot of components for the $1200 price. I'm also a mechanical engineering student and could more than handle assembling that myself. I've looked around the IBEX forum and reviews here and they seem to have good reviews. Any other Clydes ride them?

Thanks

one of the local guys here scored a giant reign 2 from the LBS for 1600. definitely a little beefier than the trance and it rides quite plush.

bells

· #16 · Dec 13, 2005

nitrochris said:
How is the Dawg line? That would seem more in my riding range, unless I'm thinking wrong about this.

The 05 standard Dawg is an excellent do-everything bike for a bigger guy--it's what I settled on when I was in your shoes last summer. I paid $1400 for a Dawg in early July--if you can find one your size still in stock it should be even less. The component selection is decent for the money, and though it's no lightweight, the bike is extremely durable. And the frame is the same as the much more expensive Dawgs, so getting afflicted with upgradeitis later on is not a waste.

The recommendations for a Giant (either Trance or Reign, though at your size I'd lean toward the Reign) are also excellent suggestions. If I were shopping today that's what I'd be leaning toward just because of the performance/price ratio. If you have a Performance bike store near you, get in there NOW. They are not going to be carrying Giant anymore, so the 05 models still on the racks are heavily discounted.

Call_me_Clyde

· #17 · Dec 13, 2005

Dawg forks

bells said:
The 05 standard Dawg is an excellent do-everything bike for a bigger guy--it's what I settled on when I was in your shoes last summer. I paid $1400 for a Dawg in early July--if you can find one your size still in stock it should be even less. The component selection is decent for the money, and though it's no lightweight, the bike is extremely durable. And the frame is the same as the much more expensive Dawgs, so getting afflicted with upgradeitis later on is not a waste.

The recommendations for a Giant (either Trance or Reign, though at your size I'd lean toward the Reign) are also excellent suggestions. If I were shopping today that's what I'd be leaning toward just because of the performance/price ratio. If you have a Performance bike store near you, get in there NOW. They are not going to be carrying Giant anymore, so the 05 models still on the racks are heavily discounted.

The '05 Dawg has decent components and a Marzocchi EXR Pro fork. Not the best offering, but certainly respectable. For '06 the lower end Dawgs use Marzocchi "Fondo" forks, which Marzocchi ranks as a "Trekking" fork. Marzocchi's description of their intended usage is as follows: "Trekking is similar to XC riding but not as aggressive as XC. It involves slower riding and no riding obstacles such as rocks, roots, or depressions." How Kona came to the conclusion that this fork is appropriate for the Dawg is beyond me.

Bottom line, if you consider a Dawg, be damned sure it's not an '06.

Just my 2 cents.

Bob

SuperClydesdale

· #18 · Dec 13, 2005

Jamis Dakar XLT

nitrochris said:
From looking around I realize I won't get a fully XT speced bike around that which is fine for me. It seems the front drailure is usually a step down and from my understanding it is not as critical as the rear. I don't have the budget for more and it seems there are many decent options in that range for how I'll be riding.

Thnaks for mentioning the Jamis bikes, I hadn't looked at those and they look nice for the price. I've also looked at Iornhorse and the Giant Trance 3 but forgot to mention them in my original post.

Thanks for the replys,
Chris

Chris

Hey, I am 6'1" and 260-275 in gear, and I love my Dakar XLT 1. I have the 2003 HL bike, but I am sure the 05 and 06 models are even beefier. A hell of a good value, too.

I live in NE Minneapolis, and my Dakar hammers all the local trails, plus Moab, Fruita, 9 Mile, Chequamegon, etc. Let me know if you want to give her a test rip.

Mark

slayer 50

· #19 · Dec 13, 2005

good and strong

Take a look at the DAVINCI line very resonable in price and very well made.The GUZZLER comes to mind for a guy your size.

daddy2

· #20 · Dec 14, 2005

---

for your size and weight I would go with a burly Freeride 5" suspension bike. I'm a Heckler fan so I'm a little bias, but you can build one in the low 30 pounds/cheap/strong that fits your budget. It's a great trail bike.
Fwiw, you can get one used with above average parts in your price range.

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

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