[yellowbelly]

I am in the market to upgrade to a new bike and have decided on a FSR after riding h/t for a no. of years.
After looking at all the permutations ive decided its between a

04 Stumpjumper Fsr Elite Disc

&

04 Giant nrs 1



Im living in Lincolnshire and as you can imagine there is not alot of exciting rides in the area,but im fortunate that i'll be working up in Lancashire so my opportunities for heavy xc riding will be plenty.

They are both just within my budget and i would appreciate your thoughts on these two bikes,ive read the reviews and tested both, but as i say i would appreciate any plus or minus on these two bikes.

Thanks!

Darren

 

[derby]

Stumpjumper is smoother riding

I am in the market to upgrade to a new bike and have decided on a FSR after riding h/t for a no. of years.
After looking at all the permutations ive decided its between a

04 Stumpjumper Fsr Elite Disc

&

04 Giant nrs 1



Im living in Lincolnshire and as you can imagine there is not alot of exciting rides in the area,but im fortunate that i'll be working up in Lancashire so my opportunities for heavy xc riding will be plenty.

They are both just within my budget and i would appreciate your thoughts on these two bikes,ive read the reviews and tested both, but as i say i would appreciate any plus or minus on these two bikes.

Thanks!

Darren

The NRS tops out the suspension for a more hardtail like ride when pedaling and braking. Most suspensions without locked out shocks ride smoother. But the NRS makes a great race bike and would make a good first time full suspension bike, especially if you pedal out of the saddle a lot when climbing since most other rear suspension designs absorb more energy in the shock when hard pedaling.

But the advantage of a more compliant suspension when pedaling is better traction and a smoother ride that doesn't beat you up as quickly. The Stumpjumper is a great bike with the latest "platform" Propedal Fox shock that is standard now. Inefficient bob from rider pedaling input is virtually eliminated with the platform shock without loosing the ability to more smoothly absorb bumps than the more extremely efficient pedaling NRS.

You wouldn't be disappointed with either bike as a first full suspension ride. You might keep riding the smoother riding Stumpjumper for more years, unless you are a hard core racer where the NRS is hard to beat for hardtail pedaling response and much better than hardtail downhill XC racing stability.

- ray

 

[tequila joe]

I agree with derby

The decision boils down to your riding style. If you enjoy the quick acceleration and pedlaing efficiencies of a hard tail but want a little rear boing, then the race oriented NRS is your bike. If you are looking for a plush ride, with reactive rear suspension, then I'd go for the more do-it-all Stumpy.

Tequila

 

[NCBigHit]

I agree too...

I have a stumpy and love it, but have spent some time on an NRS as well. I would say (like those before me) that unless you wanna race, get the stumpy...it really is great as a XCish to even trailbike. I can vouch for the toughness of the stumpy even riden hard by a heavy rider (200 pounds). Just a great bike, especially with the propedal shocks.

Biased opinions aside, you should try to ride both bikes on the trail and see what you like best, because honesly they are both great bikes and it all boils down to personal preference.

Enjoy the new ride!

 

[Bird]

when i was in the market for my first f/s bike i wanted a bike that felt like full suspension...duh!.I was tired of the beating that i received from my hardtail over the years.
I ride mostly rocky terrain so my decision was easy FSR.
If the trails your riding is mostly smooth then nrs would be great.
But i'm still confused at why one would leave their hardtail only to buy a f/s bike that mirrors it.