[sebob]

I'm in the market for a new bike. I would like it to be under $2000 and have over 130mm of overall travel. Here are the main two I'm considering:
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/778357/
http://classifieds.mtbr.com/showproduct.php?product=61233&cat=all
I was wondering how Giant's Maestro performed compared to Specialized's FSR. I was also wondering if the Reign was worth the extra money in regard to components.

 

[macming]

Neither. I'd pick up this one

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/785401/

or something similar to it

 

[Hotwhls]

I have never riden a FSR but I just bought a reign 2 and its awsome. I rode my local loop last night and didn't even use my propedal switch.

 

[b-kul]

i really wouldnt take this to heart because it is so often discussed and argued but the suspension systems that seem most loved on here are dw/ mastero then vpp/ other mini links then horst/ sp. to way over simplfy it. to go on what other people think is the best probably isnt a smart move.

 

[John Kuhl]

Most of the suspension systems now are pretty good. All
my bikes are a newer type of single pivot and they work great
also. Every rider needs to find what works best for them.

Best, John

 

[Axe]

Pretty much all modern systems are doing their job just fine, so it is down to personal preference, and depends to a large degree on proper shock tuning. DW style suspension seem to be sensitive to sag, active monopivots to platform and compression setting etc. That is to say that if you go for a head to head comparison, make sure you have time to tune it up well before making a decision.

Between those two - I would make my decision on other factors rather then suspension design.

 

[sebob]

What factors would you base your decision on then?

 

[Axe]

What factors would you base your decision on then?

Overall geometry and individual fit of a particular size, components and their condition, fork and shock in particular, weight, appearance. In that order.

 

[juice]

Those are both equally good bikes of a similar style.

It looks to me like the Giant has a 2007 Fox Talas 36 on the front, though I can't be sure. It'll be burlier, heavier and stiffer. The '07 Talas isn't quite as good as the newer Talas models, not as supple, but still a very good fork (I ride one). I'd ask the seller why an '09 bike has an '07 fork, and how much use the fork has seen, but my guess is he just wanted a stronger fork than the stock 140mm 32.

If I'm right about it being a 36 up front, get the Giant if you lean more toward freeride, and the Specialized if you lean more towards xc. I'm old school, so there's only xc, freeride and DH. Trail and AM are just xc when you ride harder and actually have some skills.

 

[mimi1885]

Pretty much all modern systems are doing their job just fine, so it is down to personal preference, and depends to a large degree on proper shock tuning. DW style suspension seem to be sensitive to sag, active monopivots to platform and compression setting etc. That is to say that if you go for a head to head comparison, make sure you have time to tune it up well before making a decision.

Between those two - I would make my decision on other factors rather then suspension design.

Actually DW suspension is less sensitive to sag, even Maestro is more immune than VPP or FSR. I thinks that's what you meant to say.

I have DW Mojo there's no difference in pedaling performance when the sag is set at 25% or 35%, however, on my SC BLTC is a different story, I have less range to play with because it changes the handling and pedaling.

 

[bmxconvert]

Ride them both.

Personally I find that I prefer Maestro over FSR.
FSR tends to be a little bit more of a "sprinty" bike. Getting into the travel takes a touch more of a harsh hit and pumping the terrain is a bit more awkward(especially on platform shocks).
Maestro moves a bit more but is still just as efficient and tends to track the ground better.

I personally own a 2010 Enduro that I'm selling because I like my 2010 Reign much more.
I own a 2005 Enduro Comp that I built up as a loaner bike and find that it's really not the same beast as a Trance is, which is what will replace it when I sell it.
I also had a 2010 Demo 8 II that I sold because I could not get in agreement with the suspension. I ended up having to run 37% sag to get decent compliance out of the rear shock and then it blew through travel when jumping. I tried cranking up the all sorts of setups with the lsc/hsc and bottom out/boost pressure. I loved the geometry but hated the suspension. Sold that bike and went back to a Sunday.

I personally favor Maestro, followed but a high single pivot(session 10, heckler or similar) and then FSR.

FSR does do its job of being efficient and separating braking forces very well, but the best bet is to just try to two bikes out.

 

[sebob]

Thanks guys. Right now I'm leaning towards the Enduro. It's cheaper, I'm more an XC guy, and I've had better contact from the seller. However, almost everybody here seems to prefer Maestro over FSR, which has left me without a decision yet.

 

[Evan55]

$2k = 2011 Giant Reign 2.

no brainer. fantastic bike for the money. pedals much better than the enduro. but no 6" AM bike is going to pedal as well as a good trail bike. so keep that in mind if youre an xc guy.

personally im not a fan of buying other peoples worn components. used bikes are (often) a false economy IMO.

 

[sebob]

I have only ever bought used bikes and I've never had a problem due to the previous owner. A new Reign 2 is actually $2300 and $300 is a lot when I only spent $500 on my current GT.

 

[Evan55]

thats odd, msrp went up $150 since november. (and you shouldnt be paying msrp anyway)

when I ordered mine, msrp was $2150 and the local shops were charging $2k even.

if you live out west where there is a lot more sales volume for this kind of bike you could still get it for $2k

 

[sebob]

It seems to me that some extra maintenance cost would be worth it if a bike came with better components. That's kinda similar to buying a older (but nicer) car versus buying a brand new car.

 

[macming]

I have only ever bought used bikes and I've never had a problem due to the previous owner. A new Reign 2 is actually $2300 and $300 is a lot when I only spent $500 on my current GT.

Buying used is always a gamble sight unseen. I try to look for bikes that look like are in mint shape, and have low hours.

The giant in your first ad looks like it had fairly high hours, some crashes (judging from its brake levers, scratches on the shock body), and the older fork is questionable too. For me, it has too many signs to go ahead and buy it.

However, if you are set on a Reign, keep on looking, and I'm sure you'll find a nice one soon. Spring is coming and lots of people are upgrading I have personally bought two used bikes that are almost flawless for very good prices. It just takes some time, and effort to search.

 

[sebob]

This is the Enduro I was mentioning....how does it look compared to the Reign?
(sorry the pic is so big)

 

[motochick]

I have ridden both and I bought a Reign. If you are more XC why not look at a Trance or Trance X? I would have jumped on a Trance X if I could have found one in my size and price range. I personally would hold out for a maestro or DW bike, especially if you are going be pedaling a lot.

 

[juice]

Thanks guys. Right now I'm leaning towards the Enduro. It's cheaper, I'm more an XC guy, and I've had better contact from the seller. However, almost everybody here seems to prefer Maestro over FSR, which has left me without a decision yet.

Don't believe the hype - they're just different, not better or worse. I've ridden all kinds of bikes, and each one has pros and cons, but just barely.

Here's the theory of the differences between the systems. Yes, I can feel the difference. No, I don't think it really matters in how much fun you'll have or how well you'll ride.

Specialized/FSR/Horst Link: bearings last longer. More active under braking, feels smooth. More active under pedaling, which means technical climbing you have better traction. More pedal bob, so you'll want a shock with a platform for long forest road grinds. Allows shorter chainstays so you can manual easier = more playful.

Giant Maestro/Mini-link: less pedal bob, efficient pedaler, a little bit of pedal feedback when climbing over technical bumps in granny, still good and active when braking, but not as nice as FSR. Climbs better when standing/mashing. More rearward travel so maybe faster plowing through square-edge bumps at speed.

Geometry and fit are WAY more important than the stuff I just typed.