REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

most versitile bike?

658 Views 5 Replies 6 Participants Last post by stp2, Dec 11, 2005

themightyjuntao

Discussion Starter · Dec 9, 2005

ok, so i am still working out which bike would be best for me. i think what it boils down to is that i would like the most versitile bike i can get for the money. i can spend a max of about $1200, less than the entry level all-mountian bikes. i guess by versitile i mean that the would not be the hindering factor in where and what kind of trails i ride.... within reason of course. For example, the ads for the Specialized FSRxc say, "This sweet balance of trail competence and cross country speed may lead one to ask, "Is the FSRxc a technical condition cross country bike or a fast all-mountain trail bike?" To which we proudly answer, "Yes." " do i believe this? I am also looking at a Giant Trance 4, and a few hardtails, Jamis Exile xc, and maybe a Kona Kula. I dont weigh a whole lot for my size, (6'1, 160lbs), so i dont think frame strength is a huge deciding factor, but out of curiosity, which of the Giant and the Specialized do ya'll think is strongest, and which is lightest? they dont show bike weights on the webpages. Thanks for your help

Save

1 - 6 of 6 Posts

Johnny Hair Boy

· #2 · Dec 9, 2005

They are both good

I have spent alot of time on a FSR bikes and they ride incredibly well. My girlfriend has stump jumper and it rides almost as good as as my $6000 dollar ETSX if you are on a budjet you cant finde a better bike in my oppinion than the entry level stumpy or FSR xc bikes. I havn't spent more than a few minutes on a Trance but it did feel nice.

Save

LeopardDog

· #3 · Dec 10, 2005

One of the few...

The Kona site posts their bike weights.

They seem accurate as well.

What type of riding do you do today or want to do with this new bike?

Save

borregokid

· #4 · Dec 10, 2005

If you go to a Specialized Dealer they have some special Test Bikes that they will let you take out. It sounds like you really havent made your mind up on whether you want to go fast and climb fast or you want a bike you can really bomb down a hill with and maybe to some drops. If you think racing might be in your future and you want something fast and the trails are fairly smooth you are going to be riding then look at the hardtails. Take a look at the most expensive Stumpjumper you can afford and the check out the Specialized Enduro. Hopefully you can ride them for a couple of miles on maybe a bumpy trail with some smooth spots where you can go fast. I would bet you would go with the Stumpjumper.

Save

Xioz

· #5 · Dec 11, 2005

themightyjuntao said:
ok, so i am still working out which bike would be best for me. i think what it boils down to is that i would like the most versitile bike i can get for the money. i can spend a max of about $1200, less than the entry level all-mountian bikes. i guess by versitile i mean that the would not be the hindering factor in where and what kind of trails i ride.... within reason of course. For example, the ads for the Specialized FSRxc say, "This sweet balance of trail competence and cross country speed may lead one to ask, "Is the FSRxc a technical condition cross country bike or a fast all-mountain trail bike?" To which we proudly answer, "Yes." " do i believe this? I am also looking at a Giant Trance 4, and a few hardtails, Jamis Exile xc, and maybe a Kona Kula. I dont weigh a whole lot for my size, (6'1, 160lbs), so i dont think frame strength is a huge deciding factor, but out of curiosity, which of the Giant and the Specialized do ya'll think is strongest, and which is lightest? they dont show bike weights on the webpages. Thanks for your help

I'm in quite the same position, although contenders differ a little: Giant Trance 2, Specialized FSR XC Pro & Scott Genius MC-50. I've been thinking and researching these bikes for about 3 months now and I come to conclude that the Trance 2 is probably the bike for me. The Trance incorporates the latest of suspension technology and has just been introduced. So it will probably stick around for a long time. It's a great bike.

However, I wouldn't choose a bike over it's weight. For example the FSR XC may weigh one or two pounds less than the Giant, but the Giant is much more efficient. So I think it's important to test these bikes and see for yourself what you like and dislike about these bikes.

Another tip: Check the www.mtbreview.com reviews on these bikes. Very usefull!

Regards,

Save

stp2

· #6 · Dec 11, 2005

Check out Iron Horse. Outstanding bikes for stupid cheap prices if you look around. Their DW-Link suspension is super efficient and plush. Ibis and IF just licensed the design from them. I see them becoming a major brand in the near future.

Save

1 - 6 of 6 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month