New Bike

Trek, Giant, Specialized, Kona, Ibis, Santa Cruz, Cannondale, Vassago, Salsa, Yeti, Niner, Felt, Scott, Pivot, Intense, Jamis, Turner, etc. What's your budget? Hard tail or full suspension? 26", 27.5", 29"? How big are you? What terrain/trails do you ride?


"It's a mountain bike, get over it." -Kaolin

Ask at your lbs about any upcoming demo days. You can learn a lot about different bikes and different components from spending all day or even two full days riding different bikes on trails.
I would look at the new Trek Superfly and especially the 9.6 carbon for a long-term bike capable of a broad range of terrain. 15 off (Trek Fest) is possible at a bigger shop when talking to a manager.

I'm 6'0" about 170lbs. I like full suspension, and do mostly a wide variety of riding. Nothing that is super extreme, I live in Grand Junction so I do a bunch of trails out in Fruita, Loma, and like the kokopelli trails. I was looking at the 29" as they seem interesting and different.

The compliance of the 9.6 plus the trail feel would be my choice(with wheel upgrade) for those trails and more.
Here's a vid of the Spec Camber Carb Evo for a fs option with Pike. Santa Cruz TB and there are many more.

Tons of options. Since you already own a mountain bike, I think riding what you've got and going to demo days until something grabs you is the way to go.

I'd be a bad fanboy if I didn't say I like my Kona Hei Hei. Though it was actually a Specialized Camber that got me to look seriously at FS and I demoed some Treks a couple months ago that I liked, though I think they need the fancy shock to work well.

Santa Cruz Tallboy is a good all around option. Niner has good options as well.

zvincent said:

I want to upgrade the bike I have to one that will work better for me. What are some brands that are good to look at?

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Before people recommended what you should buy, I think it would be wiser to first find out why you think your current bike isn't working for you.

zvincent said:

I never really got appropriately sized for a bike or anything like that

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That doesn't necessarily mean the bike you already have won't work for you. Unless the bike is very small or very big for you, you could take your bike to a good local bike shop and pay to have them fit you in your bike. They might swap components, raise or lower things, etc, until you fit better.

An honest shop should know quickly whether they can get get you fitting perfectly or not possibly just by seeing you sit on your bike.

You could also search the forum and google how to customize the bike to fit better for you.

You also mentioned your height in another post. There's more to it than just height, such as inseam, torso. Two people of the same height could have two completely different inseams.

I'd look at the "Regional Bike Trails and Rides Forums" and search for local shops that people recommend for a proper fitting.