In a couple weeks I will be moving to Seattle for my Master's Degree. I figure moving to Washington is great excuse to replace my old hardtail. I am looking at spending about $2000 for a full suspension rig. I am looking at bikes from 120mm to 150mm travel, leaning towards the 150mm side. For those of you who live in the area what type of bike would you suggest for the terrain? Growing up in Michigan I have been doing mostly XC type stuff. I'm hoping to ride more all mountain type terrain, long descents, techincal terrain, maybe some occasional lift service type stuff and get more into jumps/drops but nothing too big. However this will be my only bike besides a fairly cheap giant hardtail and old singlespeed. If I got something like a Giant Reign would I find it to be too much for a majority of the riding? Thanks in advance :thumbsup:
Seattle Area: What type of bike do you ride?
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Welcome to WA! Check out Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance (yes, I'm a shameless Evergreen pimp) for a good trail guide, club rides, trail work, etc. http://evergreenmtb.org.
Based on your description, you'll be happy on a bike like the Reign. Lots of good options in that category: Mission, Remedy, Covert, Pitch, etc.
Based on your description, you'll be happy on a bike like the Reign. Lots of good options in that category: Mission, Remedy, Covert, Pitch, etc.
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For what you're describing, personally I'd prob be looking into a Giant Reign, Transition Covert, Santa Cruz Nomad.
Thanks for the welcomes and suggestions! I am really looking forward to checking out all the trails in the area, looks like tons of good options. And thanks for the Evergreen link, I have already been looking at the site, looks like a great resource. Its good to here I am heading in the right direction with the Reign as far as type of bike. Looks like there is quite a few good shops with options in that range, so I am looking forward to riding as many as I can. I am in Chicago now so not much around as far as 5"-6" travel bikes.
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I have a reign x and I love it for most riding out here. It isn't as good for tight and twisty, but it just takes more skill (which I currently do not have).
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Welcome to the best area for mountain biking south of the border. Local bikers on this forum and anonymous folks, have been responsible for doing projects like:
Colonade:
and
Duthie Hill:
Not to mention the I-90 stuff, Galbraith etc. For all the goods check out Evergreenmtb.org
I personally moved to Colorado for the biking, and came back here. It is that good. (and wet!)
Colonade:
and
Duthie Hill:
Not to mention the I-90 stuff, Galbraith etc. For all the goods check out Evergreenmtb.org
I personally moved to Colorado for the biking, and came back here. It is that good. (and wet!)
I would say to keep your hardtail and ride some of the trails on it...I don't have a full suspension rig but am quite happy with my On-One Inbred 456 (AM steel hardtail w/130mm RS Revelation fork). On longer rides I would like full suspension to keep my backside comfy but a FS bike is not in the budget....
I thought about sticking it out with it for a while but its a fairly entry level Giant hardtail with an 80mm fork thats about 4 years old. My skill level and riding style preference have definetly surpassed the bike so I am ready for something else. I figured I will definetely keep it around for fireroad/easy xc type rides or around town.eggroller said:
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I was about to come on here and ask exactly the same question, but leaning towards 120mm. I live in Woodinville (Seattle area) and I broke out my antique Rockhopper and have been riding the crap out of Paradise Valley all year.
So picture if you will tight, wooded trails with tons of roots, some rocks and then more roots. Not a lot of climbing.
But if you head to the mountains the terrain changes a lot. Now you're talking about 2000 ft climbs, up then down. Tiger Mtn is 2000 ft and 40mins from Seattle. We have property in Winthrop, which is scrub pine mountain trails, where I plan to ride a lot too.
I'm also trying to figure out the best bike for all, at under $2000. Hell, if I can make my old Rockhopper work here I'm sure I can manage with any FS bike. But I don't want to make a bad choice either.
On my short list is Stumpjumper, Pitch and Superlight. I want to ride a CD RZ One20 too. There are just too many damn bikes to choose from.
So picture if you will tight, wooded trails with tons of roots, some rocks and then more roots. Not a lot of climbing.
But if you head to the mountains the terrain changes a lot. Now you're talking about 2000 ft climbs, up then down. Tiger Mtn is 2000 ft and 40mins from Seattle. We have property in Winthrop, which is scrub pine mountain trails, where I plan to ride a lot too.
I'm also trying to figure out the best bike for all, at under $2000. Hell, if I can make my old Rockhopper work here I'm sure I can manage with any FS bike. But I don't want to make a bad choice either.
On my short list is Stumpjumper, Pitch and Superlight. I want to ride a CD RZ One20 too. There are just too many damn bikes to choose from.
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If your budget is tight, you should include a Giant of some stripe into the list as their bang-for-buck ratio is very good. Husband has an Anthem X3 he uses as a trail bike and just loves it. If you want more than 4" of travel and don't care for XC geometry, check out the Trance instead. I test rode the Trance and would have seriously considered it, but it was just a little long/slack for my taste... and the Ibis had already sank her fangs in and poisoned me, lol....
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go to the Santa Cruz Bikes Demo day on saturday and sunday at duthie hill.. you can ride all kinds of bikes of different calibers and decide what style of bike fits you.
You can then compare those bikes to others of a similar style.
personally I feel a Blur LT2 is just about perfect for 90% of the trails out here that are more geared towards the XC end of things. frequently built up under 30lbs, 140mm rear travel, 150mm front. pedals great, can certainly handle any drops or jumps you'd want to take it on. it wouldn't be the best for park access, but thats a whole 'nother level of bike.
You can then compare those bikes to others of a similar style.
personally I feel a Blur LT2 is just about perfect for 90% of the trails out here that are more geared towards the XC end of things. frequently built up under 30lbs, 140mm rear travel, 150mm front. pedals great, can certainly handle any drops or jumps you'd want to take it on. it wouldn't be the best for park access, but thats a whole 'nother level of bike.
5" bikes are a commodity item these days. Every self respecting brand carries one or more and really, any one of them would be a heck of a lot of fun. I'd go the demo route since it is available of you can but there won't be many more with summer coming to a close soon and Interbike in a couple months. Fit will be everything. Like shoes and cars, not every one will feel, "just right". So, try a bunch, ask someone for a trailhead or parking lot demo. Most of us won't mind if we really like what we are riding. Can't hurt.
I just love my Transition Covert and with a wheelset change, I get 2 bikes in one. And, they are relatively local (Ferndale) which is great.New is out of the budget but good deals on used ones are there. I'll also second Giant for the "bang for your buck" genre. Though the Reign can be pretty slack for straight up XC riding of any distance.
I just love my Transition Covert and with a wheelset change, I get 2 bikes in one. And, they are relatively local (Ferndale) which is great.New is out of the budget but good deals on used ones are there. I'll also second Giant for the "bang for your buck" genre. Though the Reign can be pretty slack for straight up XC riding of any distance.
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I needed this EMBA link! Thank you. :thumbsup:
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JRA lives at the intersection of being a masochistic Luddite, but he's not that far off. 
Truth is, it really depends on where you go and what your skillset is.
I've got a few bikes -- and I heartily recommend a "bang for your buck" 4 to 5 inch travel all-mountain bike like the Reign or my own Stumpjumper 29er Expert -- for general all-purpose riding in the PNW.
That said, allow me to take a different point of view. The only style of bike I would NOT recommend would be an aggressive XC race bike. I've had one. I beat it to hell and back and was constantly replacing/fixing it. If your plan is to ride often, ride hard, and take it in the backcountry and the frontcountry and maybe go off some sweet jumps (right after you show us your nunchuck skills) then you will be better served with a slacker 5 inch all-mountain bike or even a hardtail singlespeed.
I also highly recommend a Mooto-X YBB for long-distance days. As Ferris Bueller once said, "It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."
Welcome to the PNW. Most of us aren't from here, but we love it all the same.
Truth is, it really depends on where you go and what your skillset is.I've got a few bikes -- and I heartily recommend a "bang for your buck" 4 to 5 inch travel all-mountain bike like the Reign or my own Stumpjumper 29er Expert -- for general all-purpose riding in the PNW.
That said, allow me to take a different point of view. The only style of bike I would NOT recommend would be an aggressive XC race bike. I've had one. I beat it to hell and back and was constantly replacing/fixing it. If your plan is to ride often, ride hard, and take it in the backcountry and the frontcountry and maybe go off some sweet jumps (right after you show us your nunchuck skills) then you will be better served with a slacker 5 inch all-mountain bike or even a hardtail singlespeed.
I also highly recommend a Mooto-X YBB for long-distance days. As Ferris Bueller once said, "It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."
Welcome to the PNW. Most of us aren't from here, but we love it all the same.
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