Joined
·
169 Posts
Ok I know this issue has probably been brought up a lot but I am just lost in the amount of bikes that are out there.
Basically here's what I'm looking for: I want a bike that I could comfortably jump, do drops (sub 10 foot to flat, maybe more with a tranny), do basic tricks (endos, manuals, bunnyhop, etc...), generally ride around, and go a little crazy with on local trails.
I'm more concerned with the drops/jumps part than the trails part, as long as it's physically possible to get it up a hill, I'm happy. I don't care about weight, or double/single crown fork. I'd prefer a lower standover height and something with at least 7 inches of travel. Keep in mind I'm more likely to say "Man I wish I had more confidence in my bike so I can try this drop" than "Man I wish this thing was lighter." I DON'T want a lot of pedal bob, but anything less than moderate I can live with.
I'd prefer a fork with some kinda external rebound adjustment, compression I'm not as concerned about. Rebound lockout would be nice but I understand they are pretty damn rare in the kinda bikes I'm asking, so I won't make it an issue.
I'd like to keep it limited to $2800 MSRP, so realistically I'm looking to spend maybe 2600-2700, but not much more. If there's a bike that's 2400 with a decent fork that I can have the shop swap for a better one for 300 dollars, that would also be fine. I'm looking strictly at 2006 bikes, I'd buy used but I'd like a frame warranty plus the perks from the bike shop when buying new.
I was just about settled on the 2006 kona stinky deluxe, and it seems to have a really good setup (from what I understand the 2006 888VF has external rebound/compression adjustment?), but now I'm looking at all these other less mainstream brands like iron horse, rocky mountain, devinci, ellsworth, foes, norco, the list goes on and on... At this point I'm just completely lost and unless I manage to score a sponsorship in the next two years (hah) whatever I choose is with me for the long haul, I kinda already made that mistake buying a klein palomino last year (good bike but NOT AT ALL suited to what I want to do), and don't want to do that again.
I've read the mtbr reviews but they are lacking for 2006, and just because two bikes are rated really high doesn't tell me too much about how they compare...so I would really love to hear from anyone with experience/advice.
Thanks guys, I appreciate it.
Basically here's what I'm looking for: I want a bike that I could comfortably jump, do drops (sub 10 foot to flat, maybe more with a tranny), do basic tricks (endos, manuals, bunnyhop, etc...), generally ride around, and go a little crazy with on local trails.
I'm more concerned with the drops/jumps part than the trails part, as long as it's physically possible to get it up a hill, I'm happy. I don't care about weight, or double/single crown fork. I'd prefer a lower standover height and something with at least 7 inches of travel. Keep in mind I'm more likely to say "Man I wish I had more confidence in my bike so I can try this drop" than "Man I wish this thing was lighter." I DON'T want a lot of pedal bob, but anything less than moderate I can live with.
I'd prefer a fork with some kinda external rebound adjustment, compression I'm not as concerned about. Rebound lockout would be nice but I understand they are pretty damn rare in the kinda bikes I'm asking, so I won't make it an issue.
I'd like to keep it limited to $2800 MSRP, so realistically I'm looking to spend maybe 2600-2700, but not much more. If there's a bike that's 2400 with a decent fork that I can have the shop swap for a better one for 300 dollars, that would also be fine. I'm looking strictly at 2006 bikes, I'd buy used but I'd like a frame warranty plus the perks from the bike shop when buying new.
I was just about settled on the 2006 kona stinky deluxe, and it seems to have a really good setup (from what I understand the 2006 888VF has external rebound/compression adjustment?), but now I'm looking at all these other less mainstream brands like iron horse, rocky mountain, devinci, ellsworth, foes, norco, the list goes on and on... At this point I'm just completely lost and unless I manage to score a sponsorship in the next two years (hah) whatever I choose is with me for the long haul, I kinda already made that mistake buying a klein palomino last year (good bike but NOT AT ALL suited to what I want to do), and don't want to do that again.
I've read the mtbr reviews but they are lacking for 2006, and just because two bikes are rated really high doesn't tell me too much about how they compare...so I would really love to hear from anyone with experience/advice.
Thanks guys, I appreciate it.
