What kind of New Ride?

[destrago]

Greetings All,
Alright, so I started riding offroad last year on my 2000 RockHopper ( and ended up replacing most of the mechanics on that bike ) but it still has issues leftover from when I rode it through the winter at the U of MN and didn't take as good of care of it as I should have. So I've decided to get a new ride for this year.
What kinds of bikes do people recommend? I ride quite a lot (4-6 times a week) and might even try my hand in a race or two (just to try it) this year. I rode a full suspension specialized at Erik's today for the first time and I'm really not sure if I'll like that (it felt WAY soft compared to my rockhopper on which the front shock is nearly frozen). Without raising the hardtail vs. full suspension debate again, what rides would people recommend? I'm willing to get into the $1-2k range for a bike that's worth it. I'm planning to head over to Penn to try out Gary Fishers later on. Any other places I should hit and what bikes should I be looking at?
Thanks!

-Tony

[fasterfoster]

Greetings All,
Alright, so I started riding offroad last year on my 2000 RockHopper ( and ended up replacing most of the mechanics on that bike ) but it still has issues leftover from when I rode it through the winter at the U of MN and didn't take as good of care of it as I should have. So I've decided to get a new ride for this year.
What kinds of bikes do people recommend? I ride quite a lot (4-6 times a week) and might even try my hand in a race or two (just to try it) this year. I rode a full suspension specialized at Erik's today for the first time and I'm really not sure if I'll like that (it felt WAY soft compared to my rockhopper on which the front shock is nearly frozen). Without raising the hardtail vs. full suspension debate again, what rides would people recommend? I'm willing to get into the $1-2k range for a bike that's worth it. I'm planning to head over to Penn to try out Gary Fishers later on. Any other places I should hit and what bikes should I be looking at?
Thanks!

-TonyWhile you're at Penn you could check out the Giant NRS line if you're interested in a FS XC rig. I bought an '02 NRS 1 and absolutely love it!

[Stupordave]

Suspension is meant to be felt AND used. If you want a super-firm ride front and rear....save yourself a few dollars and by a rigid bike. In my opinion, suspension is not meant to be locked out. It's wastefull. :geek:

[Buck]

Greetings All,
Alright, so I started riding offroad last year on my 2000 RockHopper ( and ended up replacing most of the mechanics on that bike ) but it still has issues leftover from when I rode it through the winter at the U of MN and didn't take as good of care of it as I should have. So I've decided to get a new ride for this year.
What kinds of bikes do people recommend? I ride quite a lot (4-6 times a week) and might even try my hand in a race or two (just to try it) this year. I rode a full suspension specialized at Erik's today for the first time and I'm really not sure if I'll like that (it felt WAY soft compared to my rockhopper on which the front shock is nearly frozen). Without raising the hardtail vs. full suspension debate again, what rides would people recommend? I'm willing to get into the $1-2k range for a bike that's worth it. I'm planning to head over to Penn to try out Gary Fishers later on. Any other places I should hit and what bikes should I be looking at?
Thanks!

-Tony

From my experience alot of shops set-up the suspension soft so people feel all funny inside and buy the bike with the most squish, i'd suggest having the suspension set-up for you then, start look at bike with some type of SPV platform.

To many options in the price range you descibe, tell what kinda of riding you will be doing??? XC racing??? for like 1,300 you can get a P.3 with a wicked set-up but you probably wouldn't race XC on it, I would but all your weight weeines wouldn't! :D ;)
L8R
Buck

[SuperClydesdale]

Out of my 3 bikes, Giant NRS, Jamis XLT and hardtail, my favorite is the XLT with it's fully active suspension. I don't race so I like the cushy ride that the Jamis provides.

Tony

I think the only thing Tom S. and I will ever agree on is our choice in squishy bikes. I second the recommendation that you look at the Jamis line, particularly the XLT. Great technology, excellent value throughout the entire line. Give them a try and see if they fit your needs/wants/body.

Then convert your Rockhopper to a single speed. All the kids are doing it these days.

Mark

[waitabit]

Go around and test ride as many bikes as you can.My suggesttion would be a Klein Palomino, a great, lightweight, FS bike.

[jonbodin]

Last summer I bought a Specialized Stumpjumper hardtail for about $1K. I spent a little more than I had budgeted but the overall 'feel' of the bike was significantly better than the lower models I had test rode. I also keep the shock pretty stiff.

[soupboy]

...Iron Horse good... Both companies used time-tested designs and spec relatively high end components for the price point. That said, Jamis did sell-out and go non-Horst last year. Not sure if they decided to pay Speshy the royalty again or not.

At the price point you're considering there are a lot of good options, including finding a low mileage, used boutique bike or discounted new-old-stock bikes at your LBS. It's tough to beat the standard issue SJ FSRXC for riding around here. It's not unique (not that that's important (to you)) but it is battle tested.

Whatever you do though I'd stay away from proprietary frame designs that limit your options for replacement parts such as rear shocks.

Sean

[mtnbykr]

.....and what bikes should I be looking at?-Tony

if you decide on a hardtail and will ride used, i've got a 1995 litespeed obed [ti] w/ xtr 8spd, race face cranks, marzocchi fork, etc that i'm selling. it would be in your price range and is in excellent condition. let me know what you decide.

kl

[destrago]

Then convert your Rockhopper to a single speed. All the kids are doing it these days.



Wow, you read my mind. I actually haven't decided if I'm gonna do that yet, but there's a definite possibility that will happen.


-Tony