Help me choose a bike

s1mon

Hi,

Thought I would post here rather than the Buying Advice Forum as I am looking for a cross country bike. Ok where shall I start ? well I haven't had a bike for 7+ yrs :shock: where do the years go. Last bike was a Marin Quake 9.0, previous bikes to that have been a couple of other Marin's and two Kona's. This time I am looking for a cross country or bit of an all rounder bike. Been to few shops but haven't really seen anything I liked but bikes I have found on the net which I like are, Kona - Kula Primo 2007 and The King 2007, Specialized - Stumpjumper Expert 2007 and the FSR XC Pro 2007. I have found the Specialiszed one's at qiute good prices now the newer models are emerging. Any comments on the above bikes ? or any other suggestions. I did like my Kona's. And also do I stick with a hard tail as thats what I have been used too but full suspension do seem alot more comon/popular now ?

Thanks

Simon.

bryanm

Stumpjumper Expert is a good bike, I tested it and really liked it. Like yourself I wasn't sure about going full Suss, but I ended up with an Epic Comp, which is the same price. I sacrficed a bit of weight, which was why I wanted a HT originally but the Epic handled well and fitted me well. As bits wear out I'll upgrade bits and shave weight off it, but to be honest I've done long road rides (30 miles +) on it in preference to my roadie because it fits me well and just rides nice. On the trails it's comfortable and bashes out the bumps without complaint.

BBB2487

i was in the same boat a couple of months ago. i went for the giant anthem 2, awesome bike, cannot fault it in any way, my dad went for the spec epic comp, but i have to favour the anthem 2. you could pick up an '07 anthem 1 for approx 1500 now also.....i've slowly started upgrading various bits, but the 'meastro' suspension is awesome........getting race ready for the marin winter series !!!!!!

nferrar

Bought a Giant Anthem myself after a 10 year break, kinda wish I'd got something with a bit more travel for trail use though but can always get a new bike next year and save the Anthem for racing. I was already a fan of full sus xc (previous bike was a Proflex 856) but the trails I'm riding now are way rougher/rootier/rockier than I ever remember riding on in the 'old days'. A lot of bike shops do weekend demo bikes so I'd take advantage of that after such a long break from the scene.

I'd check out this month's MBR to as it's the bike of the year issue with lots of categories.

s1mon

Hi,

Thanks for your replies

Went to few shops today and a Specialized FSR XC Expert 08 caught my eye. Had a sit on it and it felt nice but I'm still not sure if I should go full sus, would love to hear some general comments/view's on the fsr xc bikes ?

Simon.

miggillicuddy

Full suspension is always more comfortable over long distances but sacrifices weight. And you could get a well-speced, high end hardtail for the same price as a lower-end full sus. It's personal preference.


I haven't had a proper look at specialzed's '08 range yet but based on last year's range, it was worth the extra few hundred pounds to buy the stumpjumper over the XC.

The FSR XC is a popular bike and people seem to get on well with it, but I love my stumpy-it's geometry is spot on for me and the comp comes fairly well speced.



It's up to you. Definitely try and get a day's test ride on any bike you are considering buying.


{the giant trance might also be worth a look}

s1mon

Hi,

Sorry if this is a dumb question but what is the main differences between the Stumpjumper fsr's and FSR xc's other the price and the frames do look different :oops:

I have looked at a some Stumpjumper fsr's but only on the net. The FSR xc is slighlty over my bugget so I think the Stumpjumper fsr will be well out of my range, but I have seen some 07's reduced a fair bit.

Simon.

Scubar

Stumpjumper is a 5" travel the FSR XC is a 4" travel. The Stumpy also has a slightly better frame and better components that makes up the higher price tag. I personally found the FSR XC nicer to ride than the stumpy though so it might be worth trying both at a local store and seeing which you prefer, although if your after a 4" travel full sus the Epic is definately worth a look, i found it very responsive to ride and the rear end felt very stiff, almost like a hardtail, just the brainfade seems to be abit slow to react when you need the rear travel most.

s1mon

Thanks Scubar

I did see an Epic Expert liked it alot but definatley out of my price range

Going to some more shops today so will have a look out for a 07 Stumpjumper fsr.

Simon.

s1mon

Hi,

I have been to loads of shops yesterday and today couldn't find anything 07 in the sale's I liked so went with the FRS xc Comp 08. I had seen some on the net I liked but didn't want to buy over the internet without riding one. Had a little ride tonight, I can still ride a bike after all those yrs

Simon.

tomb08uk

Hi,

If your still in hunt for a bike, I have a Trek 6000 and use mine for as an allrounder and is very good. Go to www.trekbikes.co.uk, I have the 07 model but they have just released an 08 model.

dunker

Merlin Malt 4.

options,
full 2008 XT disc brake group set.
rockshox reba team.
black rims and spokes.

sorted