Full suss xc bike recommendations

NikB

I am trying to return to xc biking after years of absence. I currently have a 1995 GT Karakoram and in the short term I'm probably going to buy a Reba SL fork for it. My reason for quitting was that I had a fractured spine and had to have surgery to arthrodese the base of my spine. When I ride for more than about 30mins I get a lot of lower back pain even though the surgery was 10 years ago.

I went to Dalby forest today and did the black run. I'm not fit so it was hard work and it's definitely not designed for a fully rigid bike. If I can get back into the sport I think getting a decent full sussed bike would be a good idea to help my back. What recommendations are there in the £1k - £2k mark? I probably won't buy until much later in the year when the '08 bikes get discounted so I'm hoping more for under £1500 if possible. I would ideally like shocks that can be locked out for when I go road riding (fitness training )

I was looking at some Marin and some Kona bikes today but the choices are bewildering really. I currently ride an old XT groupset (1997) so I would like to get something that shifts at least as well as that.

Thanks.

BlackSpur

Specialized Stumpjumper FSR?

grantway

Didnt get on with the Stumpjumper expert had to get of the bike each time
to adjust the shock every time the terrain changed.

Set to firm and when the shock becomes active it rams you
back up the arss has it wants to become a hardtail.
And open to soft push down hard on the pedals and then to
wollowy.
The handle bars to narrow and didnt push my limits, was just a safe bike.

Should look at the Scott MC 20 or MC10 you find them heavily reduced
has they sell off last years models.
These are all carbon and you can change the shock by pulling
the lever on the handle bars for the three setting shock.

Test as many bikes on your type of ride has no bike rides the
same.
You can always try the Orange 5 pro with pike 454 forks upfront
and the bike weighs 28lbs.
I went for an Orange 5AM but this is a trail bike but only 29lb in weight
Goes down like a rocket and climbs better than the stumpjumper.
But these are trail bikes.
People do race on these though.

Andy B

Orange 5 or Commencal Meta 5.5 would be on my list of bikes to test.

I have an Orange 5 and one of my riding buddies has a Meta 5.5.3, both very good all mountain bikes.

NikB

Not bothered about being able to race, won't be doing that again. Just want something that's not too heavy and will help my back. Will check out the suggestions so far. Thanks.

supersonic

Mongoose Canaan one of the better specced and lightest in its price bracket, with great reviews.

Mr bump

Trek Fuel EX9. i love mine.

robhowson

i'd recommend the Trek Top Fuel 8,decent kit with both lock out's,ive been riding with Specialized fatboy tyres on over the winter and it's been a dream. I got it mine in augest from evans with 500 of the retail price. Top Bike!!

NikB

I've been looking through the bikes thread and notice that the majority are still riding HT's. I am assuming that a full suss will be better for my comfort would people generally agree with that assumption?

Notice that no-one seems to ride Kona, any particular reason for that?

Chaka Ping

Re. Konas - I can't speak for others, but I don't like the graphics and colour schemes on Kona bikes - and they are often perceived as not being great value for money.

Sounds like you want an all-round trail bike - and there are loads of options that could do the trick priced between £1k and 2k.

As you say, you're in no hurry to buy - so I'd suggest reading-up more on magazines and websites, talking to other riders and generally boning-up on the subject so you can make an informed choice yourself.

I would agree with a couple of the options mentioned though: The Trek Fuel EX seems a good bike and that Mongoose is great value - and often nicely discounted. I'd also suggest having a look at the Giant Trance or Trance X.

I know Giant's Masetro suspension system is brilliant on my Anthem, my back pain just disappears when I ride it.

NikB

You're right, I think I just want something that rides well. I'm never going to be big on things like jumping but I love technical singletrack and want to gain more confidence on downhills by having something to take the shock out of the hits - my arms were almost numb yesterday after the descents on the Dalby black run. Those Trek bikes look good, must see if I can get some test rides sorted.

strodey

Giant Anthem, thats what i'm saving for!

grantway

If thats your type of ride like mine
Then take a very good look at the Orange 5 Pro
This weighs in at 28 lbs
There is extensive uprgrade options and Leisure Lakes will put
Pike 454's on which is a great fork for the same price.

I have the Orange 5 AM which has loads of upgrades
but the fork is an Fox 36'R adjustable 160mm-130mm-100mm
This fork you just point into the rough stuff and fly over roots etc
And only weighs in at 29lbs
Even thogh it as a two part crank is more than what you want on the trail

Fantastic on the single track easy to monouver just a great frame
With the new Fox RP23 rear shock put on pro-pedal No 3 setting
and rides close to an hard tail

Just cant beat this bike on the ups it beats the Stumpy and on the
downs fantastic keeps a smile on your face

A bike you can ride all day and know when it comes to the next ride
you just oil your chain and go

Take a look at tthere web site all magazine reviews on there

Get a test bike on your fav ride and you wont be dissapointed

Good Luck

Mark_K

Must say Have a look and ride the Trek fuel EX range, I shoped about for ages but kept coming back to the trek's and ended up buying one

NikB

grantway wrote:

If thats your type of ride like mine
Then take a very good look at the Orange 5 Pro
This weighs in at 28 lbs
There is extensive uprgrade options and Leisure Lakes will put
Pike 454's on which is a great fork for the same price.

I have the Orange 5 AM which has loads of upgrades
but the fork is an Fox 36'R adjustable 160mm-130mm-100mm
This fork you just point into the rough stuff and fly over roots etc
And only weighs in at 29lbs
Even thogh it as a two part crank is more than what you want on the trail

Fantastic on the single track easy to monouver just a great frame
With the new Fox RP23 rear shock put on pro-pedal No 3 setting
and rides close to an hard tail

Just cant beat this bike on the ups it beats the Stumpy and on the
downs fantastic keeps a smile on your face

A bike you can ride all day and know when it comes to the next ride
you just oil your chain and go

Take a look at tthere web site all magazine reviews on there

Get a test bike on your fav ride and you wont be dissapointed

Good Luck

Cheers will have to see if I can find somewhere near here that I can test one at. The only thing is that the Pro is a little above what I was aiming to pay. Do the Orange bikes get discounted towards the end of the year?

grantway

NIKB You can find some but they are little reduced not like the
manufactured Specalized bikes etc these are all hand crafted.

What size are you? as Leisure Lakes in Bury
had an 06 Orange 5 S model in a small frame IE 16 inch

This was £ 1,749.00p with up grades now going for
£ 1,349.00p

I understand its more than what you was looking to pay.
But my advise would be to put has much as you can down
and then do intrest free!!

Just a Great Bike

NikB

I'm 5' 8" so a 16" bike would be fine. There's no way I can do it just yet as swmbo would kill me as we're saving for our wedding!

paulf2007

giant trance, best model you can afford. superb ride all day bike. I have had s works stumpjumpers and the ones with the " so called " brain was hopeless. Don't go there.

RussAlf

Another vote for Trance here, not biast at all

NikB

Which version of the Trance are you both riding? There seems to be quite a few versions.

paulf2007

trance advanced, the all carbon one, stupidly expensive but without doubt the best xc bike I have owned. Won't be replacing it ever, unless it breaks.

NikB

Don't think I'd be able to stretch to that. I think the Trance X1 would be my limit, and also I have to consider the amount I will actually ride it.

Andy

The Trance X is 5inch travel instead of the Trance which is 4.2 inch.

teacherman

You rode Dalby's black route on a FULLY rigid bike :shock:

You're a legend - it's nails 8)

NikB

Thanks :oops: never known anything different tbh. I did the downhill mania (or whatever it was called) on it back in '96 or '97 - fell off on every run!!

grantway

Shame NikB get it on intrest free it wont be around for long

This is the bikes

NikB

grantway wrote:

Shame NikB get it on intrest free i wont be around for long

Please expand on this?

motdoc

If you've got 1500 to spend dont get a hardtail mate! Full sus better for your back and so much, more comfortable, more fun!

Just try a lot, and good luck shopping!

supersonic

Take a look at discounted Gt Idrive XC bikes - they pedal so well, great XC bikes.

NikB

Thanks for that, I didn't know if I was perhaps just being a bit of a wuss but I really do suffer with my back and riding a rigid back is getting too punishing.

NikB

If my boss was willing would it be possible to get something this expensive through the cycle to work scheme?