First time freeride bike

ryan93

I'm looking to buy an entry level freeride bike that I could upgrade over time. I was looking at the Mongoose Khyber Elite, Kona Coilair and the Kona Stinky, all 2008. My budget is about £1000, although I might be able to push a little more for the right bike.

I would also need to climb up the hill aswell as ride down the other side, so something with two chainrings would be great aswell as between 6-7" travel front and rear, lock-out would be great, althought I'm not too fussy about that, just as long as I can climb up without any great struggle. Frame size, my Iron Horse is a 19" so I'd be looking for something similar.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Ryan

SDK2007

Why do you want a Freeride bike for climbing? Something has to give !!!

ryan93

I want to be able to get to the top of the hill without having to push it up. That's why I was looking at the Coilair, it's got a Magic Link System that changed the angles on the bike making it easier when you climb.

SDK2007

Yup - i'm aware of the Magiclink
Sounds like you want an All Mountain bike - up and down, which is what the Coilair is. Not sure you'll find for £1k though.

If you want decent full suspension for £1k your going to have look 2nd hand.

ryan93

The 2008 Coilair's are listed as Enduro/Freeride on the Kona webiste.

Not too sure on second hand bikes, Pauls Cycles are selling 2008 Coilair Deluxe's for £1299, maybe I should wait a little longer and save a bit more then.

Have you tested the Coilair or any of the other bikes there?

SDK2007

Nice bargain, they only have the small frame size though.
Not tested the Coilair myself but it got a decent review on this site.

Skonk

You can get a Norco Stryk for just under £1100 I think ( http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/norco-st ... 32868.html ), looks pretty nice and I think it's got 2 rings up front.

JaredLambe

The lapierre spicy 316 would probably do the job! Its over your budget at about £1800 for the 09 model but it would be a good little investment.