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MTB options

OTHGbronco82

OTHGbronco82

RCC Addict
Joined
Jan 8, 2011
Messages
1,122
Location
somewhere near Los Angeles...or a city looking thi
I'm starting to get tired of my hardtail 26" mountain bike and was just wondering what some good options for a full suspension rig in the $1500 area are. I'm 6'2", 6'3"-ish and weigh 260. I would like something in the 5" travel range so it's not that hard on my legs and the frame. It has to last for a while too. Also, post some links if you can please.
 
I am partial to aluminum, can't say enough about my Klein Mantra but Klein is long gone. You might find a Cannondale RZ120 in that price range but not much else I know of in aluminum. Specialized or GT are great choices in CroMoly, just an exercise in comparing specs and finding the right combinations of components.
 
I know your in the $1500 range, but for a few more hundred you can pick up this sweet Scott full suspension 29er...
Scott Spark 960 29er Bike - 2013 at REI.com

Screenshot_2013-06-08-19-42-46.jpg

I currently ride a Scott Scale Comp 29er and love it... its a great bang for the buck ! I paid $850 for the bike new and am very happy with its performance.. The shocks could use a upgrade if you really hammer trails hardcore, but in stock form the bike can out perform your average newbie rider like myself..
20120811_193825.jpg

SC20120324-133727.jpg
 
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take a look on pinkbike.com. I picked up a Devinci Hectik 3 for about $900 shipped from Canada. Bike MSRPs for $5000. Deals are out there.

Im a fan of the Specialized Stumpjumper for a shorter travel bike. The rockhoppers are also good stuff.

Although I dont want to ride a carbon bike I cant deny its much much better then aluminium.
Sent from my Transformer using Tapatalk 2
 
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I saw the Giant Trance X3 earlier, so that's already on the list. The Sette Derro looks like another good option. Only problem is that I don't know enough about Sette. The Fezarri Alta Peak and Specialized Camber 29 were also on the list. I'd have to sell a lot of stuff though to get to the Specialized or Fezarri price. Looks like I'm going to have a yard sale real soon.

Alta Peak Custom Mountain Bike - Free Shipping | Fezzari Bikes

Specialized Bicycle Components
 
Deerhurst said:
take a look on pinkbike.com. I picked up a Devinci Hectik 3 for about $900 shipped from Canada. Bike MSRPs or $5000. Deals are out there.

Im a fan of the Specialized Stumpjumper for a shorter travel bike. The rockhoppers are also good stuff.

Although I dont want to ride a carbon bike I can deny its much much better then aluminium.
Sent from my Transformer using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...



I've been looking on there for a while. It's hard to find a large, full suspension bike on there. Something about buying a bike made in 2008-2006 just doesn't sit well with me.:roll:
 
. I'm 6'2" said:
Your best bet would be a bike shop at that weight and height, they will help with setting the shocks for your weight, and fit you to the bike. if its a good shop. The one off the internet, you get it as is, and then have to start buying parts to set the shocks up correctly, then buy a stem or bar to make it fit, and if you don't want to build it and adjust everything, you'll have to take it to a bike shop anyway to have them do it. Find a good shop be nice and support them and they will take care of you."thumbsup"
Click to expand...
 
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I vote for the Trance X as well. My current trail bike is a Trance X that I built from the frame up. The Meastro suspension is the best rear suspension I have ridden (I owned 4 linked, single pivot, and VPP rigs in the past, and I prefer maestro.) best bang for your buck too, since they own the manufacturing plant that makes a ton of other bike brands.

I'm actually going on a trail ride now.
 
I found another one last night. It's right in my budget and I can get the largest frame they make. The reviews online are pretty good. Only bad thing I've read is the suspension isn't the best.

Kona Tanuki Dual Suspension MTB Bike 2012


So, it's between the Trance X3 and the Kona. I've got $900 so far and should be getting another $250 for grades. I also have a micro crawlers and a SC10 that I'm going to get rid of. I might sell a kidney too.:roll:
 
OTHGbronco82 said:
I've thought about it, and I just don't feel comfortable building my own bike yet. I want to, but the confidence isn't there yet.
Click to expand...
Honestly its not that hard. Basically put on the handlebars(brakes and shifters should be already installed),front tire, seat and pedals and you're good to go. The bike is tuned/adjusted from the factory so little if any tuning is needed. Plus if you can build a crawler a bike is a piece of cake"thumbsup" I've built a couple of internet bikes without any problems what so ever. If you have a hard time or get confused Youtube is your friend. Also Parktool.com has a lot of useful info. Use their repair info link.
 
OTHGbronco82 said:
I found another one last night. It's right in my budget and I can get the largest frame they make. The reviews online are pretty good. Only bad thing I've read is the suspension isn't the best.

Kona Tanuki Dual Suspension MTB Bike 2012


So, it's between the Trance X3 and the Kona. I've got $900 so far and should be getting another $250 for grades. I also have a micro crawlers and a SC10 that I'm going to get rid of. I might sell a kidney too.:roll:
Click to expand...
Definitely sounds like you should be buying locally so the lbs can handle any set up or mechanical issues for you. I also vote for the Giant. The Trance is a great bike. My brother in law started on that bike.
 
Giant will be your best option. They have some very good bikes for cheap prices.

I only ride Trek because I have a bike shop owner in the family, but could not afford it otherwise. I would never ride a Giant though. I grew up spending summer days at the family bike shop and always knew Giants to be sold in Walmarts and Targets back then.
 
The Kona is a cool bike, but then again, it's a single-pivot rear suspension. I used to ride a Santa Cruz Heckler (5 inch bike - also a single-pivot) back in the day, and Giant's rear end is so much better. You will not find a better deal then the Giant. Look at the components, fork, drivetrain compared to the price. A very similar setup bike with the same components will be 400-500$ more. Giant can have that pricepoint because the own the manufacturing plant.

FYI, I was responsible for Giant's branding "Ride Life" from 2006 - 2010, so they have a soft spot in my jadded heart for them. Also, I have a lot of bikes. It's my other passion besides RC's.

Here's my shredder. 2012 Trance X frame only, Sram XO brakes, shifter, 1:9 setup, Sun Charger wheels (super strong and super light), ols Manitoue Minute air fork (lightest 5 inch fork still). Super fun trail rig.



For your weight, just pump up the rear shock close to your actual weight, and set the rebound. Super easy, don't need a bike shop to do that for ya.
 
Giants are a great choice. One of my riding buddies has a Trance and rips on it. I'm partial to Specialized and the Stumpjumper is a great bike, but unless found very used won't be close to your budget. I've also owned a Specialized Camber in the past and loved it as well, but they are currently (after 2012) only offered as a 29er.

At your budget it'll be a little tough to find a brand new full suspension from most of the big manufacturers. Tough, but certainly not impossible, especially if you find a previous year's model. You can get way more bang for your buck if you buy used, but buying a used full suspension can be tricky. I wouldn't recommend buying one more than a few years old, because you have no idea if the previous owner serviced the suspension at all and it can quickly turn into a massive headache. Not to mention if they put a lot of mileage on it and never replaced the chain, you could end up replacing the chain, cassette, and crankset if the chain is stretched badly.
 
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