Discussion
From this http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a......
My insurance company is covering the full value of the bike. Woohoo!
So, my question is for those hardtail die-hard fans that have made the switch to full sus.
My riding style is as smooth as possible and although i'm not the lightest chap in the world, I don't break bikes or components nor do i get 'air'. I prefer to keep both wheels on the ground as much as possible. I like climbs and technical trails and I've never had a problem keeping up with my mates on full sus etc etc. The most I cycle would be around either the 30 mile mark or 6 hours, so I'm not a marathon rider either.
However, am I missing out. Has anyone who's said 'never never' to a full sus bitten the bullet and wonders why they didn't do it sooner?
I'm looking for a bike in the £2k region and any full sus option i'm looking at will be the cross country type with just a couple of inches of rear travel and a lockout ability close to hand.
I'm kind looking at something like a Trek Top Fuel 9 or Trek Elite XC 9.7.
I'm not specifically just lookig a Treks, they are just examples.
Apologies for the long post, i'm just try to give as much detail as possible.
So, any converts want to speak up?
Cheers
David
My insurance company is covering the full value of the bike. Woohoo!
So, my question is for those hardtail die-hard fans that have made the switch to full sus.
My riding style is as smooth as possible and although i'm not the lightest chap in the world, I don't break bikes or components nor do i get 'air'. I prefer to keep both wheels on the ground as much as possible. I like climbs and technical trails and I've never had a problem keeping up with my mates on full sus etc etc. The most I cycle would be around either the 30 mile mark or 6 hours, so I'm not a marathon rider either.
However, am I missing out. Has anyone who's said 'never never' to a full sus bitten the bullet and wonders why they didn't do it sooner?
I'm looking for a bike in the £2k region and any full sus option i'm looking at will be the cross country type with just a couple of inches of rear travel and a lockout ability close to hand.
I'm kind looking at something like a Trek Top Fuel 9 or Trek Elite XC 9.7.
I'm not specifically just lookig a Treks, they are just examples.
Apologies for the long post, i'm just try to give as much detail as possible.
So, any converts want to speak up?
Cheers
David
I don't ride a huge amount but what i do is pretty varied. I like the challenge of getting up but going down is also good (as i have learnt more recently...).
When I have bought a bike I have kept it for a long time... Only 3 bikes in 18years!
First Kona Hahanna rigid steel
Second Cannondale F800 front sus alu
Third Santa Cruz Nomad full sus alu
I have really enjoyed the progression to full suspension - it is really good fun to ride. Yes the nomad is heavier than the F800 but i'm yet to regret it on a ride. Luckily for me i still have the cannondale but in 4 months i haven't felt the need to ride it.
I picked up the santa cruz off ebay and with a full service including new xtr cassette, chain, cables, chainrings, pads etc came in significantly below £2k
When I have bought a bike I have kept it for a long time... Only 3 bikes in 18years!
First Kona Hahanna rigid steel
Second Cannondale F800 front sus alu
Third Santa Cruz Nomad full sus alu
I have really enjoyed the progression to full suspension - it is really good fun to ride. Yes the nomad is heavier than the F800 but i'm yet to regret it on a ride. Luckily for me i still have the cannondale but in 4 months i haven't felt the need to ride it.
I picked up the santa cruz off ebay and with a full service including new xtr cassette, chain, cables, chainrings, pads etc came in significantly below £2k
I was happy on rockhopper, until an Epic frame came available through local bike shop... has the brain on the rear, and although to those will full suspension, it is a little odd to ride because of the very small delay in the brain/rear suspension kicking in, to someone coming from a hardtail it is a fantastic bit of kit. All the benefits of full suspension, with no downside. extremly nimble as well due to the head angles. Really good at XC, single track..
Just my two penneth worth....
Just my two penneth worth....
check out what mtb this month, they have a test of ten or so £2K all trail full suspension bikes. the lapierre zesty 314, trex ex8 fuel and stumpy elite are the top three and i am seriously tempted by all three, especially the lapierre with its nice long top tube.
i was a hardtail stalwart for years until a day at Afan on a Specialized Epic, the bike totally amazed me, i was so much quicker through every section despite the rain and mud and the bike was awesome fun. fitted with some Conti race kings in the summer it would be great fun.
epics are more than £2K though so I would seriously look at What MTB and see what takes your fancy from their test...
i was a hardtail stalwart for years until a day at Afan on a Specialized Epic, the bike totally amazed me, i was so much quicker through every section despite the rain and mud and the bike was awesome fun. fitted with some Conti race kings in the summer it would be great fun.
epics are more than £2K though so I would seriously look at What MTB and see what takes your fancy from their test...
pablo said:
check out what mtb this month, they have a test of ten or so £2K all trail full suspension bikes. the lapierre zesty 314, trex ex8 fuel and stumpy elite are the top three and i am seriously tempted by all three, especially the lapierre with its nice long top tube.
i was a hardtail stalwart for years until a day at Afan on a Specialized Epic, the bike totally amazed me, i was so much quicker through every section despite the rain and mud and the bike was awesome fun. fitted with some Conti race kings in the summer it would be great fun.
epics are more than £2K though so I would seriously look at What MTB and see what takes your fancy from their test...
Cheers for the reply. I've just been reading MTB, however, all those bikes have something in common. 30+ lbs in weight. My bike that I had till some scroate nicked it was just over 24 lbs and i was planning to go lighter.i was a hardtail stalwart for years until a day at Afan on a Specialized Epic, the bike totally amazed me, i was so much quicker through every section despite the rain and mud and the bike was awesome fun. fitted with some Conti race kings in the summer it would be great fun.
epics are more than £2K though so I would seriously look at What MTB and see what takes your fancy from their test...
I wouldn't get too hung up about the weight unless you're competing
My cannondale is around 25lbs, the nomad around 31lbs
Obviously the weight difference is noticeable when picking it up but when riding it's not as obvious as i thought it would be.
The 2 bikes ride completely differently but i'm pleased i bought the nomad, its great fun.
I would definitely recommend a ride on a full sus to help make your decision.
My cannondale is around 25lbs, the nomad around 31lbs
Obviously the weight difference is noticeable when picking it up but when riding it's not as obvious as i thought it would be.
The 2 bikes ride completely differently but i'm pleased i bought the nomad, its great fun.
I would definitely recommend a ride on a full sus to help make your decision.
hondafanatic said:
pablo said:
check out what mtb this month, they have a test of ten or so £2K all trail full suspension bikes. the lapierre zesty 314, trex ex8 fuel and stumpy elite are the top three and i am seriously tempted by all three, especially the lapierre with its nice long top tube.
i was a hardtail stalwart for years until a day at Afan on a Specialized Epic, the bike totally amazed me, i was so much quicker through every section despite the rain and mud and the bike was awesome fun. fitted with some Conti race kings in the summer it would be great fun.
epics are more than £2K though so I would seriously look at What MTB and see what takes your fancy from their test...
Cheers for the reply. I've just been reading MTB, however, all those bikes have something in common. 30+ lbs in weight. My bike that I had till some scroate nicked it was just over 24 lbs and i was planning to go lighter.i was a hardtail stalwart for years until a day at Afan on a Specialized Epic, the bike totally amazed me, i was so much quicker through every section despite the rain and mud and the bike was awesome fun. fitted with some Conti race kings in the summer it would be great fun.
epics are more than £2K though so I would seriously look at What MTB and see what takes your fancy from their test...
according to the mag the trek is 27.8, the lapierre 28.4 and the stumpy 27.1. granted thats for medium size frames but thats pretty bloody impressive for the price... even a large stumpy isnt going to breack 30lbs... . for a full sus at 25 lbs you are looking at a carbon scott genius or the best part of £5K. go for something like the lapierre and when you suffer from upgraditus likie we all do, just stick on lighter stuff
i think weight is a non issue on mountain bikes anyway, too many people think that saving a few pounds will make them ride faster or better. pedalling technique and big thighs are where its at!!!
As above, dont get to hung up on weight. A 30lb plus full suss with well designed suspension will climb as well as most hardtails. Sounds like your after a shortish travel XC bike and 2k should get you a good one, Ive got my XC full suss down to about 27lb without having to resort to mega expensive components.
hondafanatic said:
From this http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a......
My insurance company is covering the full value of the bike. Woohoo!
So, my question is for those hardtail die-hard fans that have made the switch to full sus.
My riding style is as smooth as possible and although i'm not the lightest chap in the world, I don't break bikes or components nor do i get 'air'. I prefer to keep both wheels on the ground as much as possible. I like climbs and technical trails and I've never had a problem keeping up with my mates on full sus etc etc. The most I cycle would be around either the 30 mile mark or 6 hours, so I'm not a marathon rider either.
However, am I missing out. Has anyone who's said 'never never' to a full sus bitten the bullet and wonders why they didn't do it sooner?
I'm looking for a bike in the £2k region and any full sus option i'm looking at will be the cross country type with just a couple of inches of rear travel and a lockout ability close to hand.
I'm kind looking at something like a Trek Top Fuel 9 or Trek Elite XC 9.7.
I'm not specifically just lookig a Treks, they are just examples.
Apologies for the long post, i'm just try to give as much detail as possible.
So, any converts want to speak up?
Cheers
David
i've just changed from a hardtail to a full sus (always said i'd never do it lol) i'm into slightly older bikes tho.....My insurance company is covering the full value of the bike. Woohoo!
So, my question is for those hardtail die-hard fans that have made the switch to full sus.
My riding style is as smooth as possible and although i'm not the lightest chap in the world, I don't break bikes or components nor do i get 'air'. I prefer to keep both wheels on the ground as much as possible. I like climbs and technical trails and I've never had a problem keeping up with my mates on full sus etc etc. The most I cycle would be around either the 30 mile mark or 6 hours, so I'm not a marathon rider either.
However, am I missing out. Has anyone who's said 'never never' to a full sus bitten the bullet and wonders why they didn't do it sooner?
I'm looking for a bike in the £2k region and any full sus option i'm looking at will be the cross country type with just a couple of inches of rear travel and a lockout ability close to hand.
I'm kind looking at something like a Trek Top Fuel 9 or Trek Elite XC 9.7.
I'm not specifically just lookig a Treks, they are just examples.
Apologies for the long post, i'm just try to give as much detail as possible.
So, any converts want to speak up?
Cheers
David
i've got a grossman a235 bike now with stratos s8 forks/romic 3 rear shock , hope 6 pots 9" front disc front and 8" rear , xtr shifter/mech , raceface cranks , sun/hope wheels . and tbh , i should of done it years ago....mon the full sus'ers.........
Convert here. However, I'd be cautious of buying too much travel if you get your kicks from keeping things smooth and flowing. 100mm seems a good balance too me, not too heavy, does the business and still feels nice and lively like a hardtail.
Anthem X (try this first!)
Top Feul
Epic
.. i.e. racy XC bikes is where I'd start from what you've said. Worth trying some more travel too, its a different riding experience once you start getting to 130mm and on - you may like it, or you may miss your hardtail. Some people try mid travel and go back to hardtail, I think this seems to be less common with short travel full suss.
Anthem X (try this first!)
Top Feul
Epic
.. i.e. racy XC bikes is where I'd start from what you've said. Worth trying some more travel too, its a different riding experience once you start getting to 130mm and on - you may like it, or you may miss your hardtail. Some people try mid travel and go back to hardtail, I think this seems to be less common with short travel full suss.
ding to that.. going from a hardtail to too much travel will make you hate the damn things..
A shorttravel XC full suspension rig is what you need.
I have to admit I tried full sus, did not like it (Santa Cruz Superlight, Yeti Asr SL.. which are good solutions to your needs btw..) I have now returned to hardtails again as the terrain and style I ride prefers it.
I now have hardtails in carbon, aluminium and titanium to trundle around on, and only one full sus left in the stable (Intense Spider XVP)
Despite what everybody else says.. lightweight is king.. especially if you want to ride up a hill as opposed to mashing a granny gear on a squishy bike doing 3mph.
PS take a look at the Anthem range from Giant.. supposedly razorharp handling with a bouncy derriere. Especially last years models as they toned down the geo this year as it was TOO sharp for all these softies riding fullys with slack head angels hehe..
A shorttravel XC full suspension rig is what you need.
I have to admit I tried full sus, did not like it (Santa Cruz Superlight, Yeti Asr SL.. which are good solutions to your needs btw..) I have now returned to hardtails again as the terrain and style I ride prefers it.
I now have hardtails in carbon, aluminium and titanium to trundle around on, and only one full sus left in the stable (Intense Spider XVP)
Despite what everybody else says.. lightweight is king.. especially if you want to ride up a hill as opposed to mashing a granny gear on a squishy bike doing 3mph.
PS take a look at the Anthem range from Giant.. supposedly razorharp handling with a bouncy derriere. Especially last years models as they toned down the geo this year as it was TOO sharp for all these softies riding fullys with slack head angels hehe..
Edited by LRdriver II on Wednesday 11th March 22:12
Edited by LRdriver II on Wednesday 11th March 22:13
Go for it.
And, heres the critical thing - dont go mental and get a 6inch travel frame.
You will find that a 100mm ish travel bike will give you an extra lease of life on your riding - increased traction, comfort, better endurance and higer average speed.
Lots to look at, but things I've personal experience of and would highly reccomend qould be the Giant Anthem, Commencal Super 4, and Specialized Epic.
Not ridden one, but the Orange ST4 is well receieved too.
And, heres the critical thing - dont go mental and get a 6inch travel frame.
You will find that a 100mm ish travel bike will give you an extra lease of life on your riding - increased traction, comfort, better endurance and higer average speed.
Lots to look at, but things I've personal experience of and would highly reccomend qould be the Giant Anthem, Commencal Super 4, and Specialized Epic.
Not ridden one, but the Orange ST4 is well receieved too.
I am a diehard hard tail fan, I did not hate fullsuspension ( some are very good), its just that I did not see my self owning one.
I had two hardtails, a Cove handjob and a Cove Stiffee, which I loved, one built up for XC/all mountain and the other FR/chuck at everything.
I was happy, but then got the chance to buy/try a new FS Frame in the form of a Cove Hustler, (which I stuck all the Stiffee bits on),
Took a bit of getting used too, but no regets, it is fantastic, has the feel of a hardtail, but the stability to push harder and faster down the rough stuff, great bike.
Still love hardtails, but can now see the real benefit's of a good FS Bike.
I had two hardtails, a Cove handjob and a Cove Stiffee, which I loved, one built up for XC/all mountain and the other FR/chuck at everything.
I was happy, but then got the chance to buy/try a new FS Frame in the form of a Cove Hustler, (which I stuck all the Stiffee bits on),
Took a bit of getting used too, but no regets, it is fantastic, has the feel of a hardtail, but the stability to push harder and faster down the rough stuff, great bike.
Still love hardtails, but can now see the real benefit's of a good FS Bike.
LRdriver II said:
Despite what everybody else says.. lightweight is king.. especially if you want to ride up a hill as opposed to mashing a granny gear on a squishy bike doing 3mph.
you can have a light squishy bike and make no progress or a heavy lump of steel with little travel and probably make it up the hill
faster...
as for the weight issue, i see people buy a 25lb bike, then strap a saddle bag full of tools, food, tubes etc onto the seat which would be like buying a caterham and having a sack of potatoes in the "boot"... without wanting to get into the physics of it all, surely this weight is better on the rider? anyway as i said, you have to be good to actually notice a few ounces difference, like real good.....
Yeah, it is funny with the heavy saddle bag people haul around, but so far as I can see the folks who know about this carry stuff in day sized backpacks, therefore leaving the bike as light and flickable as possible.
Eventhough I am not the lightest rider, I still prefer hustling a lightweight bike around the trails than a heavy one..
And you are correct, with the advent of lock outs and pro pedal modes on rear shocks, you can have your cake and eat it!
Eventhough I am not the lightest rider, I still prefer hustling a lightweight bike around the trails than a heavy one..
And you are correct, with the advent of lock outs and pro pedal modes on rear shocks, you can have your cake and eat it!
Merlin cycles will custom build a Rocky Mountain Element Team for (you could possibly upgrade to XT for £2k):
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&prod...
Rockrider 9 is 25-26lb I think, Popular XC bike in the Alps...
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/rockrider-9-xc-69567...
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&prod...
Rockrider 9 is 25-26lb I think, Popular XC bike in the Alps...
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/rockrider-9-xc-69567...
Thanks for all the replies chaps...
I'll try and get a few rides on some full sussers and suss out (see what I did there?) what it's all about.
The weight thing is a particular obsession of mine, so you'll have to excuse me for have a certain desire for all things light. Personally, I believe it makes all the difference on the climbs and technical trails...I did used to race XC in the junior levels as a kid and still like to dip into racing from time to time.
As suggested, I won't be looking at more that 100mmish rear travel.
Does anyone have a firm idea of which systems work well to counter pedal bob? i.e. has any manufacture nailed it?
Although both a Zaskar carbon and Stuntjumper carbon are calling me towards them at the moment.....calling...calling... que camera fade to white and cut.
I'll try and get a few rides on some full sussers and suss out (see what I did there?) what it's all about.
The weight thing is a particular obsession of mine, so you'll have to excuse me for have a certain desire for all things light. Personally, I believe it makes all the difference on the climbs and technical trails...I did used to race XC in the junior levels as a kid and still like to dip into racing from time to time.
As suggested, I won't be looking at more that 100mmish rear travel.
Does anyone have a firm idea of which systems work well to counter pedal bob? i.e. has any manufacture nailed it?
Although both a Zaskar carbon and Stuntjumper carbon are calling me towards them at the moment.....calling...calling... que camera fade to white and cut.
Well, i well and truely pissed my theory up the wall as well as my budget and have just bought a Trek Fuel EX 9. And a new Trek 4500 for the missus.
I had a test of the EX 9 and althought the intial weight i.e. lifting it, put me off, the thing f
king flew off road...even uphill. I got a good deal, i'm happy, my LBS is happy, the wife is happy...and the sun is shinning, but I still can't help looking for my stolen bike.
I had a test of the EX 9 and althought the intial weight i.e. lifting it, put me off, the thing f
king flew off road...even uphill. I got a good deal, i'm happy, my LBS is happy, the wife is happy...and the sun is shinning, but I still can't help looking for my stolen bike.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff