|   Durable XC FS Bike | phil
Jun 16, 2002 1:33 PM | | I posted a few days ago about not knowing what kind of bike I should get. I have decided that it should be narrowed down to a durable XC FS bike as that would suit 90% of the riding I do. I would like something reasonably light, yet won't break under my 175lb weight. I have approximately $2K to spend on the bike and would like to hear everyone's thoughts on bikes that they would recommend and why.
Thanks,
phil |
| Jekyll.....very durable | Macson
Jun 16, 2002 1:40 PM | | Actually, no. Do you know if would like a single pivot bike, or a 4 bar type suspension? Lots of choices in that price range, so I would think it's best to try a bunch and see what fits best. As for durability, I don't have any first hand knowledge, so I'll leave that to the people who do (my bike's not in that price range). |
| Finch Platte MIGHT recommend the Jeckyll.... | Rollingbones
Jun 16, 2002 1:43 PM | | ...but then he might not (see post below). Try taking a look at the Giant NRS. I don't have one but I've heard a lot of good things about them. My bike is currently out of production, though I really like it!! Good luck on your search. It can be really great getting new ride!!!
New Dirt!!! |
| Santa Cruz Heckler/Superlight... | K-Zero
Jun 16, 2002 3:01 PM | | ...very dependable and great customer service. Oh, and the Superlight is pretty light too.
K-Zero |
| I second the Superlight | Sultan of Singletrack
Jun 16, 2002 3:19 PM | | It has worked flawlessly in the rocky terrain here in Utah. It feels and acts like a solid, well-build bike, I love mine. |
| not necessarily... | cooldaddy
Jun 16, 2002 3:19 PM | | I'm waiting on a 2002 replacement frame so I don't have to keep replacing the 2001 swingarm on my current superlight. I'm on my third one... thing keeps on cracking near the pivot... I hope the 2002 version will last longer than 12, 6 or 4 months...
Heckler should be stronger. |
| You will be just fine with the 2002. :) | Kitchenware
Jun 16, 2002 7:29 PM | | Beefy compared to the 2001. No more kiwi crack worries.
jim |
| re: Durable XC FS Bike | WarrGuru
Jun 16, 2002 8:03 PM | | Trek Fuel 98, Santa Cruz Superlight, Giant NRS, Rocky Mountain Instinct, Specialized FSR. Make sure you get a good warranty. Trek offers a lifetime frame warranty...can't beat that. I'm not sure about the others.
All of the bikes listed above are good bikes. The big difference will be in how they ride for you. Test ride as many as you can. Test ride on trails....not in a parking lot. Make sure you trust the LBS you choose to buy from. |
| Durable? Fuel? | DaveG
Jun 17, 2002 5:45 AM | | Hmmm..... Read the product reviews, you'll see numerous reviews of broken fuels. I broke my Fuel twice in two different places in less than 18 months. This was doing technical but definitaly XC riding. I am a bit heavy @ 185-190. On the plus side Trek was excellent both times dealing w/ the warrantee issues. They really seem to stand behind their products.
Other than the breaking (and a low bottom bracket) the fuel is an excellent bike.
Dave |
| Durable? Fuel? | Xoc
Jun 17, 2002 6:07 AM | | Hey Dave,
I'm about your weight and also have a new fuel. Where did yours break and what should I be looking out for? |
| Durable? Fuel? | DaveG
Jun 17, 2002 7:36 AM | | My fuel broke @ the toptube/seattube weld (apparently fixed in later models, but who knows), and @ the weld for the main pivot on the seattube. Both times I was trying to track down a persistence creak in the frame and found a crack.
The first time I broke the bike it was three weeks before a 100 mile off road race I was doing. Trek got the bike back to me in less than two weeks. I consider that to be outstanding warrantee service.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to badmouth Trek, it's just that if durability is one of your biggest concerns the Fuel might not be the best bike. I'm not sure how durable any 5-5.5 pound FS/XC bike is going be be under a larger or more abusive person.
Dave |
| Have to throw in my standard... | Khemikal Ali
Jun 17, 2002 6:19 AM | | ...recommendation for the Ellsworth Isis or Ventana Pantera, both single pivots and very durable (save the remedied Isis swingarm issue or yore). Then again, you can't go wrong with a SC Superlight - proven warrior. My brother rides an '00 Heckler (a slightly beefier SL) and it has served him dutifully absent the bent derailleur hanger - a real issue for the SCs, but generally not a reason to avoid them.
I chose the Isis due to an available 25" TT and the Romic coil-over. Both "must haves" for my large carcass. Balked initially at the cost, but I couldn't be happier with my purchase. Isis framesets can be had for $900ish at various e-tailers (webcyclery?).
BTW - If you're going to drum up something custom - please be sure to at least check out Speedgoat. Best CS I've ever experienced.
4-bar double boingers in your price range would include Speshy (used to have an FSR XC, solid bike), the Treks and the Sugars. I'm sure I'm leaving out nice rides here.
Hope this helps,
Soupboy |
| best choice: Ventana Pantera or Ellsworth Isis. no contest. | gonzostrike
Jun 17, 2002 11:09 AM | | brand loyalists and leg-shavers will disagree, but IMHO either the Ventana Pantera or Ellsworth Isis will be the sturdiest FS XC bikes that will stand up to light freeriding yet still will be raceable. I've ridden my Isis on freeride sessions where most of the people had Bullits and full-on DH bikes, and the Isis performed flawlessly. Since the Ventana Pantera essentially is an improved Isis, it should be even better.
3d choice would be the Santa Cruz Superlight.
Since you said "reasonably light," I would ignore folks who have suggested super trick leg-shaver bikes for the heart rate monitor and lycra set... like the Trek Fuel or similar things.
The Sugar is o.k. but no superstar, not even in the same class as the Isis or Pantera.
The Jekyll is overrated and not nearly as durable as the Pantera, Isis or Superlight.
The K2 Launch series of bikes look promising, but I've yet to see one in person, let alone talk to a rider who's ridden one and whose judgments/opinions I trust.
Single Pivots FS bikes can be designed to be nearly as efficient as the highly touted 4-bar chi-chi bikes like the Ellsworth Truth, Turner XCE and Ventana El Saltamontes. Don't trust the opinions of those that say all single pivot bikes suck. Most of those people haven't ever ridden a well-designed monopivot. |
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