|   Looking for input on a few 5" travel bikes. | J.R.E.
Mar 12, 2003 6:30 PM | | I'm going to be on the market for a new ride at the end of summer but I wanted to start getting some info on some bikes. First off, I'm 6' tall and weigh 215. I have been riding mostly cross-country but have started to cross over to a mix of freeride/cross-country. I'm riding a Jamis Dakar Comp right now but I'm looking to up my travel to around 5". I guess you could say I'm looking for an "all-mountain" bike. I would like to keep price in the range of +/-$2500. If I have to I can swap parts off my Dakar and I would prefer something with a coil shock. One bike I was thinking about was the SC Heckler with a 5th Element. Would going from a true 4-bar to a SP be a big let down? I've heard that the Heckler with the 5th pedels really well, or should I just go with another 4-bar (Azonic Saber or if I can get more money, a 5-Spot or Quasi-Moto). Has anyone out there gone from a 4-bar to a SP. Any input would be wonderfull. |
| re: Looking for input on a few 5" travel bikes. | TruckeeLocal
Mar 12, 2003 7:02 PM | | Well I claim to be 210 and 6'. And I was looking for a longish travel XC bike to complement my hardtail so I can investigate some of the more challenging trails round here (Lake Tahoe). Well this was about 6 months ago and I selected between a Heckler, Foes FXR, Ellsworth ID. The Turner 5-spot was not being hyped at the time. The Foes FXR was a marketting image. Maybe it's real now. I was very tempted by the Heckler but ended up with the Ellsworth. If truth (no pun intended) be told it was the finish of the Id that swung me. Not the SP vs 4-bar. And coils are, for you and me, clearly the way to go. |
| re: Looking for input on a few 5" travel bikes. | Euthymic
Mar 12, 2003 11:36 PM | | I'm 6'5, 235lb so you guys have it easy ;-)
I have been riding a Heckler for around three months now (sunny SoCal so quite a few rides) and have been super pleased with this ride. It certainly performed better for me when I was testing bikes than an enduro (4 link).
Since you have a few months to decide, I'd suggust takes all of the bikes you can get your hands on for some spins. I was pretty limited in that I wanted something beefy for a trial bike but large enough that I wouldn't feel like I was riding a BMX bike.
All the bikes you mentioned are good (although they are pretty diffrent in price) So it is doubtful there would be any lemons. However, I think with the shock progress that the Heckelr and Foes benifit from, you certainly won't be let down with the performance of a modern SP.
-Scott |
| re: Looking for input on a few 5" travel bikes. | Hammerheadbikes
Mar 13, 2003 6:13 AM | | at your budget you could build up an Azonic Sabre with a good solid parts kit
I think that's going to be a well recieved bike
If you are interested in one, let me know
a 5 Spot would be awesome but they will run more money obviously
Charles
hammerheadbikes |
| You'd have to cut some serious corners for a 5-spot... | esquire
Mar 13, 2003 11:04 AM | | Corners like.....a suspension fork, perhaps no cranks, and a weak wheelset. Retail on the 5-spot is around $1900. That leaves $600 for the rest of the bike.
I don't know a lot about the Azonic, but for the money, the Heckler is a great bike, for sure. |
| sabre specs? | airwreck
Mar 13, 2003 11:12 AM | | not much info on their website.
only noticed two sizes, do you know the TT, angles, etc?
Thanks,
Eric |
| re: Looking for input on a few 5" travel bikes. | jbone
Mar 13, 2003 1:05 PM | | Im currently on a Quasimoto, and have ridden alot of single pivots, including the Heckler with a 5th. I chose a 4 bar because of performance under braking versus a single pivot, but that has become much less of an issue due to the 5th (but still a bit of an issue). Ive found pedaling efficiancy to also be a moot point due to the 5th. If I where you Id be more concerned about the geometry of the bike. Are you going to become more drop/technical dh oriented? Or stay more on the xc side of things? Generally speaking, if more on the xc side, look for steeper angles and shorter wheelbases, if more on the dh tip, look for slacker angles and longer wheelbases. Figure out the answer to this question then narrow down the bikes by geometries. |
| Kona Stinky | Hells Freerider
Mar 13, 2003 4:28 PM | | I would get a 2002 Kona Stinky. Its a really nice ride and pedals well enough. A little heavy but its strength more than makes up for it. The 2003 Stinky is nice too, but its got 6" now. |
| re: Looking for input on a few 5" travel bikes. | KRob
Mar 13, 2003 5:00 PM | | This is more like a 6-7 inch freeride rig put have you thought of the IronHorse SGS Expert? Retails for $2100 and for 400 more you can step up to the SGS PRo with Boxer Race DC fork and the Fifth element shock. Here's the link http://www.ironhorsebikes.com/bikes/sgs_expert.shtml
These are FSR licensced four-bar linkage bikes, although maybe a little much for your intended application. Anyone know the weight?
I also like the suggestion for the Kona Stinky. Also about $2500.This is the type of bike I'd like to pick up for a second bike when I want to do some shuttles or for playing around with more extreme free ride type stuff. Lots of good options in this category and price range.
If you think you could do air the Dakar XLT 2.0 looks like a pretty good burly 5" option as well. Pretty well equiped at $1999.
Happy hunting. |
| re: Looking for input on a few 5" travel bikes. | J.R.E.
Mar 13, 2003 8:20 PM | | Thank you everyone for all the input you have given me.
-Scott, you say you have been riding a Heckler for 3 months. I was wondering if you notice any brake-jack at all.
-Eric, I checked the Azonic website as well. I don't know were to get any info on the Saber.
-jbone, As for which way my riding will lean, it will be more "aggressive cross-country" Not so much DH. Well maybe a little, but mostly XC.
-Charles, I didn't know that HH bikes sold Azonic. If you have any info on the the Saber I would love to here from you.
To the rest of you that replied, Thank's for all the info. I need to get out and ride some more bikes. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions
Thanks again
Josh |
| Jm had a Saber post on dh/fr a few days ago... | Tscheezy
Mar 13, 2003 9:43 PM | | You can see it here. You could page him with specific questions. Looks like a pretty cool bike. It would likely balance nicely with a Zoke FR150 when those come out soon. He had a few more pics like this:
tscheezy |
| btw... | airwreck
Mar 14, 2003 2:01 AM | | I've been riding a AC 2 as a trail/gnarly xc bike for a year and half now after a couple years on a Heckler. Works great for me and the biggest factor in this choice was the fit and geometry, oh, and price. I've grown to appreciate the slack angles and have no problem with the it's current weight, 38lbs. I'm always on the lookout for similar frames with the same geometry. |
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