|   I weigh 225 lbs... | biguy
Jan 11, 2004 12:24 PM | | I'm a big guy: 225 lbs. I've been riding hardtails. I'm considering a Sugar 4, a Stumpjumper and a Epic. Different price ranges, I know. My biggest thing is how heavy I am when it comes to full suspension. Mostly XC riding, some trails. Help! Thanx. |
| None of the above... | fred³
Jan 11, 2004 1:20 PM | | although the epic is supposed to handle that weight just fine. I like the Enduro or a Titus LocoMoto. My son-in-law goes at a bit over 300lbs and has had zero problems in 2+ years of riding. |
| Epic SWorks handles my 210# fine | Adman
Jan 11, 2004 2:29 PM | | I ride an extra large SWorks Epic (2003) with a Fox F100x up front & Mavic 3.1 UST rims and have had no durability issues. I did buy the Specialized for the lifetime warranty, seeing how my XC bike before it broke 3 times in as many seasons.
It's built strongly at 28lbs, and I've no problems since August of 2003, other than a bit of chainsuck and a fork that leaks through the right seal. Cheers,
Adam |
| 225# ain't that big biguy... | Soupboy187
Jan 11, 2004 3:12 PM | | ...you should be fine on the new SJ or Epic - not sure about the Sugar. I go 240+ and rode a 2000 FSR XC for two seasons. Sold it with nary an issue. Then broke the Ellsworth that replaced it. Then got a Turner RFX - yes, the pendulum swung the other way.
I know clydes bigger than you that race Santa Cruz Superlights - not that I'd recommend it. The new Speshy Enduro should give you more beef and travel w/o much weight penalty vs. the Stumpy. Had a chance to saddle up the new Stumpy the other night - great looking bike - light, stiff, nicely spec'd and at great price.
What's your budget? I'd also reco the Heckler and Pantera if you want simple a simple, stiff bike that pedals well.
FS bikes with air shocks can accomodate bigger riders nowadays (some 250#+) based on higher shock volumes and better construction and technology. Fox told me 275# was the limit for their air shocks/forks. I just put an air shock (Cloud 9) on my brother's 2000 Heckler yesterday and he's my size. Felt great - surprisingly plush.
You may want to consider, and others may reco, a coil-sprung ride but it's not the truism it used to be for clydes.
Hope this helps,
Sean |
| re: I weigh 225 lbs... | CDMC
Jan 11, 2004 4:24 PM | | All three are fine, don't worry about it unless you are hucking them off 4 foot drops. (BTW, I am the same weight) If I had to pick one for general riding, the Stumpjumper FSR in a heartbeat. |
| re: I weigh 225 lbs... | Bubba
Jan 11, 2004 6:47 PM | | I weigh 245 and I have a SC Heckler w/400 # spring(5th) No issues and climbs like like a ravaged Goat. You would really be surprised. I got my frame for a good deal. Some of SC packages are affordable for a quality ride. |
| The Stumpy is a great bike, esp since they beefed up the........ | Bikeless Rider
Jan 11, 2004 7:06 PM | | ...chainstays a bit on the '04s, stiffer and probably more durable. It's BB is only about 12.5" before sag though, despite what their specs say, and may run too low considering your weight, depending on the type of terrain you ride. The Epic according to their specs (I always measure to make sure) runs about 1/8" higher than the Stumpy, and is a no sag design, which may lead to less pedal smacking for you. I really like some of the new features of the Stumpy like the sculpted seat tube, the Triad shock, and the 70.5 head angle. There's always at least one critical thing on production bikes that doesn't work out for me though.
If you go with the Stumpy or the Epic, I highly recommend sticking with the '04 models, the chainstays on the '03s would not be as stiff or durable for someone of your weight. I just saw an S Works full XTR '03 Epic that a LBS owner is selling after riding for 3 months with a Zoke Marathon on it (lighter older style one I think). It's about a 25 lb bike, he's asking about $3200 for it, but even at my 165 lbs, I'd want the stiffer rear end. |
| you're not that heavy | pimpbot
Jan 11, 2004 10:44 PM | | Three years ago, I was 220# and grossly out of shape. I got a $375 Giant Yukon, and now weigh 202#. That bike held up just fine. I got a k2 Razorback this last summer.
Just go ride. The Sugar will do you just fine, as long as you don't do anything it was not designed to do, like big drops, hucking or urban assault kinda stuff. |
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