hypothetical starter FS XC bike

[silly_yak]

So, the boss has stated that Disney is more important than biking, so I am stuck with my HT for a while. That being said, if I were to come across a screaming deal, I might just try and work an angle. I am a recreational rider, and at about 160lbs, not too heavy. I am not too concerned about weight. I would transfer my fork, pedals, saddle, and grips over to the bike, so those components are immaterial.

With all that, where is a good place to start? Perferrably something around $1k.

[gddavid]

What fork are you looking to reuse, as it will have limit what range of travel you are looking at for your rear suspension? It will probably dictate how aggressive style the frame should be, for example you don't want to buy an all mountain rig if you are planning on putting a cross country fork on it or a super light racing rig would be a bit silly with a long travel dirt jump fork.

[EJensen]

Santa Cruz Superlight (http://www.santacruzbicycles.com/superlight/index.php?details=1) is now spec'ed for 100-120mm fork. $1,200 for powdercoat and the Float R shock. Lots of fans, of which I am one. You can take a spin on my size L bike, although it's not the current model.

The Bike Lane (where I bought my frame) is no longer a Santa Cruz dealer. I don't know who carries SC locally.

Regards,
Eric

[jabberwocky]

Santa Cruz Superlight (http://www.santacruzbicycles.com/superlight/index.php?details=1) is now spec'ed for 100-120mm fork. $1,200 for powdercoat and the Float R shock. Lots of fans, of which I am one. You can take a spin on my size L bike, although it's not the current model.Thats frame only. Even transferring his parts theres still a lot left to buy (wheels, drivetrain, brakes). Their cheapest complete build is around $2300.

$1000 is really too low a budget for a new FS bike IMHO, unless you luck into a screaming deal on an older model. My recommendation would be to watch the various classifieds and fleabay for someone selling a decent condition older bike. It would help a lot to test ride several bikes and get an idea on what geometry numbers you like ahead of time, so you'll have an idea if a bike fits when you see a good deal.

[EJensen]

Thats frame only. Even transferring his parts theres still a lot left to buy (wheels, drivetrain, brakes). Their cheapest complete build is around $2300.

True. Since he mentioned transferring his fork over, I was assuming he was talking about a frame. Looking again, since he's not talking about transferring much of anything else, I realize he's talking about a complete bike. Oops.

I agree. $1,000 is low to get into a FS complete bike.

Regards,
Eric

[silly_yak]

That is what I thought. I was hoping that there was complete bike that had a good frame but other parts were only so-so.

It's a Tora 318 Coil, BTW.

Used is probably what will happen.

[rusty99]

Highjacker Alert! :D So if you fellas were going to throw a few more bones at a new FS, what would it be? I'm looking at the Jamis Dakar XCR Pro or Santa Cruz Superlight. Any others I should consider?

[chowderbutt]

=

I have a great mountain cycle cross country frame with most of the components that I will let go for $250.00 its lacking the disk brakes and wheels only super light frame 17 inch. I will throw some wheels in (new or barely used) for $300.

All the money will go to trips for kids.

[smdubovsky]

It all depends on what you want to use it for. XC vs AM vs DH? Hate the labels or not, but different bikes are good for different things. If you really only ride XC a spec Epic is a brilliant ride IMO. If you want to "go bigger" then that takes something different. What do YOU want to do w/ it?

[rusty99]

XC -- thus the light, manueverable bikes

Myy current HT (Jamis Dakota) is only about 25 lbs

[silly_yak]

Highjacking back my thread. What about the Jamis Dakar XC?

http://citybikes.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=12414

[CRAIG2]

Great bike - the Dakar has consistently gotten favorable reviews for years now, that I can remember. If it fits, you really can't go wrong.

[rciracing]

=

I have a great mountain cycle cross country frame with most of the components that I will let go for $250.00 its lacking the disk brakes and wheels only super light frame 17 inch. I will throw some wheels in (new or barely used) for $300.

All the money will go to trips for kids.

pm sent for more details.

[rusty99]

Sorry for the highjacking Yak. My bad.

[silly_yak]

Sorry for the highjacking Yak. My bad.

I was playing. No worries. :D:D:D

[rusty99]

Must say that Jamis rocks. I've had my Dakota for 13 years and am only now thinking about a FS upgrade.

[eloach]

Probably the best buy in that range would be a version of the Giant Trance. I think Contes does Giant. I am not sure what other MORE supporting shops carry Giant.

[saxman]

Sometimes you can find some great second hand deals. Trek Fuels make really nice starter FS bikes.

[mjbrox]

This is a great bike,

Problem solved

http://greatadventuresports.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=6272

[mjbrox]

Probably the best buy in that range would be a version of the Giant Trance. I think Contes does Giant. I am not sure what other MORE supporting shops carry Giant.

Hudson Trail outfitters, and they some times have some great deals

[silly_yak]

This is a great bike,

Problem solved

http://greatadventuresports.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=6272

Does it hover? Otherwise, I would need to dump big coin to get wheels, drivetrain, etc...:D

[CRAIG2]

This is a great bike,

Problem solved

http://greatadventuresports.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=6272

Size 23, though? Sure, looks like a winner if you play center for the Celtics or something!

[EJensen]

Does it hover?

I read about hoverbikes in Mountainbike Action. They're at least 5 or 10 years out, earliest.

Regards,
Eric

[tsunayoshi]

Sometimes you can find some great second hand deals. Trek Fuels make really nice starter FS bikes.

Concur...I got my 2004 Fuel (with full XT drivetrain) for ~$1200...good deal considering a 2007 (latest at the time) was running $2500+ for same quality components.

[MMMark]

This is a great bike,

Problem solved

http://greatadventuresports.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=6272

If you want to go with a BMC how about this one for $200 less from Jenson? They have a 17" in stock too.

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/fr293h01-bmc%2btrailfox%2b20%2bframe%2b07.as px?sc=em081908&x=y