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Looking to buy a new bike.

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bighit
Posts: 1178 - Karma: 33
Hello NS,

I am looking to buy a new bike. I was once very much into mountain biking and knew quite a bit about the sport, gear, etc. In my four year sabbatical from the sport I have become very much out of the loop. I do not know about any of the new technology or appropriate prices for the type of bike I am looking for.

I weigh about 200 hundred pounds and ride very hard. I am looking for a bike that can do it all: mellow cross-country to technical free-ride. I would like a bike with a good amount of travel (front and rear, somewhere in the 5 to 8 inch range) but would also like the bike to not be too soft and unresponsive for technical climbing and long not-so-technical rides. I will be riding all sorts of terrain (from hard pack dirt to soft sandy soil)

My price range is $1000-1500. This bike needs to be tough and a solid investment. I am willing to sacrifice weight for durability and strength. I realize, this is asking for a lot in a bike but I know their are some good hybrid xc free-ride bikes out there up for the task. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Much Thanks,
Long-time NS member
Jul 31 2010 2:40AM
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skituner
Posts: 1162 - Karma: 127
i'd go check out pinkbike forums, they will know a lot more then NS on the subject
Jul 31 2010 2:56AM
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skithebert
Posts: 2163 - Karma: 16
i would look for a used bike if your price is that low. It's gonna be difficult to find a new bike that can do everything you want and not break under your weight at that low price point. that being said i would look at the banshee rune. however, it will be difficult to find one of those used cause nobody will be giving one up. Specialized enduro could be a cheap alternative that is easy to find. Look at mtbr.com
Jul 31 2010 10:33AM
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ChrisSkisChronic
Posts: 1128 - Karma: 230
I'd say a Specialized SX Trail, Transition Bottlerocket or a Santa Cruz Nomad (not the carbon one, those are $$$$) would suit you pretty well
Jul 31 2010 11:44AM
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wynnyk
Posts: 1638 - Karma: 555
I bought my 09 SX trail II for 3k, and it pretty much fits all of your criteria, it's super
Jul 31 2010 12:09PM
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bighit
Posts: 1178 - Karma: 33
Thanks for all the helpful replies everyone! Does anyone think that the gt sanction 2.0 or the specialized pitch comp would be a good fit?
Aug 3 2010 8:37PM
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Legion
Posts: 1374 - Karma: 29
transition makes dope bikes... support the (smaller) guys.
Aug 3 2010 8:41PM
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inb4_UMAD
Posts: 651 - Karma: 29
Specialized. They're expensive but so worth it.
Aug 3 2010 10:08PM
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TimmyK
Posts: 779 - Karma: 15
1K - 1.5K for a 5-8 in travel bike.... your not gonna find good components on a new bike in that price range.  Go check out mtbr.com buy/sell/trade forum or check ebay currently the best sources for used. 
Aug 4 2010 11:05AM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
The Pitch sounds like it would be a great fit for you. It's a solid all-mountain bike that can take most of what is thrown at it. Should easily be able to hit your price point with it. Know a few people with Pitchs and they seem to be a good do-everything bike.

Can't vouch personally for the GT.
Aug 4 2010 11:09AM
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bighit
Posts: 1178 - Karma: 33
After riding a bunch of bikes and doing a bunch of research I realize I want a santa cruz heckler. does anything know anything about this bike. and would it be a good fit for me. once again i really do appreciate the advice people have been giving and any more advice would be awesome.
Aug 5 2010 10:12PM
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S.C
Posts: 3068 - Karma: 2,285
maybe a kona stinky six used, cuz its 1800 new. more freeride oriented but i have a very similar bike (06 coiler) and its sick for freeride, and still not too shabby for some xc
Aug 5 2010 10:21PM
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KramerC
Posts: 619 - Karma: 21
cant buy a good bike for 1500 bucks sorry man. I recently forked over way to much to built my dream all mountain bike an ellsworth moment. Ellsworth makes the best frames out there.
Aug 5 2010 10:24PM
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fragglemuffin
Posts: 3312 - Karma: 444
I've never been able to ride a heckler, but I hear amazing things about them...definitely a do-it-all bike, and seems like it can take a pretty good beating. I usually see a couple people riding hecklers on the trails near me, and they all say how great and versatile they are. The heckler seems like a great pick to me!
Aug 5 2010 10:25PM
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ChrisSkisChronic
Posts: 1128 - Karma: 230
I have an 05 heckler, it's a super fun bike, really low and flickable. It rails corners like nobody's business, feels confident over tech and climbs really well. My current set up is Pike U-turn, Stans ZTR Flow wheelset, X.9 drive, Juicy 5s, Raceface Deus cranks/bb, Kenda Nevegal front/Maxxis High Roller rear set up tubeless. They best way to describe it is playful, I can pump the shit out of anything that resembles a roller and can loft my front wheel or hop over nasty roots/branches at will. I give it a thumbs up.
Aug 5 2010 10:29PM
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Chrris
Posts: 568 - Karma: 211
To the guy who said transition bottle rocket, Are you crazy? that thing would never make it up a hill and the frame alone is like $2000. But I know santa cruz makes alot of amazing bikes that are perfect for you but then again, you should try and double your price range because with 1500 you're really only going to find used bikes
Aug 5 2010 11:00PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
I'm on an '05 Cannondale Jekyll. Single pivot rear suspension with 135mm of rear travel with a 140mm Manitou Minute fork. Quite similar overall to the heckler. Similar suspension design and similar geometry. Only downside with my bike is limited rear tire width clearance. I'm maxxed out at a 2.25 Maxxis Advantage rear tire.

Also find it to be a great compromise. You lose some plushness and stiffening under braking than a multi-link suspension design, but it is very efficient for climbing.

The Heckler would suit your needs very well also.

Honestly, any bike with between 5-6 inches of travel is going to fit the bill nicely for you.
Aug 6 2010 10:19AM
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ChrisSkisChronic
Posts: 1128 - Karma: 230
I've ridden a Bottle Rocket and it didn't pedal that bad. Any bike within reason will be decently efficient as long as the shock is set up properly.
Aug 6 2010 12:27PM
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Justo8484
Posts: 3905 - Karma: 205
based on your username, shouldnt you be looking at a big hit? but seriously, and sx trail would work well for what you're looking to do. that said, i've been riding a trek remedy and doing pretty much the same riding you're looking to do. i ride it for twisty dirt/clay singletrack, general freeride-ish type stuff, as well as some less gnarly DH and its held up awesome, aside from the normal wear and tear stuff you get with DH riding. right now i'm running a 140mm fox 32 float rlc fork with the shitty 150mm manitou swinger x3 that came on the frame, juicy 7s that need to be bled horribly, and a bastardized drivetrain combo of x5 triggers, and x7 rear derailleur, and a shimano slx front derailleur. i've also upgraded the rear wheel to a lighter weight DH wheel cause i exploded the rim that came with the bike. currently rockin a 2.35 nevegal up from and a maxxis 2.35 high roller in the back. i need to get some wider bars though. XC bars for riding DH is scary.
Aug 6 2010 2:59PM
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bighit
Posts: 1178 - Karma: 33
I rode and sx trail today. It was a sweet rig but way to freeride/dh oriented. I would kill myself trying to ride that thing up any hills. Im really liking the sounds of a Santa Cruz Heckler. Its made in America, it seems like it can do everything, and i think I can pick up the D am for about 1700. Although its a bit more than I wanted and the components are nothing special, I like the way it rides and im a fan of the single pivot real suspension.
Aug 6 2010 3:08PM
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Merrrick
Posts: 529 - Karma: 717
what you're looking for is an all mountain bike.

Click for larger image

Aug 6 2010 3:14PM
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nickyp
Posts: 5673 - Karma: 215
SX Trail II would be a solid bike for you. Or maybe an Orange Alpine 160.

Although, if you're looking for a long term investment, maybe take a look at the new Transition TR250.

It has adjustable trav 160-180mm, so it's really an all mountain bike. I was skeptical at first, but they've really tightened up the back end, and the whole setup is fucking gorgeous at the bottom of the stroke. It's a little more expensive, but so worth it for a do-everything bike
Aug 6 2010 3:24PM
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skithebert
Posts: 2163 - Karma: 16
why do you have a 140mm Fox32 on a SXTrail. That doesn't make sense, you should get a bigger fork.
Aug 6 2010 5:38PM
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Goosefiends
Posts: 1095 - Karma: 2,715
good luck finding one in his price range, i think you should go for something like a jamis dakkar bam, my friands dad rides one and hes 250 pounds, so thats a bike that you wouldnt have to worry about being too small, a commencal supreme or a morewood would probably be good too
Aug 7 2010 10:49AM
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ChrisSkisChronic
Posts: 1128 - Karma: 230
good luck finding one in his price range...
Aug 7 2010 10:51AM
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I.Am.Lorde.
Posts: 1286 - Karma: 403
what like this... only made of the most high quality material aroundClick for larger image
CARDBOARD
Aug 7 2010 10:54AM
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