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Mountain Biking Question

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JaphyRyder
Posts: 1766 - Karma: 113
Quick question for you guys:
I'm in the market for a full suspension mountain bike, and am looking to ride mainly XC, but with some technical hill climbs and decents and probably the occasional drop (no more than 5ft for now). Mainly will be on VT singletrack trails (Kingdom Trails, etc). I'm a relative novice, am 5'11" and 180lbs.

I'm looking at a Jamis XCR Pro, which has only 100mm of front travel. Is this enough? Will I be bottoming out?

Thanks!!
May 28 2013 2:20PM
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000000000000
Posts: 843 - Karma: 1,552
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Jamis's are eh, if you are doing some dh and xc, go for an all mountain like above. 150mm is perfect.
May 28 2013 2:40PM
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Petey.
Posts: 5736 - Karma: 4,881
Specialized bikes conquer anything and everything. The Enduro is a little on the heavy side but is really nice for the riding that Kingdom Trails or Millstone offers.

Maybe I'll see you out there this summer!
May 28 2013 2:43PM
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Orrin
Posts: 1757 - Karma: 1,114
Off the top of my head.... have a look at the Trek Fuel, Giant Trance, Specialized S-Works Enduro and Marin Wolf Ridge :)
May 28 2013 2:46PM
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theTRIBE101
Posts: 1175 - Karma: 856
real men don't have any shocks.
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May 28 2013 2:47PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
I can't speak directly to your riding style, but the XCR Pro is a XC Race bike, thus it will handle like a race bike will.

Since you mentioned drops, it seems that your riding style leans more into the All-mountain/trail segment than that of XC Race. All-mountain/trail bikes tend to sit around 140-160mm of travel.
May 28 2013 3:06PM
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YewTard
Posts: 619 - Karma: 196
What's your budget? Specialized Enduro, Trek Fuel, Rocky Mountain Slayer, Santa Cruz Blur, Giant Reign, Norco Range, etc are all awesome options for all mountain. A race bike will be light but not the most comfortable or practical option...
May 29 2013 9:21AM
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YouAllSuck
Posts: 632 - Karma: 1,177
The Enduro would be a nice bike, but I would suggest the Stumpjumper FSR if you are looking for a bike that will climb better. It has a little less suspension, but still has enough to hit smaller drops, and other fun shit when riding downhill.
May 29 2013 9:33AM
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panojibber.
Posts: 1041 - Karma: 683
I don't know anything about mountain bikes but I bet Japhy Ryder would be sick at biking.
May 29 2013 10:32AM
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Goku
Posts: 8119 - Karma: 4,221
This Bike freaking rips
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/trance.x.29er.1/11514/55873/
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Hands down the best trail bike on the market. Maestro suspension it awesome, kicks the shit out of literally any other full suspension bike out there. Plus Giant builds all of there components in house, except shocks, brakes, and shifting so a $2000 Giant is equivalent to that of a $3000 Trek/Specialized/Gary Fischer. Giant actually makes all of Treks frames then they buy parts from other companies which is why the price is so inflated.
May 29 2013 10:45AM
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PartyHon
Posts: 2019 - Karma: 425
agreed. had the pleasure of riding on one of these last summer. super fun
May 29 2013 10:51AM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3597 - Karma: 3,895
But it doesn't even have peddles...
May 29 2013 11:06AM
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Chinchi
Posts: 1591 - Karma: 4,210
I have a stumpjumper fsr elite and use it for pretty much exactly what you described, it's a beast, I highly recommend it. I have pics of it somewhere on my profile...
May 29 2013 11:09AM
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yalebale
Posts: 94 - Karma: 20
I live in East burke on the trails and I see a lot of Trek Fuels. I have ridden one and I highly recommend it.
May 29 2013 2:38PM
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Stainr
Posts: 1186 - Karma: -1,150
Bingo^ the fsr is legit as fuq
May 29 2013 2:52PM
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fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
I've heard some negative things about the newer ones, but I've had a trek fuel 70 for almost a decade with minimal problems.

I rode a stump jumper a few weeks back ago just for a bit and I have to say...that is one terrific bike. If you know how to ride, it'll treat you right. So for what its worth, if I was shopping for a new one, I'd probably go specialized
May 29 2013 3:05PM
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Balbertt
Posts: 1585 - Karma: 4,723
I would check out a specialized enduro, or any type of all mountain bike. And vermont has some okay downhill (mount snow, killington, stuff like that) and a all mountain bike can do that also.
May 29 2013 3:47PM
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Candyman.
Posts: 433 - Karma: 87
Norco Sight for the win.
May 29 2013 4:01PM
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Balbertt
Posts: 1585 - Karma: 4,723
That wasent supposed to be a quote reply, but it works.
May 29 2013 4:05PM
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pink_squid
Posts: 1188 - Karma: 368
your a pussy


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May 29 2013 4:06PM
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Petey.
Posts: 5736 - Karma: 4,881
Yeah this would be my next suggestion. I ride a Stumpjumper FSR myself and love it. Handles great, is good for long and/or steep climbing, and takes the smaller drops well.

My buddy has the Enduro and although it's not as great for climbs, it's really fun for moderate drops and essentially all things downhill. Either would do!
May 30 2013 12:05PM
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tripnip
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 482
I have a trek fuel 8 and I have out every thing you can thing of in it and replaced almost every thing stock. It's an awesome trail bike, the next competitor which I really like is the trance by giant. You didn't mention price have you looked at a transition covert? I demoed one 2 days ago and that thing is amazing
May 30 2013 1:15PM
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JaphyRyder
Posts: 1766 - Karma: 113
Thanks alot dudes! Super helpful.

I guess the issue at this point is the price range... I was hoping to find a used bike in good shape, maybe 2 years old, as close to $1500 as possible (I realize this is probably unrealistic)...

Anyone have any ideas for me? Know anyone selling up in VT or MA?
Jun 1 2013 9:11AM
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Balbertt
Posts: 1585 - Karma: 4,723
check http://www.pinkbike.com/ used section
Jun 1 2013 9:25AM
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Goku
Posts: 8119 - Karma: 4,221
I'll sell you a 2012 Giant Trance X3 for $1400 shipped
Bought at end of last season. retails for $2300
Jun 1 2013 9:28AM
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skiierman
Posts: 28699 - Karma: -5,563
Psht, Kingdom Trails is old news. Now it's all about them Barre trails.
Jun 1 2013 10:20AM
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WI_Personallty
Posts: 881 - Karma: 161
The trek fuel and remedy series are all on point with the exception of the fuel ex 5 and 6. 7 on up is great though.
Jun 1 2013 6:55PM
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Goku
Posts: 8119 - Karma: 4,221
For Sale
2012 Giant Trance X3
Properly maintained and serviced.
Has $250 dropper seat post on it.
Retailed at $2325 I'd like to get $1500 shipped
Any questions or if you'd like to see more of it just let me know
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Jun 26 2013 7:13AM
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cwillygood
Posts: 6831 - Karma: 1,829
id got for the stumpjumper evo, much more efficient than the enduro and can easily handle a 5 foot drop like you stated above....

I would also recommend the yeti sb 66 or santa cruz nomad depending on your budget
Jun 26 2013 9:36AM
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