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Midrange fs mtb

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[MEGAMO]
Posts: 1222 - Karma: 18
my bike is on the outs, and i may need to get a new one. looking for a midrange mtb with full suspension, but dont really know anything about any brands or anything, any suggestions? for reference, i'm like 5' 9.5", about 200 lbs, like riding trails in the backcountry near my house, but i also use it to get to school and just like riding around on random shit and doing small drops. here is the bike i have now

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http://http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2004&Brand=Iron+Horse&Model=Sinister+Sport&Type=bike
Oct 29 2008 10:41PM
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[MEGAMO]
Posts: 1222 - Karma: 18
stupid link broke

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2004&Brand=Iron+Horse&Model=Sinister+Sport&Type=bike
Oct 29 2008 10:42PM
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HankTheTank
Posts: 286 - Karma: 17
how much do you plan on spending, because midrange in mtb can mean like $3000 to some, and $900 to others
Oct 29 2008 10:47PM
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[MEGAMO]
Posts: 1222 - Karma: 18
word, my bad, probably like 600-900. dont need something super extravagant, but i would be using it probably for like 5 years at least
Oct 29 2008 11:27PM
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Funnel
Posts: 7808 - Karma: 1,414
ebay, I know I really hate the fact I've spent over 4 grand on bikes in the past year.  Ebay is definitely your best bet though.  You'll get a good bike and it will be cheap.  Shipping is gonna be a lot though, that part of it blows.
Oct 29 2008 11:57PM
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[MEGAMO]
Posts: 1222 - Karma: 18
i asked about brands and models...
Oct 30 2008 12:04AM
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Funnel
Posts: 7808 - Karma: 1,414
Whops, my bad.  I ride Trek and Specialized and they've both proven to be awesome bikes!  I'll give you a list: Kona, Trek, Giant, and Specialized.  They will all treat you very well.  Specialized seems to be getting overpriced and so do Trek and Giant.  Kona will get you the most for your money.  It will definitely be better than that Ironhorse you have now.  Sorry I didn't mention brands earlier.  Do check eBay though.
Oct 30 2008 12:10AM
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Beefcake
Posts: 378 - Karma: 10

^ pretty good list, hers some mo'

santa cruz, cannondale

Oct 30 2008 2:22AM
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prontocuts.com
Posts: 5244 - Karma: 42
Not trying to be a troll or anything, but for a mid range, FS bike, that can handle drops and assorted crap like that for five years in that price range, its almost impossible to find something.
Its going to have to be used, and still used I wouldnt spend under ~700.

Specialized, trek, giant, all good places to start in that price range. The problem is, 5 years is a long time for a bike to stay up to date. I remember buying my giant in 2004 and by 2006 it was already out dated
Oct 30 2008 2:49AM
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[MEGAMO]
Posts: 1222 - Karma: 18
maybe 5 years is stretching it. and i think you overestimate my drops, im talking 2-3 feet max just around campus and shit
Oct 30 2008 3:12AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21061 - Karma: 8,366
you're gunna be hardpressed to find a full suspension for under $1000 that have a ton of problems with prolonged use.
Oct 30 2008 3:17AM
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mrmarks
Posts: 393 - Karma: 143
try a jamis dakar
Oct 30 2008 10:18AM
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7598 - Karma: 20,034
Santa Cruz Heckler, I think lower end versions of it (not as good suspension and components) are about $1200
Oct 30 2008 10:55AM
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C.R.E.A.M
Posts: 2930 - Karma: 4,218
kona's aare well priced and last forever, and they look decent too
Oct 30 2008 11:01AM
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AB_Pow
Posts: 225 - Karma: 103
They definitely don't last forever. the only thing good goin for them is the looks.
Oct 30 2008 1:52PM
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AB_Pow
Posts: 225 - Karma: 103

ive got a pimpin 06 ironhorse yakuza ojiki that i'll sell you for 1200. this bike is great for freeride but its a beast so its not too good for all around trail rides.

http://p1.pinkbike.com/photo/2636/pbpic2636495.jpg

Oct 30 2008 1:56PM
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AB_Pow
Posts: 225 - Karma: 103

sorry, forgot to post the link to the ad.

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/381451/

Oct 30 2008 1:58PM
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k-rob
Posts: 14217 - Karma: 2,890
thank god somebody on NS knows Konas are a scam.
Oct 30 2008 1:59PM
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AB_Pow
Posts: 225 - Karma: 103
Thank you, any kona, norco, specialized is pretty much over rated.
Oct 30 2008 2:51PM
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skibikeclambake
Posts: 2346 - Karma: 27

YETI CYCLES

[/thread]

Oct 30 2008 5:40PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21061 - Karma: 8,366
haha, ive had so many friends break their dakars

get a giant or a trek or a specialized

although i'm not a fan of specialized personally
Oct 30 2008 9:31PM
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Happy.
Posts: 1248 - Karma: 9
If you're only doing little little drops I would consider getting a hardtail. I know you said you wanted a fully. BUT you could get a very nice hardtail for under 1000, ones that could easily take 10-15 foot drops if handled well. in the hands of a good irder hardtails can do 95% of things fullys can do. Bikes like the Devinci Hucker and a norco bike I cant remember are great for this and build like tanks. Unless you plan on doing some serious drops (15+ feet) you really dont need a hardtail. Especially if you just plan on riding it around campus, in which case having a fully would actually be more work, having rear susp. makes you go slower and makes bombing alot harder. However, if you really do have your heart set on a fully check out pinkbike.com's buy/sell, pinkbike is basically the NS of the biking community. Good luck finding the bike you want
Oct 30 2008 9:40PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21061 - Karma: 8,366
Yeah, the Giant STP is a great one too that you can get for under $1000
Oct 30 2008 9:44PM
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Happy.
Posts: 1248 - Karma: 9
***dont need a fully, my mistake, and yeah, like the guy before said, almost every company makes an "all mountain" bike thats basically a fully minus the rear shock.
Oct 30 2008 10:09PM
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7598 - Karma: 20,034
I have a Devinci Kicker (same frame as the Hucker, was when I bought it a few years ago anyway), and the frame is really good, built like a tank and has good angles for all around handling as well as jumping, but I was constantly bending sprockets and breaking chains and derailleurs. I'm finally converting it to a single speed, because even when it was working good i would use 3 gear combos for everything, from trails to jumps/drops to cruising around town getting groceries or whatever. I liek hardtails way more than FS, like this guy said, it's more work pedaling a FS, and the rear shock is just one extra pain in the ass that can break. If your a college student just doing small drops, I would recommend a fixed gear hardtail. Also hardtails tend to have a smaller steal factor I've noticed.
Oct 31 2008 10:14AM
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Funnel
Posts: 7808 - Karma: 1,414
Fixie and drops do NOT go together.  I think he meant single speed.  Single speed would be great.  A fixie would really suck off drops considering you would have to pedal in the air.  I can't imagine it being easy to find a fixie mtb.  I've never actually bothered to look for one but they are not common.  Single speed, some kind of hardtail dirtjump bike would be so good.
Nov 2 2008 2:30AM
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Happy.
Posts: 1248 - Karma: 9
He def meant single speed, fixed gear is pointless, and in the vien of single speeds, haro makes some incredibly strong bikes that are also pretty damn light at like 22 pounds.
Nov 2 2008 3:27AM
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miralas
Posts: 584 - Karma: 10
i got an 03' specialized bighit. quite a few upgrades. biggest sell points r my brakes, hope m6 ti, and suspension, fox rc-8inches travel, and marzocchi jr t.- 7 inches travel. burly bike.

Click for larger image

Nov 2 2008 8:35AM
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miralas
Posts: 584 - Karma: 10
ill take 900+ shippin. not really willin to budge further since i got a kid thats goin to buy it for 1000 this next fall.
Nov 2 2008 8:37AM
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K.C.dia
Posts: 670 - Karma: 275
I'd say that an eastern slash 5 would be the perfect bike for what your talking about. Jensonusa has the frame for 400 new and the complete for 2,000. the frame is on sale and you could find all the parts for it for cheap from jenson or pricepoint.
Nov 2 2008 9:51AM
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Canuker
Posts: 4730 - Karma: 165
check out www.pinkbike.com the froum will help you out alot on this.
Nov 2 2008 10:21AM
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7598 - Karma: 20,034
yeah i meant single speed, i didn't know there was a difference
Nov 4 2008 10:09AM
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HeartBeatFaster
Posts: 723 - Karma: 26
I've bought a few bikes off of craigslist and gotten really good deals... just have to know what to look for and show up with cash. I would definitely look for a hardtail if i were you. Cheaper and with less maintenance. I would look for a trek, gary fischer, rocky mountain etc. And look at the components too, that is quite important if you want it to last. 
Nov 4 2008 10:38AM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Go with a HT if you don't have the cash and want a bike for drops too.

If you really want to focus on trail riding, a 5-6" travel FS can be had in the price range if you find a used.
Nov 4 2008 12:38PM
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