I need a 4" travel XC bike

[zmtber]

allright i am in the market for a new 4" travel FS xc bike that will be ridn in streets for most of the time but could be able to handle itself fine offroad, i am looking for completes in the 3,500 dollar price range, i was looking at the kula's from kona and the xc scott bikes (hard to get here) However i need someone to point me in the right direction

[punkassean]

wtf???

[ThePriceSeliger]

Wow. Just.... WOW.

[zmtber]

wtf???

its for my pa's b-day he is turning 50 and want a good bike so he can follow is friends around when they go bikeing

[ThePriceSeliger]

i am looking for completes in the 3,500 dollar price range

So you're going to buy this, or is your dad. I know you arn't.

[sanjuro]

I'm curious who would trust you with $3,500?

BTW get a Kona Dawg.

[blue]

Konas suck. Don't get a faux 4-bar (Trek, Kona, new Turner, GF, etc).

My advice with your budget: Blur XC or a Titus Moto-Lite. An IH Azureus is also a good choice, as well as a Giant Trance 1...The Trance is prolly your best bang for buck, full XT/XTR kit with Crossmax SL wheels and a Fox F100RL fork. All of the above mentioned bikes have awesome build quality and ride. If you don't mind the single pivot, the new C'Dale Rush is also an awesome pick, the Lefty is a creation of God himself...

[jacksonpt]

If it's going to spend most of it's life on the road, virtually any bike from a decent manufacturer is going to be fine.

How much does he weigh? Can you get away with a 4" XC race bike (something like a Yeti ASR)? Or do you need something with some more beef, like a Kona Dawg?

[blue]

NOOO KOOONAAAAS :p

[zmtber]

his riding stile is more up right, and yes i was thinking of the blurs. Do you guys think this is a good choice

[blue]

A Blur XC with the Fox F100RLT and the X9 XC kit on the Santa Cruz website comes in at $3589...GET IT!

[degoose]

sc super 8 w/ super monster t

full saint componant group

gazzy 3.0 front and rear

mag 30 rims

shin burger pedals

[zmtber]

you are so lame keep this crap to yourself

[zmtber]

ill look into the blur XC

[Zutroy]

Don't get a faux 4-bar (Trek, Kona, new Turner, GF, etc).


God, do you think the guy in the marketing department at Specialized make a mess in there pants everytime someone makes that statement?????

[blue]

God, do you think the guy in the marketing department at Specialized make a mess in there pants everytime someone makes that statement?????

I have no love for Big S (or their hijacking of the horsty), but that's all a Kona/Trek/Fisher/KHS/Turner is...Deceiving people into buying whats basically an overglorified single pivot suspension system. If you're going to do single piv, do it right...like a Rush :)

Or, get VPP/Maestro/DW/Whatever. I really don't understand why you'd blow a wad of money (3 and a half grand, in this case) on a fake 4-bar xc bike when you can get sooo much better for that price.

[zmtber]

what do you guys think about the giant anthem?

[Zutroy]

I have no love for Big S (or their hijacking of the horsty), but that's all a Kona/Trek/Fisher/KHS/Turner is...Deceiving people into buying whats basically an overglorified single pivot suspension system. If you're going to do single piv, do it right...like a Rush :)

Or, get VPP/Maestro/DW/Whatever. I really don't understand why you'd blow a wad of money (3 and a half grand, in this case) on a fake 4-bar xc bike when you can get sooo much better for that price.


Why is it better? I don't see the guys racing single pivots being held back by them.

[zmtber]

is there anything out there that beats the epic (none carbon, please don't say carbon) that is also around $4000 like the epic

[zmtber]

need info by end of today

[sanjuro]

I have no love for Big S (or their hijacking of the horsty), but that's all a Kona/Trek/Fisher/KHS/Turner is...Deceiving people into buying whats basically an overglorified single pivot suspension system. If you're going to do single piv, do it right...like a Rush :)

Or, get VPP/Maestro/DW/Whatever. I really don't understand why you'd blow a wad of money (3 and a half grand, in this case) on a fake 4-bar xc bike when you can get sooo much better for that price.
BTW, I should I throw away my Kona Dawg Primo? Or my friends who bought Coilers, did they waste their money?

Or did we buy very reliable bikes for less?

[skinny mike]

is there anything out there that beats the epic (none carbon, please don't say carbon) that is also around $4000 like the epic
i don't understand why your dad would ever need an epic for riding on the roads. tell him to get a hardtail and toss on a suspension seatpost. or let me guess, you are convincing your dad to buy a nice bike so you can steal it and ride it whenever you'd like?

[zmtber]

i don't understand why your dad would ever need an epic for riding on the roads. tell him to get a hardtail and toss on a suspension seatpost. or let me guess, you are convincing your dad to buy a nice bike so you can steal it and ride it whenever you'd like?

no this is just what he wants, its also because we ahve bluff or a mesa(open space) by our house and he likes riding there alot, and its also because he can get it.

[tomvan72]

The Specialized is a great choice. Like it or not, it is a good bike. goes like hell down the trail for an xc bike and will be very efficient on the street. Aint it a b itch!

[blue]

BTW, I should I throw away my Kona Dawg Primo? Or my friends who bought Coilers, did they waste their money?

Or did we buy very reliable bikes for less?

No, I'm just saying for $3500 you can get a nicer suspension design then what Kona offers at this point.

If he had about 2 grand to spend, then Kona would factor into the equation. I'm really not impressed with their high end stuff, but their mid-range bikes seem like very capable machines that outclass most in their league.

[zmtber]

yeeah i know but is there anyhting that would out do the sus design of the epic, or is that most likley one of the best full suspension xc bikes out there

[zmtber]

the pice has just been uped to 4000, i got my bro to put some money into it

[Huph]

Stumpjumper

It was an excellent bike as a 4" bike and is way better with an extra inch and no extra weight. And the '06 bikes have even droppd the silly Septune shock.

:)

[zmtber]

looks like i am going to place an order for an scott Genius RC10 or 20 next month

[sanjuro]

No, I'm just saying for $3500 you can get a nicer suspension design then what Kona offers at this point.

If he had about 2 grand to spend, then Kona would factor into the equation. I'm really not impressed with their high end stuff, but their mid-range bikes seem like very capable machines that outclass most in their league.
I am factoring in the 75% Santa Barbara rule. If a SB kid says one thing, it is safe to assume it is going to be less.

[jacksonpt]

the pice has just been uped to 4000, i got my bro to put some money into it
Yeti - awesome bikes, great service.

[zmtber]

that is going to be funny once i get this thing shiped over here, or i go pick it up in europe, http://www.scottusa.com/i/images/products/200021.jpg

[blue]

that is going to be funny once i get this thing shiped over here, or i go pick it up in europe, http://www.scottusa.com/i/images/products/200021.jpg

AWESOME choice...If only they sold them here (Damned Special Ed :(). How much will it cost you to get it here?

[zmtber]

4.7 its alot evancycles will deliver it here for 100 pounds

[blue]

4.7 its alot evancycles will deliver it here for 100 pounds

No legal complications exist? Customs may be a bitch since you're importing something patented in the US that has not been licensed by the pantentor (sp what?) to Scott.

[zmtber]

hopefully i can sneek it around them, or its going to be a pain

[zmtber]

well this is what its got complet and its around 24 lbs:


http://www.scottusa.com/i/images/products/200021.jpg

Price (USD)
NOT AVAILABLE IN THE U.S.

Frame
Scott Carbon CR1 HMF technology
7005 double butted swingarm
90mm rear travel


Fork
Fox F100 RLT
Lockout / Adjustable compression and rebound
100mm of travel

Shock (Rear)
Scott TC
Three position handlebar switch / LO-TC-AT
Adjustable rebound

Headset
FSA 9 alloy

Derailleur (Rear)
SRAM X-0 27 Speed
carbon cage

Derailleur (Front)
Shimano XTR / E-Type

Shifters
SRAM X-0 Trigger
multi adj. / with carbon parts

Brake Levers
Avid Juicy Carbon

Brakes
Avid Juicy Carbon
160 mm front and rear rotors

Crankset
Shimano XTR 960
Hollowtech 2
22x32x44 T

BB-Set
Shimano Cartridge

Handlebar
Ritchey Carbon WCS
Flat / 580 mm

H'stem
Ritchey WCS
1 1/8"" / 6° rise

Pedals
Shimano PD-M540
Clipless pedal

Seatpost
Ritchey WCS Carbon

Seat
Selle Italia SLR XP Kevlar

Hub (Front)
DT Swiss Disc / 28H

Hub (Rear)
DT Swiss 240 S Disc / 28H

Chain
Shimano CN-HG73

Cassette
SRAM PG-990
12-32 T

Spokes
DT Swiss new aero black

Rims
DT Swiss XR 4.1d 28H
Black Anodized

Tires
Scott OXYD
26 x 2.0 120TPI Kevlar Bead
Dual Compound

[blue]

Whats the price on that bad boy? Under 4k? I suppose they DID skimp a little on the rims... :p

[zmtber]

just over 4 K

[Heath Sherratt]

BTW, I should I throw away my Kona Dawg Primo? Or my friends who bought Coilers, did they waste their money?

Or did we buy very reliable bikes for less?

You know you wasted your money...you just don't want to admit it because then you would look silly, but you are you know...silly.:p

[Heath Sherratt]

That Scott is awesome!! The new Commencal's are perdy dope too. Some guy named Clark is distributing them into the states now-clark@ceerise.com for the info. Their Meta 4.10 is under my butt-very nice, the best traction I have yet to experience.

[ThePriceSeliger]

That Scott is awesome!! The new Commencal's are perdy dope too. Some guy named Clark is distributing them into the states now-clark@ceerise.com for the info. Their Meta 4.10 is under my butt-very nice, the best traction I have yet to experience.

Heath, is Commencal stealing all the C-dale riders?

[Heath Sherratt]

:rolleyes: Ha, you caught me there. I still have much love for the Dale-they are like my family. I am working with Commencal right now (actually Ceerise-the american distibutors) as a consultant and advisor. Things just worked out like that. They are really excited and motivated! It should be interesting to see how things go down this year for them. The "official" release will be at Sea Otter. I believe we are combining our tent with Marzocchi, come by say Hi. H

[MMcG]

i'll believe that this thread is real and the kid really does intend to buy a $4K bike when I see photos of said bike. Otherwise and until then I call this thread a bunch of BS.

[jacksonpt]

i'll believe that this thread is real and the kid really does intend to buy a $4K bike when I see photos of said bike. Otherwise and until then I call this thread a bunch of BS.
here here... he dragged it out so long that it's clear something is bogus. Who the hell spends $4000 on a mountain bike for the streets?

[ThePriceSeliger]

:rolleyes: Ha, you caught me there. I still have much love for the Dale-they are like my family. I am working with Commencal right now (actually Ceerise-the american distibutors) as a consultant and advisor. Things just worked out like that. They are really excited and motivated! It should be interesting to see how things go down this year for them. The "official" release will be at Sea Otter. I believe we are combining our tent with Marzocchi, come by say Hi. H

Well if you just are wondering around and are by the Go-Ride tent, stop in and say HI HI.

[robdamanii]

here here... he dragged it out so long that it's clear something is bogus. Who the hell spends $4000 on a mountain bike for the streets?

Rich posers who don't have any skills, of course. ;)

[robdamanii]

I have no love for Big S (or their hijacking of the horsty), but that's all a Kona/Trek/Fisher/KHS/Turner is...Deceiving people into buying whats basically an overglorified single pivot suspension system. If you're going to do single piv, do it right...like a Rush :)

Or, get VPP/Maestro/DW/Whatever. I really don't understand why you'd blow a wad of money (3 and a half grand, in this case) on a fake 4-bar xc bike when you can get sooo much better for that price.

It may be an overglorified single pivot, but it damn well works just as nicely as any other suspension design on the market. Perhaps some people care for the fit of the Kona/Trek/Turner/KHS more than the fit of the Maestro/VPP style bikes? Or maybe, some people just care about riding and as long as the suspension works for them, then who cares?

Basically, as long as the suspension works and works with you, why does it matter what it is or what it costs?

[blue]

It may be an overglorified single pivot, but it damn well works just as nicely as any other suspension design on the market. Perhaps some people care for the fit of the Kona/Trek/Turner/KHS more than the fit of the Maestro/VPP style bikes? Or maybe, some people just care about riding and as long as the suspension works for them, then who cares?

Basically, as long as the suspension works and works with you, why does it matter what it is or what it costs?

He asked for suggestions. I gave them to him. If you don't care about suspension designs, then by all means, buy a faux-bar, nothing wrong with that (I'm contemplating it even now). However, it appeared he wanted a poseur cutting edge bike, so I suggested some.

[robdamanii]

However, it appeared he wanted a poseur cutting edge bike, so I suggested some.

Word. :cool:

No worries. I just think that there's way too many expectations about VPPs and everything else being the solution to every problem out there.

[blue]

Word. :cool:

No worries. I just think that there's way too many expectations about VPPs and everything else being the solution to every problem out there.

Yeah, I totally agree, especially in the XC world, where the latest and greatest suspension concept really will not help you that incredibly much, whereas in DH where it can affect a lot. I'm just as at home on a 4 inch single piv as on a virtual piv bike when I race, no diff to me.

[robdamanii]

Yeah, I totally agree, especially in the XC world, where the latest and greatest suspension concept really will not help you that incredibly much, whereas in DH where it can affect a lot. I'm just as at home on a 4 inch single piv as on a virtual piv bike when I race, no diff to me.

True that DH is a completely different animal, and any advantage you can get is definitely welcome. For the casual rider, even the casual DHer, I don't think it makes much difference what you're on (suspension wise). FWIW.

[jacksonpt]

Rich posers who don't have any skills, of course. ;)
oh, that's right... it's those snobs with more money than skill.

[robdamanii]

oh, that's right... it's those snobs with more money than skill.

Isn't that all of us? :think:

[Westy]

Yeah, I totally agree, especially in the XC world, where the latest and greatest suspension concept really will not help you that incredibly much, whereas in DH where it can affect a lot. I'm just as at home on a 4 inch single piv as on a virtual piv bike when I race, no diff to me.

I'd argue a good 4" is the best choice for XC racing.

[binary visions]

If you don't care about suspension designs, then by all means, buy a faux-bar
I wish people would stop calling it a "faux-bar".

There is nothing "faux" about it. It's a four-bar design. Period, end of discussion. If you call it fake, you simply do not know what you're talking about, and you're just parroting the line that Specialized's marketing department wants to feed you.

Incidentally, it performs almost exactly like a Horst-link four-bar design, with a small difference in braking performance which is going to be nearly unnoticable on a short travel bike like this.

Do you even know why a four bar design is used instead of just one suspension member and one pivot? There are a couple reasons.

It allows you to tune the suspension rate. Usually, you want to make it progressive though often it's tuned to give you a linear rate. It also allows some extra freedom in designing the frame since you don't have to design the frame around the shock mounting, and you also don't have to design around one large pivot and the associated beefy swingarm.

This is just a pet peeve of mine. You're giving advice based on a very poor understanding of the suspension design. There are a lot of good suspension designs, but there's nothing wrong with a linkage actuated single pivot, and they didn't design it to "fool" people - it was around before the Horst link.

:mumble:

[blue]

blah blah blah

If you don't care about suspension designs, then by all means, buy a faux-bar


Yeah, I totally agree, especially in the XC world, where the latest and greatest suspension concept really will not help you that incredibly much, whereas in DH where it can affect a lot. I'm just as at home on a 4 inch single piv as on a virtual piv bike when I race, no diff to me.

Four bar has come to mean Horsty...sorry.

[binary visions]

No, it hasn't. Four bar is still used to describe many different types of suspension designs. It's only people who use it incorrectly that use it as a synonym for Horst links.

And you can care about suspension designs, but still choose a linkage actuated single pivot. You make it sound as if only a complete disregard for your suspension design would make one "settle" for a Kona-style four bar design.

[MtnbikeMike]

My question is....how does a three inch difference between pivots change the #of 'bars'?

[binary visions]

My question is....how does a three inch difference between pivots change the #of 'bars'?
Bingo.

It doesn't.

[blue]

Bingo.

It doesn't.

Be quiet, cracker.

[binary visions]

Be quiet, cracker.
Admit you're wrong, monkey boy :p

[blue]

Admit you're wrong, monkey boy :p

That's omnipotent monkey boy to you. :p

Fine.

[zmtber]

decided to just do a build, because i haven't been able to find any trust worthy shops, so here is my build, throw in your opinion/changes:

epic marathon (non cabon)
sid wc, or reba wc carbon fiber top crowns
xo shifters, R/D and F/D
avid juicy carbon 6"
xtr cranks and casset
richy stem, bars, seatpost (carbon)
CK headset
selle italia, or rocket v Ti railed saddle
819 laced to some hub help me out here thinking dt swiss, xtr, or maybe a king (tubles), or just crossmax SL Disc
slick tires

what do you think

[robdamanii]

decided to just do a build, because i haven't been able to find any trust worthy shops, so here is my build, throw in your opinion/changes:

epic marathon (non cabon)
sid wc, or reba wc carbon fiber top crowns
xo shifters, R/D and F/D
avid juicy carbon 6"
xtr cranks and casset
richy stem, bars, seatpost (carbon)
CK headset
selle italia, or rocket v Ti railed saddle
819 laced to some hub help me out here thinking dt swiss, xtr, or maybe a king (tubles), or just crossmax SL Disc
slick tires

what do you think


Shooting for ultra light wherever you can get?

Howabout formula Puro brakes instead of Avids.

[maxyedor]

decided to just do a build, because i haven't been able to find any trust worthy shops, so here is my build, throw in your opinion/changes:

epic marathon (non cabon)
sid wc, or reba wc carbon fiber top crowns
xo shifters, R/D and F/D
avid juicy carbon 6"
xtr cranks and casset
richy stem, bars, seatpost (carbon)
CK headset
selle italia, or rocket v Ti railed saddle
819 laced to some hub help me out here thinking dt swiss, xtr, or maybe a king (tubles), or just crossmax SL Disc
slick tires

what do you think

gross get a Yeti

[zmtber]

Shooting for ultra light wherever you can get?

Howabout formula Puro brakes instead of Avids.

those formula will cost alnost twice that of the avids

[zmtber]

and for what 100grams

[zmtber]

does anyone know where i can get just the frame

[zmtber]

the specialized epic (non carbon)

[-dustin]

epic marathon (non cabon)
sid wc, or reba wc carbon fiber top crowns
xo shifters, R/D and F/D
avid juicy carbon 6"
xtr cranks and casset
richy stem, bars, seatpost (carbon)
CK headset
selle italia, or rocket v Ti railed saddle
819 laced to some hub help me out here thinking dt swiss, xtr, or maybe a king (tubles), or just crossmax SL Disc
slick tires
slick as in cool, or slick as in slicks?

XTR and 240s are lighter than Kings. but if you're just slapping something together for your dad to show off, X-max.

and the Tioga Spyder saddle. or one of those nothing-but-carbon jobs.

[Zutroy]

the specialized epic (non carbon)


A specialized dealer?

[blue]

240s for the hubs if you want to do the build your own wheel route, otherwise crossmax.

Slick tires...I love it. It's gonna be one of those bikes that stays on the roof rack on his H2/BMW, isn't it?

[zmtber]

Yeah, but i will be racing it at a couple up coming races, and he si too. i am just going to go with crossmax

[SXtrailrider]

what would be idea for a guy that rides mostley on the road, might do firestone once and just cruzes around town with a buddy. X9 or go all out for X0. the onley difference that i cna really see is the 100g. For a guy that thinks bikes are the same as they were 25 years ago will he beable to tell the performance downgrade with the X9 over the X0?

[zmtber]

if thats true then i wouldn't be looking at an epic at all id be in costco

[SXtrailrider]

why the performance difference is huge! not only the weight but the ACTUAL performance.

[SXtrailrider]

lets compare.

costcohttp://i.walmart.com/i/p/00/03/86/75/26/0003867526108_500X500.jpg

specialized epic http://www.specialized.no/customers/stianssport/specialized/bilde.php/Epic-Comp-Disc.jpg

these are the difference of X0 to X9, going buy the looks it is just the carbon.

X0 http://zdjecia.jednoslad.pl/zdjeciaregis/news/SRAMX0.jpg

X9 http://leelikesbikes.com/Stories/111904/X9.gif

Now as you can see from the pics above shwin bike to the Epic huge performance difference. X9-X0 not so big and for someone who barley rides his trek 4500 the X0-X9 difference can not be noticed and will save more money then it will GRAMS!

[zmtber]

okay it turns out i need to save a litttle more so yeah i will get x-9 shifter, or XTR