Looking for a Hardtail

[TypicalNinja]

Hey guys,

I'm looking for a hardtail bike I can use for both freeride and dirt jumping, as well as a little bit of downhill. My price range is $1500 CAD at the most.

I was looking at a Kona Stuff 07 which fits into my price range nicely, but I don't know how the components compare in quality to other bikes. I was also looking at an Eastern Nighttrain which I really like but it's very street oriented and I don't know how it would hold up even in light freeride.

Anyone have any suggestions?

[mandown]

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/500/30-6991-MUS-SIDE.jpgironhorse yakuza bakuto

[4xBoy]

You could buy mine.

http://img99.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc03486eg0.jpg

[Summit]

ironhorse yakuza bakuto

Seconded. You might also be able to put together a budget Transition Vagrant build for that $$.

[gravityworx]

That Mtn Cycle looks nice Dvo1
Well gusseted heat tube, rigid looking frame, I like the replaceable drop outs.

[TypicalNinja]

I was actually looking at a Vagrant but I thought it would be out of my price range. I searched for a and found a site where I can get a Vagrant frame for $475 (thats including currency conversion and shipping). Would I be able to build something pretty good with $1500 CAD considering that as the price of the frame? I don't want to cheap out on the fork, I would probably go with Rock Shox Pike 426 or something. That would probably take around $575, so that leaves $450 at most for the rest. Is that doable?


The Ironhorse looks pretty nice, how would it compare to a Vagrant build?


@ Dvo1: I was preferably looking for new not used and the geo is not quite what I'm after but it's a pretty nice bike.

[bent^biker]

$450 isn't doable even for me and I'm a shop employee. Do yourself a favor and get the ironhorse. I had one for a year and half and rode everything (literally from dh races to djs to xc) on it. You could probably swap our the fork for the pike for only a little bit of $$ if you manage to sell the drop off online.

[TypicalNinja]

So the Vagrant is out then, between a Kona Stuff and the Ironhorse pictured above, which would be the better buy since they seem to be the same price.

[jeff da grom]

iron horse or specialized p all mountain

[bent^biker]

i hadn't even thought of the p...thats a good one too. don't know about $$ on it thought

[Beef Cake]

Norco manik or bigfoot
Banshee has a couple too
243 frames are nice too eh!

[jeff da grom]

i hadn't even thought of the p...thats a good one too. don't know about $$ on it thought


it's $1300 us... so it'll be close w/how the exchange is now.

the other thing is specialized has 2 levels of msrp (retail price)... the high 1 which they publish on their website and the lower 1, which most dealers will sell it at...

for instance the sx trail frame is listed for $1700 on their website, but the low retail price is $1500

that depends on ur shop though....

but it's a solid bike, and worth a look.

[TypicalNinja]

I took a look at all of the suggestions (Ironhorse, Norco, Specialized, Banshee, etc.) and they all look pretty sweet but I wonder if I should devote a couple more pay checks to the bike and go for a Vagrant for $2000. Whatever bike I buy now I'm going to have for a long time so I am thinking of just spending a bit more and going one more level up in quality.

In any case, thanks for the suggestions, helped me out a lot with my decision.

[flat broke]

I can't say enough good things about the Vagrant and the folks at Transition. I recently sold my Vagrant to fund a full squish build and the ONLY reason I did it was because if I ever decided I wanted a hardtail again, I knew I could order up a new Vagrant. The bike felt that good to me, that I wouldn't even bother looking for anything else if the HT bug ever bit again.

It's a very capable frame that can adapt well to different situations. But if you are looking for a pure jumper, the geo is a little slack. However, when things point downhill, it feels very comfortable and familliar (at least to me). If saving is an option, I'd do that, regardless of which bike you buy. The Ironhorse is a good value, but there are compromises in the spec to meet the pricepoint. If you want something to ride today, that would be a good way to go, but if you don't mind saving up a little while longer, you have many more options.

Chris

[mandown]

good idea to think about saving to buy better. the transition product is a great one. how would you spec it for $2,000? what parts would you run?

i will state (as i know i said already) the IH bakto is a good choice. the geo is good to me. i ride it all over and love it. consider the parts spec on it and think that for $2,000 you could get the IH and a Pike to put on it so you would have a super versitle bike. drop the travel to 95 for street/jump, keep it low and turn up the floodgate for XC climbs, run it at 120 for single track and bump it up to 140 for the gnar. if you can get a similar parts spec on the Transition for that price, go with the Transition.

[TRANSITION-MJR]

I Vote Transition Vagrant, no question the bike and the company will fit you. the Vagrant can be built up really nice for under $2000, and if you plan on having it for a long time it wont fail you.

[TypicalNinja]

good idea to think about saving to buy better. the transition product is a great one. how would you spec it for $2,000? what parts would you run?

I was thinking the stock build with the 426 Pike (I think it was 2077 on Transition's website).

[day42]

How about a Cannondale Chase? Or a Scott Voltage?

[TypicalNinja]

Voltage is out of my price range for sure and the Chase isn't quite the geometry I'm lookin for but thanks for the suggestions.

By the way does anyone know if I can order a Vagrant directly from Transition themselves off the website? Or do I have to find a dealer?

[mattmatt86]

Buy my Imperial.

[flat broke]

By the way does anyone know if I can order a Vagrant directly from Transition themselves off the website? Or do I have to find a dealer?


Call the guys at Transition tomorrow. They'll be able to hook you up with a dealer in your area. And I'm pretty sure there are a few up there :)

Chris

[TRANSITION-MJR]

yeah call the Guys at Transition, super cool guys to deal with and talk to. i dont think you can order a frame off the web. but you can order it direct from them over the phone, or they will put you in touch with a dealer near you, if you look on the web site in the dealer section there are a bunch in Canada and BC area for sure.

[SLOPE]

Do Not Sell Your Imperial!!!

[thom9719]

hey,

The vagrant with a Z1 sport can be built up for around 1600. send an email and see what you can get.

Kyle,

[Summit]

Yep that's exactly how mine's built:

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=87819&d=1152292474

edit: anyone know why this thing won't show the image in the post? I'm using image tags but it still just gives the URL. Grrrr...

[TypicalNinja]

Thanks, I'll look into that build and possibly give them a call about it.