AM bike for an XC Rider

T

Tip

Squid
I have been doing a lot of reading over the past few days of old posts about what AM bikes people recommend for different things, but I really haven't found a previous thread that matches what I'm looking for.

So my situation:
I currently ride a lot of XC/Enduro stuff, both on a hardtail and a short travel dual suspension bike. However I want to be able to ride more aggressively on downhill sections, BUT still be able to ride back uphill as quickly/efficiently as possible. Ideally I want a bike that I would never have to push up hill (not sure how reasonable that is).

I am 6'4" and about 80kgs, chasing an AM bike around about 3k, $3,500 is my max budget. Not really bothered RE new vs. used, although buying a new bike would be preferable. Ideally I would use this bike for weekend trail rides (mt. joyce ect.) and in the upcoming Gravity enduro events.

Thanks in advance for your help
Cheers
 
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FuelXC

FuelXC

Likes Bikes
I was in the exact same boat, (though never ridden a dual before) and ended up with a new 2011 remedy 7, though my budget was far less than yours. I find it doesn't climb like my hard tail but I have no issues goin up and a lot more fun going down. First time I ever found myself braking into a turn going up a hill. So much faster heading down that I make it half way up the other side before I need to put any power down.
 
loc81

loc81

Likes Dirt
I'm not sure if you are planning to sacrifice your old duelly or the hard tail in the process or have 3 rigs? If you are only used to short travel then I'd only be hanging around the 140mm mark for the fork and if possible a rear shock with a full lock-out, so if you want some hard tail efficiency you can shoot off on the smooth stuff!
Cheers, Loc
 
T

Tip

Squid
loc81 said:
I'm not sure if you are planning to sacrifice your old duelly or the hard tail in the process or have 3 rigs? If you are only used to short travel then I'd only be hanging around the 140mm mark for the fork and if possible a rear shock with a full lock-out, so if you want some hard tail efficiency you can shoot off on the smooth stuff!
Cheers, Loc
Click to expand...
Thats definitely what I'm looking for. Just a little longer travel that means I can be more aggressive on the downhills, but not so much that I'm pushing my rig back up the hill. Although coming from an XC background, I don't know much about the AM market. What bikes have that sort of setup?

I have sold my dually, so I have my hardtail for longer rides on smoother/less technical trails, and then hopefully this AM rig will be for the shorter/more technical/downhill orientated trails. Eg - Mt Joyce.
 
indica

indica

Serial flasher
I would say longer legged XC rather than AM, but that is just semantics.
I come form a DH background and my GT Force is feeling rather XC - but that is 150mm which may be too much for you.
I think the perception that rear suspension will hold you back is unfounded. 140mm of well designed travel will not hold you back, it will increase traction and help you climb.
Do have an idea of the HA you would like? As this will have bearing on your climbing ability,
 
D

driftmonkey

Likes Bikes
i was in a similar boat a few years ago. ended up getting a norco fludi 1 for the right price, this has 140 mm rear and 150 mm front and i now do everything on it from short corse xc, enduros and am races. from experiance, going up has more to do with fitness that the bike, with in reason

there are a heap of 140/150mm trail/am bikes on the market at the moment eg.
scott genius
specialized stump jumper
giant reign
rocky mountan slayer

these all have verious priced siblings in the range that should sute you. most will climb well and still rip on the way back down.
 
B

BLUMAN

Likes Bikes
If you want to ride uphill, start with any bike with maestro/dw-link or similar system and work from there as these systems give you an amzingly active suspension when climbing which will help get the slack HA up those loose rocky climbs. With your budget add a lockout shock down the track and you'll have a true AM setup.

I can vouch for the climbing ability of a regin. You won't need to get off a push up hill with one of those.
I currently ride my anthem x fitted with 120 mm Reba's as 'a one bike fits all'. Because I can't sacrifice speed and climbing ability vs the control on the downhill.

But I used to have a 07' regin x0 built up with a 120-180 ata mazoochi 55. While it is not in the same league climbing wise as the AX, but I was just as able to happily climb any of the same trails on the regin without leaving me absolutely shattered with nothing in the tank for the downhill.
love the maestro/dw platform.
 
H

Halo1

Likes Bikes and Dirt
indica said:
I would say longer legged XC rather than AM, but that is just semantics.
I come form a DH background and my GT Force is feeling rather XC - but that is 150mm which may be too much for you.
I think the perception that rear suspension will hold you back is unfounded. 140mm of well designed travel will not hold you back, it will increase traction and help you climb.
Do have an idea of the HA you would like? As this will have bearing on your climbing ability,
Click to expand...
I love my Force , it is light enough to climb well and heaps of fun going down hill. I don't find the travel is too much for XC events. It is comfortable enough to do a 50km ride. A great all day bike.
 
Nerf Herder

Nerf Herder

Wheel size expert
Giant Trance ...

A downhillers XC ... and a XC'ers AM :)

Couple of the lads had a "Whats an AM" rig anyway discussions ... and for me it came down to hucking. One of the lads considered his Anthem an AM rig ... and the way he rides it and his HT ... it is pretty capable ... however, my argument was longevity ... sure you could huck the Anthem once or twice in a blue moon ... but its not going to survive very long.

I reckon your after a longer legged XC as well ... if your not hucking anything greater then 4ft then the Trance is more then capable.

Stick some burgtec offset bushings in as well and its gonna be a descenders dream XC :pirate:
 
Ivan

Ivan

Eats Squid
Tip,

You will not have to walk any of the modern AM bikes up any climb. The suspension and geometry is pretty well sorted today, you will just notice that they require a little more body language to get around tight uphill turns, and to keep the front on the ground during steep climbs. The flip side is that you will generally have awesome grip on the climbs due to the extra suspension and wil able to bomb the downs and obstacles with increased confidence and "woohoo" factor.

At your price range, I would suggest you try and get a test ride on:

Giant reign
Giant Trance X
Avanti Torrent
Trek remedy
Specialized Stumpjumper
Craftworks FRX V3

It's pretty hard to find a bad bike in this category. Have fun.


Oh, and just a note; Head Angle does not impact a bikes climbing ability as much as people would lead you to believe. Much more than just HA effect a bikes climbing behaviour.
 
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outtacontrol

outtacontrol

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Nerf Herder said:
Giant Trance ...

A downhillers XC ... and a XC'ers AM :)



I reckon your after a longer legged XC as well ... if your not hucking anything greater then 4ft then the Trance is more then capable.
Click to expand...
I agree with Nerf. I have a Trance X that I have ridden almost every type of trail. While it is capable, gnarlier DH type trails will be uncomfortable and not in the bikes best interests.
I recently bought a Rocky Mountain Slayer, with 160mm travel and a Fox 36mm fork especially for AM and light DH. It handles these trails with ease, but what surprised me was how well it climbed. Other than the slacker HA and my wider bars, I would be hard pressed to tell the difference from my Trance when I start climbing. I happily ride it at our XC trails which have lots of techy climbing.

As people have already said, there are not many poor bikes around at the moment, especially in this class. You could buy a Giant Reign or Reign X, Trek Remedy, GT Force (to keep Indica happy), Specialised Enduro, Norco Range and have a bike that will do exactly what you want.

The biggest factor for me, was after selling my DH bike, I wanted something that would handle some light DH. If you go down that road, make sure you get 36mm forks and pay close attention to the HA (slacker the better)

Good luck, let us know how you go.
 
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C

Capt.Gumby

Likes Dirt
I too was going to recommend the GT force, especially with the I drive system which reduces pedal bob etc but since they are not bringing in the new models for 2012 I guess there is no point. :mmph::mmph:
 
BM Epic

BM Epic

Eats Squid
Was going to recommend anything in GT's long travel range, i just knew it would make Indica and TheCat happy little campers, GT crazies these blokes are!:single_eye:
 
.:ROBBO:.

.:ROBBO:.

Likes Dirt
Sounds to me like your after a Carbon Scott Ransom http://www.scott-sports.com/gb_en/product/187/670/ransom_10 or Genius http://www.scott-sports.com/gb_en/category/185/endurance_trail I only say Carbon due to the weight reduction. Allthough the carbon is only slightly lighter than the alloy anyway.

Ive got a 2008 Ransom 30 And I also ride DH on a Demo 9. The ransom is a fantastic all round bike with the Equilizer shock in the rear. It climbs as good as any XC bike and at the flick of a lever will take the biggest hits you can throw at it. Ive done 12 and 24hr enduro races on this bike. Its a little on the weighty side but that will allways be a compromise if you want a real all round bike.

I' ve done a 1x9 conversion on mine with a Custom 11-36 rear cassett and a 35t front ring. I am rarely looking for more gearing even on the steapest climbs. I also run wider bars and a shorter stem than stock. But that is just my prefered set up I like it to feel more on the DH side of things. I often have to rain myself in on the DH runs as this is so close to a DH rig its scary.

DSCF3709.jpg

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DSCF3714.jpg

Spent a few hours out at Mount Joyce yesterday. This bike loves it. Will be riding it at the upcomming enduro event out there.
 
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Nautonier

Nautonier

Eats Squid
I am also in the market for an AM bike, but am coming from the DH end of the spectrum. I had all but settled on a Trance, but now I'm having doubts. The Trance seems great in all respects apart from a really steep HA. I'm not so sure it would rip down DH sections anywhere near as well as something a little bit slacker like a Slayer or Stumpy.

Has anyone ever tried slackening the HA on a Trance? The Stump Jumper would be my ultimate choice for an AM bike that is light enough for XC as well, but unfortunately it's out of my price range :(
 
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