XC all mountain help

rgsupergrover

Likes Dirt
Hey Rotorburn,

I have been planning on buying an XC/all mountain bike, however I am finding it hard to balance on the fine line between trail riding, climbing, and of course decent ;) In the past I have done quite a bit of ameture DH, so my riding style is pretty rough which is not suited to many XC bikes. Thus I am also leaning towards the heavier bikes, but is this just force of habit?

Some pointing in the right direction would be most appreciated, these are a couple of the bikes I have been considering on the forums.

Thanks in advance.

http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?214962-2008-Scott-Ransom-30-lots-of-spares-inc.-new-info-added!!!
Would it be able to climb very well?

http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?215578-.-2010-Trek-Remedy-8-.

http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?213974-Ventana-El-Ciclon-M-X9-SLX-Elixir-Pike-Chromag-more

http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?211949-2008-Specialized-Enduro-Expert-SL-large-Full-custom-MASSIVE-PRICE-DROP
I have read good reviews about this specialised, and it is in the ACT which is easy.

http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?215992-2009-morewood-shova-team-spec
 

dain2772

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Hey Rotorburn,

I have been planning on buying an XC/all mountain bike, however I am finding it hard to balance on the fine line between trail riding, climbing, and of course decent ;) In the past I have done quite a bit of ameture DH, so my riding style is pretty rough which is not suited to many XC bikes. Thus I am also leaning towards the heavier bikes, but is this just force of habit?

Some pointing in the right direction would be most appreciated, these are a couple of the bikes I have been considering on the forums.

Thanks in advance.

http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?214962-2008-Scott-Ransom-30-lots-of-spares-inc.-new-info-added!!!
Would it be able to climb very well?

http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?215578-.-2010-Trek-Remedy-8-.

http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?213974-Ventana-El-Ciclon-M-X9-SLX-Elixir-Pike-Chromag-more

http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?211949-2008-Specialized-Enduro-Expert-SL-large-Full-custom-MASSIVE-PRICE-DROP
I have read good reviews about this specialised, and it is in the ACT which is easy.

http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?215992-2009-morewood-shova-team-spec
I had the exact same situation at the end of last year. I wanted a bike that was quick and efficient to pedal, lightweight and could be lots of fun on the downhill and soak up rougher sections. I ended up with the Stumpjumper FSR and really enjoy it. It doesnt' feel XC racey,but is still pretty easy on the uphills.

I think given your desire to go downhill with speed, something with 130-160mm travel would suit, like the remedy, stumpie, enduro. These days bikes like this aren't too heavy and are quite efficient to pedal as well. I don't feel like I have given away any efficiency to 120mm travel bikes with my 130/140mm travel f/r.
 

Daver

Kung Fu Panda
The current crop of 6" bikes are more than capable of doing everything. I've done 100km races on my Remedy, trail ridden it, ridden DH tracks, XC tracks, everything. Its no heavier than a 5" bike, and barely more than an XC race bike now.
 

rgsupergrover

Likes Dirt
I think given your desire to go downhill with speed, something with 130-160mm travel would suit, like the remedy, stumpie, enduro. These days bikes like this aren't too heavy and are quite efficient to pedal as well. I don't feel like I have given away any efficiency to 120mm travel bikes with my 130/140mm travel f/r.
Cheers! but what about something like the Scott Ransom? Do you think it would be too heavy for any XC riding?
 

MATTY R

Likes Dirt
what about something like the Scott Ransom? Do you think it would be too heavy for any XC riding?
Ive personally ridden that ransom and it climbs pretty well, and it goes down VERY well! you would be fine peddaling that around xc trails, sure its no xc race bike but would be a very comfy all day bike.
 

rgsupergrover

Likes Dirt
Ive personally ridden that ransom and it climbs pretty well, and it goes down VERY well! you would be fine peddaling that around xc trails, sure its no xc race bike but would be a very comfy all day bike.
Its good that it has a lockout so one could ride it back up the road pretty easily, then thrash it back down the trail. Does the FSR have the same system?
 

dain2772

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Its good that it has a lockout so one could ride it back up the road pretty easily, then thrash it back down the trail. Does the FSR have the same system?
FSR does have lockout front and back, and I love it for that on the road. even on the smoothest firetrails I leave the rear in propedal and just tighten the front up (higher models have adjustable forks to put travel at 100mm) and it is still really good.

Haven't ridden the Ransom to be able to give an opinion.
 

stacky

Likes Bikes
The frame geometry is more important to the bikes climbing/descending ability than shock features and weight (within reason of course, not 16-17kg!!)

These are all good value bikes with good suspension designs and would definately suit your riding but be careful of the different sizes i.e the Enduro is a large, the Trek is medium which will make a difference.

I'd be looking at the geometry charts and considering the TT lengths that suit your body, then the best balance of ST and HT angles.
Longer TT and steeper angles will be a better climber, shorter TT and slack is better going down!
 

rgsupergrover

Likes Dirt
I'd be looking at the geometry charts and considering the TT lengths that suit your body, then the best balance of ST and HT angles.
Longer TT and steeper angles will be a better climber, shorter TT and slack is better going down!
In that case the Trek Remedy 8 seems like a great choice!
 

Winno

Likes Dirt
I was in your situation a few years ago - I wanted a do it all bike after my Marin was stolen.

I ended up with a Santa Cruz Bullit running long travel single crown forks and a light weight XC build up.

Never regretted it one bit.
 

Gee80

Squid
I think a trance is a good all around bike, I came from DH and started to ride XC/all terrain about 5 years ago and this was what I was riding but any good branded bike works well as long as it has a Fox rp23 shock.
 

burnside97

Likes Dirt
big +1 for the Specialized stumpjumper. they really are the perfect trail bke. With a 140mm talas fork on the front of all the alloy bikes in the range and something similar on the higher end carbon bikes it does make them incredibly versitile. Im pretty sure the 2011 models have 15mm bolt through front axels which will give that extra bit of awsomness!!!!

Also new avanti torrents are the shiz niz. They using the brilliant FSR design and so they will be very similar to the stumpys. Super plush just a tad heavier over all than the stumpy. Still awsome value but.

Im pretty sure that scott isnt doing the ransom for 2011 and its been replaced with the Genius LT range.
 

Nerf Herder

Wheel size expert
+1 Bullit if you want bigger hit, more confident descending, and great in flat sniggle too ... bit painful on the ups, but I've noticed with a bit of fitness its more then capable.

then again ... if you want more XC oriented ... then +1 for the Trancer ... X would be betterer descending, but I have a 06 Trance and it gets ridden pretty aggressively on the downs, loves the ups.

Now those are in the current stable ... but if I were to get something new I'd like to try the treks ... either the remedy or EX range ... or maybe try some of these new play bikes that are coming out, like the Dartmoor stuff.

Then again, if you want German or Polish (different to Dartmoor), then there is some nice stuff coming soon :)
 
Remedy without a doubt. Such a versatile bike that is so capable of everything but especially if you have a DH background, this is your bike. Pricing on them is very good for 2011 also. Just buy one and get out in the dirt and start loving it...
 

BM Epic

Eats Squid
I have just bought the Stumpjumper Evo, 6 inches of travel, fox150 qr15 up front, rp23/r 150 out back, 2x10 with carbon cranks and chain guide, awesome bike that would suit you!
 

rgsupergrover

Likes Dirt
I have just bought the Stumpjumper Evo, 6 inches of travel, fox150 qr15 up front, rp23/r 150 out back, 2x10 with carbon cranks and chain guide, awesome bike that would suit you!
The stumpy looks pretty awesome! Is that the 2011 version that you just bought?
 

Shredden

Knows his goats
Also worth noting is the Commencal meta 5.5c/6. Awesome ride and goodish spec out of the box. It is just something I have heard in passing a few time but apparently the scotts crack in the rear triangles due to them having full lockout and people over stressing the frame while its locked out, whereas bike like the commencal and the trek have propedal, which still allows for a bit of "squish" to soak up the bit hits.
 
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