Fezzari Nebo Peak - bad move? suggestions?

[RTM]

I've been buying, building & riding bikes of many genres for a long time. I'm a sucker for high end parts, but as my budget is reasonably limited, I am also well schooled in the art of bang for the buck. So, I'm looking to buy or build a 6" AM bike for next year.

Goals:
31lbs or less.
Pedal well, but descending is the priority
$3,000 or less (maybe I can squeeze out a couple hundred more)
mid-high to high end parts list. (XT/XTR...X9/X0)
Brand is not important as long as it is reliable and backed by a solid company.
Made in the U.S.A. would be nice (I love the Intense Tracer 2) but so damn expensive it may never happen.

I can't help but like the Fezzari Nebo Peak, though I am a skeptic. I didn't see many posts here re: Fezzari and most I did see included a SPAM post, which adds to my skepticism. But then again...XO, Carbon, Fox...it's a seriously high end spec for a good price (relatively speaking of course).

At least on paper...does anyone else offer a bike in that price range that compares to that parts spec? If anyone can vouch for Fezzari, or offer fair warning I'd really like to hear that too.

Thanks guys.

[b-kul]

fine move for you. you sound like you have been around the block a few times and know a thing or two about maitainence. thats the main knock on these bikes, no lbs to set them up. other then that its a simple 4 bar linkage ala jamis or kona. and not usa made.

[crustymx]

Have you seen this deal? It seems to be a steal. Not sure what size you would be looking at but they still have SM, Med, XL.

GT Sanction 1.0 - $2599.99

I can't put in the link because I don't have enough posts here, so if you put "GT Sanction 1.0" in the search box on the Nashbar website you will find it.


GT Sanction 1.0 Mountain Bike SPECS:

FRAME: Monocoque, 6061-T6 Aluminum, 150mm Travel, Independent drivetrain suspension system, w/ tapered headtube, 12x135mm Maxle thru axle dropout
FORK: Fox Racing Shox 36 FLOAT 160 RLC FIT, 160mm Travel, FIT Damper, 20x110mm Thru Axle, W/ Adjustable Rebound & Compression, Lockout, & Tapered 1.5"--> 1 1/8" Alloy Steerer
REAR SHOCK: Fox Shox Float RP23
HEADSET: Gravity 1/DX Pro
CRANKSET: Race Face Atlas, 36/22T w/ Bashguard
BOTTOM BRACKET: Race Face X-Type
SHIFTERS: SRAM X-9
LEVERS: Formula R1X
HANDLEBAR: Race Face Six C Carbon
STEM: Race Face Atlas, 50mm = XS/SM/MD, 70mm = LD/XL
FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano SLX FD-M665
REAR DERAILLEUR: SRAM XO Mid Cage
CASSETTE: Shimano Deore XT, CS-M770, 9 Speed, 11-34T
BRAKES: Formula R1X 180mm Rotors
WHEELSET: DT Swiss E2000
TIRES: 26 x 2.35 Maxxis High Roller (F/R)
PEDALS: ALL TERRA Slimline Flat Pedal
SEATPOST: Crank Brothers Joplin 4 w/remote
SADDLE: WTB Silverado Race SL
CHAIN: Shimano HG73
GRIPS/TAPE: GT wings w/ Waffle, Lock-on

[riderRuss]

I've been buying, building & riding bikes of many genres for a long time. I'm a sucker for high end parts, but as my budget is reasonably limited, I am also well schooled in the art of bang for the buck. So, I'm looking to buy or build a 6" AM bike for next year.

Goals:
31lbs or less.
Pedal well, but descending is the priority
$3,000 or less (maybe I can squeeze out a couple hundred more)
mid-high to high end parts list. (XT/XTR...X9/X0)
Brand is not important as long as it is reliable and backed by a solid company.
Made in the U.S.A. would be nice (I love the Intense Tracer 2) but so damn expensive it may never happen.

I can't help but like the Fezzari Nebo Peak, though I am a skeptic. I didn't see many posts here re: Fezzari and most I did see included a SPAM post, which adds to my skepticism. But then again...XO, Carbon, Fox...it's a seriously high end spec for a good price (relatively speaking of course).

At least on paper...does anyone else offer a bike in that price range that compares to that parts spec? If anyone can vouch for Fezzari, or offer fair warning I'd really like to hear that too.

Thanks guys.

I have a Nebo and love it. I've put probably 200+ miles on it this summer already and did maybe 350 last summer.

The only thing I changed on it was the saddle because I wanted s more race style saddle. I did have a problem with my rear wheel about 11 months after I bought it, but that was a Shimano issue that was under warranty and Fezzari took care of it for me.

I frankly love my bike.

[eauxgod]

No better deal in this price range. A few '08s and older had issues with frame breakage (CS at dropout), but this was addressed in 2010. It's a little on the heavy side though...

2010 Jamis Dakar XAM II

[norton05]

If I had the money for a new bike I'd grab that GT in a heartbeat. The parts spec and price are just insane. For the money you can toss the frame in the garbage and still come out ahead. Or maybe just keep it; the Sanction is a pretty nice frame!

[While At Rome]

Ive seen a few people riding fezzari's and have not heard anything negative about them. I also considered buying one as well. I know the older ones used to be complete junk, but i beleive they are under new ownership or turned over a new leaf. The 801 got great reviews in decline mag recently, and the older version got decent reviews too.

Nebo Peak Review by Decline Magazine | Fezzari Bikes

Doesnt seem like a bad buy, if the frame is absolutely junk you still made out decent with the parts.

[RTM]

Have you seen this deal? It seems to be a steal. Not sure what size you would be looking at but they still have SM, Med, XL.

GT Sanction 1.0 - $2599.99

I can't put in the link because I don't have enough posts here, so if you put "GT Sanction 1.0" in the search box on the Nashbar website you will find it.


GT Sanction 1.0 Mountain Bike SPECS:

FRAME: Monocoque, 6061-T6 Aluminum, 150mm Travel, Independent drivetrain suspension system, w/ tapered headtube, 12x135mm Maxle thru axle dropout
FORK: Fox Racing Shox 36 FLOAT 160 RLC FIT, 160mm Travel, FIT Damper, 20x110mm Thru Axle, W/ Adjustable Rebound & Compression, Lockout, & Tapered 1.5"--> 1 1/8" Alloy Steerer
REAR SHOCK: Fox Shox Float RP23
HEADSET: Gravity 1/DX Pro
CRANKSET: Race Face Atlas, 36/22T w/ Bashguard
BOTTOM BRACKET: Race Face X-Type
SHIFTERS: SRAM X-9
LEVERS: Formula R1X
HANDLEBAR: Race Face Six C Carbon
STEM: Race Face Atlas, 50mm = XS/SM/MD, 70mm = LD/XL
FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano SLX FD-M665
REAR DERAILLEUR: SRAM XO Mid Cage
CASSETTE: Shimano Deore XT, CS-M770, 9 Speed, 11-34T
BRAKES: Formula R1X 180mm Rotors
WHEELSET: DT Swiss E2000
TIRES: 26 x 2.35 Maxxis High Roller (F/R)
PEDALS: ALL TERRA Slimline Flat Pedal
SEATPOST: Crank Brothers Joplin 4 w/remote
SADDLE: WTB Silverado Race SL
CHAIN: Shimano HG73
GRIPS/TAPE: GT wings w/ Waffle, Lock-on

Wow, some great feedback guys. Nice to hear from a guy who's riding the Nebo right now.

This GT sanction is sweet. I'm surprised it's set up as a 2x9, not 2x10. Also, the shifter(s) are SRAM X9, but front derailleur is Shimano. I didn't realize they were compatible. Either way, I'm going to look into it. Excellent deal


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[LilJr]

I have a 2010 Sanction 1.0 and couldn't be happier. I would definitely give my vote to going the Sanction route. PM me if you have any questions relating to it.

[crustymx]

I have a 2010 Sanction 1.0 and couldn't be happier. I would definitely give my vote to going the Sanction route. PM me if you have any questions relating to it.

LilJr, what other bikes have you ridden to compare the Sanction with? I currently have an XL Pivot Firebird that I got for a steal, but it feels a bit to big for me (I'm 6'2"). I have also read that the Sanction runs big & you should get 1 size smaller than normal. I was thinking of picking up the Sanction but not sure if I would be better off keeping the Firebird.

[RTM]

No better deal in this price range. A few '08s and older had issues with frame breakage (CS at dropout), but this was addressed in 2010. It's a little on the heavy side though...

2010 Jamis Dakar XAM II

damn, this is a great deal too! dropper post and a hammershmidt, there's your extra weight, but that might be a weight penalty worth paying.

looks like I'm going to need (yet another) spreadsheet. this is not going to be as easy as I'd hoped.

[LilJr]

LilJr, what other bikes have you ridden to compare the Sanction with? I currently have an XL Pivot Firebird that I got for a steal, but it feels a bit to big for me (I'm 6'2"). I have also read that the Sanction runs big & you should get 1 size smaller than normal. I was thinking of picking up the Sanction but not sure if I would be better off keeping the Firebird.

The Sanction does run a bit big. I am 5'6" and my XS is comfortable for me. My previous bike was a 2000 GT XCR, which isn't exactly an AM bike. However, I loved the bike and so GT was a serious consideration for my next one. Besides a few parking lot/round the block rides (which included a Giant Reign and Trance, a SC Heckler and Blur LT and a couple I don't remember) the only real trail time I have on another AM bike is my buddy's Banshee Spitfire. It was a toss up for me between that and the Sanction. I really like the way the Spitfire rides and it is very playful and is a great choice for my friend, but I was really looking forward to something to take a bit more abuse. I am very happy with my Sanction, and even though it could stand to lose some weight, I am not exhausted when I get to the top of a climb, nor is it a chore to ride it around all day.

From all that I've read, the Sanction and Firebird seem relatively comparable. The Firebird has a bit more travel, but the Sanction has a slacker HT (according to the geo chart on Pivot's website) which I really dig on the downs. The iDrive is fantastic on the climbs too. I never feel like the bike is wallowy or inefficient at all.

Hopefully that helps your decision some, but feel free to ask more.