$3,000 budget, All Mountain, first full suspension mtb, help me decide!

[DavezFever]

Still a new poster here and just really getting into the mountain biking scene. Grew up on bmx and dirt jumping so im not new on two wheels. I had a trek 3 or 4 years ago which was great but was a hardtail and now i want to go full suspension. I posted something similar to this 2 years ago but my budget was half as much than it is now and i never ended up getting one as financial times got tough. Im following the suggested questions found in the faq, if this is not enough information ill post more, but seems like a great start.

1) Your budget. My budget is up to $3,000.
2) What bikes, if any, are you already considering? Ive been looking at the 08 specialized stumpjumper fsr expert. The enduro's look good aswell but seem to fall out of my price range.
3) What type of riding do you intend to do? I believe it would be classified as 'all mountain'. I live right next to a great place to ride so will be doing a lot of climbing but then also want to rip the downhill and be able to do some drops and jumps. Basically a well rounded full suspension capable of doing everything.
4) Do you have a preference over a hardtail or full suspension? Definitely full suspension. Ive been looking in the 5-6" range, but that can change.
5) Age, weight and height. Im 22 years old, weigh 190 - 200lbs, and am 6'3" - 6'4".
6) What sources will you consider buying from? Ideally id like to buy from a local bike shop, and create a good relationship with them.
7) Do you want people to offer you alternative suggestions to issues such as budget, bikes already considered, and sources? I am open to any and all suggestions. The one thing that cant change is the top of my price being $3,000. Thats already a little over what i can spend, but i want xt equivalent components.

Thanks for your time hope to get some great responses from everyone and not just one word answers.

[peitro]

Davez, take a good look at the GT Force 1.0 I had the same requirements for a all-mountain FS bike.. I wanted all xt, good fork good shock ect... the GT sports a full XT kit as well as Fox fork and shock. I replaced the low rise bars and zero degree stem with a higher rise stem and hi-rise bars. GT do demos all over the place so you can try to ride one first to find out if it is the bike for you. I am 100% please with mine.

[rush01]

I would second the vote for the force. In that price range you get the 1.0 which includes full XT and high Fox for the squishy parts. The I-drive system is well dialed in and works great. I've been riding one for a year and it has been the best bike I've touched. The runner up would be the Ellsworth Epiphany. I an selling my 1.0 (only a medium)... Tomorrow my new Carbon one show's up just in time for Fuita Fat Tire. Yes I'm currently praying to the Fed-Ex gods.

Rush Carter
CS West Bikes

[MUSTCLIME]

A giant reign x2 retails for 2200 and the x1 goes for under 3 grand....here is their site...

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca/...in/2602/32924/

[cycleologist]

+1 on the Reign. I have one.

[CDMC]

Giant give a great value at that price point. If you can find one, I would look hard at the Ibis Mojo with the base build which comes in at $2999. The Trek EX8 at $2600 is also well worth looking at.

[masterodamountain]

Another vote for the Force. I own one and love it. The I Drive is great, I kept my HT for riding XC because I thought it would be better. I won't touch my HT any more even for XC stuff. I love the Force too much.

[luckynumber9]

I'd suggest the specialized pitch but it doesnt have the xt level components you're looking for.

[sstorkel]

I just bought an '08 Specialized Stumpjumper Pro for $2800. It's a great bike, but I wouldn't classify it as 'All Mountain'. Specialized says calls it 'XC Trail' and I think that's about where it fits. The SJ Pro is light and fast; great for climbing, technical trails, and "moderate" descents. The SJ might be a bit light for the types of big hits and drops that are standard "all mountain" fare.

If you truly need all mountain capability, the Specialized Pitch and Enduro bikes are probably more appropriate.

[bigpedaler]

Since you want to get in touch with your LBS, I can't suggest building your own, but if they carry it, go for the GT Force. It's #2 on my dream sheet, after the SC Nomad.

[DavezFever]

Thanks for all the great suggestions so far. The force 1.0 looks like a great bike which ill have to read up on some more. I like the reign aswell but i don't think i need 6.7 inches of travel. The ibis mojo looks like a great bike but to get XT equivalent components would be out of my price range.

I just bought an '08 Specialized Stumpjumper Pro for $2800. It's a great bike, but I wouldn't classify it as 'All Mountain'. Specialized says calls it 'XC Trail' and I think that's about where it fits. The SJ Pro is light and fast; great for climbing, technical trails, and "moderate" descents. The SJ might be a bit light for the types of big hits and drops that are standard "all mountain" fare.

This is along the lines of what i want to get. I was thinking a 5" full suspension bike classified it as all mountain. Right now im looking at a 08 stumpjumper pro that's on sale for $2,736 with tax. I will be climbing a ton and think the brain would be awesome for this. They also have a 09 SJ FSR Expert Carbon for ~$3,350 with tax. Both seem like great deals.

[sstorkel]

This is along the lines of what i want to get. I was thinking a 5" full suspension bike classified it as all mountain. Right now im looking at a 08 stumpjumper pro that's on sale for $2,736 with tax. I will be climbing a ton and think the brain would be awesome for this. They also have a 09 SJ FSR Expert Carbon for ~$3,350 with tax. Both seem like great deals.

I did demo rides on the '09 Specialized Stumpjumper Pro and '09 Giant Trance X2 at Sea Otter. I have to admit, I was pretty skeptical about the whole Brain idea but after riding the bike I was sold. Did test rides on the '08 SJ Pro and '08 SJ Expert (non-carbon) at my LBS and ended up buying the '08 Pro. The Brain really makes the bike feel like a hardtail when climbing and the 26-27lb weight (5-6 lbs less than my last bike) really helps, too. On descents, the Brain "opens up" and the bike absorbs everything I've thrown at it... but that's mostly been flowing, XC-type runs so far. Unlike other FS setups and shocks, I find that I can "set it and forget it" with the Brain, though I don't have it set fully firm like Specialized recommends.

[JimC.]

I have one, love it, and ride the Norshore and whistler with it, BUT it ain't no huck, drop, and bang-around bike.

Giant Reign is a good choice, lots also from Norco, Kona, and others.

Good luck, Jim

[Dr.Strangelove]

The Lapierre Spicy 316 or maybe the 516 for a higher spec.

See here:http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/catego...y-516-09-32457

I loved mine and you could shred the descents on it, and for an AM it climbed very well.but unless your trails are really technical and steep anything over 120mm of travel is overkill. No matter what AM you pick it is a lot of bike on the climbs.

I sold my AM rig recently and now have a DH rig for getting my descents in and a 140mm travel HT for xc with fun descents.

[jjfg@allmountainride]

I'm 21, nearly 22 and just perchased a 2012 Giant Reign 2.

6'' of front/rear suspension. Was retail $2600 NZ dollars but i managed to pick up for $2150! Would recommened as im in exactly the same boat you are in now. It will climb fine minus a little pedal bob, and has excelent gears, amazing fox suspension.

However if you have a $3000 budget, buy a reign 2 size XL and get a remote controlled seat post, plus upgrade to some formula disc brakes as the stock breaks do the job but are adveradge. Could try a reign 1 or even reign if its under $3 k.

Another bike i would highly recommened is a specialised stumpjumper, if you can get one with a fox talas fork, for extra travel on teh down.

[Kaptkaos]

I would highly recommend the 2012 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp 29. I got mine for $2700 and its a dream ride.

[danrochel]

I like specialized EPIC. FSR 29r is a great choice