[MMcG]

Okay Monkeys - just a little e-dreaming on my part, but I thought it might be a fun thread. If you were going to purchase a new trail bike right now (let's say 5 to 6 inches of travel with reasonable weight) what would be your Top Five short list of bikes/frames to consider?

Here's a shot from me:

1. Pivot Mach 5
2. Banshee Rune
3. Yeti 575
4. Rocky Mountain Slayer SLX
5. Morewood Shova ST

That's just my first five - I'll probably have a few others as this thing rolls along.

Notice - that not one 29er made that list as of right now. Although I'm looking forward to hearing the review of the new Niner Bikes Jet 9 frame.

Have at it Monkeys!

 

[BadDNA]

1-5: Specialized Stumpjumper

 

[Echo]

Blur LT

 

[MMcG]

The new Blur LT eh ECHO?

 

[DRB]

The 575 is a no-brainer BUT the Specialized Enduro deserves a look.

1. 575
2.
3.
4. Enduro SL
5.

 

[MMcG]

Short lists people - short lists!

 

[Wumpus]

I'm really liking my Trance X.

Maybe a Ventana X5 or El Ciclón or a Pivot or a Knolly Endorphin

 

[I Are Baboon]

Yeti 575
Titus El Guapo
Specialized Enduro (after hearing about their fantastic costomer service, I'd check 'em out)

 

[brungeman]

The 575 is a no-brainer BUT the Specialized Enduro deserves a look.

1. 575
2.
3.
4. Enduro SL
5.

X2

 

[DirtyMike]

I only have two, Specialized Enduro and the New Trek Fuel EX

 

[McGRP01]

Transition Covert.

 

[stevew]

Turner/Yeti.

 

[Jim Mac]

The one I just got!

 

[moff_quigley]

1. Lenz Lunchbox/Behemoth
2. Ventana El Rey
3. Ventana Ciclon
4. New BLT
5. Knolly Endorphin

 

[MMcG]

moff with some 29ers up high on the list - you surprise me!

I wouldn't mind giving a Lunchbox a try.

 

[moff_quigley]

I was >< close to buying a El Mariachi LE instead of my Turner. Only reason I didn't was because I wasn't sure I wanted a SS as my only/main bike. Still I'd like to have EM I'll have to wait a bit.

 

[Heidi]

The one I just got!

Word - I love my 575

 

[MMcG]

Word - I love my 575

Except he has a Sinister Gruitr and not a yeti.

Six of one/half a dozen of another though since they are both single pivots and all.

 

[jacksonpt]

1. Turner 5spot
2. Foes 2:1 XCT 5

 

[Hunter]

I love my Chumba XCL...great all around trail bike.

 

[MMcG]

1. Turner 5spot
2. Foes 2:1 XCT 5

where's the love for your current bike??

 

[Heidi]

Except he has a Sinister Gruitr and not a yeti.

I was agreeing with him loving his current bike!

 

[MMcG]

I was agreeing with him loving his current bike!

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhgotcha!

 

[Mr Tiles]

Short list:
Turner

 

[jacksonpt]

where's the love for your current bike??

You said a new FS trail bike... I do love my bike, but I'd not likely buy the same thing again. I can't see spending the money on something I already have. If there had been significant design changes, then maybe, but...

Plus, I can get a pretty good deal on Turner stuff through work...

 

[C.P.]

These have caught my interest:

Lenz Lunchbox/Leviathan
Ventana El Capitan

I'd love to see a 29er Enduro...that'd be nice too...but alas not available...

 

[Nick]

Turner 5 Spot.
I'm really interested in riding a new Fuel too.

 

[McGRP01]

Chumba XCL.

This would be on my short list as well.

 

[splat]

Specialized Stumpjumper Pro
Specialized Enduo
yeti 575
SC bullit

 

[DirtMcGirk]

Nomad
Trek 69'er

 

[J-Dubs]

I just got a Giant Reign (not the X) and I couldn't be happier.

The others on list were;

Marin Wolf Ridge
Transition Covert

I'd give a hard look at the spec and geo of the Marin, given we're in NE.
I just got an offer I couldn't refuse for the Giant.

 

[X3pilot]

Nomad
Reign XO/X1
Slayer SXC70

Yeti, if I break into R464's house and borrow it in the midddle of the night

 

[MMcG]

I just got a Giant Reign (not the X) and I couldn't be happier.

The others on list were;

Marin Wolf Ridge
Transition Covert

I'd give a hard look at the spec and geo of the Marin, given we're in NE.
I just got an offer I couldn't refuse for the Giant.

J-Dubs - what do you mean about the Marin - that it should be a strong contender or that the geometry may be more west coast oriented??

 

[Westy]

<spam>
I'm taking my 575 to a swap meet this weekend if it does not sell it is going up on the classifieds
</spam>

I want a 4" trailbike. Basically a sturdy XC bike with slacker angles. I just feel the longer travel bikes deaden the riding experience for all but the harshest conditions

 

[kingbee]

1-5: Specialized Stumpjumper

Well, the first spot might be the S-Works Epic.

 

[MMcG]

<spam>
I'm taking my 575 to a swap meet this weekend if it does not sell it is going up on the classifieds
</spam>

I want a 4" trailbike. Basically a sturdy XC bike with slacker angles. I just feel the longer travel bikes deaden the riding experience for all but the harshest conditions

Is there anything like that out there that would fit the bill Westy? Are you thinking more of a 4x type of bike that could still be used for trail riding?

 

[Westy]

Is there anything like that out there that would fit the bill Westy? Are you thinking more of a 4x type of bike that could still be used for trail riding?

The Giant Trance comes close but tire clearance is a big issue. I prefer steeper seat angles, slack ones hurt my back. I'm actually thinking about another Flux but with a 120mm fork, I just wish the TT was about .5" longer for this application. I'm going to see if I can get a loaner Stumpy FSR from the LBS. Loco was nice enough to loan me his when I rode down in Austin. Nice bike but I might be imbetween sizes.

Yeah, I'm a geometry snob.

 

[moff_quigley]

The Giant Trance comes close but tire clearance is a big issue. I prefer steeper seat angles, slack ones hurt my back. I'm actually thinking about another Flux but with a 120mm fork, I just wish the TT was about .5" longer for this application. I'm going to see if I can get a loaner Stumpy FSR from the LBS. Loco nice enough to loan me his when I rode down in Austin. Nice bike but I might be imbetween sizes.

Yeah, I'm a geometry snob.

Sultan?

 

[BillT]

I'd get a Knolly Endorphin...I just need to convince the wife that I need another bike (or a least a new frame).

 

[MMcG]

Here are a few more that came to my mind:

1. Ibis Mojo - dw_link and carbon goodness
2. One of the more trail oriented offerings from Corsair Bikes
3. A New Old Stock 2004 era Balfa 2Step FR! Long Live Balfa!!
4. The new Cannondale Rize I saw at a local shop - 5" of travel and only 26 friggin pounds! Insane
5. Santa Cruz Nomad - cuz that's what all the Bikerag guys are riding