I need a REAL do it all bike

Sx trail would be an easy choice. A lot of them is floating aorund the net used so they go cheep and they are pretty good all around. Some ppl will ofer you 7points and reign X but I simply don't like the geo on those.
Maybe a new goose? The FR model or the AM model (khyber?) they seem nice and get good reviews.

transition bottlerocket. very versatile, I have used mine for everything. norco six might also work.
reign x
sx trail
trek remedy
6point
khyber
coiler

6-7in travel would be good for a mix of everything.

Bottle for uphills? It's also very heavy for such frame.

$2500 will get you a damn fine used bike!

If you're going to do uphills you'll better look at frames with a steeper SA. Check out those that Joelsman mentioned, and add Turner RFX (many recomend it).

I'm pretty happy with my perp. 7"-8" travel and a pretty decent climber.

I ride a Bullit with a DHX Air, Totem Air, and Crossmax XL's (basically the older version of the Crossmax SX's), and I've yet to find any sort of riding that this bike doesn't do just fine. It's relatively cheap, super reliable, and about 32 lbs.

Hell yeah, a Bullit with a 66 ata/eta would be a great choice. Banshee rune? It's a little pricey but if you built it up with used parts you could be at your budget point.

Bottlerocket

danielsapp414 said:

Bottlerocket

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Heavy, climbs poorly, not phenomenal on rough descents...

Seriously, I can't think of a much better choice than a Bullit. It will be low or no maintenance, climbs well, descends well, and it's light.

A Morewood Shova LT would be another great choice along the same lines as the Bullit. Finding either used would be your best bet.

Whoa! Just what you are describing! Look at this little gem. (YES IT IS MINE).

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/371352/

Tetreault said:

ive spent time on bottle rockets and i dont like them. As for the rfx isn't it taller and long or am i mistaken?

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find one a couple years old 06' 07' like this http://classifieds.mtbr.com/showproduct.php?product=25939&cat=all .... There is also a variation of the RFX called the 5 pack....same front triangle with the shorter chain and seat stays of the 5 spot (what I ride). BB sits at 14 even and 67* headangle with a longer fork (Lyric)....or closer to 13 and 68.5* with the fork lowered.


Yes it could be lower (all the vocal old up-hill pedaler clan keep screaming to keep the bb at that height (or higher)) but it is very versatile and for me at least is able fill all voids between the DH and road bike...

My local bike shop has a 2008 SX Trail 1 for $2300. MSRP was $3700 earlier this summer. Its a sweet bike for the price.

Sure, the bottlerocket frame is a bit heavier than some, but really, a pound, even two? I climb mine up pretty much anything I want to from singletrack to fire roads, for miles on end, ride it for everything from xc to dh to the shore to whistler and have had no issues, neither has anyone else I know. Other good things could include that if you have any sort of a problem with it, ever, it will be taken care of immediately and people will go out of their way to make sure that your bike trip continues on. Sure the bullit is a good bike and all, but having ridden both and spent a good amount of time on both, the Bottlerocket climbs pretty well for what it is, descends well for what it is and is overall a very well rounded bike for the price and what it offers, it is without a doubt a bike that you will never out ride, not to mention the customer service. The bullit is a good choice too, but I prefer the Bottlerocket for all around, if I only had one bike to use kind of riding. I know you said you've spent some time on them and don't like them, maybe I should read before typing a post up, but I did not like the first few I rode at all, whatsoever, but I'm pretty into mine that I have now....I say try some other setups, but hey, if you don't like it you don't like it.

Angles are not the best when pedaling when sitting and an extra pound + not the best susp for ocasional dh make the frame a weak contender against some of the others. And a 2pound differance in pedaling uphill is a lot. I know some ppl who could pedal 40lbs rigs but why make it hard for yourself? Let's be onest Bottle is a bikepark fun bike not a do it all rig. It was made to be a small flickable bikes for smoother descents and jumping. Also Trannsition is not the only company with good CS (ie. morewood, turner were mentioned).
I wouldn't maybe go bullit but If I wanted a do it all bike in this price range SX trail or Morewood would be my first picks. Better susp for the rougher stuff, better pedaling position.
I'm not saying BR is a bad bike but every bike has its use.

SC nomad

Banshee Wildcard could also be a great choice. Not sure if you could find one used though. That being said, I also have to recommend the Chaparral. I have an 06, and while it isn't as light, it pedals remarkably well and is very versatile. I even did a cross-country race on it! (Okay, okay... so I tied for dead last... but still, it was great, I finished, I had fun, the motor was just a bit out of shape...)

Sounds like the Morewood Mbuzi could be a definate option...check this thread out:

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=196346

(not sure what prices are like across the pond though)

http://www.rscycle.com/Shop-by-Brand/2007-2008-Iron-Horse-Mountain-Bikes

There are a couple six points or seven points there to be had for a good price.

kuksul08 said:

SC nomad

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I agree. I've owned a Nomad for 2 years now. Most of the time it's built up as a 30 lb AM ride. Here's a description: http://ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166271 In this set up I'll do long XC loops without too much effort. The bike climbs really well, and rolls fast with the Nevegals. But downhills are where this bike really shines. It jumps well and feels really agile. Fast tight twisty trails are so fun on this bike.

Then, I'll swap out the Mavic Crossmax XL with nevegal wheel set for a set of D321's with Timberwolves and it's a 36 pound DH bike. Holds up great at Deer Valley here in Utah, but if I were going to take this bike to Whistler I'd probably want a slightly bigger fork and maybe a coil spring.

I've had this bike for two years now, averaging about 2 rides a week. I've gotten to ride in a variety of places: Moab, Downieville, Santa Cruz, Wasatch Mountains. Here are tons of pics if you're bored: http://flickr.com/photos/therealbenmiller/collections/72157608595113413/

In two years I've had to replace the tires a few times, brake pads, chain, chainring, cassette, all due to normal wear and tear, everything else, including the frame bearings have been rock solid.

Others to look at would be the SX Trail, SC Bullit, and Giant Reign X. I have friends who ride SX Trail's and Bullit's and those are both good options, but I prefer the Nomad because it's lighter, has a full seat tube. I don't know as much about the Reign, but it seems like a pretty nice bike.

after riding the new dw linked turner 5 spot, i think that the RFX(once available) would fit this bill nicely......i was absolutely flabbergasted that a bike that could pedal so well up hills could descend so well, and vice versa......i'm sure with a little added weight, travel and burlyness the RFX will have the same attributes......

Ill second the reccomendation for the morewood mbuzi. It will do everything you need, it fullfils the mini dh bike aspect very well and is still extreamly pedalable. I have a shova st and its not quite mini dh bike and more a really good trail bike. We have a mbuzi demo bike in the shop where i work and i've taken it out on a few 4hour trail bike spins and it is amazing at doing everything.

Mongoose Kyhber

fortenndu said:

Mongoose Kyhber

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This bike interestes me, can you or anyone comment on long term durability for more free ride like stuff? Also how is the rigidity of the rear end?

The Remedy has to be the lightest and if you read the Remedy Thread it sounds more than capable on the descents.

Shepherdwong said:

This bike interestes me, can you or anyone comment on long term durability for more free ride like stuff? Also how is the rigidity of the rear end?

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It's stood up to a lot of random people riding it over the season. It's taken a beating and is in good condition. I did a DS race on it this year because my hardtail was dead and it felt great but I was riding like crap. It's a very well built bike and the price is pretty good.

knolly delerium T

I got a chance to take the Mbuzi for a quick spin, and was absolutely stunned. Such a fun bike! If I had the cash (or at least a job), I would build one up no questions asked.

Xposted fro the other do-it-all-bike thread.

This looks real cool.

They also make a "one" that is less beefy and lighter, with the same geo and travel.




Uh nevermind, it may not fit the budget. 2500 should get a nice build, I've seen some 1500 dollar new bullits around.

first of all there are some great bikes in this thread, all of which would suit you pretty good.

In reference to the bottlerocket comments i have to weigh in here. I got to say that I do ride alot of xc so im not a total dh biased guy who doesnt care about weight. I rode a bottlerocket as my dh bike for 2 seasons and loved it. That said i also took this bike and did epic rides in moab, fruita, lots of east coast stuff, it is ENTIRELY pedalable with the right setup, (reasonable wheels and tires). Dont listen to these guys saying they dont go uphill until you have climbed poison spider in moab on one i dont say you can really conclude it cant climb.

If i had to own 1 bike, this would be it.

manhattanprjkt83 said:

first of all there are some great bikes in this thread, all of which would suit you pretty good.

In reference to the bottlerocket comments i have to weigh in here. I got to say that I do ride alot of xc so im not a total dh biased guy who doesnt care about weight. I rode a bottlerocket as my dh bike for 2 seasons and loved it. That said i also took this bike and did epic rides in moab, fruita, lots of east coast stuff, it is ENTIRELY pedalable with the right setup, (reasonable wheels and tires). Dont listen to these guys saying they dont go uphill until you have climbed poison spider in moab on one i dont say you can really conclude it cant climb.

If i had to own 1 bike, this would be it.

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Thanks for hi-jacking my thread with your BR, where the hell did you come from?Here's my opinion on the Transition, IT SUCKS ;-)Seriously, yes the weight isnt that bad (although for the same amount of travel you can get many other bikes with 10 pounds less) its still too much for a trail bike.

Not saying its not feasible, just too much.You loose a LOT of the fun factor having too much weight.Of course it can be pedal uphill so does my DH bike but you dont get the same lively feeling with a heavier bike.Im not sure how many trail bikes you've actually tried but of all the bikes I HAVE tried, the BR would be my last choice.Beside the suspension sucks ass.

I like the Canfield but again too much , I already have a DH bike, no need for a Totem and its irrelevant to me at this point anyway

congrats you get the coveted, it isnt your thread homeboy...



There are a million bikes in this category, im giving the guy real life ride and bike setup information on a bike that I have both ridden and sold to many customers. And why is it this bike sucks? For a kid on a college budget that cant afford complex frame problems this is about as good as you can get, i had mine built to 36lbs

PM me if you need one man we could get you set up with a nice deal.

jack of all trades, master of none - cliche for a reason.

any do-it-all bike will be a comprimise somewhere. you will likely find one bike that you are moderately happy with for all conditions if you search, but don't expect one that will be awesome in all conditions. consider a bike that will continue to serve you well in your common local riding conditions after the trip is over. if your home turf is more DH or more XC, then get a bike that will be useful in those conditions if you want to have it continue to be a bike you will ride in the future.

for my money, i'd consider the kona offerings. you can get a hell of a deal on the 2008 models now that 2009 models have been released. the stinky bikes take a beating, have acceptable parts mix, probably are a bit heavy, have frill-free but functional suspension design.

$2,275 at jenson. i'd hit it.
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BI302B12-Kona+Stinky+Deluxe+08+Bike.aspx?sc=FRGL

the stinky bikes take a beating, have acceptable parts mix, probably are a bit heavy, have frill-free but functional suspension design.

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Heavy, bad geo, ****ty susp, bad quality. It's worse than a do it all. It's a bike that's actualy avreage in every category. The only good part is the part setup but you can go as well on a goose, sx or any other bike from bigger company.

About a tranny. If it is to be used also as an XC bike it has to have a comfy seated position. BR doesn't unless you're a midget. End of story.

Friend got one of these and loves it. The "demo" bike he picked up looked and felt brand spanking new.

http://www.fullcycles.com/product_info.php/cPath/162_122/products_id/1031

norbar said:

Heavy, bad geo, ****ty susp, bad quality. It's worse than a do it all. It's a bike that's actualy avreage in every category. The only good part is the part setup but you can go as well on a goose, sx or any other bike from bigger company.

About a tranny. If it is to be used also as an XC bike it has to have a comfy seated position. BR doesn't unless you're a midget. End of story.

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oh look, a shipment of fail irate2:


kona bikes are just fine. there is a reason you see a ton of them at whistler, and why they keep showing up in bike videos. they are solid, basic bikes, and kona makes a healthy profit by selling lots of them. if they were such bad bikes, people wouldn't keep buying them year after year and kona would be forced to redesign something other than the color scheme.

also, at 6'1" tall, i rode a bottlerocket for over a year as my do-it-all bike, which included plenty of XC pedaling. large BR + 410mm thomson post = enough leg extension.

edit - oh yeah, perhaps the reviews on MTBR are all falsified.
http://www.mtbr.com/cat/bikes/freeride-full-suspension/PLS_1543_750crx.aspx
hundreds of stinky and coilair reviews, and average ratings around 4.5 out of 5.0. lots of people luvin these s#!tty bikes.

Shepherdwong said:

This bike interestes me, can you or anyone comment on long term durability for more free ride like stuff? Also how is the rigidity of the rear end?

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Why not just get a GT sanction. Similar bike, but stiffer and more options!

this thread is going downhill fast, i think the original thread starter can tell who is talking out of their a$$ and who isnt.

Make a good decision off the guys that gave you quality info in here.