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Advice on bikes I don't have access to for test rides...

bmxr

bmxr

Monkey
Jan 29, 2004
195
0
Marietta, GA
I am looking for a bike to replace my last couple bikes, both old-style Bullits. I used them for everything from trail to dirt jumping and the replacement needs to be able to do the same. I don't need a lot of travel or weight, just durability and a little suspension. I have narrowed it down to three different bikes:

2009 Giant Reign X1 (M)
Pretty much a replacement for the Bullitt, only with a more sophistaicated suspension design. I'm not sure about long chainstays... I see it as heavyish but plush, comfortable, if slow, on the trails around here, but pretty smooth on the trips to Asheville and Snowshoe. Anyone jump one of these much? What would be the solution for rear suspension, heavier spring or just go air shock later?

2009 Specialized Pitch Pro (M)
Seems like basically an XC bike that's a little tougher and with a really slack head tube angle. Have any of you jumped one much? I am not a sketchy rider, so I don't consider how I ride "abuse"... I would think this would be a great trail bike.

2009 Jamis Parker II (L)
The one I actually WANT the most, even if it's not the most practical. Should be perfect for the jumps and decent for the trail riding. I like the long and low frame with short chainstays.

Any of you guys willing to weigh in? What do you think? :D





 
demo 9

demo 9

Turbo Monkey
Jan 31, 2007
5,910
46
north jersey
Parker for sure, tons of my friends have them, all love them. That specialized is an XC bike. CAnt offer an opinion on the giant though
 
cracked

cracked

Monkey
May 10, 2008
316
0
walking the thin blue line somewhere in NY
I'd say Parker first..........it's designed as a slopestlye bike. Cross stuntry and xc. very doable. SLack HA about 68* can pedal and climb and I THINK it weighs sub 30

Giant: I own a Trance 2 and love it for XC but not much else......what's the HA of the reign? around 68-70?? I think it's "design" was light freeride/XC/AM????? IDK


Spec Pitch: I demo'd that on a XC trail--around 7 miles............HATED it. Felt sluggish in turns and twitchy off the ground. I don't.........just felt weird. Pedaled........to me........like a tank. But.........people who own them will probably tell you they're the best........YMMV............this is just MY OPINION>


but..............go Parker!!!
 
rigidhack

rigidhack

Turbo Monkey
Aug 16, 2004
1,206
1
In a Van(couver) down by the river
Everyone I have spoken to about the Reign loves it. Handles all kinds of terrain rather well.

The Parker looks pretty good though. Honestly, make a point of finding one of whatever you think you want and trying it out. Last time I bought a bike I had my mind set on one which seemed perfect on paper. Then I test rode it and it felt like crap to me. Glad I did not just rush out and drop the coin on something that I would have hated.
 
bmxr

bmxr

Monkey
Jan 29, 2004
195
0
Marietta, GA
I would test 'em if I could. I walk into a shop and ask about mountain bikes here and people look at me like I just asked for parachute pants. They barely keep enty level hardtails in stock...

Thanks for the input guys.
 
tom-swift

tom-swift

Chimp
Aug 5, 2009
12
0
Denver
I picked up a 2008 Pitch Pro test bike for a great price and have to say I love it. Unlike a previous user mentioned this bike is definitely not an XC bike, it has 6" of travel. I was primarily a trail rider (aggresive for sure) but after riding the (stock) Pitch Pro I felt like I could do a lot more than just technical single track. I added a Blackspire Dewlie dual ring chain guide/bash ring and, purely because I got a great deal on it, a Lyrik U-Turn fork. Rode downhill the other day and the bike handled great on drops, berms, and jumps up to 10 ft. or so. Haven't ridden any of the other bikes so unfortunately can't offer up a comparison, just my love for the Pitch. It truly is a do everything bike, and I know I'm not riding it stock anymore but I rode with the Pike quite a bit and it was a great fork as well. I came from a 5 inch travel bike I built and the Pitch climbs at least 5 times better. Here's a link to where I rode downhill trestlebikepark.com.
 
bmxr

bmxr

Monkey
Jan 29, 2004
195
0
Marietta, GA
Good info, for sure... Can you get that seat down low enough for DJ? I like the look of it...



What if I throw the Bottle Rocket into the mix, guys? :D
 
quickneonrt

quickneonrt

Turbo Monkey
Apr 8, 2003
1,611
0
Staten Island NY
Giant Reign and seems like you missed the best bike for the job the Specialized SX-Trail

The Bottle Rocket builds just as heavy as an SXT with less travel and an inferior suspension design
 
tom-swift

tom-swift

Chimp
Aug 5, 2009
12
0
Denver
I had no problem at all jumping the other day as far as the seat height goes, but as I said I'm not a regular jumper (yet ;)) so I didn't do any tricks that would coincide with the seat at all. With the stock seat post all the way down there's about 4" still above the collar. If you are more into dirt jumping than any other sort of riding that Parker sort of stands out from what I saw, most likely wouldn't be near as good as the Pitch for climbing but in my mind that's a reasonable trade off for something really geared towards what you like doing the most. Oh yeah and I've been digging the Lyrik so far... which comes stock on the Parker you posted. Attaching a pic w/ the seat all the way down for you.
 

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bmxr

bmxr

Monkey
Jan 29, 2004
195
0
Marietta, GA
SXT is way too expensive for me, neon. $3,700 for the "cheap" one? I'm talking about bikes that sell for $1,500 less, except the BR I just threw in.

Thanks for the pic, tom! I would definitely either need to cut that...
 
quickneonrt

quickneonrt

Turbo Monkey
Apr 8, 2003
1,611
0
Staten Island NY
bmxr said:
SXT is way too expensive for me, neon. $3,700 for the "cheap" one? I'm talking about bikes that sell for $1,500 less, except the BR I just threw in.

Thanks for the pic, tom! I would definitely either need to cut that...
Click to expand...
look for used or on ebay you can get them for wayyy less. you can even find new ones on ebay for way less.

from what i also heard the parker is crap 2 buddies broke them also
 
tom-swift

tom-swift

Chimp
Aug 5, 2009
12
0
Denver
Just so you know I picked my Pitch up for a grand off retail as it was a test bike... that would come close to your price range if you could find one at a shop near you. Unfortunately I doubt that's the case as you said you can't find anything to test ride. Maybe you could find something on the internet like neon said. If you can find the SXT for a good price I'd say DO IT. Those bikes are siiick.
 
quickneonrt

quickneonrt

Turbo Monkey
Apr 8, 2003
1,611
0
Staten Island NY
http://cgi.ebay.com/2008-specialized-sx-trail-one_W0QQitemZ110421054268QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMountain_Bikes?hash=item19b59b933c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/Specialized-SX-Trail-frameset-M-2008-New_W0QQitemZ300334947633QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMountain_Bikes?hash=item45ed5b9d31&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/Specialized-Enduro-SX-Trail-One-In-Perfect-Condition_W0QQitemZ320405452770QQcmdZViewItemQQptZRoad_Bikes?hash=item4a99a737e2&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Some I found. I can tell from experience this bike is hard to beat. went from a demo 9 to a custom frame up 07 sxt and won't get rid of till it breaks and the Spec. warranties it.
 
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zebrahum

zebrahum

Monkey
Jun 22, 2005
401
0
SL,UT
Since you brought it up, I'd say the Bottlerocket is your best bet. It was made as a slopestyle sort of bike and it jumps great. But it's also really agile on trails. I've gotten to ride one in Moab and Grand Junction and it's a stunningly fun bike. Really playful with enough travel to take on some really rough stuff.

The pitch won't be much fun for jumping, the travel sorta eats the jump when I rode one. And the seat is going to be your bum. It goes down, but not real far, and if your username is any indication, then you're used to little bikes.

The BR rocks. I'll be getting one as soon as I can get the student loan people to realize that I'm not going to pay them.
 
quickneonrt

quickneonrt

Turbo Monkey
Apr 8, 2003
1,611
0
Staten Island NY
Sorry but I have ridden the BR and for the weight of it the Specialized SXT is the better bike hands down. The br builds up 35-39lbs or so, so does the SXT. The SXT has more travel and better quality travel.
 
sanjuro

sanjuro

Tube Smuggler
Sep 13, 2004
17,373
0
SF
I don't believe in test rides. I think fit is critical, which you can figure out by riding it around the parking lot.
 
tom-swift

tom-swift

Chimp
Aug 5, 2009
12
0
Denver
Haha lookin' that way. I'd say either SXT or BottleRocket they both look like good choices, only ridden the SXT tho and not on jumps. I think with your price range it comes down to finding something you can afford in either of those directions.
 
strangeland2

strangeland2

Monkey
Jul 11, 2007
305
0
masshole
I ve been riding an 08 reign x1 for the last few months and really liking it. I was in the market for bikes similar to your list. I was going for SX T, Bullits, Nomads, Reign X's, etc. I demoed an Enduro SL (higher end Pitch) on the actual trails Id be riding and needing the extra suspension of the 7" bikes and for the riding I do it didnt have enough squish. So I say if you re actually using all of the suspension on your Bullits stay away from the Pitch.

Pitch is an aggressive trail bike. Yes you may be able to do every thing on it but like I said if you re using the full potential of the Bullit the Pitch wont cut it. The Pitch is not designed to be compared with the SXT, Bullits, Reign X's. For reference I was riding an 06 CD Prophet (Pitch category equivalent) and was bottoming it out on most of the freeride Xstuntry type stuff I do.

I went with the Reign X (67 degree HA on 08's) for light- Medium freeride/xstuntry type riding. I dont consider any thing I do to be all that big but enough to warrant the 7" (6.75" in the Reign x case) category of bikes. The biggest reason was at the time it was the only bike I could find in my price range (used under $2000- closer to $1500 ) Since buying the Reign I ve found SX T and Bullits used in this price point.
 
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