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Best XC Set-up for PNW Trails

Princess

Chimp
Jun 7, 2009
19
0
Utopia
Alright, so in anticipation of a move to either Bellingham or Vancouver, BC, I'm stuck wondering what the most appropriate XC style bike set up would be for the area. I have a downhill bike and an uber-light xc bike that is great for where I'm currently riding.

I'm wondering... will I enjoy riding a 4 inch carbon xc bike anywhere out there? Will I break it? If this is not ideal... what is?

Thanks!
 

Borneo

Turbo Monkey
Mar 22, 2004
1,010
0
Duvall
Sounds like you already have a perfect stable. Bring it and adjust as needed...

You may want to shift to a climbable 5" bike for the shore or Galbraith if that becomes your riding of choice. But, the 4" uber light XC steed would be fine for Blanchard, ACFL, Moran, etc as well as some straight up XC trails. Though the trend seems to be towards something with a little more beef "just in case".
 

4130biker

PM me about Tantrum Cycles!
May 24, 2007
3,883
448
I'd say it depends how/what your ride here.. There are trails to enjoy your uber light bike on, but I definately see a lot more 5-6" bikes around these parts. I'm sure you're capable of riding a 4" bike almost anywhere, but "all mountain" bikes can really be used to their full extent. A lot of the trails are not shuttleable, but will have freeride/dh aspects to them, so an all-mountain machine does great.
For example, Galbraith in Bellingham has lots of great dh/fr trails, but you have to earn all of them. Such is the case for many fun trails in the greater Seattle area.
PS- I would say that the important factors here are geometry and strength, not neccesarily the ammount travel.. A lot of people are rocking the AM hardtails these days..
 

DHRracer

Monkey
Sep 29, 2004
371
0
Bring what you have. Maybe a different tire choice as well as maybe a different bar for a little more upright seating position,that is if you current position is XC racer style.
 

andres611

Chimp
Jun 28, 2007
99
0
If you want a light bike that can fly uphill and still have a blast going down, check out the Stumpjumper. I have an Enduro and love it but it might be too heavy and too much travel if what you want is an XC bike. The Stumpy is an awesome choice and the 2010 model is sick and available on a carbon fiber frame.
 

coiler7

Monkey
May 30, 2005
133
0
Kent, WA
ditto on all the aforementioned from Andres.... if not already u mite check out the huge selection of 5-6" travel bikes over @ Center Cycles in Renton by IKEA...
They probably have the most to choose from in the Stumpy's & Safire line.
I just got a great deal from Dave on a 09 Stumpjumper.
:thumb: