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Got my bonus! decision time

Zark

Hey little girl, do you want some candy?
Oct 18, 2001
6,254
7
Reno 911
So today I got my bonus (not a lot, but it'll help) and I'm itching to get a new DH sled for the first time since 2003. My M1 has been great but I need something new and different.

165 pounds
5'10"
sport class racer......when I feel like racing
Terrain locally is technical rocky stuff with tight switchbacks.
So Cal races tend to be pedally and not techy though.
I also do N*, downieville, Whistler, Mammoth & Bootleg trips
I ride a good amount. 15 miles/week on the DH bike on the local trails.

Durability is a serious issue considering the amount I ride and the type of trails, but I'm not a hack and don't crash a ton.


Soooo I pretty much have it narrowed down to two bikes.
1. Cove Shocker- I like the layout and numbers and the (very few) reviews sound good. Its gonna be a lot of new parts to buy too, could get pricy.
2. 2006 Iron Horse Sunday Elite. Go-Ride has these on sale and its pretty much the only way I'd buy one (used is junk, 2007 is too much) I like low BB's, but sub 14"? Not too sure about that. For racing I know its the t*ts, but S.B. is absurdly rocky.

I was pretty much settled on the Cove until that killer price on the Sunday appeared. If I go the Cove route I'd need basically new everything.
 

ZHendo

Turbo Monkey
Oct 29, 2006
1,661
147
PNW
i ride a good deal of the terrain that you described when you discussed all the norcal stuff like downieville and northstar. i'm not sure how much you have to spend, but if you have the money, i'd say go for the cove. cove makes some sick bikes, although pricy. you can actually save a little cash by calling cove and asking about the bike, because they can give you some info on kits that they provide, which are marzocchi/sram/truvativ/sun ringle kits i think. there are a few different levels you can choose from. i'm still wondering though, are those two bikes really best for what you are doing? if you can, i'd look at a cove peeler, those things ride sooooooooo well. they are heavy as sh*t though, so keep that in mind. there are also some bikes like the appalache real and some others that are from small companies that are really nice. i would say go for a sinister R9, but those have a long wheelbase and aren't really ideal for switchbacks, but they are strong and handle the rocks like no other frame. you shouldn't have much issue finding your perfect ride though, there is lots to choose from.
 

skinny mike

Turbo Monkey
Jan 24, 2005
6,415
0
sinister r9. try to get some saddle time on one. at least for me, the geo was spot on and the bike just felt perfect.
 

jackalope

Mental acuity - 1%
Jan 9, 2004
7,596
5,894
in a single wide, cooking meth...
ncrider beat me to it, but while I'm at it, my vote is a boob job for yourself (or girlfriend if you must, but those can leave at anytime)...

But as for you BIKE two choices, I'd say go with the Sunday based on the price...Yeah, it's low, but I've seen plenty of guys get through gnarcore rock gardens with not much problem...Plus, it pedals better than most (if not all) big bikes, and I think b/c you spend a fair amount of time straight up DH venues, you will really appreciate how well the suspension works...And for what it's worth, the few Sundays I've been on seem to have great geo as well...

However, as the cliche goes, you can't go wrong with either one...I'm sure the Shocker is a swell bike in it's own right, and prolly not as common...

But still, the boob job would be the gift that keeps on giving (durability issues aside)... ;)
 

Zark

Hey little girl, do you want some candy?
Oct 18, 2001
6,254
7
Reno 911
What about an '07 Commencal or Giant Glory?...
7" single pivot? No thanks, I've never ridden a single pivot I've liked.
The Glory? I'm sorry but its too ugly:biggrin: I know thats a stupid reason but I plan on keeping this bike for several seasons and can't picture myself riding a bike with a shock f**king the downtube:biggrin:

How's norcal sukka?:cheers:
 

Zark

Hey little girl, do you want some candy?
Oct 18, 2001
6,254
7
Reno 911
If you're hitting your chainguide, you're not going fast enough. If you hit your pedals, you used to much brake to get there :)
I know, I know. I'm clipping crap everywhere with a 14.25" BB right now, I'm afraid I'll get ejected with a BB that low:biggrin: It'd take some getting used to I suppose

But the cornering......:brows:
 

rockwool

Turbo Monkey
Apr 19, 2004
2,658
0
Filastin
The Glory is the muts nuts, but I hear it eats shock bushings. I've read several praises about the Cove Peeler, it also comes in the smaller Playmate that is like a pound lighter, but then again pricy as you said..

Sellouts are nice, go for the Sunday, or if you find another cheap frame, and save your dough for trips next year (unless you feel your components have sereved their time..).
 

kona-ryder

Monkey
Jul 18, 2006
577
0
Above you on the podium.
Shocker all the way. That thing eats up DH course and the '71' linkage pedal very well. Also, you wont have to take a soil sample because of a low bb height every time you hit a techy rockgarden.
 

Ian Collins

Turbo Monkey
Oct 4, 2001
1,428
0
Pacific Beach, San Diego, CA
2. 2006 Iron Horse Sunday Elite. Go-Ride has these on sale and its pretty much the only way I'd buy one (used is junk, 2007 is too much) I like low BB's, but sub 14"? Not too sure about that. For racing I know its the t*ts, but S.B. is absurdly rocky.
i've ridden most if not all of the S.B. trails and i have gone from riding a stock turner DHR (almost 15" BB) to a drilled one (13.75)....

I know why you're weary, and at times it can be tricky to pedal, but you carry so much more speed and stay grounded alot more with a lower BB/slacker head angle......i think it forces you to be a more disciplined rider and makes you more concious of when you're pedalling......

if you get a chance try to ride a buddies bike with a low(er) BB.....i think you'll like the feel after you give it some time
 

James

Carbon Porn Star
Sep 11, 2001
3,559
0
Danbury, CT
Dude, I am gonna make your day!
I have got THE bike for you:
Trek Y-Glide.
Yeah, it's a Y-bike, but it's XXXtreme! Almost 5" of travel, with a bomb-ass 4" Manitou DOUBLE-CROWN fork!
No worries about the BB height, it's high, and everytime you hit the brakes, it'll get higher, so no clipping rock gardens!
Brakes? Disc baby, you'd better believe it. 22mm Hayes standard mount read, 68mm Hayes mount front.
Check out those pedals too, they stream DOWN HILLL!!!!111oneone


If you want to know more, here's a site all about the Y-Bikes!
http://www.users.bigpond.com/cool386/trek/trek.htm

Wow, Y-5-0! Crazy Hawaiian graphics!
 

renorider40

Monkey
Aug 22, 2005
426
0
Get the Shocker just to be different. The sunday is played
2nd that. Why get a bike that works so well that a lot of other people like it? Be original, even if it means sacrificing performance.
Ya there can't be a good reason why everybody has a sunday. ha.
 

kona-ryder

Monkey
Jul 18, 2006
577
0
Above you on the podium.
Ya there can't be a good reason why everybody has a sunday. ha.
The reason everyone and their grandmas uncle has a Sunday rather than a Shocker is the fact that the Shocker made its shocking debute this August. The Sunday is an established make, and everyone wants to look like Sam Hill. Having ridden a freinds Shocker in Whistler, I was very impressed. Go Cove, and be like Tyler Morland, reigning Canadian DH Champ, woot, woot! Also, the Cove guys are way cool.
 

Bicyclist

Turbo Monkey
Apr 4, 2004
10,152
2
SB
Have you considered a V10/R9? They both stick out as fast bikes that can handle SB ruff for multiple seasons. I guess the Shocker is in that category too. I'd say ride a Sunday if you can and see if you like it, it's sure a different feel that a lot of DH bikes.

All the choices listed are good ones though.
 

Li'l Dave

Monkey
Jan 10, 2002
840
0
San Jose, CA
Just get the Shocker, you know that's the one you want. You've been looking at that one for a while now. All of them that I saw looked sick, but then again you couldn't go wrong either way.
 

Eurotrash

Monkey
Mar 2, 2002
362
0
2006 Iron Horse Sunday Elite. Go-Ride has these on sale

How much are they? didn't see them on the website
 

Zark

Hey little girl, do you want some candy?
Oct 18, 2001
6,254
7
Reno 911
FWIW, I think Go-ride only have the 15" left in the Elite now...

I just called and you are correct sir. They have one 16" in stock. Great deal, but wrong size for me:banghead:

So, how 'bout them Shockers?:brows:
 

CBJ

year old fart
Mar 19, 2002
12,861
4,157
Copenhagen, Denmark
Why not get the 07 Sunday US frame and you will get the new links too. I am still have my 05 US frame and its been solid and I am keeping it for next year too. Couldn't care less how many people ride the Sunday its the best bike I have ever owned in my 12 years as a mountain biker and I have ridden much better this year than I ever have.
 

Biscuit

Turbo Monkey
Feb 12, 2003
1,768
1
Pleasant Hill, CA
If you're hitting your chainguide, you're not going fast enough. :)
That is absolute genious.

Durability is a serious issue considering the amount I ride and the type of trails...
You rode an M1 for how long???

M1's were/are some of the best bikes ever made. But not at all known for their durability. I broke mine three times before calling it quits.

Now I ride a Sunday and will gladly recommend it to just about everyone except pedal smashing hacks and people who expect to climb it a lot.

I've ridden it in SB and had no issues with chainguide and pedal clearance. It is much more sensitive to setup than your M1. It's weird but having the right spring and shock settings makes a world of difference.

Haven't ridden a Cove so I can't compare.
The only bike I would otherwise be intersted in would be the Glory.
 

Biscuit

Turbo Monkey
Feb 12, 2003
1,768
1
Pleasant Hill, CA
Actually, when I first got the Sunday I did have some issues. The first day I broke a pedal, chainguide (gamut), chain and bent the cogs on my cassette. All from smacking pedals really really hard. (scary).

Now I'm totally used to it. Don't hardly hit anything. And run an LG1 with no issues.
 

Acadian

Born Again Newbie
Sep 5, 2001
714
2
Blah Blah and Blah
Why not get the 07 Sunday US frame and you will get the new links too. I am still have my 05 US frame and its been solid and I am keeping it for next year too. Couldn't care less how many people ride the Sunday its the best bike I have ever owned in my 12 years as a mountain biker and I have ridden much better this year than I ever have.
+1 to that...

I love every single dw*link bike that I have in my stable! :banana:
 

Zark

Hey little girl, do you want some candy?
Oct 18, 2001
6,254
7
Reno 911
You rode an M1 for how long???

M1's were/are some of the best bikes ever made. But not at all known for their durability. I broke mine three times before calling it quits.
Since April 2003.
I cracked a front end in 2004 and had my 5th overhauled 2x.

Durability also applies to parts ;) I nuked 4 pairs of cranks in that same period of time (3 Truvativ, one Race Face.)

The Sunday isn't as appealing to me as a frame only since its ~$500 more than the Cove for me, and I'll be strapped for the rest of the build.
 

JRogers

talks too much
Mar 19, 2002
3,785
1
Claremont, CA
Just get the Cove. It's a solid bike. We all know that speed is about the rider not the bike...and besides, if racing isn't your main focus, just get whatever will allow you to have the most fun.

Sounds like you want the Cove, but are just hesitating on biting the bullet and writing a check.
 

Biscuit

Turbo Monkey
Feb 12, 2003
1,768
1
Pleasant Hill, CA
I just looked at the cove, it looks solid. Pretty interesting looking pivots.

And I agree with JRogers. It's the rider not the bike, and you should get whatever allows you to have fun.

All I can say is the Sunday is the most fun bike I have ever ridden. Racing or riding, it's just fun.
 

James

Carbon Porn Star
Sep 11, 2001
3,559
0
Danbury, CT
Since April 2003.
I cracked a front end in 2004 and had my 5th overhauled 2x.

Durability also applies to parts ;) I nuked 4 pairs of cranks in that same period of time (3 Truvativ, one Race Face.)

The Sunday isn't as appealing to me as a frame only since its ~$500 more than the Cove for me, and I'll be strapped for the rest of the build.
Wow, you needed your 5th Element shock overhauled? Big surprise!
:)

Dude, I say go with the Cove. That's a pretty sweet-ass bike, plus you'll get tons of REspect when you jib the hills up at Whistler...
 

PoserNewbie

Monkey
Feb 14, 2003
469
0
Lower Mainland, BC
Given that you can get the Shocker at $500 less than the sunday, I'd go with the Shocker. Use the extra $$ to get better parts. I don't think you'll be unhappy with either bike.
 

Zark

Hey little girl, do you want some candy?
Oct 18, 2001
6,254
7
Reno 911
Given that you can get the Shocker at $500 less than the sunday, I'd go with the Shocker. Use the extra $$ to get better parts. I don't think you'll be unhappy with either bike.

Yeah, I don't think I could go wrong either way.

I'm gonna check out a Sunday in my size this weekend to get a feel for 'em a little better, I've only tried 19" and thats just too big for me.