[email protected] (Dave S.) wrote in message news:<
[email protected]>...
> Trek Fuel 90 (Disc option) Cannondale Jekyll 600 (Disc option) Giant NRS 2 Disc
>
> I'm looking to upgrade to a new FS this year for XC use and want some opinions on these models. I
> know to ride them and form my own opinions on how they fit, but I'm looking for some experiences
> and opinions on components.
What kind of XC? Where do you ride? Components - components can be changed relatively easily. Frame
quality and value should guiding you.
> The Jekyll is the only one with a lockout on the rear shock. Is this something I need? I've heard
> that a lockout is really only needed to help out a poor suspension design.
Some folks will say that a lockout is needed all the time. Seated pedalling on the Giant produces no
noticable bob going uphill. To me, at least. The Fuel bobbed some, but I didn't really notice. The
Jekyll I rode never made it to the trails, because it's parking lot ride sucked so bad.
> Also, and ideas on what I should pay for these rides new would be appreciated.
Since you don't tell us where you live, we can't really tell you that. Find the one you like, and
buy it as cheaply as you can. (Big "duh" factor on that answer, hmmm?)
If it were me, and these were the only choices, I would save more money to buy a better bike. BUT, I
know for a fact some folks budget X amount of dollars for a bike, and go no further. No matter how
much money they actually have. So, Dave, I'm going to help you here. Marin Mount Vision, 2003 model,
from a bike retailer on eBay. While it would be nicer if you bought it at an LBS, if money is the
critical factor, then you can save a bunch. Especially over the Cannondale. That one is way
overpriced for what you are getting, unless you can find one on a "give-it-away" sale. Even then,
C'dales do not have a stellar reputation for robustness. I've never broken one, but that doesn't
mean anything.
The Fuel is a halfway decent bike, having ridden one or three for a few weekends. But the Fuel frame
has been criticized in places for being weak, especially in the headtube welds. I don't know how
much you weigh, but if you're over 180lbs, I'd skip the Fuel. My opinion, purely.
Giant has an excellent reputation for building good equipment and supplying decent bikes at a
reasonable cost. I don't know how much more convincing you need. I rode an NRS bike for an
afternoon, and it felt pretty good. I would have bought one, but I wanted something more simple, and
I didn't want to give business to the local Giant dealer (a-hole.) That's really what's going to
make or break your happiness with the bike - how good is your LBS? Great bikes from shitty LBSs make
for unhappy bikers. And the bike can get blamed.
Don't count out Specialized, either. The FSRxc bikes are supposedly excellent. Never have ridden
one, but I hear things.
Marin, Giant, Trek, C'dale, in that order.
Or, a rigid single-speed. With disk brakes.
--
Jonesy "Wheeler's biatch, now"
