should i race or free ride?

[christd]

due to the recent loss of my Jamis XLT (taken right out of my garage) i'm faced with another decision on what bike to buy. last year i got into a few races and loved it, but i still do the majority of my riding (85%) all-mountain style. is there a bike out there that is going to give me the racing capabilities of an XC and still give me the confidence to take those hits and off-trail ability like an all-mountain?

 

[cmacblue42]

well, you could get a santa cruz blur, yeti 575(though it is more big hitty than the blur) um, pretty much all companies make one or even a series of them. 05 specialized enduros are perfect for what you are talking about. the 06's are more suited toward a big hit guy. the stumpjumper FSR series might fit your needs (130 mm of travel on most of them, front and back). now, none of them will be serious xc racers, but if you race for fun and not to win, then you should do fine

 

[christd]

okay, i bought a cannondale scalpel 1000. i'll just go for the win.