XC/Freeride Hardtails

[XC Racer]

Ok, i've decided not to go with the dual suspension just yet, as i'm used to hardtails now.
I'm looking for a 2003/2004 hardtail for XC race, Comfortable for full day rides, pannier riding and general Street/Freeriding.
It must be light, and must be under $1500 Australian. I want around 100mm travel quality suspension, and hydraulic disc brakes (like Hayes HFX-9 XC).
The bikes I am currently looking at are the Norco Bigfoot (Clicketty), and some sort of Kona.
Please suggest some bikes/frames.
Also, What sort of suspension fork would be good for this?

Thanks

 

[Alnamvet]

Originally posted by XC Racer
Ok, i've decided not to go with the dual suspension just yet, as i'm used to hardtails now.
I'm looking for a 2003/2004 hardtail for XC race, Comfortable for full day rides, pannier riding and general Street/Freeriding.
It must be light, and must be under $1500 Australian. I want around 100mm travel quality suspension, and hydraulic disc brakes (like Hayes HFX-9 XC).
The bikes I am currently looking at are the Norco Bigfoot (Clicketty), and some sort of Kona.
Please suggest some bikes/frames.
Also, What sort of suspension fork would be good for this?

Thanks

I just picked up a Titus Alum Riddler frame for a steal...the suggested retail price is $699.00 USD. Check their website...you may be pleasantly surprised. I also highly recommend the Cove Handjob (canadian) and Salsa cycles.

 

[Jfurmmtnbike]

I would see if you could get a S-Works M5, think they are around your budget. Or a 9.8. Both you can find on E-Bay for under 1500, and are incredible frames.

 

[fasterTHANyou]

Originally posted by Jfurmmtnbike
Or a 9.8.

uhhhh... not if he wants to freeride. i've seen too many of these cracked by big guys who think they need light bikes...

 

[XC Racer]

Yeah, i've just discovered the Kona Hoss!
I am getting it defianatly!
Lol, but do you think it would be good for some light freeriding/street?

 

[fasterTHANyou]

Originally posted by XC Racer
Yeah, i've just discovered the Kona Hoss!
I am getting it defianatly!
Lol, but do you think it would be good for some light freeriding/street?

definitely- kona makes nice stuff and friends of mine have had very nice things to say about their warrenty and their workers. plus, you dont see too many of them- and thats always cool

 

[Jfurmmtnbike]

kinda hard to have a XC Race bike that you can also use for freeriding. Those two contradict each other.

 

[Duckwah]

ah yeah my comments from the original post on dual suspension still hold

XC and Freeride are completely different. Go pick up a proper free ride HT, they weigh almost as much as most dual suspension rigs

then pick up an xc racer, its more like a road bike

plus the two have different geometry.

 

[XC Racer]

Yeah, that's the reason i'm going the Kona Hoss, becuase its meant for XC, but the frame says light Freeriding too.

 

[Duckwah]

30.4 lb is not an XC race bike!!!

the Kona Hoss looks like it could take some light freeriding but the fork and brakes aren't going to hold up to big hits/steep downhills and its way to heavy to be a good XC racer

seriously man there are no do it all bikes, they have become too specialised

If you really want to race XC then get a nice light bike, if you are content to scratch racing then get a heavier duty freeride rig. Trying to do everything on one bike will lead to one of the following two conditions

A. compromise frustration, your bike is ok for most stuff but not good enough to keep up in races or on the big jumps

B. Your bike breaks

 

[XC Racer]

Kona has specifically designed the "Hoss" range for big blokes, and i'm not exaclty little (I'm 14, 70kg's, but not fat). 13.7 KGs is really good I think, considering my current bike is close to 15 (Hardtail).
I am planning to upgrade the brakes to Hayes HFX-9 HD with 8" rotors, as soon as I get it for the best deal, and what forks do you suggest? I'm planning leaving the Marzochhi's untill they wear out.

Anyway, thanks...
(BTW: I've got $35 for this bike so far...lol)

 

[Jfurmmtnbike]

You could always buy my old bike! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3644670222 XC Race converted to urban assault. Great frame, just dont hit the big jumps on it.

 

[XC Racer]

"Jfurmmtnbike":
I can only see 2 problems with buying that bike...
I'm in Australia, and I wont have the money for another 6 months at least.

 

[jmitting]

Save your money have a good look at what shows up on ebay . there are some amazing frames going cheap there, especially during Jan-March. Good luck.

 

[Alnamvet]

Originally posted by jmitting
Save your money have a good look at what shows up on ebay . there are some amazing frames going cheap there, especially during Jan-March. Good luck.

DO NOT EVER TRUST ANYTHING "FOR SALE" ON E-BAY!!! Really save your money and either order from a reputable internet dealer, or go to your LBS,if you must.

 

[Jfurmmtnbike]

Alnamvet, I have had nothing but good buys off of ebay. Everything I have bought off of it has been in great condition for a good deal. If anything it is the cheapest way to get a quality bike.

 

[Hecubus]

Thats nonsense, there's a lot of great stuff and very good sellers on ebay. Ask, ask, ask, thats all you need to do before buying. Make sure you know every possible detail about the product and buy from people with good feedback only. There are of course never any guarantees you won't get screwed over but if you know what you're doing you should be ok. I've bought lots of bike parts and frames from ebay over the last years and have never had a problem. I also sell all of my old stuff there and every buyer has been extremely pleased with what I have given them.

 

[Alnamvet]

No nonsense....I know of exactly 26 friends in our bike club who have been screwed by e-bay and their con artist "salesmen". Average loss was about $175 each...each and everyone of them did not buy from the same "vendor". Five of us are attorneys, and it was not worth the effort to recover losses thru litigation. You children are just lucky...in my book, e-bay is nothing more than a **** shoot, with **** for sale, with **** policies on loss and recovery due to fraud. Just a matter of time ladies.....

 

[Hecubus]

Well congratulations, you know 26 idiots who apparently can't tell a scam from a legit auction.

 

[Alnamvet]

Originally posted by Hecubus
Well congratulations, you know 26 idiots who apparently can't tell a scam from a legit auction.

And I know of one idiot who can't get over the fact that someone disagrees with him; get over it shipmate, change your Depends, and get on with it; my 26 idiots are representative of thousands who have been ripped off. Like I said, it's just a matter of time, bud....would you like your crow now?

P.S. If you are a schill for e-scam, just say so, so that we all know why you are sucking up to that site.