which full suspension frame or bike to buy?

[marijnvdoorn]

Hello,

I need some help with my choice

Im looking for a new full suspension xc-racing bike, it has to be light, fast,
and no bobbing effect.
I'm thinking of scott genius, specialized epic, trek fuel, giant nrs, intense spyder, santa cruz blur etc.

Any suggestions?

thanks, Marijn

[Esben]

I can highly recommend the Specialized S-works Epic. I´ve allways been a hardtail fan, but when I tried the Epic, I just had to have one. Better traction, better braking performance and best of all: it saves your energy for pedalling, because you don´t have to stand in the pedals and move around every obstacle.

Compered to other brikes like the intense spyder and santa cruz blur, MTB action wrote, that the Epic is more a racebike than the others. Tests in the german magazines Bike and Mountainbike says, that the Epic is a great race bike, but it´s not as comfortable as many other FS.

Esben

[Frankie - B]

The epis is surely two thumbs up according to the tests. But how about the new GT ID XC?

http://productcatalog.gtmountainbikes.c ... tbikes.php

It's surely FAST!

[Cyco]

The i-Drives work well and with a Pro-Pedal shock should be exellent. Also the Santa Cruz Blur or Ellsworth Truth work brilliantly. As a hardtail/ roadie the Epic seemed like a great idea, till I rode one offroad and realised how much I missed the plushness of the Ellsworth - it and other active suspension designs don't kick you on the first bump like the Epic and hardtails do.

[elendil]

I would prefer the Giant NRS (Composite) or the Specilaized Epic. Both are light, both are very fast. The other systems aren't that good in comparison to these two. The Scott Genius could be interesting, too, but I never had the chance to test it (just saw it on the Eurobike this year).

[polaris]

My humble opinions....

GT i-drive: too heavy

Epic: depends if you want full sus or not - felt like a rigid bike where the chainstay broke every time you hit a bump to me.

Truth: damn sexy bike

Genius: sounds like the way forward to me....

[Frankie - B]

polaris, are you talking about the new generation i-drive

[520 Dan]

The Epic is a tank (2003) for 2004 they've knocked off about 1/2 lb in the tubing and added a carbon fiber shock link and you can now tune the rear brain shock, so it should function better. If it comes down to buying the epic, wait till the 04s are out.
I think the trek carbon fuels are great bikes, but thats just me...

[marijnvdoorn]

and what about a yeti as-r sl?
2004 model with 5th element shock.

any suggestions about that one?

greetings from holland

[Tim the Pineapple]

and what about a yeti as-r sl?
2004 model with 5th element shock.

any suggestions about that one?

greetings from holland

I like teh new 2004 Yeti ASR SL, its lighter than previous years and the paint job is done in my town by spectrum.

[polaris]

I have to admit I'm basing my argument on the old i-drive and I know significant changes have been made.

However, the eccentric BB route still seems to use an awful lot of metal! Why not go for a normal single pivot or linkage bike and add a platform shock?

[Frankie - B]

because the GT doesn't bob and rides very smooth. Can't say that about an epic. His springs are only activated when they get a bump. So the first bump is always for you!

[polaris]

I agree about the epic. That's why I said in my first mail that I didn't like the feel of it.

Still not convinced by the i-drive though.

[Esben]

It´s not right, that the first bump is for you. Yes, you´ll notice the beginning of the bump, but the brain function is very fast and with the right set up it´s a very efficent racebike. If you want more comfort, buy something else, but it will not be as fast as the Epic.

Weight? 2733 gr with ti-canti and alubolts (S-works size M, black ano ). It´s more than many others, but not that much. And the frame is quite stiff.

Esben Epic rider