XC Bikes Under $2k

[omada]

Hi there yall,

My bike was recently stolen (an upgraded 05 Hardrock Sport with Hayes 9 disc, mavic XM317 rims and marzocchi MX forks).. no insurance, so i'm on a budget :( and looking to enter the dually world.

Giant Trance 2, Specialised FSR XC Expert, Giant Trance X2??

I can get a Trance 2 for about $1800, or the Specialized for $2000... i'm into XC, sometimes technical, sometimes quite enduro, so weight is a factor, drops don't feature a whole lot..

Or can someone recommend another good bike??.. even better give me a link to some sweet run out deals :)

Cheers

[hawkeye]

a couple of weeks ago I saw a guy on a ripper dual-suspension with RS Tora air front forks, XT RD, LX FD and RS Bar2.1 rear shock with Deore hydro's on a decent-looking frame from (wait for it) Cell bikes.

After seeing their earlier attempts at dual-suspension I'd written them off, but the frame on this looks genuinely good. They have a web special on this weekend - http://www.cellbikes.com.au/p_1741_CELL__2008_XC2_Full_Suspension_Mountain_Bik e__FREE_SHIPPING__FREE_MTB_STARTER_PACKAGE

[omada]

yeah looks nice, but I don't know much about cellbikes, i'd probably prefer to stick with giants or specialized..

[Escapegoat]

All 3 bikes you are looking at are great buys.

Personally I think I would go the Trace x, the extra inch of travel makes it a great 'all rounder' and the weight difference is negligible. 5 inches seems to be where it is at! Which year is the FSR XC? This year they have shed some wieght, however they used to be a bit heavy, the wifes is compared to my stumpjumper.

However I have both a giant reign, a spesh stumpjumper and a spesh XC, and I think all 3 are great bikes. So I don't think you could go wrong with any of your choices.

[omada]

However I have both a giant reign, a spesh stumpjumper and a spesh XC, and I think all 3 are great bikes. So I don't think you could go wrong with any of your choices.



its a 2008 FSR, but i'm finding the Giants are alot better value for money...

What do you think about Reign 0's .. good all round bike apparently, not too heavy for XC?

[Cranker]

What about a used one?
You can generally pick up a decent bike for under 2g.

[leftieant]

Cell Bikes took an absolute caning in a recent review (AMB or similar, can't remember which) - the recommendation was buy the bike, strip the parts, and throw the frame away.

For good value and performance, don't think you can't get past a Giant IMHO.

[Fred Nurk]

Also depends if you want a dually or a hard tail. For $2k I don't reckon that there would be too many nicely spec'd duallies around, but I'd say you can pick up a decently kitted Zaskar for about $2k. Such bikes are fantastic for XC, light, nimble, but probably not so nice if you're looking at enduros.

Also worth looking at would be Giant's XTC range, if you decide to go that way.