Agro Trail bike, opinions

[peachy]

Hey guys/girls how are we?

Well in the past 5 months i've been riding a giant dh comp and realized that, DH just isn't for me. So i've started to think what bike i should get next, a dj bike? No beacuse i don't dirt jump. A freeride bike? Not really, i don't really freeride. A xc bike? No because i don't ride xc. SO i've come to the conclusion that the perfect bike for me would an "aggresive trail bike."

What sorta bikes are out there for aggressive trail riders, looking for something i can thrash down trails, take on xc rides and just basically do everything on.
A bike that i reckon would suit me would be the Kona Dawg with better forks, say sherman flicks.
My budget would be for either a full bike or frame only, full bike not exceeding $3000.

So lend me u're opinions and tell me what you think i should get.

If i've missed any details u need to know than tell me.

Luff you long time
-peachy

[LTR]

Giant VT series or Kona's Agro bikes would be my pick. Craftworks FRM125 maybe if it was the right price?

[peachy]

would pref want a bike with spv. how would an AC go as a agro trail bike?

[03choko03]

i really dig the look n sound of the belair, havent ridden one but ive dribbled over one @ the lbs, read a couple of reviews, if i was lookin for a duallie id def have a good look at one

[fatkat]

cove hustler!! :D:D 3000 for frame only i think. doesnt have spv though...
I rekon the AC or VT series would be the way to go, the VT has SPV front and rear and it rides really well

[hazman]

A DMR Trailstar LT, built up with Shermans and other goodies. You'll get a hell of a lot more hardtail bike for $3000 than a f/s.

[wombat]

A DMR Trailstar LT, built up with Shermans and other goodies. You'll get a hell of a lot more hardtail bike for $3000 than a f/s.
I'll agree with you about the hardtail thing, a nice steel hardtail makes a great trailbike; I mean a suitable frame though, no boat anchors (.243). I'll disagree on the DMR point though; if you're anywhere near 6' the Trailstar will be a shit trail bike (name not withstanding).

[mtb_man]

Maybe a Kona Coiler with better forks (sherman perhaps) would be a good value proposition. Probably the only Kona dually i'd consider buying...

Or a Dawg, or anything with a straight seatpost.

Or go the HT route and build up a Cove Stiffee since they're total sex when built nicely. If DMR's sound cool, then bypass the Trailstar and buy a Switchback, lovely steel frame which can withstand some punishment.

Sounds like a fun choice to have...

[Cúl-Báire]

cove hustler!! :D:D 3000 for frame only i think. doesnt have spv though...
I rekon the AC or VT series would be the way to go, the VT has SPV front and rear and it rides really well

The Hustler comes with the Fox Triad shock if I rememebr corectly, which has 3 settings, Locked, ProPedal, and FULL OPEN! Apparently they pedal really well too.

I recon a Cove Stiffee if you can afford it, Coves are definatly worth the money... I KNOW! :D

[Cyco]

Is there a cost limit?

How about a VP-Free for the hard core or a Moment for the slightly lighter rides?

The more budget concuious versions of these are the IronHorse FR bikes and the FRM125.

[peachy]

Thanks guys for opinions, taken all of them into consideration. Although the bikes like vp freeride are out of the question, likewise with the ironhorse freeride range.

So far i'm thinking a Kona Dawg with Sherman flicks and better brakes. Thoughts?

[Cúl-Báire]

How much travel have the Sherman Flicks got? I'd say anything over 5" on the front end of the bike will mess up the geometry pretty badly :? Best to stick to something like a Psylo or a FOX Tallas or Vanila, me thinks.

[LTR]

Oh, and also a GT Ruckus Dually would be fairly nice. Fox Forx and other goodies!

[Daver]

The Kona Dawg is a great choice- literally about 3 times stiffer than the Giant VT and a shed load lighter than the AC. The only other bike which is in that sort of pricerange would be a Specialized Enduro, or if you can scrape up the money a Cannondale Jekyll would be prerfect, but it's a lot more $$$ to get good parts. For aggressive trail riding i wouldn't mind a hardtail, but it would have to be a decent cro-mo one, so the Cove could be an option?

[peachy]

Does anyone have the price of a Ruckus dually?

All the optinos, dunno but the dawg just seems so sexual.

[Squidly Didly]

The Kona Dawg is a great choice- literally about 3 times stiffer than the Giant VT and a shed load lighter than the AC. The only other bike which is in that sort of pricerange would be a Specialized Enduro, or if you can scrape up the money a Cannondale Jekyll would be prerfect, but it's a lot more $$$ to get good parts. For aggressive trail riding i wouldn't mind a hardtail, but it would have to be a decent cro-mo one, so the Cove could be an option?
Most of the Jekylls will be discontinued next year due to the new Prophet. Still alot of coin for a decent parts kit sadly. The New Dawg is also going to 5 inches (as opposed to this years 4), and features a beafier chainsaty similar to the Stinky.
Maybe a Kona Coiler
Coilers are going to 6 inches (currently 5 inches like the 2002 Stinky). So next year they'll basically be a 2003 Stinky. Kona love going around in circles the stupid twats :roll:

[stinky|dan]

maybe wait for the new specialized enduro stuff? I've seen pics of them and they have sensational specs and would be killer trail bikes.

[mtb_man]

After reading what Squid wrote, I'd change my reccomendation to a Dawg with the better forks and brakes. Makes quite good sense really.

And i agree with Squid, Kona do love adding an extra inch each year, stupid twats. :roll:

after reading shmity's post below vvvvvvv i'd agree with him and wait to see what next year brings i.e reba's, pike's and nixon's all look like nice forks.

[shmity]

Peachy, on the note of forks, maybe wait till the pikes/rebas come out (not too far off ive been told). Just as adjustable with a travel adjustment that works well, good compression adjust/lockout and rebound also. Ive only heard good things about them, and theyre looking like theyll be a good fork for a budget minded rider too.

[danv]

One frame to look at - DMR switchback, I was thinking about getting one (still am, just not immediately), and although I haven't ridden one, from the research I did they seemed very good. Every one I saw who did have one raved about them, for exactly the purpose you want. DMR seem to have a solid reputation for frames as well - in terms of strength, price and geometery.

Also, have a look at fox forks, in particular the Vanilla (or perhaps you want something lighter).

Sorry, just suggestions, can't offer any real opinions.

[SPOON]

Maybe u could consider a Marin Rocky Ridge. Its for agressive XC, which is pretty much agressive trail isn't it?
Anyhow, take a look. ^ ^
http://www.marinbikes.com/html/spec_04_rockyridge.html

[nitwit]

Have look at the Jamis dakar series, get a good model for 3 grand.
Or are the dakars shit, cause no one has metioned them yet. I like em, rode on once seemed nice but i probably have no idea anyway :roll: .