[roadrunner440 offline]

I'm currently looking at getting Into mountain biking and need some advice on a couple of bikes. First off I live in northern Indiana so most of my riding will be smooth single track, but I also want to take trips down south where the trails are rougher. My upper limit of my price range is $3,000, and I want a full suspension 29er. I've test rode a specialized stumpjumper fsr 29 comp and a Scott spark 29 team. Over all I like the Scott, but it only has 100mm of front and rear travel. Is that enough? Any suggestions on bikes? Any complaints about either bikes I mentioned? Any help would be great. Oh and sorry if there is already posts just like this.

[maddslacker offline]

First, welcome to the site!

100mm is fine for a 29er for the type of riding you described. I have a Giant Anthem X 29er with 100mm and it's fun to ride here in Colorado.

In your price range, have a look at this:

http://www.derbybicycle.com/giant-mtn-c ... -x-29er-2/

[jtorlando25 offline]

I also live and ride int he NoVA aread and yep, 100mm of travel is more than enough for the trails here. A lot of people ride rigid 29ers all day long with no need suspension.

However! I ride a Stumpjumper FSR 29er because I wanted a do-it-all bike that I can take anywhere and not worry about not having enough suspension...so if you plan on travelling around the east coast, either the Spark or the Stumpy would be more than enough. I've never ridden a Scott but they make great bikes. It or the Specialized would be a great choice.

[Jared13 offline]

I'm currently looking at getting Into mountain biking and need some advice on a couple of bikes. First off I live in northern Indiana so most of my riding will be smooth single track, but I also want to take trips down south where the trails are rougher. My upper limit of my price range is $3,000, and I want a full suspension 29er. I've test rode a specialized stumpjumper fsr 29 comp and a Scott spark 29 team. Over all I like the Scott, but it only has 100mm of front and rear travel. Is that enough? Any suggestions on bikes? Any complaints about either bikes I mentioned? Any help would be great. Oh and sorry if there is already posts just like this.

The Camber 29er would be comparable to the Scott in travel. I think the Camber has 110mm and it'll be a bit cheaper than the Stumpy.

[roadrunner440 offline]

Ok thanks a ton. Right now it's looking like I'll go for the Scott because of the components and the price. The Scott is 2,100 vs 2,700 with the stumpy. And I'll take a look at the giant. Does anybody know of any good trails in northeastern indiana? Does DT Swiss make good suspensions and tires?

[goonie72 offline]

Welcome roadrunner! Have you been able to actually demo on trails or you were in the parking lot? I'm in the market for a Full Suspension 29er right now as well. Although maddslacker is absolutely right in my opinion, I'm definitely going for something with more travel than 100mm, primarily so I don't wish I did next season.

Now as for the 2 bikes you mentioned, I would go 100mm Scott also only because I don't care for Specialized and heard the stumpjumper climbs like a turtle (but I have not demoed one)

I ride a 100mm hardtail 29er for the past 2 seasons and ride it on everything and although the 100mm mark is seen as a XC bike they can take serious abuse. But getting a FS with the same travel I have now would be a waste of money for me. I'm looking at RIP 9 or Tallboy LT, leaning towards the Tallboy LT, it rode very similar to my hardtail in speed and climbing but as a bonus its obviously more plush but with out feeling sluggish.. For me it was awesome and I may just sell the hardtail..

[jtorlando25 offline]

heard the stumpjumper climbs like a turtle (but I have not demoed one)

For some reason I imagine turtles being good climbers.

With Propedal turned on, the Stumpy climbs very well. With the shock set to "open" it tends to be a little bouncy. It definitely shines pointed down hill vs up.

[goonie72 offline]

heard the stumpjumper climbs like a turtle (but I have not demoed one)

For some reason I imagine turtles being good climbers.

With Propedal turned on, the Stumpy climbs very well. With the shock set to "open" it tends to be a little bouncy. It definitely shines pointed down hill vs up.

lol, yea I did hear raves about it soaking up the trail when its pointed down.. You know its all rider preference any. For every person that tests out a bike and dislikes it for 1 reason, theres another person who liked it and would disagree. I guess thats why although reading what others may think is useful its obviously best to get out and test for yourself, hopefully demo if thats a possibilty. I had wanted to add the Yeti SB 95 to my list but no dealer/demo opps for me around my area so I had to stop considering it.

[Jared13 offline]

I have the SJ FSR and I climbed a turtle beforehand!

Like jtorlando25 said, with the propedal it's not that bad. It's not as efficient as a hardtail but it is nice being able to stay (mostly) connected to the trail while climbing over roots and such. And the downhill portion is a BLAST.