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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2012
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    Best Bikes from a few years back?

    I've searched, but I can't seem to find what I want so here is my question; what are the best full suspension (5-6 inch) bikes from a couple of years ago (2006-now)? I'm looking to buy something a little more aggressive than my anthem that I currently ride, yet when I stumble through the pinkbike classifieds, I have no idea what I'm looking at. I'd prefer something that I can still pedal, so under 35 pounds, and not a total pile of shit. I also have a pretty low budget of $1200, so it can't be super fancy. I've looked at bullits and reigns but I'd like to hear some opinions from actual riders on what bike is best that is now old enough to be affordable.

    Any suggestions?

    Thanks.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
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    Down In A Hole, Up in the Sky
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    I would go with a Reign.
    Forum Cross Pollinator, gratuitously strident

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Park City
    Posts
    5,013
    I have a santa cruz vp free. Paid 700 bucks. Heavy, a bit more travel than you are looking for but pedals well. I bet you could find one like that and put some cash in. Otherwise I'd go heckler. I might be interested in parting w the vp free if you have an interest pm me.
    I rip the groomed on tele gear

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    SLC
    Posts
    389
    Reign, Trance, Enduro, Stumpy, Heckler, Blur, etc. There are lots of bikes that are no longer the hot shit, but are still really good bikes. What size are you looking for?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Wasatch
    Posts
    382
    Cannondale Prophet /MX - mine is on the shelf for the moment but was my daily driver up to this season. Can easily be built under 35lbs and is very fun. Will easily be at your pricepoint as well.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Posts
    2,274
    Heckler. Love mine and beat the shit outta it. Payed 700 3yrs ago and you can get way more bike now

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Kelowna
    Posts
    137
    I'd be looking for a Medium ideally. I am 5'8", so I feel comfortable on a small well. Looking at trail bikes is hard coming from a xc, I have to realize I won't have a full suspension under 25 pounds like I have now....

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Golden, Colorado
    Posts
    5,868

    Best Bikes from a few years back?

    I have a 2006 Nomad M frame that I'll be looking to sell once the bike shop is done replacing the bearings. Maybe in another week? I was thinking 500 for the frame, shock, headset, BB, cranks, front derailleur/shifter, seatpost, stem, bars, and juicy 7 brakes. No rear drivechain, fork, or wheelset. Looking at pinkbike and merlincycles.com... add a used Lyrik for 300. Used wheelset for 100. A new rear drivechain for 150, and new tires for 100. You'd be right around 1200 for a sweet older frame with freshly overhauled suspension, a new 10-spd drivechain and tires.

    Its been sitting around for 3 years, so it has less than 5 years of riding on it.
    Last edited by Lindahl; 06-25-2014 at 08:58 PM.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    WHEREAS,
    Posts
    12,946
    I have a Kona Satori 29er with x7, XT brakes and a Reverb dropper post that I would sell for $1200.
    Quote Originally Posted by Roo View Post
    I don't think I've ever seen mental illness so faithfully rendered in html.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Treading Water
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    6,683
    I just came off a 2009 Stumpjumper FSR Comp with a 150mm fork that weighed in at about 28lbs.
    The bike ripped pretty hard and was a great balance of trali-worthiness and shred-worthiness. It met all my needs quite well until I started doing more downhill oriented stuff in the mountains and hitting bigger jumps on the local trails. Then I knew it was just a matter of riding it until I broke it. Which I did. Which helps my ego.
    The reality, is that a frame is just a platform to put components on. Don't get your heart set on buying a specific frame name and then end up with lower end drivetrain parts, juicy brakes, and OEM wheels. In your search, you should be looking for the bike that comes spec'd with a good wheelset, brakes, drivetrain, fork, etc. That's where you're going to find gold.
    Pinkbike is your friend, if you can filter past the guys who think their bike is worth 5% less than what they paid for all the parts three years ago, just because they babied it.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
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    Golden, Colorado
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    5,868

    Best Bikes from a few years back?

    Quote Originally Posted by jm2e View Post
    The reality, is that a frame is just a platform to put components on. Don't get your heart set on buying a specific frame name and then end up with lower end drivetrain parts, juicy brakes, and OEM wheels. In your search, you should be looking for the bike that comes spec'd with a good wheelset, brakes, drivetrain, fork, etc. That's where you're going to find gold.
    I might be inclined to agree if you have 2000 or more to spend, but not at the 1200 pricepoint.

    While I understand what you're saying. There's no way you'll find a 1200 bike spec'd with good wheels, drivechain and brakes. I went through that search a few years ago when I got my Nomad. He'd have to be looking in the 2000 minimum range to get that, even then, you'll have to look pretty carefully. I also disagree, as the juicy 7s and the new Deore drivechain feel 95% as good as my girlfriend's XTR build. The upper upper end components are all about weight loss and bling - something that doesn't make a lick of sense when you're on a budget. Wheels, I can understand, as I really do notice weightloss there, but like I said, you'll never find a lightweight wheelset on a 1200 bike. People bring those wheelsets to their next bike and slap the oem ones back on.

    Also, with everyone jumping ship to 27.5, the better frames are more common (since they were more popular) and thus, are easier to find good deals on. For example, one of the best deals on used carbon frames out there right now is an older Nomad, but its also the biggest name and most expensive when new. You can find them for about 1000-1200, which is about as cheap as a used carbon frame gets. Full bikes follow in the same suit. I'm speaking about Nomads because thats mostly what I've watched in the past on the used market (was moving to a v2 frame so I could use the push link with my coil).

  12. #12
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Kelowna
    Posts
    137
    I realize I'm not going to get a super nice bike with my budget. I have my anthem that is my baby and I've spent countless time and money on. I'll keep it until it breaks, which it will soon if I keep taking it shuttle and beating the shit out of it. Mostly I just want a bike I could potentially ride at bike parks and confidently take the dh trails. It is definitely not going to be my main bike,so it doesn't have to be nice, just able to be pedaled some.

    Sent from my VS876 using TGR Forums

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    in your second home, doing heroin
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    14,690
    Quote Originally Posted by meggers View Post
    I realize I'm not going to get a super nice bike with my budget. I have my anthem that is my baby and I've spent countless time and money on. I'll keep it until it breaks, which it will soon if I keep taking it shuttle and beating the shit out of it. Mostly I just want a bike I could potentially ride at bike parks and confidently take the dh trails. It is definitely not going to be my main bike,so it doesn't have to be nice, just able to be pedaled some.

    Sent from my VS876 using TGR Forums
    Back then we called thems 'freeride bikes'

    Norco shore, specialized sx trail, intense uzzi vpx, turner highline (although it's kind of a tank), giant faith..........that's what you want from the sounds of it. That anthem will last as your trail bike for longer than you might think, especially if you have another bike to beat on for rougher trails.
    Besides the comet that killed the dinosaurs nothing has destroyed a species faster than entitled white people.-ajp

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Bravo Delta.
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    Quote Originally Posted by kidwoo View Post
    Back then we called thems 'freeride bikes'
    Is "free ride" like Enduro?
    Quote Originally Posted by Socialist View Post
    They have socalized healthcare up in canada. The whole country is 100% full of pot smoking pro-athlete alcoholics.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    19,203
    I have a Iron Horse MKIII expert with a sram 9 build and a revalation that I picked up for a song a couple years ago, and really can't see wanting anything more. They are out there. Mine is 23 lbs. with some minimal upgrades.
    Is it radix panax notoginseng? - splat
    This is like hanging yourself but the rope breaks. - DTM
    Dude Listen to mtm. He's a marriage counselor at burning man. - subtle plague

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    in your second home, doing heroin
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    14,690
    Quote Originally Posted by iscariot View Post
    Is "free ride" like Enduro?
    Kind of. As in the sense of riding enduro bikes like they could be ridden, based on geometry, but really shouldn't be ridden like because they'll fold in half.
    Besides the comet that killed the dinosaurs nothing has destroyed a species faster than entitled white people.-ajp

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    322
    i spent $1600 on a 2012 RM Slayer 50 that I love. Awesome 26'er bike in the trendy Enduro category that's been overshadowed since the Altitude came out with its fancy adjustable geometry and 650b wheels. Word is they're making a 650b version of the Slayer soon which should depress older Slayer prices further. (Ryan Dunfee on the TGR web account)

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Paradise
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    5,197
    Quote Originally Posted by kidwoo View Post
    Kind of. As in the sense of riding enduro bikes like they could be ridden, based on geometry, but really shouldn't be ridden like because they'll fold in half.
    Yep. I actually have a Turner HL. It is a tank but fuck I have had it since 2007 and it just keeps on ticking. That frame is so bad ass. I wish the hta was one degree slacker tho.

  19. #19
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    Dec 2009
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lindahl View Post
    I might be inclined to agree if you have 2000 or more to spend, but not at the 1200 pricepoint.

    While I understand what you're saying. There's no way you'll find a 1200 bike spec'd with good wheels, drivechain and brakes. I went through that search a few years ago when I got my Nomad. He'd have to be looking in the 2000 minimum range to get that, even then, you'll have to look pretty carefully. I also disagree, as the juicy 7s and the new Deore drivechain feel 95% as good as my girlfriend's XTR build. The upper upper end components are all about weight loss and bling - something that doesn't make a lick of sense when you're on a budget. Wheels, I can understand, as I really do notice weightloss there, but like I said, you'll never find a lightweight wheelset on a 1200 bike. People bring those wheelsets to their next bike and slap the oem ones back on.

    Also, with everyone jumping ship to 27.5, the better frames are more common (since they were more popular) and thus, are easier to find good deals on. For example, one of the best deals on used carbon frames out there right now is an older Nomad, but its also the biggest name and most expensive when new. You can find them for about 1000-1200, which is about as cheap as a used carbon frame gets. Full bikes follow in the same suit. I'm speaking about Nomads because thats mostly what I've watched in the past on the used market (was moving to a v2 frame so I could use the push link with my coil).
    2k for a 2006 bike? I dunno about that.

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    LA
    Posts
    290
    I dunno, I managed to crack my Anthem (TT/ST junction) despite having a Covert to beat on at Angel Fire, Moab, etc. Maybe the OP will have better luck. I pick up my new warrantied frame on Friday. But yeah, SX Trail, Slayer, Covert, Reign would all be good choices that could be found at a budget price.

    Quote Originally Posted by kidwoo View Post
    That anthem will last as your trail bike for longer than you might think, especially if you have another bike to beat on for rougher trails.

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    in your second home, doing heroin
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    14,690
    Quote Originally Posted by RaisingArizona View Post
    I wish the hta was one degree slacker tho.
    1.5 headtubes pretty much leave that door wide open unless you have a straight 1.5 steerer.

    http://www.workscomponents.co.uk/ful...sizes-10-c.asp

    And/or offset shock reducers would work fine on that frame
    Besides the comet that killed the dinosaurs nothing has destroyed a species faster than entitled white people.-ajp

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    in the trench
    Posts
    15,691
    Works components even has a -1 degree hs for 1 1/8 head tubes. Couple friends now have brought older bikes to life. Don't think I saw what size op is looking for. I have a small 09 v1 rune with works headset(-1.5) and a Marzocchi 55 World Cup ti fork I'm selling(bought a new v2 med rune- small was to short on Tt). Just installed the new kerronite pivots and bushings. Comes w race face post , xt bb , x7 f der. 7bills plus ship and pp

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
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    Paradise
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    5,197
    Quote Originally Posted by kidwoo View Post
    1.5 headtubes pretty much leave that door wide open unless you have a straight 1.5 steerer.

    http://www.workscomponents.co.uk/ful...sizes-10-c.asp

    And/or offset shock reducers would work fine on that frame
    Yeah, I have a straight 1.5 steerer.

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Norcal
    Posts
    2,190
    The Ibis HD offers 6 inch's of travel, pedals amazingly well uphill, fun as hell downhill and well under the weight limit your looking for.

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Treading Water
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    6,683
    Quote Originally Posted by RaisingArizona View Post
    It is a tank but fuck
    You said it. That's how I read it.

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