quandry

[neach]

i know y'all hate these threads, but i've managed to really confuzzle myself.

i've finally sold my old ride, and need a new one... first things first, i dont want to spend more than $2500 if i have to (well, i want to, but the mrs. thinks differently)

originally, i was pretty set on the Devinci Frantik 3.... but, the local devinci shop didnt have any in stock, and didnt have a clue when they would come in, so no demo for me.. kind of discouraging.

Then, it was the Norco Six 2... seeing as my last ride was a norco, i felt fairly confident it would be a good choice... then i saw the Giant Reign x1... *splooge*.. a little higher than i wanted to spend, but i figure i might be able to sweet talk my way down to my pricepoint. I *did* get a chance to ride this one, and it did feel pretty damn nice.

Then, i started looking at norcos again, knowing that i definately could get a pretty damn good deal on them... so the Shore 2 was in the picture - killer parts spec, and i had a chance to ride one, and it was pretty damn sweet.

now, i've got 4 bikes floating around in my head, and i dont know what the hell do to anymore.. lol

Basically I ride (in order of most to least):

1) Average trails - drops of 6-10ft, a few skinnys, the odd gap here and there. Hike-a-bike up a fireroad.

2) Shuttle Runs (Prevost, Forbidden Plateau)

3) Bike Parks (Mt. Washington/Whistler)

4) DJ's - nothing crazy.

-------------------------------

so, i ask ye all for some input - whats the best bang for your buck, out of these models? i know ride is most important, and thats something nobody can determine for me, so suspension design, parts spec-wise.. Assume i can get these all for around the $2500-$2600 mark (minus the six 2, which would give me more $ for gear).

1) Devinci Frantik 3 (MRSP ~$2600? not sure on that one)
2) Norco Shore 2 (MRSP ~$2900)
3) Norco Six 2 (MRSP ~$2300)
4) Giant Reign X1 (MRSP ~$2800)

[Timmigrant]

I'd say from the type of riding you're mentioning the Shore 2 is going to be your best bet. You can pedal the bike up easily, but the Shore has some extra heft for hammering down Mt. Washington and the local shuttle runs.

The Reign X1 looks like an awesome bike as well. It should be lighter than the Shore, but that comes at a penalty. The hubs, rims and tires on the Shore are FAR better than the setup on the Reign. I personally think the 66 on the Shore is a far better fork than 36 on the Reign. Many people prefer the Juicys to the Hayes, so you could argue that the brakes on the Reign are better than the brakes on the Shore. Rear shocks are the same, and the drivetrain is similar, except the Shore has a better crankset and the Reign has an X9 rear derailuer vs. an X7. The Reign does have an uninterupted seat post, so you don't need a telecopic seat post, which is nice. However for riding resorts and shuttle runs I think the Shore 2 is going to be the better of the two.

If you're planning on spending the majority of your time in the saddle pedalling up and around I'd pick between Six 2 and the Reign X1. Similar part specs, with the Six 2 being a chunk cheaper, which I'd say is far better value for money. However the Reign is more bike. If you can afford the extra $$$ pick between the Reign and the Shore. If you can't justify the extra the $$$ the Six 2 is fantastic value for money and is going to be comfortable on all terrain. Regardless of what you choose you're going to love any of those bikes, they're all going to ride fantastic!

[neach]

well, that makes things a little easier for me..

thanks!

i think it'll boil down between the two norcos.. i cant really justify spending the same amount of $ on a giant, when it has a worse part spec than the norco... i have a lot of faith in norcos as well - mine did me well.

the local norco shop is very accomidating when it comes to fork swaps - should i possibly look at swapping the 66 for something like a totem/domain/36?

i do like the idea of a lighter ride, and if i can shave a pound or two off the forks, it would be nice.

i did like the feel of the 36's on the reign, and i know that the totem/domains are fantastic value for the $, so i could potentially do a straight swap for them, depending on the retail of the 66's... is that something to bother looking at? or have they cut a lot of the bulk off this year's 66's?

[Timmigrant]

The 66s are a reasonable weight, and if you're looking to upgrade to a fork make sure you don't go for a fork with a substantially lower axle to crown height. This is going to make the head angle steeper and thus the bike twitchier.

If you're looking to save some weight I'd suggest looking into the 66 SL ATA. Its an air version of the 66 thats light and feels amazingly good. There are some threads on NSMB here with regard to that fork. Essentially 140mm-180mm adjustable travel and 5.8lbs.

The Totem is also getting rave reviews. Both are similarly priced, with similar features and similar weight. Take a look through the specs and decide on which you'd prefer. As a personal taste I'd lean towards the 66 as there isn't a Totem that has all the features I desire, which is air coil and adjustable travel. The air version is 5.9lbs and 180mm travel, but doesn't have a travel adjust. The 2-Step has a travel adjust, but is 6.3lbs and coil sprung. The Coil version is coil spring 6.3lbs and no travel adjust.

I'd venture away the 36 for the Shore, and seriously look at the 36 as an option for the Six. The 36 is a touch shorter travel 160mm than either the Totem or the 66 and isn't much lighter at 5.2lbs.

[neach]

well, i inquired as to the availability of the '07 shores, and they apparantly arn't available yet - i was, however, able to get my hands on an '06 shore 2, for about $1k under mrsp... woot!

should be arriving today, from norco - i hope :)

lets hope it fits :P

[craw]

'quandary'

[neach]

yeah, yeah...

the grammar police are after me :P

norco was late shipping, so it wont be here till tomorrow :( so much for sleeping tonight.

[shorelocal]

The air version is 5.9lbs and 180mm travel, but doesn't have a travel adjust. The 2-Step has a travel adjust, but is 6.3lbs and coil sprung. The Coil version is coil spring 6.3lbs and no travel adjust.

Are you sure about the 2-Step ... isn't it an air fork?

[*Pepe*]

yeah, yeah...

the grammar police are after me :P

That'd be the spelling police, son. Get your law enforcement radar tuned up. 8)

[biggles604]

My $.02 I have a 2006 Six One that I put a Fox 36 Van RC2 on, it's awesome, the bike's great, but I would definitely think twice about how hard I will push the bike. I have a big bike as well for park riding. If I had to pick one bike to do everything, I may go for something a little more substantial.

[NSTP]

So I believe you are talking about a Devinci Frantik 1 for $2599, because the 3 is $7000, unless you are just talking about the frame? Where do you live, because if you are any where near Steed Cycles in North vancouver and you would like to Demo a Frantik 3 you can do that there. There is also a Hectik 3 for Demo.
I think you'll find for bike park use, shuttles and drops 6-10ft. you would be most happy with the Norco Shore, or the Devinci Frantik 1. They are made to be more duarble, they have the thru-axle rear end, horst link suspension (active, low maintenance, proven, etc.) And if you care they are both Canadian companies, Devinci being Canadian Made. There is my input.

[NSTP]

Are you sure about the 2-Step ... isn't it an air fork?
Yep it's air alright, and inside the 2-step is a solo air spring, a movement of oil is what changes the travel. So if you don't think that solo air is your thing it's in both forks. Ya gotta go for the coil to get a coil spring.

[Timmigrant]

Ahhh yes the 2-Step is air. My mistake. I had it in my mind that the 2-Step was coil. She's a porky little fork isn't she. 0.5lb heavier than the 66 ST ATA for essentially all the same features. From anyone who's ridden the Totem say they ride extremely well though. Personally my money will probably go the way of the 66 SL ATA for my Nomad.

[James_315]

Judging by the locations you ride, I'm guessing you live somewhere between Duncan and Courtenay. For my $0.02 I think you made the best choice picking up the '06 Shore, given the types of trails you'll be riding on the Island.

[neach]

smack dab in the middle - nanaimo.

i'll inquire as to swapping to a 66sl ata... not 100% sure if i will yet, but i'll try one out, anyway.

woot! she comes today!

[pump]

just get a 2006-2005 bikes, Caps(poco) recently had 2005 Team DH for 2600, along w/ CHEAP frames and deals.

[craw]

That'd be the spelling police, son. Get your law enforcement radar tuned up. 8)

:werd:

[Heathen]

As fellow Islander who rides all thoses trails as well, I would by the Norco. It is very well speced for the price. Any of the other bikes in that price range will not be nearly as nicely equipted for the price.

2 Shieks is the best trail in the world in the summer, ah Courtny girl at the river!!

[neach]

tbh, 2 shieks wasn't as good as it was hyped to be... but it was still a great run.

well, drama ensued, as usual - the shore 2 was a no-go by norco.. they didnt have it afterall.. i ended up grabbing an '07 six-2 w/ domain 318's up front - and am VERY happy with it... around the weight i wanted, the parts i wanted, and the fork is absolutely MINT.