Hardtail or Fully?

BareFootMeshback · 02-10-2010, 06:35 AM

So I'm having a hard time making up my mind....

The situation:
My 2002 G-spot finally cracked. I'm in university, I don't have the cash to go out and buy the frame I would really like which would be a Banshee Rune or Spitfire.

I'm a fairly average rider, like the XC side of Sumas (though I like both), the Bear DH course, 7th and Pipeline on the Shore and doing laps on Burnaby Mountain. I don't shuttle, like to keep my wheels on the ground but like to push it a bit.

The Parts:
Random mix centering around a Fox Van36RC2 and a Shimano Drivetrain.

The Options:
1)
Buy a used full-suspension frame. The Morewood Shova ST that is up right now is an option. It looks cool but its not exactly what I want. I like to get every last bit out of stuff so then when I'm done school in a year I'm stuck with a bike that I'm fine with but not the one I had planned to pick up.

2)
Buy a new Transition TransAm frame. I had a hardtail before the G-spot. Didn't mind it. Build it up and when school is done and I've gathered some cash buy a Rune and then use the Transition as a second bike with a more XC build. Maybe even an Alfine hub, U-turn revelation...

Any opinions? I'm torn between instant gratification of a new-to-me fully or the prospect of a future quiver....

Ninja · 02-10-2010, 06:39 AM

Buy a used one, just wait for the right one to come around. Or hit up Ebay I've had good luck with it in the past.

yea ok! · 02-10-2010, 06:48 AM

hard tail pride dude

yea ok! · 02-10-2010, 06:49 AM

vps hucking crew

atb · 02-10-2010, 06:52 AM

get some used shocks

hurricanejoel · 02-10-2010, 06:57 AM

Riding a hardtail right now waiting for my quiver to take shape. Ankles took a beating for a couple rides, but I'm happy I chose the hardtail, and I know I'm more precise after a winter riding one.

You can talk smack when you beat your buddies on fullies, and always have an excuse when they beat you. Best of both worlds.

enduramil · 02-10-2010, 07:02 AM

Buy the hardtail and run it till done school. Save money till done school and then buy duallie. Keep in mind your a starving student. Why buy a duallie that is not the one you want?

Tonestar · 02-10-2010, 07:04 AM

PM'ed

BareFootMeshback · 02-10-2010, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enduramil

Buy the hardtail and run it till done school. Save money till done school and then buy duallie. Keep in mind your a starving student. Why buy a duallie that is not the one you want?

That's kinda how I am feeling.

Tom · 02-10-2010, 07:30 AM

How long until school is done? What kind of timeline are we talking here?

I like option #2 BTW.

BareFootMeshback · 02-10-2010, 07:33 AM

School is done in a year and a bit.

Tom · 02-10-2010, 07:39 AM

The Trans AM is steel, right? I recently picked up a steel HT myself and it is a pretty sweet ride. Like night and day compared to riding an aluminum HT. If it had to be my only bike, I think I could live with that (I might have to put gears on it though).

What about picking up a dirt cheap HT frame until a used fully you want comes along?

BareFootMeshback · 02-10-2010, 07:42 AM

My ankles aren't super stoked on riding a hardtail for everything for the next couple seasons but I've always had just the one mountain bike that has to do everything. The G-spot did a reasonable job of that, it even did the Seven Summits this summer but rides like that really begged for a lighter, more XCish bike.

Tom · 02-10-2010, 07:44 AM

What about something less expensive than a Rune or Spitfire? Like a Reign or Trance X?

Robot · 02-10-2010, 07:46 AM

I'm running a steel ht too, and after years of running fully only, I could see myself riding this as my only bike.....

Ok, not really, but I enjoy the steel hardtail a lot more than my last aluminum one. Definitely go with a fully if you can only choose one bike. An affordable solid 5-6" rig -- Trance X/Reign/X, used Remedy, Bullitt / 1gen Nomad, Norco Six / Fluid LT, etc. etc. etc. -- covers many bases without being the best at any position. I'd regret owning a hardtail only.

02-10-2010, 06:35 AM	#1
BareFootMeshback Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: By the Aldergrove drug tunnel Posts: 1,580 Rep Power: 213434	Hardtail or Fully? So I'm having a hard time making up my mind.... The situation: My 2002 G-spot finally cracked. I'm in university, I don't have the cash to go out and buy the frame I would really like which would be a Banshee Rune or Spitfire. I'm a fairly average rider, like the XC side of Sumas (though I like both), the Bear DH course, 7th and Pipeline on the Shore and doing laps on Burnaby Mountain. I don't shuttle, like to keep my wheels on the ground but like to push it a bit. The Parts: Random mix centering around a Fox Van36RC2 and a Shimano Drivetrain. The Options: 1) Buy a used full-suspension frame. The Morewood Shova ST that is up right now is an option. It looks cool but its not exactly what I want. I like to get every last bit out of stuff so then when I'm done school in a year I'm stuck with a bike that I'm fine with but not the one I had planned to pick up. 2) Buy a new Transition TransAm frame. I had a hardtail before the G-spot. Didn't mind it. Build it up and when school is done and I've gathered some cash buy a Rune and then use the Transition as a second bike with a more XC build. Maybe even an Alfine hub, U-turn revelation... Any opinions? I'm torn between instant gratification of a new-to-me fully or the prospect of a future quiver.... __________________ vegetarian: an ancient word for "likes to stay home with the ladies..." Last edited by BareFootMeshback; 02-10-2010 at 07:35 AM.

02-10-2010, 06:52 AM	#5
atb Pro Freetard!! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: port moody Posts: 5,116 Rep Power: 414360	get some used shocks __________________

02-10-2010, 07:02 AM	#7
enduramil Team NFI Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mr Bastard Posts: 23,545 Rep Power: 14524110	Buy the hardtail and run it till done school. Save money till done school and then buy duallie. Keep in mind your a starving student. Why buy a duallie that is not the one you want? __________________ www.thisiswhy.co.uk www.teamnfi.blogspot.com/ www.woundedwarriors.ca/

02-10-2010, 07:33 AM	#11
BareFootMeshback Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: By the Aldergrove drug tunnel Posts: 1,580 Rep Power: 213434	School is done in a year and a bit. __________________ vegetarian: an ancient word for "likes to stay home with the ladies..."

02-10-2010, 07:42 AM	#13
BareFootMeshback Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: By the Aldergrove drug tunnel Posts: 1,580 Rep Power: 213434	My ankles aren't super stoked on riding a hardtail for everything for the next couple seasons but I've always had just the one mountain bike that has to do everything. The G-spot did a reasonable job of that, it even did the Seven Summits this summer but rides like that really begged for a lighter, more XCish bike. __________________ vegetarian: an ancient word for "likes to stay home with the ladies..."

02-10-2010, 06:39 AM	#2
Ninja Hey, who farted? Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Vancouver, Posts: 3,825 Rep Power: 3294716	Buy a used one, just wait for the right one to come around. Or hit up Ebay I've had good luck with it in the past. __________________ "X is for x-ray. If you've been bikin' and you haven't had an x-ray, you ain't goin' hard enough." - Bob Roll

02-10-2010, 06:48 AM	#3
yea ok! Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,250 Rep Power: 194768	hard tail pride dude

02-10-2010, 06:49 AM	#4
yea ok! Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,250 Rep Power: 194768	vps hucking crew

02-10-2010, 06:57 AM	#6
hurricanejoel Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sea To Sky Posts: 388 Rep Power: 145904	Riding a hardtail right now waiting for my quiver to take shape. Ankles took a beating for a couple rides, but I'm happy I chose the hardtail, and I know I'm more precise after a winter riding one. You can talk smack when you beat your buddies on fullies, and always have an excuse when they beat you. Best of both worlds.

02-10-2010, 07:04 AM	#8
Tonestar Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,558 Rep Power: 162302	PM'ed

02-10-2010, 07:30 AM	#10
Tom Witch Hunter Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Red and Bear Posts: 6,949 Rep Power: 3022322	How long until school is done? What kind of timeline are we talking here? I like option #2 BTW.

02-10-2010, 07:39 AM	#12
Tom Witch Hunter Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Red and Bear Posts: 6,949 Rep Power: 3022322	The Trans AM is steel, right? I recently picked up a steel HT myself and it is a pretty sweet ride. Like night and day compared to riding an aluminum HT. If it had to be my only bike, I think I could live with that (I might have to put gears on it though). What about picking up a dirt cheap HT frame until a used fully you want comes along?

02-10-2010, 07:44 AM	#14
Tom Witch Hunter Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Red and Bear Posts: 6,949 Rep Power: 3022322	What about something less expensive than a Rune or Spitfire? Like a Reign or Trance X?

02-10-2010, 07:46 AM	#15
Robot Sheep. Everywhere. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Maple Ridge Posts: 1,854 Rep Power: 167180	I'm running a steel ht too, and after years of running fully only, I could see myself riding this as my only bike..... Ok, not really, but I enjoy the steel hardtail a lot more than my last aluminum one. Definitely go with a fully if you can only choose one bike. An affordable solid 5-6" rig -- Trance X/Reign/X, used Remedy, Bullitt / 1gen Nomad, Norco Six / Fluid LT, etc. etc. etc. -- covers many bases without being the best at any position. I'd regret owning a hardtail only.

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