Western NC - Ride and Camp 2020

Others may disagree, but I’m not sure 160 is the best choice for our area if you’ve just got one bike.

 

Got a link? 160 is a lotta bike for a one bike southeastern stable.

 

Thinking the same thing. The remote lockout switch sounds nice but that seems like it would only make sense before a long continuous uphill, not really in quick transitions up and down

There’s also either something wrong with the posting or he doesn’t know what he has, because that could sell for a lot more with what I see online and on bike blue book

 

Alright, last question either way I promise. Want to thank you guys for your help! Really liked the banshee but that was a lot of travel (160/140) to me with having 29 inch tires already

I’ve got some half days coming up that I’m going to get some trail riding in and hit Kanuga as well. So I want to have a bike quite badly haha.

Has anyone ridden a Santa Cruz 5010? Found a deal on this one, 2018. 130mm front and rear. It’s about 2 hours away but I’ve read good things

between that and just driving to Charleston to get a new 2020 Giant Trance 2 29er since I can do 0% financing - keeping most cash on hand with the wedding in 3 months

 

Thanks a good choice, if you can’t find a 29er. My wife rides a 5010 and likes it.

 

Don’t finance a bike @SummitBound

 

That’s my thought too, I just am always tempted by 0%. Otherwise wouldn’t consider it. I don’t like monthly payments

Test road similar geometry 27.5’s and 29ers from my co-worker and although I could feel the difference, I really appreciated both of them. Seems like some places I would prefer one vs the other, just can’t afford two bikes!

 

It’s not my place to tell anyone how to spend their money, but after paying of literally hundreds of thousands of debt a couple years ago if I can’t pay cash for it, I can’t afford it. (Houses excluded)

 

Absolute respect for getting that debt paid off! Bet that is so much weight off your shoulders. And agreed on cash for everything, I hate monthly payments.

I did finance part of my truck but I was forced into a vehicle purchase quicker than expected.

any debt I do have, I always make sure it has more equity than whatever I owe in case I need to get out of a payment

 

@SummitBound Both the reign and the 5010 look to be good options. Not knowing full builds on each makes a full comparison tough.

The reign is a lot of bike, but the maestro platform is pretty pedal friendly so it may not be terrible to lug around. It also appears to have a fox 36 performance elite which has the same internals as the factory, just minus Kashima.

The 5010 doesn’t appear to have a dropper. Not the end of the world, just factor that in. It’s a carbon frame, just vet out any cracks or soft spots. The 130 travel will definitely be more manageable as an everyday bike in your area, and still be enough meat to handle the steeper rowdier stuff we have around.

As others have noted, I’d lean towards not financing a toy if you can. Specifically when other large expenses (wedding) sound like their on your plate. I tend to only finance houses and vehicles. I’ll loosen that policy if the numbers make sense. But really only you can determine what is sensible for you.

 

Awesome points, and good catch on the lack of the dropper - I had zero clue and did not see that in any reviews I read online

Out of curiosity, how do you guys like the 36? Worth the step up above the 34?

thank you!

 

The 5010 is a pretty good pedaling bike. Not sure how it compares to the giant maestro design but it's not a terrible bike to climb with. Some reviews said, when it's pointed downhill, it feels like it has more travel than the 130mm. My tallboy felt like it had more than 100mm, with the linkage design being progressive but not in a harsh way, it ramps up just right for my riding style. I suspect the 5010 is similar.

 

Have always heard awesome think about Santa Cruz frame designs. Would love to give a Bronson a try but man they are $$$

 

Bronson is a mini DH bike. Doesn’t pedal very well.

 

Whenever life gets back to normal and the LBS can schedule a demo day I plan to get on a 5010. They’ve always peaked my interest.

 

That’s been the bummer about all this. Would love to run some demo laps. But obviously understand why they’re not

 

Don't sell yourself short on the tallboy. It climbs very well and is surprisingly capable in the chunk.

 

Are you referring to me? I really like my TB and think it punches way above its weight. Mine is built on the burlier side, being overforked to 140 (coil) and a coil shock waiting in the wing taking the rear travel to 134.

 

I guess I was directing that toward summit but it was an in general statement. I didn't know the TB could be modified to get that much more travel in the rear. Are the links changed out or something?

 

Oh my bad.

I’ve got a V4 Tallboy which at 130/120 stock is a slight increase in travel from previous models, I think. Longer fork up front and a longer stroke coil shock is all that’s needed.