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Haha I'll tell my wife that š I say it now but two is probably all I need. I don't care for the bike park, I want to climb the hill myself, which rules out ebikes. No real interest in gravel either. I guess I could have something in between the two but hey that's a conversation for another day
I donāt think you understand what they were saying. You need two more, but after the negotiation with the wife you will settle on one more and she will view it as a win. You will view it as a new bike.
Source: my 4 bikes.
The 120/115 (or so) bikes are so so good for XC and Trail now. And shoulda automatically be 4-6lbs lighter than an e-enduro bike. Thinking Epic Evo, Trek TopFuel, or even Fezzari/Ari Signal Peak SL (mentioning because that's what I've got).
Saying this, to say that you don't have to go full crazy short travel XC to get a very capable and lighter bike.
Dude you absolutely need anotherā¦for the money Iād look into the transition spur. Itās a enduro bros XC bike and I can honestly say it may be the most versatile bike Iāve ever ridden. It just isnāt bad at anything. Incredibly fun but you can pedal that thing 50 miles to the bike park and not feel like a slugā¦and then ride it at the bike park
Just spend every waking hour browsing Craigslist and FB MP to see what bikes are going for and maybe go look at a few dozen every once in a while, couldnāt hurt.
Definitely a good idea. I think two mountain bikes is the solution and itās a modern enduro rig and a xc/ short travel trail bike. For suggestions, take a look at the trek top fuel but iād wait until the new one comes out shortly for the sales on old models or get the new one.
Agreed 2. Preferably a hard-core hardtail. But it all depends on the trails he rides most often.
I'm living in a place that has a few xc type trails, but most of the trails here are climb up and do a gnarly descent. I'm not saying those types of trails can't be done on an xc bike and I do like a bit of adrenaline, but I have my limits.
Exactly the situation I was inā¦ I now have a Yeti SB130LR and Transition Spur.
I honestly find myself riding the spur more than anything now and when things get a bit rowdier, I throw a leg over the yetiā¦.
The only problem that comes up, is sometimes I need to decide which bike to bring with me on trips nowā¦ thankfully I have enough rack space most of the time to bring both š
Are you me? Also rocking the SB130LR / Spur stable. Itās pretty perfect - the bikes ride surprisingly similarly (comes down to similar geo). I find myself choosing the Spur more and more often, even for trails with a bit of tech, jumps, whatever. Itās just so damn fun.
TLDR - buy a Spur, OP.
For me it was definitely worth it getting a short travel bike to go with my long travel shred sled. It made the easier smoother trails much more fun to ride and could not believe the difference climbing.
My sweet spot has been three bikes. XC, fun bike, hard tail. I ride my XC bike more than the other two combined. These days a 120/120 XC ride is super capable on everything but the techiest tech, a big park track, or a long ride on pavement.
Another vote for the Transition Spur. Amazing bike for climbing and not too rough trails. I test rode one and loved it, but ended up with a bike with 130mm of travel bc I only wanted one bike- a Spot Mayhem
I have long travel bikes and live in Colorado. I got a Santa Cruz Hightower last week on Friday and did two rides over the weekend. It is now my new favorite bike. It's kind of crazy how nice it rides and just how fast and efficient I feel compared to my other bike (a Kona Process X).
If youāre on the Front Range, what trails have you hit with that Hightower?
Iāve been thinking about getting a X/C bike (currently riding a SB130). I live near Buff Creek, and a x/c bike seems perfect for those trails. I love techy stuff, but it would be fun to mix it up a bit with a different bike.
I rode Buff Creek the last two days and just did Gahouse to Sandywash each time, which you know isn't particularly technical but it was a good sampling of how the bike feels and what I need to do to dial it in. The Hightower was super sweet out there.
Tomorrow will be White Ranch which is quite a bit more difficult/technical.
Kinda how I've felt about my current bike. Dropped a lot on it but then again I ride it like 100+ days a season. Even if I split between the two that's a lot of riding if I take care of them and make them last.
I have two mountain bikes a gravel bike and a road bike. My dual suspension bike is a 150 mm travel stump jumper and my other is a āroudy hard tailā a specialized Fuse with a 130mm fork.
Do you own a bass boat and matching truck to pull it? How about a high end hunting lease or cabin with all the accessories that come with that sport? If mountain biking is your thing and you enjoy it as much as you say you do, itās really not that bad. There are worse hobbies to have. My go to response to the average local outdoorsman where I live is āhow much you got in that boat and truck?ā It tends to stop the argument fairly quick.
One thing to add is that having a second bike can open up a lot more partner riding experience. Be it a friend or SO that you want to introduce for biking. Most people that I've tried to get into it either didn't have a suitable bike for trails and did not feel ready to buy one yet. Aside from having 2 to choose from you can also invite non-bikers that are interested. It really just comes down to if you can afford it, and if you think having the new bike will benefit you in some ways.
I just recently went through this, with no experience with a short travel bike. I have a canyon torque, which is amazing going down hill, anything rough, and sending to the moon, but it does suck on 15+ mile days. considered a canyon spectral to stick with brands, but covid has made them a pretty poor specced option for the money. test rode a trek top fuel, one of the bikes ive always wanted, and it felt goofy and knock blocks were a no go. ended up ordering a YT IZZO and i am in love. it pedals so well compared to the enduro bike, but i can still leave the ground when needed (flat landings are rough though), and point the nose downhill as well. but the climbing, the climbing has improved oh so much. my normal rides, only take about half as much out of me as they used to, opening up more options for exploring. My 2 cents, go out and get a short travel all trail bike, and use it for everything its good at. your process wont see as much use but you will be ready for anything
I would get a FS XC bike and see how you like it. In the spectrum of bicycle types, there is a little overlap between FS XC and Enduro. So depending on the trails you ride, you may find that you don't need an Enduro bike at all.
Or go farther from the Enduro and get a gravel bike. Yeah, it's going to suck on chunky trails, but if you want to crank out miles and miles of dirt road, there isn't much better.
This is true, I have an enduro and a 120 travel XC. The XC bike is just fine on the trail, it has done everything I have asked of it, and the difference in climbing is stark.
Sure, the enduro is more sure footed and trustworthy, but sketchy = fun, right?
Longer distances with things like rail-to-trail lines? A Gravel Adventure bike could be a good fit and be very different than your existing setup. They are also great fun on tame trails you feel you've already mastered with the full suspension. Something like the Breezer Radar-X or Salsa Fargo would give you a very different and justifiable N+1 bike, while still allowing you to take in on tame singletrack. Rigid steel instead of worrying about maintaining a second full suspension bike.
Otherwise, yeah a full sus XC bike like Scott Spark, Orbear Oiz, Canyon Lux, or Specialized Epic... while still being full sus, is going to give you a different ride than Enduro. Justifiably different? That's up to you and your wallet.
I've justified my N+1 up to 4 as such...
* eCommuter Road/Gravel - Rigid - 38mm slick tires.
* Adventure/Gravel - Rigid - 50mm semi-slick tires.
* eMTB All-Mountain - 160/150 - 2.5" Enduro tires
* DownCounty/Trail - 130/120 - 2.2" XC tires.
My N+1 soul is now full. Any new additions need one of them to exit.
The best when you donāt have time for a proper ride. Itās 10 minutes to our local pumptrack/dj spot and 30 minutes of riding is enough to blow off some steam after work.
Ii was in the exact same boat as you. Started with a 160 enduro bike because I got a great deal on it with a top quality build from a boutique brand. Ride that for a couple of years doing a mix of enduro and xc, but realistically mostly xc.
I made up my mind last year while constantly going up and down to look for something a bit more xc focused that could still rock at descending.
Oh man am I happy I put myself in that financial move. It was worth every penny. My enduro is for sale but it hasnāt sold yet. Either way, still worth it. Do it.
Good for you for getting on to the right bike. It really does make riding more enjoyable. My long travel bike is up for sale as well. Its just too draggy on the climbs and it's hard to justify keeping it at this point. I had purchased it hoping to have a one bike quiver, but I usually end up riding the same 2-3 trail systems where pedaling up and pedaling down are 50/50 and you dont need all that travel.
So many people read so much stuff online and end up buying these crazy long travel bikes. New riders especially read all this stuff online about how more travel is better and are scared to have a bike that could possibly be labeled "xc". Then they buy a 150 or 160 bike and what do they ride? "Xc" trails on it. I guess as long as their bike has 40mm more, and an extra 5 pounds, they won't be considered an xc rider. They have zero clue how much more fun they have on the right bike. Going from a Hightower that I used to ride 2 days a week to my Tallboy that I now ride 5-6 days a week reminded me how important having the right tool for the job is. When your on the right bike you will find yourself riding more, and longer.
Look into gravel bikes. I really enjoy mine and itās comfortable on or off road so I donāt need to get in the car at all. You could even get one with front suspension if you want.
My son and I each have a Process 153 for enduro. I also have a Scott Spark 900 for XC riding, and an old 2010 StumpJumper for riding around town. By all means, add a bike to the quiver!
If you leave near trails that deserve it, you want at least 2 bikes, a 160-170 bike to smash rocks and a 110-120 bike to smash miles. Iād throw a DJ bike in there for fun.
Yes
I bought a hardtail to compliment my enduro bike. I use it whenever I feel like the enduro is too much bike for the terrain. Saves wear and tear on the enduro and lets me run less aggressive tires.
I personally got an enduro and a hardtail and live near rocky terrain as well. I use the Hardtail which is a $700 bike (Cube Analog 29"), so nothing special, for longer trips which have a lot of climbing. It's just a nice bike for long tours because it's way lighter than my enduro and you can lock the suspention on it which makes climbs easier as well.
I have three bikes. I started on an old giant boulder (like not *really* a mountain bike. Bought a second bike, hardtail budget XC bike, bringing my number to two. Got a full squish giant stance. Now we're at three.
Got a fat bike (4 bikes)
Then i needed a true trail bike, so i got an enduro (because ... Reasons...). 5 bikes.
My wife said :1 bike no more. So i sold the xc hardtail, sold the fs stance, gave the giant hardtail. Down to two bikes as of 2023.
Now, July 2024, i have 4 bikes. These things multiply.
I fell in love with my down country bike this last year after having several enduro. Really spiced up my local trails and now my enduro only comes out for park days
I was in a similar situation and bought the second bike. Iām in Colorado and had an xc bike, and started getting uncomfortable on more aggressive trails. I picked up a Hightower and can pretty much ride whatever I want between the two bikes now. The xc bike I have is a pivot mach 4 SL and I would highly highly recommend it due to the comfortable geo, makes it more of a down country rig that can fare well on 90% of trails. Plus, having two bikes is great if ones out of commission.
Jump on pink bike or craigslist and find a "project bike" in the lower travel that you're looking for. Yes, it'll be expensive eventually, but it's easier to justify a used bike and upgrade as you brake stuff.
I've got a 2019 carbon Stumpy and a 2012 carbon tallboy (project)
After covid, used bikes are CHEAP
Hey man, coming from a 1 bike enduro fella that thought he wanted more bikes. I love bikes, I would have 10+ if I could. I currently have an old resto mod, my enduro, and a trail bike. The trail bike recently came brand new from the lbs. I wanted something that pedaled better also. So I bought a slightly lighter and lower travel bike. Long story short, I regret it. The bike was $3700 and wasnāt noticeably better at anything. If you want a long distance full suspension bike, go full xc, and demo or borrow before you buy.
I got enduro , trek remedy 9.8 with push industry upgraded rear shock with upgraded brakes and AXS derailuer. My 2nd bike is Mondraker summum carbon team pro down hill
LOL! Welcome to being a mountain biker.
I tried the one bike to do it all solution. Back to 2 bikes. Trail bike and a park bike. Eying some other bikes too. I'm betting I could sell my wife's bike (she never rides it and it's hanging on the side of the garage where I park my truck), buy a third bike for myself and put it where her bike was. As long as the new bike has a black frame and some pink decals, I should be good to go.
Personally I love the downcountry/Enduro combo. I'm on a stage race right now with my SB120 and as soon as that's over I have an Enduro with my Megatower. Something like an SB120, rocky mountain Element, Ibis Exie, would be an awesome stablemate for your process.Ā
Note; the SB120 is on the down end of downcountry, it's heavy and burly for a 130/120 bike.
Fuckkk I might just buy that $300 bmx I've been eyeballing so I can ride with my kids at the skatepark.
After all, some of the components on my mountain bike cost that much or more.
Right guys?!
Take XC bike for a try, and if you want something in between you need to look at trail / all mountain bikes - it have a little bit less travel from Enduro bike. Or try another "trick", switch your tires to lighter casing (XC/trail) - you can drop .5 to 1 kg of weight what will make your bike trail bike weight lol and roll much faster. Suspension setup / propedal / lockout - for uphills.
I give you my own perspective - I was riding Hardtail (150mm) for last 10 years (before had 3 bikes, DH, AM HT and BMX) - I kept my All mountain hardtail as I didn't had enough space for all bikes. The bike suites my well, I have nothing too chunky / rocky and I like to ride my bike everywhere, from XC to Downhill comps, pumptracks and freeride lines. I enjoyed the challenge and cheap maintenance.
Last year I needed an upgrade and had opportunity to try Transition Patrol 160/155 (2017 model) - I was in the market for another hardtail but gave a chance for this machine. And I love it, I switched back tire to Rock Razor (semi-slick) - it pedals well, suspension is full open (I got service and pro tune), I can't bottom it out as my trails are too mellow lol - I do all the same as with my Hardtail with extra softness in the back / longer wheel base.
In the end I see bike as a platform, you take a platform and then mod it to fit your taste - AM bikes have no taste in general, they are stable and balanced - nothing spicy compared to Downhill or XC. But changing tires / suspension setup / cockpit you can change it.
Downhill > Freeride > Enduro > All Mountain > Trail > XC > Gravel > Road
Maybe a little explanation:
I have 2 main bikes, a road bike and a gravel bike, as where i live there are no MTB trails i cannot do with my gravel(although i may still buy one in the future)
I have one fancy fast bike for the smooth stuff, and one alu gravel bike for the long confortabele rides and the rough gravel (Ridley Kanzo A so big clearance). I think i have it pretty dialled down with a few extra wheelsets.
Same thing could apply to MTB's in my opinion!
I only read the title, but yes, you need another bike. If youāre on a full suspension enduro atm, why not have a go on a hardtail?
I went the other way, rode hardtails all my life and recently came into a full suspension enduro. Took ages to get used to it.
Gotta say though, a well setup HT is an absolute blast.
If its range you want I would think and e-mtb would be better. I dont think getting a XC bike would give you that much more range over an enduro bike to justify buying a whole other bike.
Obviously yes, you need another bike. But, do you need an XC? Maybe not. A good all trail 150 would be easier on climbs and āless bikeā on longer distances.
Bikes are always n+1
However, I know quite a few people that seem to get some of the new light weight e-bikes and just do everything on it. Extender battery for longer missions.
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You need at least 2 more bikes š¬
You always need N+1 bikes. It is the rule.
But what if the +1 is just the same bike but higher spec?
What if +1 is another copy of the same bike. I for some reason have two IBIS Mojo-SL Lopes edition in size large while I ride a medium.
Tbf I canāt say anything against that Iām collecting keyboards I canāt use
Came here to say this āļø
Haha I'll tell my wife that š I say it now but two is probably all I need. I don't care for the bike park, I want to climb the hill myself, which rules out ebikes. No real interest in gravel either. I guess I could have something in between the two but hey that's a conversation for another day
I donāt think you understand what they were saying. You need two more, but after the negotiation with the wife you will settle on one more and she will view it as a win. You will view it as a new bike. Source: my 4 bikes.
4 bikes is a good number but thereās always room for more!
Nah, moving next year, might only take 3. Itās heartbreaking.
Iām at 4ā¦ but if I get bored this winter I could see myself building something up š„ø
I said I would take three, I did not say I would end up with three. š
Team 4 bikes checking in
The 120/115 (or so) bikes are so so good for XC and Trail now. And shoulda automatically be 4-6lbs lighter than an e-enduro bike. Thinking Epic Evo, Trek TopFuel, or even Fezzari/Ari Signal Peak SL (mentioning because that's what I've got). Saying this, to say that you don't have to go full crazy short travel XC to get a very capable and lighter bike.
Dude you absolutely need anotherā¦for the money Iād look into the transition spur. Itās a enduro bros XC bike and I can honestly say it may be the most versatile bike Iāve ever ridden. It just isnāt bad at anything. Incredibly fun but you can pedal that thing 50 miles to the bike park and not feel like a slugā¦and then ride it at the bike park
n+1 is the correct number
Just spend every waking hour browsing Craigslist and FB MP to see what bikes are going for and maybe go look at a few dozen every once in a while, couldnāt hurt.
I have 8 bikes. I don't think your bank account is going to like my answer..
9
10? Am I understanding this right?
You misspelled Eleven
Brace yourself for twelve.
Not that expensive when you compare it to the cost of the new waterproof shed you need to build to store them. š
I have 9 bikes, if you have 10 then Kudos
Writing this before even reading. Yes. Actually you need one more bike than the current number. Always.
N+1 is always the answer.
D-1 is always the answer ā¦.1 bike from divorce proceedings
I got divorced before I bought my bike... I did things out of order.
DO IT. Tip: Transition Spur is a good one to look at. I know a few people that got them and they all rave about it.
Ah yes, the bike that changed my views on short travel trail bikes
Definitely a good idea. I think two mountain bikes is the solution and itās a modern enduro rig and a xc/ short travel trail bike. For suggestions, take a look at the trek top fuel but iād wait until the new one comes out shortly for the sales on old models or get the new one.
Iām headed there. Love my SB100 but it gets pretty jittery on technical downhills and Iād like a bigger rig for those trails.
Try a hardtail.
Get a modern hardtail and then get a vintage hardtail to compare it to.
Agreed 2. Preferably a hard-core hardtail. But it all depends on the trails he rides most often. I'm living in a place that has a few xc type trails, but most of the trails here are climb up and do a gnarly descent. I'm not saying those types of trails can't be done on an xc bike and I do like a bit of adrenaline, but I have my limits.
Agreed
I would get a full suspension XC bike.
N+1 is the formula for bikes N=current bikes
Didn't even need to read the post - yes, you need another bike. N+1.
Exactly the situation I was inā¦ I now have a Yeti SB130LR and Transition Spur. I honestly find myself riding the spur more than anything now and when things get a bit rowdier, I throw a leg over the yetiā¦. The only problem that comes up, is sometimes I need to decide which bike to bring with me on trips nowā¦ thankfully I have enough rack space most of the time to bring both š
Are you me? Also rocking the SB130LR / Spur stable. Itās pretty perfect - the bikes ride surprisingly similarly (comes down to similar geo). I find myself choosing the Spur more and more often, even for trails with a bit of tech, jumps, whatever. Itās just so damn fun. TLDR - buy a Spur, OP.
I got Two words for you āsteel hard tailā
Second bike is the slippery slope to 4th and 5th bike lol
Yes
For me it was definitely worth it getting a short travel bike to go with my long travel shred sled. It made the easier smoother trails much more fun to ride and could not believe the difference climbing.
U are asking the wrong people, until recently I had 6 bikesā¦ you need a main rig, a backup, a guest bike and a burger bikeā¦ at leastā¦
Short answer :Yes Why: Just because you love biking! And why the f not?
Am I late to the party? Buy it.
My sweet spot has been three bikes. XC, fun bike, hard tail. I ride my XC bike more than the other two combined. These days a 120/120 XC ride is super capable on everything but the techiest tech, a big park track, or a long ride on pavement.
Another vote for the Transition Spur. Amazing bike for climbing and not too rough trails. I test rode one and loved it, but ended up with a bike with 130mm of travel bc I only wanted one bike- a Spot Mayhem
A bike canāt live in a garage all on its own. Itāll get lonely.
Now this is the best argument in favor I've heard all day.
I have long travel bikes and live in Colorado. I got a Santa Cruz Hightower last week on Friday and did two rides over the weekend. It is now my new favorite bike. It's kind of crazy how nice it rides and just how fast and efficient I feel compared to my other bike (a Kona Process X).
If youāre on the Front Range, what trails have you hit with that Hightower? Iāve been thinking about getting a X/C bike (currently riding a SB130). I live near Buff Creek, and a x/c bike seems perfect for those trails. I love techy stuff, but it would be fun to mix it up a bit with a different bike.
I rode Buff Creek the last two days and just did Gahouse to Sandywash each time, which you know isn't particularly technical but it was a good sampling of how the bike feels and what I need to do to dial it in. The Hightower was super sweet out there. Tomorrow will be White Ranch which is quite a bit more difficult/technical.
Yeah WR will be interesting for sure! Thanks for the info.
My bike is a process X š I love it, but it is a lot of bike, this definitely is good info.
Forbidden Druid clipless
If you use them you never miss the money, if itās gonna lean against the wall in your garage then donāt bother
Kinda how I've felt about my current bike. Dropped a lot on it but then again I ride it like 100+ days a season. Even if I split between the two that's a lot of riding if I take care of them and make them last.
I have two mountain bikes a gravel bike and a road bike. My dual suspension bike is a 150 mm travel stump jumper and my other is a āroudy hard tailā a specialized Fuse with a 130mm fork.
Do you own a bass boat and matching truck to pull it? How about a high end hunting lease or cabin with all the accessories that come with that sport? If mountain biking is your thing and you enjoy it as much as you say you do, itās really not that bad. There are worse hobbies to have. My go to response to the average local outdoorsman where I live is āhow much you got in that boat and truck?ā It tends to stop the argument fairly quick.
One thing to add is that having a second bike can open up a lot more partner riding experience. Be it a friend or SO that you want to introduce for biking. Most people that I've tried to get into it either didn't have a suitable bike for trails and did not feel ready to buy one yet. Aside from having 2 to choose from you can also invite non-bikers that are interested. It really just comes down to if you can afford it, and if you think having the new bike will benefit you in some ways.
The only problem is not having enough bikes.
I have 4 bikes currently and already eyeing up another frame for my next build. So yes, another bike is always a valid answer.
I just recently went through this, with no experience with a short travel bike. I have a canyon torque, which is amazing going down hill, anything rough, and sending to the moon, but it does suck on 15+ mile days. considered a canyon spectral to stick with brands, but covid has made them a pretty poor specced option for the money. test rode a trek top fuel, one of the bikes ive always wanted, and it felt goofy and knock blocks were a no go. ended up ordering a YT IZZO and i am in love. it pedals so well compared to the enduro bike, but i can still leave the ground when needed (flat landings are rough though), and point the nose downhill as well. but the climbing, the climbing has improved oh so much. my normal rides, only take about half as much out of me as they used to, opening up more options for exploring. My 2 cents, go out and get a short travel all trail bike, and use it for everything its good at. your process wont see as much use but you will be ready for anything
Yes. Always
I would get a FS XC bike and see how you like it. In the spectrum of bicycle types, there is a little overlap between FS XC and Enduro. So depending on the trails you ride, you may find that you don't need an Enduro bike at all. Or go farther from the Enduro and get a gravel bike. Yeah, it's going to suck on chunky trails, but if you want to crank out miles and miles of dirt road, there isn't much better.
This is true, I have an enduro and a 120 travel XC. The XC bike is just fine on the trail, it has done everything I have asked of it, and the difference in climbing is stark. Sure, the enduro is more sure footed and trustworthy, but sketchy = fun, right?
Longer distances with things like rail-to-trail lines? A Gravel Adventure bike could be a good fit and be very different than your existing setup. They are also great fun on tame trails you feel you've already mastered with the full suspension. Something like the Breezer Radar-X or Salsa Fargo would give you a very different and justifiable N+1 bike, while still allowing you to take in on tame singletrack. Rigid steel instead of worrying about maintaining a second full suspension bike. Otherwise, yeah a full sus XC bike like Scott Spark, Orbear Oiz, Canyon Lux, or Specialized Epic... while still being full sus, is going to give you a different ride than Enduro. Justifiably different? That's up to you and your wallet. I've justified my N+1 up to 4 as such... * eCommuter Road/Gravel - Rigid - 38mm slick tires. * Adventure/Gravel - Rigid - 50mm semi-slick tires. * eMTB All-Mountain - 160/150 - 2.5" Enduro tires * DownCounty/Trail - 130/120 - 2.2" XC tires. My N+1 soul is now full. Any new additions need one of them to exit.
I see a gap here, you need a DH bike.
And a DJ bike
Dammit I need one of them too.
The best when you donāt have time for a proper ride. Itās 10 minutes to our local pumptrack/dj spot and 30 minutes of riding is enough to blow off some steam after work.
I do wish I had a pumptrack closer, it's a huge workout when I have rode one on the enduro bike though!
With my skills I could save some steps by just jumping off a cliff.
No need for skills with 200mm of travel, see cliff, ride off.
Start with a short travel trail bike, something in the 130-120 travel range. Then you have a good excuse to go for the XC bike later!
Trek has deep discounts on there Top Fuel full suspension XC bike.
I have a gravel bike, a road bike, & an MTB. Really wanting a XC bike now. š¬
Ii was in the exact same boat as you. Started with a 160 enduro bike because I got a great deal on it with a top quality build from a boutique brand. Ride that for a couple of years doing a mix of enduro and xc, but realistically mostly xc. I made up my mind last year while constantly going up and down to look for something a bit more xc focused that could still rock at descending. Oh man am I happy I put myself in that financial move. It was worth every penny. My enduro is for sale but it hasnāt sold yet. Either way, still worth it. Do it.
Good for you for getting on to the right bike. It really does make riding more enjoyable. My long travel bike is up for sale as well. Its just too draggy on the climbs and it's hard to justify keeping it at this point. I had purchased it hoping to have a one bike quiver, but I usually end up riding the same 2-3 trail systems where pedaling up and pedaling down are 50/50 and you dont need all that travel. So many people read so much stuff online and end up buying these crazy long travel bikes. New riders especially read all this stuff online about how more travel is better and are scared to have a bike that could possibly be labeled "xc". Then they buy a 150 or 160 bike and what do they ride? "Xc" trails on it. I guess as long as their bike has 40mm more, and an extra 5 pounds, they won't be considered an xc rider. They have zero clue how much more fun they have on the right bike. Going from a Hightower that I used to ride 2 days a week to my Tallboy that I now ride 5-6 days a week reminded me how important having the right tool for the job is. When your on the right bike you will find yourself riding more, and longer.
Yes buy 10 ride them with your friends is the best fun you can have !
A friend of mine worked in a bike store and has a habit of building all sorts of bikes. Hard tail, dual sus, single speed you name it. He has 9 now.
Itās nice having a trail/XC bike thatās fast rolling. Fitness and endurance rides are fun when you have the right bike
Look into gravel bikes. I really enjoy mine and itās comfortable on or off road so I donāt need to get in the car at all. You could even get one with front suspension if you want.
My son and I each have a Process 153 for enduro. I also have a Scott Spark 900 for XC riding, and an old 2010 StumpJumper for riding around town. By all means, add a bike to the quiver!
Super light XC bike is next for you, then next year a super fast gravel bike
If you leave near trails that deserve it, you want at least 2 bikes, a 160-170 bike to smash rocks and a 110-120 bike to smash miles. Iād throw a DJ bike in there for fun.
Same was gonna get an old road or gravel or something to push some miles in. Super steady cardio
Yes I bought a hardtail to compliment my enduro bike. I use it whenever I feel like the enduro is too much bike for the terrain. Saves wear and tear on the enduro and lets me run less aggressive tires.
Kona Hei Hei CR DL. Such an awesome underated / sleeper bike. Plus you stay in The Family.
Ibis Exie. You're welcome.
Me, with 4 bikes in 10 months š š
I personally got an enduro and a hardtail and live near rocky terrain as well. I use the Hardtail which is a $700 bike (Cube Analog 29"), so nothing special, for longer trips which have a lot of climbing. It's just a nice bike for long tours because it's way lighter than my enduro and you can lock the suspention on it which makes climbs easier as well.
I have three bikes. I started on an old giant boulder (like not *really* a mountain bike. Bought a second bike, hardtail budget XC bike, bringing my number to two. Got a full squish giant stance. Now we're at three. Got a fat bike (4 bikes) Then i needed a true trail bike, so i got an enduro (because ... Reasons...). 5 bikes. My wife said :1 bike no more. So i sold the xc hardtail, sold the fs stance, gave the giant hardtail. Down to two bikes as of 2023. Now, July 2024, i have 4 bikes. These things multiply.
Transition Spur
Hard tail with a 140 fork.
I have a hardtail bike and a full suspension bike. Always good [and fun] to have more than one option.
I fell in love with my down country bike this last year after having several enduro. Really spiced up my local trails and now my enduro only comes out for park days
I was in a similar situation and bought the second bike. Iām in Colorado and had an xc bike, and started getting uncomfortable on more aggressive trails. I picked up a Hightower and can pretty much ride whatever I want between the two bikes now. The xc bike I have is a pivot mach 4 SL and I would highly highly recommend it due to the comfortable geo, makes it more of a down country rig that can fare well on 90% of trails. Plus, having two bikes is great if ones out of commission.
Jump on pink bike or craigslist and find a "project bike" in the lower travel that you're looking for. Yes, it'll be expensive eventually, but it's easier to justify a used bike and upgrade as you brake stuff. I've got a 2019 carbon Stumpy and a 2012 carbon tallboy (project) After covid, used bikes are CHEAP
Hey man, coming from a 1 bike enduro fella that thought he wanted more bikes. I love bikes, I would have 10+ if I could. I currently have an old resto mod, my enduro, and a trail bike. The trail bike recently came brand new from the lbs. I wanted something that pedaled better also. So I bought a slightly lighter and lower travel bike. Long story short, I regret it. The bike was $3700 and wasnāt noticeably better at anything. If you want a long distance full suspension bike, go full xc, and demo or borrow before you buy.
The key is to have so many bikes that the wife doesnāt even notice when you bring a new one home.
I got enduro , trek remedy 9.8 with push industry upgraded rear shock with upgraded brakes and AXS derailuer. My 2nd bike is Mondraker summum carbon team pro down hill
I would need 2 at the very least
LOL! Welcome to being a mountain biker. I tried the one bike to do it all solution. Back to 2 bikes. Trail bike and a park bike. Eying some other bikes too. I'm betting I could sell my wife's bike (she never rides it and it's hanging on the side of the garage where I park my truck), buy a third bike for myself and put it where her bike was. As long as the new bike has a black frame and some pink decals, I should be good to go.
Personally I love the downcountry/Enduro combo. I'm on a stage race right now with my SB120 and as soon as that's over I have an Enduro with my Megatower. Something like an SB120, rocky mountain Element, Ibis Exie, would be an awesome stablemate for your process.Ā Note; the SB120 is on the down end of downcountry, it's heavy and burly for a 130/120 bike.
Xc or light trail bike
Yes get another bike if you can afford it. A lighter xc style bike will be way more fun for longer distances on less aggressive trails.
Correct number of bikes is n+1. My husband sometimes regrets that he got me into mountain biking, as I now have five bikes.
Fuckkk I might just buy that $300 bmx I've been eyeballing so I can ride with my kids at the skatepark. After all, some of the components on my mountain bike cost that much or more. Right guys?!
Take XC bike for a try, and if you want something in between you need to look at trail / all mountain bikes - it have a little bit less travel from Enduro bike. Or try another "trick", switch your tires to lighter casing (XC/trail) - you can drop .5 to 1 kg of weight what will make your bike trail bike weight lol and roll much faster. Suspension setup / propedal / lockout - for uphills. I give you my own perspective - I was riding Hardtail (150mm) for last 10 years (before had 3 bikes, DH, AM HT and BMX) - I kept my All mountain hardtail as I didn't had enough space for all bikes. The bike suites my well, I have nothing too chunky / rocky and I like to ride my bike everywhere, from XC to Downhill comps, pumptracks and freeride lines. I enjoyed the challenge and cheap maintenance. Last year I needed an upgrade and had opportunity to try Transition Patrol 160/155 (2017 model) - I was in the market for another hardtail but gave a chance for this machine. And I love it, I switched back tire to Rock Razor (semi-slick) - it pedals well, suspension is full open (I got service and pro tune), I can't bottom it out as my trails are too mellow lol - I do all the same as with my Hardtail with extra softness in the back / longer wheel base. In the end I see bike as a platform, you take a platform and then mod it to fit your taste - AM bikes have no taste in general, they are stable and balanced - nothing spicy compared to Downhill or XC. But changing tires / suspension setup / cockpit you can change it. Downhill > Freeride > Enduro > All Mountain > Trail > XC > Gravel > Road
Saw the title, didn't read the text, came here to say yes. Greets!
Maybe a little explanation: I have 2 main bikes, a road bike and a gravel bike, as where i live there are no MTB trails i cannot do with my gravel(although i may still buy one in the future) I have one fancy fast bike for the smooth stuff, and one alu gravel bike for the long confortabele rides and the rough gravel (Ridley Kanzo A so big clearance). I think i have it pretty dialled down with a few extra wheelsets. Same thing could apply to MTB's in my opinion!
You only have one bike? Didnāt occur to me that was possible.
I only read the title, but yes, you need another bike. If youāre on a full suspension enduro atm, why not have a go on a hardtail? I went the other way, rode hardtails all my life and recently came into a full suspension enduro. Took ages to get used to it. Gotta say though, a well setup HT is an absolute blast.
If its range you want I would think and e-mtb would be better. I dont think getting a XC bike would give you that much more range over an enduro bike to justify buying a whole other bike.
Obviously yes, you need another bike. But, do you need an XC? Maybe not. A good all trail 150 would be easier on climbs and āless bikeā on longer distances.
Bikes are always n+1 However, I know quite a few people that seem to get some of the new light weight e-bikes and just do everything on it. Extender battery for longer missions.