There's a couple things to reply to, so I guess I'll do it individually...
Fog - At the end, you say you didn't need the flexibility that the 5-spot gave you which, by what you said, I could understand. But that's the thing, I want a bike that can give me that flexibility. Something that can go everywhere and not have to worry about it. Like I said, I don't care if it doesn't do everything perfect, I realize that bike doesn't exist, just as long as it does everything good enough so I can do whatever type of riding I want.
Justin - Thanks for the honest opinion on the Heckler, lol. I realize the SP design has it drawbacks, but it being my first bike, perhaps the SP aspect would be good for me to learn to service my own bike...? And I'm definitely beginning to see that most here are more geared to XC type riding. And there's no problem with that, its just I feel like some are instantly dismissing my choices because they feel it wouldn't be best for what they like to ride without considering what I'm saying. I doubt that's the case really, it just seems that at times. And about the MTBR thing, your absolutely correct.
J - I realize you weren't being an ass, and I am changing my mind around a little bit, which makes it seem like I'm not listening, but I'm definitely not dismissing what you guys are saying. Nor am I dismissing the Trance X. If I were dismissing it, I wouldn't have mentioned it at any of the shops I went to, nor would I have taken the time to test ride it. It's still a choice, but I'm just trying to get a feel for what's out there. And people always say ride the bike, see how it feels, that's most important, well I rode the Trance X, and it didn't feel that great to me. And I rode the Heckler, which felt better fit-wise. And I'll be honest, until I came home and did some research, I thought the Heckler was still a 5 or 5.5" design, so I'm not just saying that because of the 6" travel. And also you say "He races on a bigger bike but says that he is very happy riding XC on the Trance." Well that's the thing I don't want to do just XC, if I did, I probably would be looking at something with even less travel than that, a regular Trance perhaps. But I want something between his big bike and his XC bike. Again, something for a little bit of everything.
Walter - I'm not too discouraged, and I know I asked for your guys opinions and that's what I'm getting. And I respect your guys answers because like you said, you've been riding for longer than me, and I know you guys probably know it all better than me. It's just that, like I said to Justin, it feels like some are just dismissing what I'm saying. And I've already considered costs for other things, so that's not a big problem. And also, you say with more aggressive comes more aggressive repair and maintenance, which is why I'm looking for a slightly more aggressive bike upfront.
Norm - That's not the case at all. Had that been the case, this would have been over a few days a go when I had a shop employee recommend the Reign, and honestly tell me a lot of what I thought and was looking to hear. I would have settled on it right there and not listened to you guys. But I'm still here, still listening, still looking for opinions, and I still tested the bike that most all of you recommended with an open mind. I'm not dismissing your thoughts, just trying to gauge different things.
stb - I know there's certainly a lot of propaganda out there and I'm trying to look past it all. With the Heckler, it's certainly not the big burly bike with the nice suspension. It's old school, fairly simple looking frame with SP suspension. And while I have read a few articles on the bike, most of the good things I've heard from it are from people. Whether somebody who has one themselves, or knows somebody who has and loves it. And I know I don't need tons of suspension it just happens to be the bikes I'm looking at.
And in general, on the note of suspension travel, it has nothing to do with me wanting a 6" bike. It just happens to be that the bikes I've been looking at thus far happen to be all right around 6". I'd have no problem with the 5" of the Trance X, if the bike were built up a little better and aimed at a more aggressive type of riding. If you all feel the problem is just the 6" travel part, then suggest a strong 5" bike capable of some aggressive type riding, a little bit of everything, like what I want. I'm yet to really see many as seems most companies seem to feel for a little more aggressive stuff, 6" is about the standard. But like I've said numerous times, I'm not looking for one bike to excel at doing it all and be perfect. I'm looking for a bike that might be a compromise in some areas, but can still tread wherever I please. I don't care if I have a slight weight penalty taking it up a hill, but I know I'd want something that is a little better at coming down.
Again, I'm not dismissing any of your ideas, and I certainly respect your answers as you guys have been riding for longer than I. So don't instantly dismiss me as being stubborn or ignorant, because I'm not, I'm just really trying to see what's out there. Trying to gauge certain things. And I feel at times you guys are just dismissing what I'm saying that I don't care about weight or if it's not perfect for flat trails, I don't want something aimed at flat trails, otherwise I'd get a cruiser and stick to sidewalks. And a lot of people say fit is important and the Heckler seemed to fit me very well, but nobody had anything to say to that.
At this point, after wanting a bike for three years, it's becoming a little less of a concern what type of bike I get, as I just wanna get out and ride. All I'm positive is that I'm not looking to race XC, so I don't want a bike geared toward that. I'm looking for something to take me out there and hold up to whatever I throw at it wherever I am, be it Hartshorne, Diablo, Allaire, or riding around town to screw around or even just grabbing a bite to eat. And the last thing I want is something that will be too little for what I want, and perhaps hold me back(in the "riding aggressively" sense) or break because that would probably turn me away from the sport. So I guess, perhaps, in all honesty, maybe something that is slightly overkill...And if it winds up being absolute and total overkill where I don't like it, you are all more then welcome to say "I told you so." But until then, like I said, maybe something that is build up a little extra and could be seen as slightly overkill....
Again, thanks for any of YOUR responses, and putting up with MY seemingly endless and very lengthy responses. I want you guys to know I'm not dismissing anything yet, and still look for some opinions.
Scott
