Full bounce

Bobzilla

Dirt Disciple
Thinking of going full bounce, just because I can, and its something I wanted but couldn't afford about 10 years ago. My options are: £585 or so for a new Boardman from Halfrauds, or an early 2000s Specialised FSR, which from memory were the best of the full bounce back then. Really fancy the retro option, but am I being stupid and nostaligic? Answers on a postcard please.
 
I'd defo get as new a bike as possible as suss has moved on a lot in the last 10 years. With your budget I'd be tempted to get a couple of year old higher spec bike, something like a 2010 Marin.
 
Must admit love my 98 Proflex which I still ride but have a Anthem and love it heard the Bordman FS is excellent though
 
Have recently rescued, restored and rebuilt a '99 Santa Cruz Heckler. Until then I had always ridden hardtails.

The extra confidence that the full sus delivers is brilliant and I don't think I've ever ridden as fast through the technical stuff.

A custom retro-ish build gets my vote every time.
 
Got a bit of hardtail fever a while back, took the mrs' Kona Stuff down quite a difficult trail last weekend. Straight back on the bouncer, Kona up for sale :LOL:
 
I was very anti full bounce until I built up an I drive five and went over to Wales.....it was pretty amazing. Right tool for the job and all that, it's probably over 30lbs and has Domains up front so is no XC machine.

I'd be going for something as new as possible as it's been mentioned about the technology improving over the years. Giants always get rave reviews, could you pick one of them up secondhand at all on your budget?
 
I'd go second hand because I think you'll get more for your money, however when buying a bouncy bike second and you need to be careful of worn bushes or shocks that need servicing as these things can cost a fair bit.

For around the £600 mark second hand you should get a pretty damn good bike.
 
I know I do get a LOT of stuff from them, but I got my Ghost for around 580 quid 9 months ago from Chain Reaction (2011 model going cheeep) and it's been brilliant!
I had an FSR and that was kinda fun, but the geometry really doesn't work as well for climbing, and the 165mm shock e2e is restrictive these days.
i'va gradually worked on the ful-susser over the year replacing this & that & it's seriously fast now!!
So my recommendation would be to look out for some 2011/2012 bikes coming up at 40/50% off now-ish as the 2013 ranges come out, and you can get some serious bargains! (AND still be covered by warranty, etc.)
 
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