Best bike for a clydesdale? Intense, Ventana, other?

Thrimbob

I'm looking for a new ride and need a sturdy frame... I'm about 5'9" and go about 220... most of my riding is aggressive X-country... hills, descents, all single track stuff in New England... lots of rocks and roots and logs, some small drops, nothing to big though... from the research I've done, it seems as though the Intense Tracer or Ventana Pantera might be the best bikes for me... Opinions?? or is there another that can take the stress/abuse without breaking its back?
-Thrimbob

Hecubus

Intense Tracer would be one of my top choices. Still one of the greatest FS bikes ever made. The Santa Cruz Blur is also a good choice or the Heckler if you want something a bit sturdier. I just got to try a Ventana for the first time a few weeks ago when my friend bought one. It feels smooth and the build quality is fantastic but overall I was unimpressed by the bike. The suspension moved around a LOT while pedaling even with a stable platform shock. Thats something you expect to be optimized at this point in time especially given the high price tag on the frame. Also consider the Titus switchblade or Turner 5 Spot which everyone seems to love.

ireman_1

Welcome Thrimbob. Being a fellow clydesdale (6'3" @ 250-and dropping a 10 more I hope!) I can recommend the Santa Cruz Heckler. I am on my 2nd Heckler (3rd SC overall) and love it. My current one is an '03 (with the "new" gusseting on the head/top/downtube junction and new swingarm). It's been a killer bike for me. I ride "pretty much the same" stuff as you (i.e. tech XC, light DH, whatever moves me that day, etc) and it handles everything just fine. It's not perfect at any of it, but it does it all pretty darn well. They climb well, descend great, aren't too heavy, sturdy as hell. It took a "painful" fall off a 12+ foot ledge in Moab this last spring to kill my last Heckler (trust me, I didn't take it on purpose) and SC treated me well in dealing with the crash replacement deal.

I've ridden the Yeti "free-ride" bike (can't remember the name) and liked it. EVERYTHING I've heard about Ventanna has been positive (except price). Ellsworth are slick, but I've heard more than a few complaints about their warranty return issues. Intense bikes are well, intense and sick. Let me add one more word for us "not light" fellas: Marzocchi. Have fun picking your new bike and let us know which way you go!

K.

__________________
Don't give up, don't ever give up.


Disciples Of Dirt