XC bike choice

Lokoseena

I sold my 2 bikes and now I need a new ride for XC riding. Here is a list of bikes I've been looking at but can't make my mind up. Hoping that you guys can help me out make my mind up.

Titus racer X
Trek fuel 100
Giant NRS
Intense 5.5 evp
Santa cruz blur

Any other sugestions? Thanks a bunch!!!!!

__________________
Ride with the best,
Die like the rest.

Hecubus

Kind of a blurry line between your choices there.

The Racer X Fuel 100, and NRS are purebred racers. They have short travel under 4" and have fairly stiff suspensions (except for the Titus)

The 5.5 EVP and Blur are trailbikes even though the Blur kinda hovers somewhere between that line. The Intense Spider would be a more direct comparison to your other choices rather than the 5.5 EVP. If you've got the budget I would say pick between the Spider, Blur, or Racer X. I feel they have overall better suspension systems. Unless you plan purely on racing I find the Fuel and NRS to not necessarily be the best choice. The only reason I'd consider them is because they are cheaper. The Blur and Spider are very similar in performance. The geometry on the spider is a bit quicker and the frame is tad lighter and more "overbuilt" than the blur but you do pay about $500 more for it. The Racer X is one of the most proven designs and it is known to be possibly the most reliable of all. Titus is just an awsesome company in every sense. If you are looking for something a little more all around and with more travel than a pure racing machine then look into the 5.5 EVP, Titus Switchblade, maybe the Turner 5 Spot.

Sand2snow14

I currently have a Giant NRS and I believe it's the best bike in the bunch.... depending on what you want to do. If you plan on doing mostly cross country or racing, then yes, the Giant. But if you want a little more fun, a little more freeride, then take a look at the new 5.5 evp. I was talking to a bike shop owner about it and he has sold me on it. I plan on ordering one this month. The others on your list, Trek - just average, Santa cruz blur is inferior compared to the 5.5evp, and the Titus i truly have no idea. Another factor would be how tall and how much you weigh. I'm just over 6'3" so the Giant fits me better than most.
Hope this makes sense and is helpful!!

bigchina

everyone i know, everyone i've personally talked to would swear by the Titus, but i've never been on one.

Ghr7891

I have heard good things about the Santa Cruz Blur, but I would check out the Intense to, that looks like a pretty sweet ride.

__________________
Getting your ass kicked is part of mountain biking...thats why I ride a hardtail!

kbakersjsu

I have a Giant NRS 1 and love it! The suspention is setup so that there is no bob and it really makes a difference, especially on those long uphills and especially if you mioght be a little overweight. I haven't had experince with the other bikes but I can tell you that the Giant is an excellent choice for XC!

ibike73

It all depends on what you are going to do on the bike. It is like others have said, you list bikes built for racing and trail-riding. If you are going to race, I would lean towards the Trek (and I am a diehard Giant guy). The Titus is an awesome racer, but way over-priced. And if you want to go for more of a trail bike, but possible racer, then go with the Santa Cruz.

Hecubus

Actually I don't think the Alu Racer X is that much more than a top o the line Fuel frame. The difference is however tough any of these frames might be the Racer X is one nearly indestructible bike. That thing is light and built like a tank. It will easily outlast any of the other choices.

21turner

take a look at Klein.

joeWeinberger

What about the Specialized Epic? If you are looking at full suspension, it looks like an obvious choice. It is a little heavy at just around 24lbs, but then you could get a scandium hard tail and just hammer.

Just a thought!