Help Me Pick a Bike (North Jersey)

I had the theory that Mtb’s were designed for the area where the company is located…. Pivot ended this theory .
 
NWilliams180 said:
I’m looking at getting a new bike (currently don’t have one actually) for trail riding in North Jersey.

Given the kind of riding I want to do, is 130r/140f+ necessary for the N Jersey rocks? I’m sure this has been asked a million times over, but that’s what the internet is for, right? What’s the bare minimum for someone who want’s climbing efficiency over plow factor? I don’t want something that feels like a dirtbike (want the opposite actually). My budget is <$3000, so aluminum is really all I’m considering. I’ve done a lot of research and it seems like the Ripley AF would be the ideal option.
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We have some killer Black Friday Weekend deals going on that should fit the bill.... Cannondale Habit Waves 29, Giant Trance X 2 in both 29er OR 27.5 wheels, These bikes list for between $3500-$3700, starting as low as $ 2200... brand new, full warranties..... We are here 10-5 Saturday and Sunday....
 
I wanted to buy a Transition Patrol. A few people said to me it was a very big bike for the conditions here. I am glad I listened. I bought a new carbon Transition Scout in March of this year. The more I ride it and get used to it the more awesome I see it is. The head tube is slack 64°. That took a while to get used to. Now, it will go anywhere I want. It's 150 front and 140 rear.
It is the best and smoothest riding bicycle I have ever owned. The leverage ratio in the back uses all the shock and absorbs so much. As of now, Transition does not offer it in carbon. Only aluminum. I also got it with Shimano XT. I am a fan of Shimano. More than Sram.
It's got 27.5 wheels. That works for me. You have to make that decision.
What I have learned is that because one person thinks a bike is great, doesn't mean you will. We all ride differently and like different things.
Not the best pictures but I don't have anything better.
 

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Twitchy said:
I wanted to buy a Transition Patrol. A few people said to me it was a very big bike for the conditions here. I am glad I listened. I bought a new carbon Transition Scout in March of this year. The more I ride it and get used to it the more awesome I see it is. The head tube is slack 64°. That took a while to get used to. Now, it will go anywhere I want. It's 150 front and 140 rear.
It is the best and smoothest riding bicycle I have ever owned. The leverage ratio in the back uses all the shock and absorbs so much. As of now, Transition does not offer it in carbon. Only aluminum. I also got it with Shimano XT. I am a fan of Shimano. More than Sram.
It's got 27.5 wheels. That works for me. You have to make that decision.
What I have learned is that because one person thinks a bike is great, doesn't mean you will. We all ride differently and like different things.
Not the best pictures but I don't have anything better.
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Congrats on the new bike, though I'm not sure the new even more slack is for me. 66-67 is what's perfect for me. Btw, curious on where you ride
 
qclabrat said:
Congrats on the new bike, though I'm not sure the new even more slack is for me. 66-67 is what's perfect for me. Btw, curious on where you ride
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I ride Stephens, waywayanda, high rocks, Nassau when it was open, nockamixon. I'm close to Frenchtown if time is short I ride there.
I like 66-68. But now I have gotten used to 64 and it is fine too. 64° descends very predictably. The bike is long. Getting it to turn quick took some getting used to.
My point is, you can get used to anything if you give it time and want to learn. At first I didn't think I liked it. It took about 15 or 20 rides before I could appreciate the bike.
I have a lot of money into the bike and for a while I thought I made a mistake. Now I don't.
If a shop has demos you can try, take advantage. I used to live in Colorado and many shops had demo days and let you take a bike for the day if you left yours with them. It was a good way to try a different bike on trails you knew. I lived near Boulder and I took a few demos to Walker Ranch. It sure helped me.
I have wanted a Transition since 2011. Back then I almost bought a Covert but bought a Turner instead.
 
If you’re new to mtb, it’s going to take some time and miles to find what you like. So I wouldn’t stress it. Anything new that’s in the 120-160mm range will be fine. Bikes are amazing now so you’ll have fun with whatever you get. It’s going to take time to find out how much suspension you really want/need.

In the past I rode short travel xc bikes exclusively, but now I prefer my 150mm bike for most places.
 
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120 to 130 rear, 130 to 140 front will do everything you need it to without adding extra weight, or to much squish. I ride my 120/130 bike everywhere I ride my 160 bike, with the exception of bike parks. And it does almost everything faster and better. And don't count out steel as a frame material.
 
I highly recommend keeping on eye on what's for sale here. Folks here keep great care of their stead. And are constantly upgrading to the latest and greatest, = good deals. But I will echo the Ibis Ripley AF or Giant Trance X2. Both great bang for the buck.
 
Carbon stumpies are pretty easy to find for good prices, and perhaps the longest-running, most refined mtb model around. Look for the 6fattie version (built to handle 27.5", 27.5+", or 29" wheels) - Easy to make sub-30lbs, bomb proof, swotbox storage, can rip 6 mile or mountain creek,.
 
NWilliams180 said:
I’m looking at getting a new bike (currently don’t have one actually) for trail riding in North Jersey.

About myself and what I’m looking to do: I’m from Sussex county and have been riding dirt bikes (enduros/harescrambles) for many years now. Riding/racing almost every weekend for the last handful of years has left me a little burnt out. It will always be my main passion, but I spend all week behind a screen and can’t sit still all weekend. This is where the MTB comes into play.

I want to go on long rides and pedal for the fitness factor. Allamuchy, Stevens, etc. is where I’d ride (a lot of options near me). I think the main question I have comes down to suspension travel. I want a full suspension bike that’s efficient, fast, and fun going uphill. I don’t care to have something slack and cushy to push limits going down, but still want enough comfort without being underbiked.

Given the kind of riding I want to do, is 130r/140f+ necessary for the N Jersey rocks? I’m sure this has been asked a million times over, but that’s what the internet is for, right? What’s the bare minimum for someone who want’s climbing efficiency over plow factor? I don’t want something that feels like a dirtbike (want the opposite actually). My budget is <$3000, so aluminum is really all I’m considering. I’ve done a lot of research and it seems like the Ripley AF would be the ideal option.
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This notion that longer travel bikes can't climb is a myth, most newer long travel bikes are just as efficient as shorter travel ones, you're just trading weight because they're burlier. We're talking 29lbs vs. 30-31 in most cases, not much. If you can have more travel for the times that you do decide to go crazy and push it, why not?

As for Ripley AF vs. Ripmo, get the Ripmo. The Ripley does not do anything better than the Ripmo except for weight less. The Ripmo climbs just as well, and descends better.
 
It's not an exact science and definitely not directly proportional to weight. In my case, my heavy aluminum 34-ish lbs 135 rear / 160 front enduro style 2019 Knolly Fugitive climbs the Ringwood rocks much better than my 27 lbs 2015 El Mariachi or even my 2022 Kona Honzo ST, and it definitely is easier to ride on the way down the hill...
 
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