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Fuel 90 Disc Vs. Jekyll 600 Disc Vs. NRS Disc



 
 
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  #1  
Old February 20th 04, 04:57 PM
Dave S.
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Default Fuel 90 Disc Vs. Jekyll 600 Disc Vs. NRS Disc

Trek Fuel 90 (Disc option)
Cannondale Jekyll 600 (Disc option)
Giant NRS 2 Disc

I'm looking to upgrade to a new FS this year for XC use and want some
opinions on these models. I know to ride them and form my own opinions
on how they fit, but I'm looking for some experiences and opinions on
components.

The Jekyll is the only one with a lockout on the rear shock. Is this
something I need? I've heard that a lockout is really only needed to
help out a poor suspension design.

Also, and ideas on what I should pay for these rides new would be
appreciated.

Regards,
Dave
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  #2  
Old February 20th 04, 08:42 PM
M
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Default Fuel 90 Disc Vs. Jekyll 600 Disc Vs. NRS Disc


"Dave S." wrote in message
om...
Trek Fuel 90 (Disc option)
Cannondale Jekyll 600 (Disc option)
Giant NRS 2 Disc

I'm looking to upgrade to a new FS this year for XC use and want some
opinions on these models. I know to ride them and form my own opinions
on how they fit, but I'm looking for some experiences and opinions on
components.

The Jekyll is the only one with a lockout on the rear shock. Is this
something I need? I've heard that a lockout is really only needed to
help out a poor suspension design.

Also, and ideas on what I should pay for these rides new would be
appreciated.

Regards,
Dave


I can't comment on the others but I brought a Trek Fuel 90 Disc Option at
the end of last year and don't have any complaints. I haven't missed having
a lock out on the rear shock and don't suffer from any noticeable pedal bob.

I've found the Hayes brakes to be excellent, the rest of the components
aren't anything special but all work perfectly well, the only thing I've
changed is the pedals to M959 SPD's.

M


  #3  
Old February 20th 04, 09:17 PM
Jonesy
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Default Fuel 90 Disc Vs. Jekyll 600 Disc Vs. NRS Disc

(Dave S.) wrote in message . com...
Trek Fuel 90 (Disc option)
Cannondale Jekyll 600 (Disc option)
Giant NRS 2 Disc

I'm looking to upgrade to a new FS this year for XC use and want some
opinions on these models. I know to ride them and form my own opinions
on how they fit, but I'm looking for some experiences and opinions on
components.


What kind of XC? Where do you ride? Components - components can be
changed relatively easily. Frame quality and value should guiding
you.

The Jekyll is the only one with a lockout on the rear shock. Is this
something I need? I've heard that a lockout is really only needed to
help out a poor suspension design.


Some folks will say that a lockout is needed all the time. Seated
pedalling on the Giant produces no noticable bob going uphill. To me,
at least. The Fuel bobbed some, but I didn't really notice. The
Jekyll I rode never made it to the trails, because it's parking lot
ride sucked so bad.

Also, and ideas on what I should pay for these rides new would be
appreciated.


Since you don't tell us where you live, we can't really tell you that.
Find the one you like, and buy it as cheaply as you can. (Big "duh"
factor on that answer, hmmm?)

If it were me, and these were the only choices, I would save more
money to buy a better bike. BUT, I know for a fact some folks budget
X amount of dollars for a bike, and go no further. No matter how much
money they actually have. So, Dave, I'm going to help you here.
Marin Mount Vision, 2003 model, from a bike retailer on eBay. While
it would be nicer if you bought it at an LBS, if money is the critical
factor, then you can save a bunch. Especially over the Cannondale.
That one is way overpriced for what you are getting, unless you can
find one on a "give-it-away" sale. Even then, C'dales do not have a
stellar reputation for robustness. I've never broken one, but that
doesn't mean anything.

The Fuel is a halfway decent bike, having ridden one or three for a
few weekends. But the Fuel frame has been criticized in places for
being weak, especially in the headtube welds. I don't know how much
you weigh, but if you're over 180lbs, I'd skip the Fuel. My opinion,
purely.

Giant has an excellent reputation for building good equipment and
supplying decent bikes at a reasonable cost. I don't know how much
more convincing you need. I rode an NRS bike for an afternoon, and it
felt pretty good. I would have bought one, but I wanted something
more simple, and I didn't want to give business to the local Giant
dealer (a-hole.) That's really what's going to make or break your
happiness with the bike - how good is your LBS? Great bikes from
****ty LBSs make for unhappy bikers. And the bike can get blamed.

Don't count out Specialized, either. The FSRxc bikes are supposedly
excellent. Never have ridden one, but I hear things. Marin,
Giant, Trek, C'dale, in that order.

Or, a rigid single-speed. With disk brakes.
--
Jonesy "Wheeler's biatch, now"
  #4  
Old February 21st 04, 01:11 AM
mfgp
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Posts: n/a
Default Fuel 90 Disc Vs. Jekyll 600 Disc Vs. NRS Disc


"Dave S." wrote in message
om...
Trek Fuel 90 (Disc option)
Cannondale Jekyll 600 (Disc option)
Giant NRS 2 Disc

I'm looking to upgrade to a new FS this year for XC use and want some
opinions on these models. I know to ride them and form my own opinions
on how they fit, but I'm looking for some experiences and opinions on
components.

The Jekyll is the only one with a lockout on the rear shock. Is this
something I need? I've heard that a lockout is really only needed to
help out a poor suspension design.

Also, and ideas on what I should pay for these rides new would be
appreciated.

Regards,
Dave


Rode the Trek, Giant and Cannondale last year. Bought the Cannondale in
November and have been thrilled with it ever since.

The Trek felt awkward and kind of clumsy to me. Not very agile, and slow
acceleration. Just an all-around unexciting bike to ride. The Giant felt
similar, but a little better. The Cannondale had a superior ride by far.
It absolutely eats up the trail. Can't say enough good things about the
performance of this bike. No problems so far, but the rear Fox Shock does
squeak a little. But I urge you to ride each of them yourself and make up
your own mind.

As far as the lockout goes, I've used it once going up a very long hill. If
you're going to be XC racing, it may be something you want. But if that's
your bag, you probably want to go with a lighter bike. Mine tips the scale
at 29 lbs (Jekyll 600 w/o disc, frame small). Typical XC racers are a few
lbs lighter than that.

For a killer bike to take out on the trail and ride all day, the Cannondale
Jekyll 600 is my recommendation. Paid $1249 without disc. I believe they
quoted mean $1499 with disc. Don't recall the prices of the other bikes I
test rode since that wasn't a huge issue. It's more important to get the
bike you want. But I believe the Jekyll was about the best value given the
component group.

Not sure why you want disc, but unless you're riding in wet conditions
frequently or in lots of long hills, I would save the money on the disc and
spend it upgrading to the next component level. V brakes work fine in most
conditions as long as you maintain them.

Also, as someone else said, don't count out Specialized. If I hadn't bought
the C'dale, it would have been a Specialized Enduro or even a Stumpjumper.
Problem was I couldn't find an Enduro or 04 Stumpy to test ride. Things
might have been different otherwise.

Good luck!


  #5  
Old February 21st 04, 04:28 PM
tcmedara
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Default Fuel 90 Disc Vs. Jekyll 600 Disc Vs. NRS Disc

Dave S. wrote:

I know to ride them and form my own opinions
on how they fit, but I'm looking for some experiences and opinions on
components.

Dave,

I bought a Fuel 90 (non-disk) last spring. Trek products in general don't
get many great reviews here in AM-B, and some for apparently good reason.
None-the-less, I've been extremely pleased with mine. I did spend a couple
hundred bucks extra to upgrade the cranks, brakes, and put SRAM shifters on
it, though I recall that the disk option is Avid mechs which would be my
choice. I'm not overly impressed with the Rockshock Duke on the front (and
you won't find too many defenders here), but price was a key issue for me
and a figgered I could survive with the Duke until I save up my "allowance"
for entry into the vaunted Bomberhood.

Bottom line for me on the Fuel: It liked the ride better than anything else
I test rode. It served me well through a 5-day jaunt in Moab last fall with
little lasting damage. It's held up well for my type of terrain and riding
style, though eight months isn't all that long a period to judge. I'm a
relatively small guy (5'9'' , 175) and not overly abusive on my rides. You
may want to look elsewhere if you're a Clydesdale rider or a hucking fool,
anecdotal reports in this NG of Trek frame problems for larger riders might
give you pause. It is after all, meant to be a XC bike. The price was
right what I was looking to spend, I paid just over $1600 with the upgrades
(had the shop put it all on so it probably cost me a bit more than if I'd
done it myself). Fit is obviously a personal issue, but was a big factor
for me when buying the Fuel. It felt good the moment I threw my leg over
it. YMMV.

It brings me joy, and I love to ride it. The rest is just irrelevent,
really.

Good luck

Tom


  #6  
Old February 22nd 04, 02:34 AM
Gman
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Default Fuel 90 Disc Vs. Jekyll 600 Disc Vs. NRS Disc

On 20 Feb 2004 07:57:50 -0800, Dave S. wrote:
Trek Fuel 90 (Disc option)
Cannondale Jekyll 600 (Disc option)
Giant NRS 2 Disc

I'm looking to upgrade to a new FS this year for XC use and want some
opinions on these models. I know to ride them and form my own opinions
on how they fit, but I'm looking for some experiences and opinions on
components.

The Jekyll is the only one with a lockout on the rear shock. Is this
something I need? I've heard that a lockout is really only needed to
help out a poor suspension design.

Also, and ideas on what I should pay for these rides new would be
appreciated.

Regards,
Dave


Go for the Surly 1x1.

Gman "Wheeler"
  #8  
Old February 23rd 04, 02:45 AM
(Pete Cresswell)
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Default Fuel 90 Disc Vs. Jekyll 600 Disc Vs. NRS Disc

RE/
so I never even use the lock-out.


A Jekyll was my first sus bike. Expected a rear lockout...but the Jekyll
didn't have it. Never felt any loss.

Jekyll, however, turned out to just be too small in some respects and I got an
Ellsworth. On the Ellsworth, I just *had* to have a rear lockout. Paid extra
accordingly...used it a few times, then forgot it even existed. Money down the
drain IMHO. OTOH, I don't have to keep up with any other riders and wouldn't
even *think* about racing...so YMMV.
--
PeteCresswell
  #9  
Old February 23rd 04, 06:32 PM
mfgp
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Posts: n/a
Default Fuel 90 Disc Vs. Jekyll 600 Disc Vs. NRS Disc


"JPT" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 21 Feb 2004 10:28:22 -0500, "tcmedara"
wrote:

It brings me joy, and I love to ride it. The rest is just irrelevent,
really.



I've been riding a Fuel 100 for over two years. No problems in over
4000 east coast XC trail miles. Good fit (for me). Climbs way better
than I can. In short, I am a happy camper. Can't figure out why
everyone hates Trek...


Can't say that I hate Trek, I just don't care for the way they feel. It's
strictly personal preference. I do believe that Trek delivers a high
quality, durable product. They are a leader in the marketplace for a
reason....just not my preference.

Just about every bike brand has people that dislike it. People are brutal
on Cannondale. I would have never considered buying one had I not ridden
it, due to all the bad press I've read on this NG and others. Turns out I'm
extremely satisfied.

Bottom line is that everyone has a bike preference based on feel and
pre-programmed attitude from reading mags and reviews on the web. Most
mainstream bike brands out there will treat you good if you treat them good.
Just make sure you can either work on them yourself or have a good LBS and
wrench that can do it for you. They all require adjustment/repair from time
to time.


  #10  
Old February 23rd 04, 06:52 PM
mfgp
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Default Fuel 90 Disc Vs. Jekyll 600 Disc Vs. NRS Disc


"BTL62768" wrote in message
...
Subject: Fuel 90 Disc Vs. Jekyll 600 Disc Vs. NRS Disc
From: (Dave S.)
Date: 2/20/04 7:57 AM Pacific Standard Time
Message-id:

Trek Fuel 90 (Disc option)
Cannondale Jekyll 600 (Disc option)
Giant NRS 2 Disc

I'm looking to upgrade to a new FS this year for XC use and want some
opinions on these models. I know to ride them and form my own opinions
on how they fit, but I'm looking for some experiences and opinions on
components.


Bought an early release of the '04 Jekyll 800 in October and love it. Had

been
riding an '00 Sugar but needed some extra travel-- I'm over 200 lbs. and

ride
SoCal trailers hard!

For an all around bike, the jekylls kick but . . . Not too heavy but very
plush. Don't know the full componentry on the 600 but my 800 is set-up

with
ProPedal which makes seated climbing great so I never even use the

lock-out.
The Jekyll can do it all from nasty (read fun)tech climbs to screaming

down the
other side.

Buy and ride whatever feels good.
Brian


The 600 has ProPedal also. I believe that all 04 Fox shox have ProPedal,
regardless of what brand of bike they come on. It seems to work very well,
but I don't have much to compare it to since this is my first Fox equipped
bike. My last two full squish bikes had elastomer and coil, respectively.
I know that when I'm seated and cranking hard, the suspension only moves
(apparently) due to the trail, not my pedaling. If you stand up and start
cranking though, you will compress the shock due to the up and down movement
of your weight. You can minimize that without locking out by keeping your
body more stationary and not bouncing up and down so much.



 




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