New bike from LBS

connnordoll21
Edited Date/Time 5/29/2016 2:43pm
Hey guys so it's time to update the old trail bike. So right now I'm a junior in highschool and will be going off to college in a little over a year, hopefully up to a college 1 hr away from copper harbor and 1 1/2 from marquet.
So a few points I need to check are...
Bike needs to last a long time
1 by drivetrain (GX or XT)
Air suspession but don't need the compete top end(RS pike RC or Fox 34 non K)
130-140 ish suspession travel(although I wouldn't be opposed to a 160 bike)
Playful bike that doesn't mind leaving the ground
Dropper post
27.5
Short stem 750
MAX Budget $4,000 but cheaper the better
I'm 6 ft tall so something that fits well

So I know there are worlds of options out there. I have read just about every review there is on the major websites for the past 3 or so years. But being how I'm only 17 and one I buy this bike it has to last the next 5 years I want to make sure I make the right buy. So here are the frames I have been looking at

Transition scout
Trek Fuel ex
Trek remedy
Giant trance
Scott genius
Specialized stump jumper
Gt sensor

I know I have a pretty random list but any opinions are greatly appreciated!
Also how do I get a good price at my LBS without being insulting yet still getting a good deal.

Thank you in advanced everyone!!

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connnordoll21 5/27/2016 9:54am
5/27/2016 9:54am Edited Date/Time 5/27/2016 9:54am
scarface wrote:
so did you think about buying direct? this looks like a smoking deal in your budget (since you said you wouldn't mind a 160): https://us.yt-industries.com/detail/index/sArticle/545/sCategory/260
I have but currently I'm not big on the direct sales model. I prefer to have a big shop to interact with and would prefer to spend a extra couple hundred to support local business.
niccolope
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niccolope 5/27/2016 3:30pm
5/27/2016 3:30pm
You can research until you're blue in the face and even though I hate this answer as much as you probably will too.. demo them. I did two years of research kinda like you and had a decent idea of how all the bikes would perform. But it wasn't until trips to Outerbike and Sedona Bike Festival riding a ton of models that I knew exactly which I liked. It's kinda ridiculous b/c that was 6 days total compared to years of insanity behind the computer screen. If you can find your way to a big event or track down shop demos that's your best bet. Especially important for fit. And if you haven't ridden a 29'er you definitely should before buying.

Oh and don't count out the all mountain bikes just b/c of the travel. A lot of them pedal pretty damn well.

If you can't find demos..

The Devinci Spartan is a good deal for an awesome all around bike. Accelerates really well, super snappy in turns, and comfortable in the air. They come in a bit short on reach for the sizing so I'd suggest going XL. Lifetime warranty aint bad.
http://www.devinci.com/bikes/bike_711_scategory_167

Or the new Troy if you want to go shorter travel. I've personally found short travel aggressive geo bikes to be a little counter intuitive. The slack geo means it's gonna climb pretty much like an all mountain bike anyways and going downhill they feel so comfortable you end up blowing through the limited suspension.
http://www.devinci.com/bikes/bike_703_scategory_166
connnordoll21 5/27/2016 4:07pm
5/27/2016 4:07pm Edited Date/Time 5/27/2016 4:09pm
niccolope wrote:
You can research until you're blue in the face and even though I hate this answer as much as you probably will too.. demo them. I...
You can research until you're blue in the face and even though I hate this answer as much as you probably will too.. demo them. I did two years of research kinda like you and had a decent idea of how all the bikes would perform. But it wasn't until trips to Outerbike and Sedona Bike Festival riding a ton of models that I knew exactly which I liked. It's kinda ridiculous b/c that was 6 days total compared to years of insanity behind the computer screen. If you can find your way to a big event or track down shop demos that's your best bet. Especially important for fit. And if you haven't ridden a 29'er you definitely should before buying.

Oh and don't count out the all mountain bikes just b/c of the travel. A lot of them pedal pretty damn well.

If you can't find demos..

The Devinci Spartan is a good deal for an awesome all around bike. Accelerates really well, super snappy in turns, and comfortable in the air. They come in a bit short on reach for the sizing so I'd suggest going XL. Lifetime warranty aint bad.
http://www.devinci.com/bikes/bike_711_scategory_167

Or the new Troy if you want to go shorter travel. I've personally found short travel aggressive geo bikes to be a little counter intuitive. The slack geo means it's gonna climb pretty much like an all mountain bike anyways and going downhill they feel so comfortable you end up blowing through the limited suspension.
http://www.devinci.com/bikes/bike_703_scategory_166
Yeah I've demod quite a few bikes but I just can't seem to make my mind up. It's just all the options I don't want to make the wrong choice. Thank you though!
Also on the travel part I just don't want too much bike for what I ride.
I'll check out devinci!
Thank you for the help!
Also on the 29er stand point I used to own one before my DJ bike and I really didn't like it, I grew up on small wheels and just prefer them.
Falcon
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Falcon 5/27/2016 4:42pm
5/27/2016 4:42pm
If you're locked in with getting from your LBS, look into season-end closeouts. I don't know if you have a specific shop in mind, but lots of larger shops blow out last year's model for several hundred less. Any place with an inventory is probably looking to move it.
connnordoll21 5/27/2016 4:45pm
5/27/2016 4:45pm
Falcon wrote:
If you're locked in with getting from your LBS, look into season-end closeouts. I don't know if you have a specific shop in mind, but lots...
If you're locked in with getting from your LBS, look into season-end closeouts. I don't know if you have a specific shop in mind, but lots of larger shops blow out last year's model for several hundred less. Any place with an inventory is probably looking to move it.
No real shops in mind but something mid Michigan. And already have been to about 6 different shops looking for deals, really non right now but would love to get a bike soon as I am starting racing for my second season in 3 weeks
niccolope
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niccolope 5/27/2016 5:05pm
5/27/2016 5:05pm
Oh word so you're well on your way. None of the bikes you've demod so far stood out?
connnordoll21 5/27/2016 5:50pm
5/27/2016 5:50pm
niccolope wrote:
Oh word so you're well on your way. None of the bikes you've demod so far stood out?
The ones that did were shortly thereafter replaced by ones of equal or greater bikes
nickb01
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NZ
nickb01 5/29/2016 1:30pm
5/29/2016 1:30pm
connnordoll21 wrote:
Hey guys so it's time to update the old trail bike. So right now I'm a junior in highschool and will be going off to college...
Hey guys so it's time to update the old trail bike. So right now I'm a junior in highschool and will be going off to college in a little over a year, hopefully up to a college 1 hr away from copper harbor and 1 1/2 from marquet.
So a few points I need to check are...
Bike needs to last a long time
1 by drivetrain (GX or XT)
Air suspession but don't need the compete top end(RS pike RC or Fox 34 non K)
130-140 ish suspession travel(although I wouldn't be opposed to a 160 bike)
Playful bike that doesn't mind leaving the ground
Dropper post
27.5
Short stem 750
MAX Budget $4,000 but cheaper the better
I'm 6 ft tall so something that fits well

So I know there are worlds of options out there. I have read just about every review there is on the major websites for the past 3 or so years. But being how I'm only 17 and one I buy this bike it has to last the next 5 years I want to make sure I make the right buy. So here are the frames I have been looking at

Transition scout
Trek Fuel ex
Trek remedy
Giant trance
Scott genius
Specialized stump jumper
Gt sensor

I know I have a pretty random list but any opinions are greatly appreciated!
Also how do I get a good price at my LBS without being insulting yet still getting a good deal.

Thank you in advanced everyone!!

Given your requirements I'd recommend this:

http://us.yt-industries.com/detail/index/sArticle/631/sCategory/511

Buy yourself a RaceFace Cinch 1x direct mount ring, rip off all the unnecessary 2x kit, and you'll have a ripper of a bike with all the good stuff and extremely low cost.

Only get the Capra if you're a bit of a 'hucker' and like to do a bit of DH style riding. If you're more trail based i.e. nothing too crazy the Jeffsy will be the better bet (and cheaper), and probably more fun to ride.
Way*Mo
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Hancock, MI US
Way*Mo 5/29/2016 2:23pm
5/29/2016 2:23pm
I assume from your description you are planning on attending Michigan Tech. My recommendation from your list as someone who now lives in that exact area, but grew up out West (Utah), the Transition Scout.

In my opinion any travel over 140mm is overkill for the UP, but you do want long, low, playful geometry on a stout frame as you will ride hard up here.

Another great option would be Kona Process 134.
connnordoll21 5/29/2016 2:43pm
5/29/2016 2:43pm Edited Date/Time 5/29/2016 3:08pm
After talking to friends, they strongly advised me that I need a Capra so I can let them know how it is. And I seems like a good bike for the money so I think I'm going to go for It.
After thinking long and hard the price is just too good.

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