All-mountain/light-freeride bike

I just sold my Norco Shore and am in the market for something lighter and more pedal-friendly. Ideally I need a bike that I can pedal up to earn my down, but I also need it to handle moderate freeride/downhill/resort riding. My budget is $2000, give or take a few hundred so I`m guessing something lightly used may be my best bet.

My lbs has a used 09 Norco Six 2, and I've also found an 09 Giant Reign X1 with a lightened wheelset (Mavic 719s), both of which are in my budget. Does anyone have experience with either bike? Any other recommendations? Coming from the Shore which was quite slack, will a 67ish degree headtube and 72ish degree seatangle make for a totally different feeling ride?

Note: I've already spent hours researching this topic, but most of what I've found has been helpful comments about how "norcos suck", or how a certain bike is "sooo sick it can handle 10 ft drops easily". :)

I'm a huge fan of the reign. Climbs and descends amazingly well for a bike with that much travel. I've always found the cockpit on norcos a little cramped and steep feeling so I think you'll feel quite comfortable on the reign right away.

Have you seen this?

http://bb.nsmb.com/showthread.php?t=129538

Have you seen this?

http://bb.nsmb.com/showthread.php?t=129538

I have been checking that thread, bike porn for sure. However, the bikes are way out of my price range and the discussion is about weight, not ride.

I sold my shore and went to an 09 six 1 and I'm really happy with it so far. The reign x1 is also a great bike. Take em for a spin and see which one you feel the most comfortable on.

I ride a 08 Reign x1 with a 66 RC2X and it is a capable light freeride and park bike. Wouldn't classify it as an all mountain bike, due to the heavier (and longer travel) fork and I also run dual ply tires on it. It pedals well too. 70-80% of my riding is on Fromme and I have no issues climbing with it. Wouldn't want to do an epic Squamish ride with it though.

I have no issues climbing with it. Wouldn't want to do an epic Squamish ride with it though.

I would say the same of the six. way more light freeride than AM.

The geometry is similar on both bikes. The Reign X might be a fraction lower and slacker. I ride an 09 X1 with a Fox 36 Talas. It feels like a mini DH bike on the descents but is a remarkably good climber. With single ply tires I pedal it around Squamish on longer rides. With double wall tires it's my Cypress shuttle bike. I would happily ride it in the bike park (if I didn't have a DH bike for that). It's as close to a 'do-everything-bike' as I've ridden.

I had an 09 Shore last year too and the only way it felt like a more capable bike was in the fork (Totem). The Shore is obviously heavier too but in terms of handling, the Reign X was at least as confidence inspiring.

The Six will be comparable to the Reign X. There is very little to choose between them. The Reign X probably has a bit more seat-tube which can be handy for this type of bike; the Six would probably require a telescoping seat-post. Other than that, go with the one you prefer based on size, colour, etc.

what size of bike do you need?

I have more of a dirt jumper style of riding over the years matured into a little more serious. But I have been riding the 2010 gary fisher roscoe one recently and i cant say enough good things about it. its probably one of the most capable all around bikes on the market.

Im even considering shortening up the stem and goin to single ring in the front. it climbs well and the travel seems endless on the way down.

unfortunately the 2010 is around 3 grand, and worth every penny, but if itll fit, we have a 19 2009 roscoe 1 at the shop on sale.

The geometry is similar on both bikes. The Reign X might be a fraction lower and slacker. I ride an 09 X1 with a Fox 36 Talas. It feels like a mini DH bike on the descents but is a remarkably good climber. With single ply tires I pedal it around Squamish on longer rides. With double wall tires it's my Cypress shuttle bike. I would happily ride it in the bike park (if I didn't have a DH bike for that). It's as close to a 'do-everything-bike' as I've ridden.

I had an 09 Shore last year too and the only way it felt like a more capable bike was in the fork (Totem). The Shore is obviously heavier too but in terms of handling, the Reign X was at least as confidence inspiring.

The Six will be comparable to the Reign X. There is very little to choose between them. The Reign X probably has a bit more seat-tube which can be handy for this type of bike; the Six would probably require a telescoping seat-post. Other than that, go with the one you prefer based on size, colour, etc.

I have a Six, my wife rides a ReignX. They are similar in many ways, but hte ride is very different. The ReignX sits a lot lower, for park riding, it's a better bike IMO (cornering and high speed stability seem much better), but for tech shore riding with all the roots, I like the clearance of a higher BB.
I also could never get used to the suspension feedback on slow technical climbs with the Giant.
I would suggest demoing both bikes, since they are both great bikes, you just need to find the one that suits you the best.

The ReignX sits a lot lower, for park riding, it's a better bike IMO (cornering and high speed stability seem much better), but for tech shore riding with all the roots, I like the clearance of a higher BB.

That's one of the first things I noticed. I have hit the bash guard riding technical trails that I used to clear on previous bikes, but I've gotten used to it.

That's one of the first things I noticed. I have hit the bash guard riding technical trails that I used to clear on previous bikes, but I've gotten used to it.

Me too. But as you say, you get used to it. It promotes a more DH/race style of riding. In fact it was getting used to my Reign X, and loving it, that made me pull the trigger on a full blown DH bike this year. Previously I'd favoured freeride bikes like the Norco Shore.

Wow, thanks for all the replies. Not sure that I'll be able to take the Reign for a ride as it's in Ontario…hopefully I can find one locally to try. I found that I was making good use of the bashguard on the Shore when riding some local trails, so I'm wondering if the Reign would be a little unnerving (at least until I got used it).

Another ? - Will the Mavic 719s hold up to the odd beating?

If I'm biased towards pedaling performance uphill, which do I choose?