[Closed] Which bike for Colorado ?

Which trails?

I've ridden Crested Butte quite a lot over the years (live in New Mexico, so only about 5 hours away). I'd take the Spicy---I rode up there all of one weekend on a hardtail and, like you said, makes climbing easier, but you can't do the downhills nearly as easily. Granted there is a lot of climbing to be done at CB, but coming back down makes it worth it.
Trail 401 is a blast (starts in Gothic-old mining town, a few miles N. of CB, but probably going to still be snowed in early June. It is a long loop with a gut-busting climb from Gothic, but the downhill back is pretty amazing.
Cement Creek canyon is lower elevation and some really good rides branch off of the main canyon road.
Another interesting ride is at Gunnison (25 miles S.) at Harmann Rocks--it's where they have (or had at least), the Rage in the Sage race.
Good website with current trail info: http://www.visitcrestedbutte.com/biking/

I plan to head up there in mid-July as the high trails will(or should be) free of snow by then and the wildflowers blazing.

Busydog makes a good point.

I was there in '08 in late June and 401 wasn't officially open. There was still snow high up which got tedious....

Climbing at that altitude will suck anyway as I couldn't get enough air into my lungs to 'dig in' anyways.

metalheart is right about the altitude. I live at 6000 feet and regularly ride at 7-9000 feet, but once I get into the really high elevations like the higher trails at CB, I am sucking major wind--but all fun, none-the-less.

Regarding my earlier mention of Cement Creek Canyon--there is a ride out of the canyon up to Reno Ridge, which eventually leads to Deadman Gulch, which is a challenging (to say the least) switchback ride back down into Cement Creek canyon, coming out at a small parking lot (which is where I started about 4 hours earlier).

I must stop reading threads like this as I'm developing a major CB itch....

I live in Colorado and ride in Crested Butte quite often.

If I could choose any bike, it would be a lightish trail bike (120mm kind of thing) with some bigger tyres, or at least thicker side walls.

Crested Butte doesn't get steep like the Alps, so a slack bike is no advantage, and a lighter bike will help on the climbs.

Send me an email if you would like to meet up on the Front Range before you head into the mountains.

I'd do it all again on my rigid bike. Your choice will depend on what you prefer!

Last September I rode 401 (not technical, but fast and fun), Reno / Bear / Flag / Deadman's Gulch (more rocky here but all rideable), Hartman Rocks (a fun playground where some trials skills come in handy, but plenty of swoopy flowing trails too) and the Monarch Crest epic ride (nothing more technical than a welsh trail centre, but amazing scenery and "proper" away-from-it-all feeling).

You'll love it!

I'd take a Klunker and look out for the big rocks ......BIG ROCKS.

I want to go to America and ride my bike

+1 for what mcboo said!

I really, really want to go back to Crested Butte and ride my bike.

Forum ride anyone?

Kitz Chris thanks for the offer but i'm on an organised trip .

I have a similar problem. I'm in Colorado for two weeks in July riding my bike. I can choose between my Alpine 160 (with coil fork and shock) or a 120mm forked hard tail. I'm leaning towards the hard tail at the moment.

Kitz Chris - I'd definitely be interested in meeting up if that was an open invitation.

Edd

I would take the Spicy! It's a fantastic place we rode 401, Monarch Crest summer 2010 and it was phenomenal. As for altitude remember everyone is different, we puffed for about 1 hour then aclimitased super quickly and didn't have a problem riding for 6-7 hours a day!
Have a fantastic time .... jealous!