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clevernamehere

OK I figure the folks that visit the Winter Cycling thread will be the best people to offer their opinions on this...

My Marin Larkspur was stolen 2 weeks ago. When I bought it I was not planning on riding through the winter so... the priorities are a little different for the replacement bike.

90 - 95% of my riding is my 23-25km (round trip) commute, the other 5-10% is riding with family, running errands etc.)
I figure about 3 to 4 months of my riding will be "serious" winter riding (hard-packed snow/ice/ruts etc. on the roads I travel, some trails with pedestrian-created frozen footprints etc.) The remainder is on typical city streets/bike paths.

I need one bike to serve all of my riding. I can't decide between the Marin Novato ("city" bike, $740cnd) and the Hawk Hill SE (XC Mountain bike, $789cnd).
See Marinbikes.com for the detailed specs.

If you had to make the decision between these two bikes which would you pick?

The BikeForums Team

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clevernamehere

Oops, forgot the links...

Marin Hawk Hill SE (http://www.marinbikes.com/bicycles_2005/html/bikes/bike_specs/specs_hawk_hill_se.html)

Marin Novato (http://www.marinbikes.com/bicycles_2005/html/bikes/bike_specs/specs_novato.html)

slvoid

I'd get the novato and slap some cheap disc brakes on it for the rain.

clevernamehere

I'd get the novato and slap some cheap disc brakes on it for the rain.
Actually, rain is no concern to me... good v-brakes do fine in the rain. I want discs for winter when It's not uncommon to have ice buildup on the rims, snow packed around the brakes etc.

I'm leaning toward the Novato & adding discs as you say, but talking to the LBS it looks like adding the discs is not cheap. I'm fairly mechanically inclined, so I may just tackle it myself... any ideas about pricing for a decent set of entry level mechanical discs - parts only?

markhr

novato - better frame and components. You can also upgrade to disc brakes immediately - recommend Avid BB7 mech disc

Juha

clevernamehere

novato - better frame and components. You can also upgrade to disc brakes immediately - recommend Avid BB7 mech disc
Thanks for the feedback Markhr.

I'm leaning toward the Novato & upgrading the brakes as you say. I thought the frames were pretty much equal (both triple-butted aluminum). I'm probably missing something...what makes the frame on the Novato better? I know the Novato is much lighter (24lbs vs 28.75lbs) but I assumed this was due to the front suspension fork & heavier tires of the Hawk Hill SE.

The discs I had priced out at the LBS were Hayes MX-2 mechanicals... how would these compare (quality/price) to the Avid BB7 brakes?

markhr

I thought the frames were pretty much equal (both triple-butted aluminum). I'm probably missing something...what makes the frame on the Novato better?

The discs I had priced out at the LBS were Hayes MX-2 mechanicals... how would these compare (quality/price) to the Avid BB7 brakes?

7000 series Alu for the hawk hill vs. 7005 for the novato - small difference but helps toward making a slightly stronger/lighter frame.

I've only used avid bb discs so couldn't give a definitive answer - try looking at http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/disc_brake_system/

clevernamehere

7000 series Alu for the hawk hill vs. 7005 for the novato - small difference but helps toward making a slightly stronger/lighter frame.

I've only used avid bb discs so couldn't give a definitive answer - try looking at http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/disc_brake_system/
Wow that was quick...

I'm starting to see were they've cut corners on the Hawk Hill SE in order to add features. The Novato is looking better all the time.

I had a look at the mtbr site. I assume the $100 US price would be for one rotor & one caliper assembly. It looks like I can keep the brake levers but would need new (longer) cables. If I understand this correctly, the cost would be $200 US plus cables plus install costs (unless I install them myself).

If I remember right the LBS said $60 for a rotor, $60 for a caliber assembly for the Hayes MX-2 (Canadian prices) I'll have to have a closer look & compare the Avids & Hayes.

Thanks for your help!

clevernamehere

Both are certainly very nice bikes, nicer than my old steel-beater winter bike. I would avoid the pushbutton -style shifters in handlebars, because in my experience they are more prone to freezing. I cannot tell from the pics if either has those, and I cannot be arsed to look at the Shimano website :D.

--J
Thanks for the reply Juha;
I had Altus shifters on my Larkspur. They are a similar setup to the upgraded deore shifters on the Novato except the shifters were integrated with the brake lever assembly. They performed quite well through the winter. There were a few times I had to pull a trigger back because the spring return didn't work (frosted up or something). I noticed one of the shifters was getting "stickier". I really don't like the twist grip type shifters, so I'm hoping the upgraded Deore "trigger" type shifters will perform better.

clevernamehere

Well, given the overwhelming support for the Novato option (beat out the Hawk Hill 2/nothing! :) ), that's what I've decided to buy! :)
better frame
better components
rigid fork - don't need suspension for 90% or more of my riding, don't want the extra weight
slightly lower theft apeal
can still fit decent Nokian studded tires for winter

I'll save up my pennies & upgrade to disc brakes in the winter.

It's turning out to be a blessing in disguise that my bike was stolen - my employer will pay my deductible, so I just have to come up with the upgrade cost! In the end I get a bike that is better suited to my overall useage and has considerably better components!:) :) :)

clevernamehere

Nothing like dominating my own thread... oh well...

I stopped by the LBS tonight & bought the Marin Novato. Wooo Hooo! I can't wait till tomorrow! The bike with the frame in my size was sold last night so they have to build another one out of the box - at least it'll be fresh. :)

Also picked up a good quality U-lock & cable lock.

Since this is in the "winter cycling" section, I'll have to report back on how it performs in the snow. With any luck that won't be until November or December! I'll likely write about my first commute with it in the "commuter" section if anyone cares.

markhr

With any luck that won't be until November or December!

don't tempt fate

I'll likely write about my first commute with it in the "commuter" section if anyone cares.

.......ummmmm :D

slvoid

If you really want to skimp, since the hubs on the Novato are already disc compatible, you can just buy one disc brake.
Otherwise, go on ebay, you can get a pair of avid BB5's for under a hundred bucks sometimes.

bull505

Hey - a quick question - how did you like your Larkspur? I am looking to start commuting to work (~3 miles), and looking for a basic, solid bike. Any issues I should look out for? It seems like a decent bicycle at a very reasonable price

Thanks.

clevernamehere

never

Here's a link to some cheap discs and calipers:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BR507F00-Hayes+Hmx-1Xc+Mechanical+Disc+Brake+Oe.aspx

clevernamehere

Here's a link to some cheap discs and calipers:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BR507F00-Hayes+Hmx-1Xc+Mechanical+Disc+Brake+Oe.aspx
never,
looks like some pretty good prices on other items as well... do you have any experience with ordering stuff from them? If so, what about duty, taxes etc?

never

Sorry about the delayed response...I don't have any experience ordering from Jensen. They do have good pricing on some items though. Maybe post in a busier forum for some feedback on Jensen/Canada ordering experience.

The Selector

If I had to pick from the two with no upgrades, I would get the Marin Hawk Hill SE of course.

disc brakes
some suspension (always helps)

and you could ride it at Mt Kelso in the summer

thebankman

I used to live in Novato, CA, it's kind of pretty and kind of a dump. Get the other one :)

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