Mountain Biking - Decision Time

Hi Everyone,

I've been lurking here, trying to get as much info as possible! This is a great forum. I'm 37, have a 8 year old son and haven't ridden a bicycle in 20 years! I can't keep up with my son on foot anymore, so it's time to get a ride.

I have read the $500 thread a couple of times plus read through the archieves but could use a little help.

Being 37, 6'3 and 240, I want to make sure that I get a bike that will hold up. (No X-marts) but I need to stay around $500. I want to ride 50/50 backroads and trails. I'm close to the New River Trail, VA Creeper Trail and Mt. Rogers. I'm not going to be doing any downhill racing or 3' jumps. My bones won't take it ;).

So, I've visited several lbs and have ridden a '04 model K2 Zed 1.0 & 3.0, '05 model Iron Horse Warrior Comp, Trek 3500 & 4500, '05 models Specialized Expedition Sport, Specialized Hardrock Sport & Hardrock Disc Comp. All on sidewalks or parking lots and none on trails.

My observations were:
1. Trek 3500 & 4500 - I didn't like the feel. Tried the 19" frame and 21". The bikes just didn't feel right. The front forks dove hard just getting going on the bike, regardless of what was done by the tech.
2. K2 Zed 1.0 - I felt a little soft on the front fork. Gear changing was a little clunky.
3. K2 Zed 3.0 - Felt nice. Easy gear changing. Stopped nicely. Forks seemed to hold my weight better. Nice range of gears.
4. Iron Horse Warrior Comp - The steering was very responsive. It seemed that it would be a little more difficulty to control when going real slow. My riding position felt nice. Very smooth gear shifting. Seemed to stop well. Killer orange metallic flake paint job! Forks seemed to hold my weight well.
5. Specialized Expedition Sport - Comfy seat. Easy to steer but I felt the gear changing wasn't the smoothest. Worried that it would be too soft for trails.
6. Specialized Hardrock Sport - Felt pretty good but not as good as the Zed 3.0 or Warrior Comp. I didn't feel like the gear shifting was as nice as the Warrior Comp.
7. Specialized Hardrock Disc Comp - Same as the sport but the shifters seemed a little better. The brakes felt ok.

There's another LBS nearby that sells Jamis and Fuji. Geez, do I need to keep riding. It gets to a point where you don't know what to look at!

The LBS that had the Iron Horse and K2's pointed out that the K2's were '04 models and the prices were "...a little negotiable." The sticker price for the Zed 1.0 was $299, Zed 3.0 - $499 and Iron Horse Warrior Comp ('05 model) $599. I can't find any literature on what the retail is supposed to be for the '04 Zed 3.0 or '05 Warrior Comp. What would be a competitive price for the Zed 3.0 or Warrior Comp? I feel like I'm leaning towards those two unless I need to go try out a Fuji and/or Jamis.

Gimme some words of wisdom here!

Thanks,

Chris

I'd get the K2.

Specialized Hardrock Disc Comp is my vote, very nice.

Specialized Rockhopper 05' = Better components then the hardrock... but you sacrafic disc brakes. Worth it IMHO.

4. Iron Horse Warrior Comp - The steering was very responsive. It seemed that it would be a little more difficulty to control when going real slow. My riding position felt nice. Very smooth gear shifting. Seemed to stop well. Killer orange metallic flake paint job! Forks seemed to hold my weight well.

In the words of the 80's band "Scandal"

Shooting at the walls of heartache
Bang, bang
I am the warrior
Well I am the warrior
And heart to heart you'll win
If you survive the warrior, the warrior

Judging by your responses you made your descison. The bike "spoke" to you which is the point I tried to stress in the $500 thread.
You can always upgrade stuff later if you think something is lacking

Hi Everyone,

Today, I stopped by the LBS, Tree Huggers Outdoor here in town They sell Specialized. As soon as I walked in the door they greeted me and asked if they could help. Compared to the other 4 LBS, they were by far the most customer oriented and willing to help a newbie. And, I have to say, they know their product inside and out. In retrospec, their bikes showed a level of detail in assembly and setup that was completely unseen at the other shops. I didn't know that the Hardrock could be set up to fit me so well. And they went through the HR sport, Disc and Comp Disc in great detail. I like detail! They weren't arrogant or pushy. What a great experience. They made me feel welcome to just come by and talk if for anything else!

So, this has really swayed my perception of the Specialized HR. After seeing how well their bikes were set up and tuned, and how thorough they are going to be in setting the bike up for ME, I'm going to go with a Specialized Hardrock. And I'm definitely going to buy it from Tree Huggers Outdoors. Now to decide which one ... sport, disc or comp...I'm liking the comp!

Chris

Hi Everyone,

Today, I stopped by the LBS, Tree Huggers Outdoor here in town They sell Specialized. As soon as I walked in the door they greeted me and asked if they could help. Compared to the other 4 LBS, they were by far the most customer oriented and willing to help a newbie. And, I have to say, they know their product inside and out. In retrospec, their bikes showed a level of detail in assembly and setup that was completely unseen at the other shops. I didn't know that the Hardrock could be set up to fit me so well. And they went through the HR sport, Disc and Comp Disc in great detail. I like detail! They weren't arrogant or pushy. What a great experience. They made me feel welcome to just come by and talk if for anything else!

So, this has really swayed my perception of the Specialized HR. After seeing how well their bikes were set up and tuned, and how thorough they are going to be in setting the bike up for ME, I'm going to go with a Specialized Hardrock. And I'm definitely going to buy it from Tree Huggers Outdoors. Now to decide which one ... sport, disc or comp...I'm liking the comp!

Chris

Sounds a lot like my LBS. :D Anyways, out of the Sport or Comp I'd definately go for the Comp, better fork and disc brakes. :)

Being 37, 6'3 and 240, I want to make sure that I get a bike that will hold up. (No X-marts) but I need to stay around $500. I want to ride 50/50 backroads and trails. I'm close to the New River Trail, VA Creeper Trail and Mt. Rogers. I'm not going to be doing any downhill racing or 3' jumps. My bones won't take it ;).


37 and your bones wont take it? You must have had a hard, hard life ;)

As Raiyn said, get the one that feels best to you. The one that says, "I am yours.", when you are on it.

:beer:

Dirtbikedude, for the last two years, I've felt more like 80 than 37! I really abused my body for 15 years working long hours, 12hr swing shifts and running a full time business on the side. Now I'm working for myself and can take a little time to do the things I'd like to do.

I really look forward to riding with my son and getting back into shape. My son will be 8 in July and he already thinks he's a pro mountain biker! He's always building jumps in the yard, going as fast as he can and trying to wipe out, you name it. I'm going to have to keep an eye on him! And can you believe it, he says the girls like that stuff!

Oh Geez...

Later,

Chris