Mountain Biking - Opinions Wanted

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emac800
07-17-05, 07:20 PM
I am getting back into cycling after 15 years and I'm a little rusty on the latest bikes/components. I don't want to spend much on a new mountain bike, so I'm trying to stay in the $500 range. There are two bikes I am currently looking at and I'd like opinions/suggestions. I have listed the two bikes along with their components and price. Thank you in advance.

(1) 2005 Haro V4

Frame Components
Frame New Oversized V-Gusset 6061 Alloy w/Disc Tabs
Rear Shock: N/A
Fork: Manitou Six 100mm Travel
HeadSet: Aheadset 1 1/8"

Drivetrain Components
Crank Set: Truvativ Iso Flow Power Spline 44/32/22
Bottom Bracket: Truvativ Power Spline Cartridge
Derailleur Front: Shimano Deore M510
Derailleur Rear: Shimano LX M570
Freewheel: SRAM PG-950 11-34
Chain: Truvativ XR 9-Speed
Pedals: Alloy Caged w/Toe Clip/Strap

Control Center Components
Handlebar: Alloy 30mm Riser ATB
Stem: Alloy Clamp-On 10 deg. W/Removable Face
Grips: Dual Density Kraton/Gel
Derailleur Shifter: Shimano Deore 9-Speed
Saddle: Pivit SC Dual Density
Seat Post: Alloy Micro Adjust 30.6mm
Seat Post: Clamp Alloy Collar w/QR

Wheelset Components
Hubset: Formula Disc 8-Speed Cassette QR 32h
Rim: Alex DM18 Double Wall
Spokes: Stainless Steel 14g
Tire: Kenda Klaw 2.1

Brake Components
Brakes: Tektro IO Mechanical Disc F & R
Brake Lever: Tektro

New Haro V-Gusset 6061 Alloy Frame w/Disc Tabs
Manitou Six 100mm Travel Fork
Tektro IO Disc Brakes
9-Speed Shimano Deore Drive Train w/ LX Rear Derailleur

Price: $499 from my local bike shop.


(2)Motobecane 700HT

Frameset
Main frame: Ball Burnished 7005 Aluminum, double water bottle mounts
Rear triangle: Replaceable hanger, IS Disc Tabs
Fork: RockShox Judy TT J2 Suspension fork

Drivetrain
Crankset: TruVativ 5D 22/32/44T
Bottom bracket: Sealed Cartridge
Front derailleur: Shimano Deore, 31.8mm, top/down pull
Rear derailleur: Shimano Deore XT
Shifters Shimano: Deore 9 speed STI
Cassette/freewheel: CS HG50 9-speed, 11-32T
Chain: Z9000 9-speed

Wheelset
Front hub: MotoDisc
Rear hub: MotoDisc 9 Spd
Spokes: Stainless Steel
Rims: Alex Adventurer 26x1.5 DoubleWall Aluminum CNC
Tires: WTB Velociraptor 26x2.1

Features
Brake set: Tektro Aquila Mechanical Disc
Brake levers: Tektro RT354A for Disc brake
Headset: Tioga Ahead Threadless 1.125 inch, 30mm spacers
Handlebar: MotoRiser Aluminum 26.0
Stem: MotoStem Forged Aluminum 1 1/8" threadless
Tape/grip: WTB Dual Trail
Saddle: WTB Speed V Sport
Seat post: MotoPost Aluminum 300mm 27.2mm
Seat clamp: Aluminum 31.8mm allen bolt
Frame Weight: lb./kg. 3.9/1.8
Complete Bike Weight: lb./kg. 29.8/13.54

MSRP: $1095
On Sale Online: $495.99

harov3
07-18-05, 06:37 AM
First problem, If you buy online who is going to fit the bike to you? You are! Who is going to provide all those little adjustments that need to done before you ride off into the sunset? You are! Who is going to give your bike its first free service at about 2 weeks? You are! Getting the picture? An lbs will keep you and your bike rolling where you may not be able to, as well they can offer advice, parts service ect. Newbies or returnees should never buy online you miss all that service and good advice not to mention the oportunity to widen your circle of friends.
mtnbiker66
07-18-05, 06:53 AM
I would try to find an LBS to get some help.

Raiyn
07-18-05, 11:14 PM
First problem, If you buy online who is going to fit the bike to you? You are! Who is going to provide all those little adjustments that need to done before you ride off into the sunset? You are! Who is going to give your bike its first free service at about 2 weeks? You are! Getting the picture? An lbs will keep you and your bike rolling where you may not be able to, as well they can offer advice, parts service ect. Newbies or returnees should never buy online you miss all that service and good advice not to mention the oportunity to widen your circle of friends.
Couldn't have said it better myself
emac800
07-19-05, 12:34 PM
Ok, any opinion on the bikes?
DMN
07-19-05, 02:36 PM
Ok, any opinion on the bikes?

Never heard of the second one. The fact that it appears to have a non-1/8 size headset (Headset: Tioga Ahead Threadless 1.125 inch, 30mm spacers) is a bad bet. The fact it has an XT rear mech, but a RS Judy fork also leaves more questions than answers.
harov3
07-19-05, 06:08 PM
Never heard of the second one. The fact that it appears to have a non-1/8 size headset ([i]Headset: Tioga Ahead Threadless 1.125 inch, 30mm spacers.

Ho jueez. :( DMN you may have to change your descriptor, 1.125" or ~30mm is 1&1/8".

The bikes. Mobecane have been around for zillions of years but I've never seen anyone ride one, nuff said.
HaroV4, I ride a V3 so they must be the most fantabulous thing on two wheels since Natasha Kinski last rode a bicycle. I like mine, I dont know whats in your area or how pricing is in the US. There are probably other bikes in your area similarly priced, try to ride as many as you can then choose or ask more questions.
Pocorider
07-19-05, 06:19 PM
Definitely agree with harov3 visit your local bike shop, that way if you do have specific questions such as the ones you are asking us, you can ask them first hand, also the free services they offer are definitely worth taking advantage of.
Raiyn
07-20-05, 02:13 AM
Ho jueez. :( DMN you may have to change your descriptor, 1.125" or ~30mm is 1&1/8".
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