Mountain Biking - GT Avalanche 2.0 vs Giant Yukon vs Hardrock

Hi,

I was looking for an entry level mountain bike for girlfriend and I and after some advice on this forum have been looking for a Specialized Hardrock Sport disc. Found a place that sells them ($679) but it's a bit of a distance away so haven't had a chance to try it out yet.

I also went to my local shop where they stock Giant and GT bikes.

The choice there came down to a Giant Yukon ($749) and a GT Avalanche 2.0 disc ($759)

We tried them out and they both seemed pretty good (my girlfriend preferred the GT as feeling lighter but I couldn't tell much difference) - the main difference was the lock out fork and adjustable travel on the GT which was great on the road. The Yukon fork seemed smoother jumping off the kerb but didn't have the lock out option.

The guy in the shop said that it wasn't always the case but out of the 2006 models the GT was a much better deal than the Yukon - he reckoned there was $150 difference in the quality of the components and said he'd sold 20 GT's to 1 Yukon. He basically inferred we'd be daft to get the Yukon and was going hard sell on the GT.

When I mentioned that I was also going to try out the Hardrock he explained he used to sell Specialized bikes and that many of the components on the hardrock were lower quality than the GT because Specialized spend their money on ensuring the hardrock can withstand a real off road bashing which is the wrong focus if you are only doing light off road stuff.

I borrowed these specs from a previous poster and added the GT and to be honest can't really see much difference between the 3. Based on the advice of the bike shop guy, the lock out fork and the fact that the shop is local we are leaning towards the GT. Saying that, I'm a bit suspicious of the guy in the bike shop making up stories to try and sell what he has in stock. Am I being paranoid or should we just get the GT?

They also said they would work out a deal for us particularly as we were buying 2 bikes - what sort of discount should we be asking for?

Appreciate your advice! Thanks, Bob :)

I attach the specs below.

BIKES
Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc - http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=13510&bikeTab=techspec

GIANT YUKON - http://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?model=10003

GT Avalanche 2.0 - http://www.gtbicycles.com/mountain/catalog/detail.php?id=2078&country=aus&brand=moun

Frame
06 Hardrock, A1 Premium Aluminum, tig welded, double butted ORE DT, externally machined head tube, forged disc D/O, disc brake only (no brake bosses), with 06 derailleur hanger
ALUXX FluidFormed™ alloy disc w/integrated gusset
GT Triple Triangle design 6061 butted aluminum with pressure formed downtube, zero stack headtube. Disc compatible with removeable der. Hanger


BOTTOM BRACKET
Truvativ Power Spline, 68x113mm, sealed cartridge bearing with double crank stops
Shimano sealed cartridge
Power Spline Cartridge Sealed

BRAKE LEVERS
Tektro RS-360
Shimano Acera alloy V-brakes
Shimano ST-EF29

CASSETTE
SRAM PG-830, 8spd, 11/32
SRAM PG-830, 8spd, 11/32
?

CHAIN
Shimano IG-31
Shimano IG-51 8 speed
Shimano IG-31

CRANKSET
Truvativ ISO-Flo, Power Spline, alloy, capless bolts
Shimano MC08 22/32/42T
Truvativ ISO FLO, 42/32/22 with Power Spline interface

FORK
RST Gilla Plus-T6, 100mm, preload adjust, 30mm Cr-Mo stanchions, coil/MCU spring
Rockshox Judy J1 100 Travel
RST Omega T6, hydraulic fork, magnesium lowers, preload adjust, 80-120 mm travel with lock out and travel adjust

FRONT DERAILLEUR
Shimano M-330 Acera, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull
Shimano Acera
Shimano M -330

FRONT HUB
Shimano M-495 CenterLock Disc, 36H
Formula front 32H disc
Alloy QR for Disc

HANDLEBARS
Alloy, 38mm rise, 6 degree upsweep, 8 degree sweep, 640mm width
Alloy riser, alloy ahead 15 degree
Alum. 20 mm Rise, 6 degree bend, anatomically sized

HEADSET
1-1/8" threadless, sealed ball retainer
1 1/8th Ahead

BRAKE
Shimano BR-M465 Mechanical Disc with 6" CenterLock rotor
Shimano BR-M495 mechanical disc w/6” rotors
Tektro Aquila, forged caliper with dial adjust pad centering

REAR DERAILLEUR
Shimano M-340 Acera, 8spd
Shimano Deore 8/9 speed
Shimano Deore

REAR HUB
Shimano M-495 Cassette CenterLock Disc, 36h
Shimano M475 8sp cassette disc
Alloy 8 speed Cassette with QR for Disc

RIMS
Alex DP-20 Disc, 26" double wall, 36h
Alloy double wall disc 26” x 32H
Alloy double wall ATB Tioga Factory Extreme Front and Factory XC rear 26 x 1.95

SADDLE
BG Sport ATB
Velo comfort w-cut out
WTB Speed V

SHIFT LEVERS
Shimano EF-50, 8spd
Shimano EF-35 24 speed EZ FIRE+
Shimano ST-EF29

Very little in any of it, the Specialized has a better front hub, the GT seems to have the better fork and the Yukon is sort of all-round with no standouts either way. Pick the one your girlfriend likes to ride most.

Any advice on what sort of discount I should be looking for and anything worth asking to get thrown in?

My first bike was a GT, and I loved it. Their triple triangle frame is bulletproof, I tried and tried to kill it with no luck. It was an excellent climber, and like the LBS guy said, they are spec'ed pretty well for their pricepoints.

You wouldn't be going wrong with any of them, but my vote is GT all the way.

Any advice on what sort of discount I should be looking for and anything worth asking to get thrown in?
Ask what you can get for cash. I got $100 off my 05 Giant Yukon when i paid cash.

Here's (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=145482&highlight=discount+bike+shop) an entire thread on discounts. And dont forget it's not you that has to ride it or anybody else, your girlfriend has to ride it so she should choose. ;)

1. NEVER listen to LBS's rantings. They all say something different, and have pet peeves.
2. I find Hardrocks over rated. Gt's are great. It's really easy to Bunnyhop on most Gt's too.
3. Let your girlfriend try them all first. Then decide.

I agree with letting your GF try them all out first. If she doesn't feel that much of a difference in riding the GT and the Yukon, go with the GT. And if you do, get her (or let her get her) the one with the light blue frame and white fork. It looks sweeeeet! :)

Many thanks to all for the advice. We're buying one each and so both tried them out. It was just that she noticed a difference and I didn't. I probably made the mistake of trying out a $2000 bike (the only one they had made up with a large frame) first so unsurprising that it was then hard to tell the difference between 2 $750 bikes!

They had both colours in the store but we both preferred the black one over the blue and white - apparently the last batch which was black had an improved gear shifter or something.

The one thing worrying me slightly about the GT is the reviews on this site. http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/XC_Hardtail/product_124974.shtml. There were some pretty damning ones. Yukon and Hardrock scored quite a lot better. Are these ratings reliable? Saying that I don't think we'll be jumping of houses so I'm sure the GT will be fine.

Harov, thanks for the interesting thread on neogtiating a price. The bloke in the LBS was really piling on the hard sell with some questionable facts which puts me off. In that situation I think it's perfectly ok to push him a bit on price. If he'd been a little less pushy it probably wouldn't have raised my competitive hackles.....

Even if the GT isnt as good, if she likes it better, thats still the one you should get her.

Perception is reality.

Many thanks to all for the advice. We're buying one each and so both tried them out. It was just that she noticed a difference and I didn't. I probably made the mistake of trying out a $2000 bike (the only one they had made up with a large frame) first so unsurprising that it was then hard to tell the difference between 2 $750 bikes!

They had both colours in the store but we both preferred the black one over the blue and white - apparently the last batch which was black had an improved gear shifter or something.

The one thing worrying me slightly about the GT is the reviews on this site. http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/XC_Hardtail/product_124974.shtml. There were some pretty damning ones. Yukon and Hardrock scored quite a lot better. Are these ratings reliable? Saying that I don't think we'll be jumping of houses so I'm sure the GT will be fine.

Harov, thanks for the interesting thread on neogtiating a price. The bloke in the LBS was really piling on the hard sell with some questionable facts which puts me off. In that situation I think it's perfectly ok to push him a bit on price. If he'd been a little less pushy it probably wouldn't have raised my competitive hackles.....


The reviews on MTB review should be taken with a grain of salt, a lot of people ride a bike once quite outside its intended use then damm it for not comparing well to their own bike. I know what you mean, some salespeople are there own worst enemy. I'm sure you'll both be happy with your bikes.

Sorry, I came in late,

Yeah, all three bikes are great, although I prefere the Hardrock only because I'm a trailrider. The GT has exceptional quality components. Goodluck and enjoy the rides!

I think when it comes to buying a bike your girlfriend should ride each bike and have her choose which bike feels and rides better. When I test drove several different bikes with the same frame size, each one felt different mostly because of the handle bars for instance. Some were higher, lower, and further away from the seat making the bike feel and ride different. I think riding a bike and how it handles and feels is most important. I have a Giant SE with front suspension. I do like the specialized full suspension bike and had thought about buying it for a second bike. Just my 2 cents worth. dave

I was in the same boat as you a couple of months ago but had different buying requirements as I weight about 14 stone. I looked at the Giant Yukon, a Kona Cinder cone and an Avanti bike (a local brand). I bought the Specialized sport disc as the shop service seemed to be better and I ended up getting a 10% discount which bought the price down to $675 NZ and the Kona was $999 NZ. The Hard rock that I bought has different specs to the bike that you were looking at as it uses SRAM components (see US specs for 2006 hardrock sport) but seems to so far work really well except for the uncomfy seat which is easily replaced. Saying all of this and being married for a few years now, I would let your girl friend decide or you will never here the end of it.....:-0. My wife bought the Avanti as she liked the colour.

I was in the same boat as you a couple of months ago but had different buying requirements as I weight about 14 stone. I looked at the Giant Yukon, a Kona Cinder cone and an Avanti bike (a local brand). I bought the Specialized sport disc as the shop service seemed to be better and I ended up getting a 10% discount which bought the price down to $675 NZ and the Kona was $999 NZ. The Hard rock that I bought has different specs to the bike that you were looking at as it uses SRAM components (see US specs for 2006 hardrock sport) but seems to so far work really well except for the uncomfy seat which is easily replaced. Saying all of this and being married for a few years now, I would let your girl friend decide or you will never here the end of it.....:-0. My wife bought the Avanti as she liked the colour.

I tried the Hardrock Sport disc yesterday. I guess it was the same spec as the one you got as the gears were SRAM rather than Shimano. Quite a different feel and I preferred the Shimano but I guess it's probably just what you are used to. We've decided to get the GT Avalanche 2.0 as we will inevitably use it most on the road and its the only bike at that price with the lock out suspension. Luckily that's the one she liked best (the colour was definitely high on the criteria list...) so everyone's a winner!

Guys, don't get all bent over the frame material, the components, frame geometry, forks......
If she is anything like my wife, she will want and pick the one that is the nicest color.

T.J.

I tried the Hardrock Sport disc yesterday. I guess it was the same spec as the one you got as the gears were SRAM rather than Shimano. Quite a different feel and I preferred the Shimano but I guess it's probably just what you are used to. We've decided to get the GT Avalanche 2.0 as we will inevitably use it most on the road and its the only bike at that price with the lock out suspension. Luckily that's the one she liked best (the colour was definitely high on the criteria list...) so everyone's a winner!

haha, glad you guys like it :D

I never realised how the new Yukons look so much like my Upland...

Bought 2 Brand spanking new GT Avalanche 2.0 discs yesterday. Girlfriend loves hers. I love mine. Off to Manly Dam today to put them through their paces....

Bring it on!

Congrats :beer: Have fun :)