Mountain Biking - New Bike

Hello guys ive been reading around this forum for a few days now and have decided to get into mtb more often than i do now. I usually rent a mtb when i go which usually ends up being a trek fuel 70 or 90 depending upon what is available when i get to the shop. I have decided that i want to buy a mtb of my own but am not quite sure what to get i hear some people say go specialized hardrock or some people go gt avalance or some people say go trek, but regardless i need a mtb and woudl like to buy one now. I realize the trek fuel is about 1000 dollars now i do have the money to buy somethingl ike that but idk if its worth it for me to buy something like that for my first bike. I found this randall scott website and was wondering what you guys thought of these ironhorse bikes in comparison to going to my LBS and getting a specialized hardrock here are the url's to the 2 bikes. Guys if these are nto quality stear me away because i would rather spend 1000 and get a quality bike that will last than throw 3-400 away.

http://www.rscycle.com/s.nl/it.A/id.7847/.f?sc=19&category=394

http://www.rscycle.com/s.nl/it.A/id.7858/.f?sc=19&category=394

Thanks, Verbs

anyone have any insight on this ?

thanks, Verbs

i dunno. I think it would be best if you bought a hardrock from your lbs. then you can get stuff like free tune ups and stuff.

i think a hardrock might be more reliable... i'm not sure though. But you get more out of buyng from your lbs than from online....

I like Ironhorse bikes. If you do your own work, buying online is ok. If not, the year or more of free tuneups and perks of buying from your shop may be a better deal.

It all depends on what you're planning on doing. If you're going to be doing strictly XC, don't get the hardrock. If you want to try a little bit of everything, I still wouldn't recommend the hardrock. Get something geared for one thing instead of a bike that's "jack of all trades, master of none". The hardrock is too heavy to do a lot of XC with, and it's too weak to be dirt jumping or freeriding with.

The hardrock weighs just as much as any other low end bike at that price point, even if its geared for XC, and the frame IS beefy enough for begginer's dirt jumping and freeride.

so from what im seeing here are you guys steering me away from these ironhorse bikes to something located in my LBS, i dont have a problem doing work at home if that helps.

I bought my hardtail from rscycle.com. They are a great site and have fast shipping too. I suggest you get an 06 ironhorse yakuza chimpia, thats what I got and I love it.

If you ride fuels, and can afford one....why don't you buy one?

I really like Iron Horse bikes. They offer some of the best values in the market. Nothing wrong with buying a bike online if you are sure about the sizing. those tuneups and local LB support is all good, but you can sometime save a lot more by buying on line. Personal experience....I bought a bike online. Paid $400 for a $800+ bike. so with that extra $400 I could have done 10 tune ups and by all the extras that the local LBS offer.


go with your instinct.....and have fun.

Well like i said the Fuels are what they rent out at the shop when i go although they are a great bike im asking you guys if for someone just starting out is it worth the money to buy a fuel. I can afford it but why would i buy one if its not necessary at my lvl of riding. However i do want to just do a jack of all trades riding and around where i live there isnt too much for dirt jumping and so on like what some people have out west. Mainly i just like being outdoors and riding fast. Just hoping that i could get fit into a more cost effective bike for me.

Verbs

I would say go for the Fuel, if that's what you're used to riding, and you can afford one, buy one. It's kind of like if it smeels like a fish, looks like a fish, it must be a fish, you wouldn't call it a cat. More or less go with the thing you most like and are comfotable with. I have a friend with a Fuel and he loves it, even if you wind up not really gettgin into mountain biking, you'll get an ok return on your purchase, more so than a hardrock or what not