Mountain Biking - Down to three bikes

I'm newbe at this but I've been asking around and getting peoples thoughts on what bike I should get. I've got it down to three bikes. I'm going to be using it to ride to work everyday 10 miles each way and most of it is on country roads and through the woods by me and maybe get out to a few of the parks near me. I'm open to any ones option on this and if you think you know a bike that will fit me better then please tell me.

Iron Horse Maveric

Alite's 1000

Alpine 550

If you have a reason why or why i should not get these bikes please tell me.

You might wanna post some specs.... no one really wants to research your bikes for you. Generally, in my book, most frames are frames... the rest is where money starts talking.



I'm newbe at this but I've been asking around and getting peoples thoughts on what bike I should get. I've got it down to three bikes. I'm going to be using it to ride to work everyday 10 miles each way and most of it is on country roads and through the woods by me and maybe get out to a few of the parks near me. I'm open to any ones option on this and if you think you know a bike that will fit me better then please tell me.

Iron Horse Maveric

Alite's 1000

Alpine 550

If you have a reason why or why i should not get these bikes please tell me.

You might wanna post some specs.... no one really wants to research your bikes for you. Generally, in my book, most frames are frames... the rest is where money starts talking.

Good idea sorry I did not think of that before..

1.IRON HORSE MAVERICK TRAIL

Category - RECREATIONAL XC DUAL SUSPENSION
Frame - 4" TRAVEL XC DUAL SUSPENSION, SINGLE PIVOT WITH SEALED BEARINGS, 1-1/8" ZERO STACK HEADTUBE, REPLACEABLE DERAILLEUR HANGER, INTERNATIONAL DISC BRAKE MOUNT
Rear Shock - TOUGH SHOCK FD COIL, 6.5"X 1.5"
Fork - RST GILA T6, 100MM TRAVEL
Handle Bar - ALLOY RISERBAR
Stem - ALLOY
Headset - ZERO STACK
BB - SEALED CARTRIDGE
Crank - SUNTOUR XCC 150
RIngs - 42/34/24T STEEL
Pedals - RESIN PLATFORM
Chain - KMC Z-72
Saddle - WTB SPEED V SPORT SE
Seatpost - ALLOY MICRO ADJUST
Front Hub - ALLOY DISC, 32H
Rear Hub - ALLOY DISC, 32H
Front Derailleur - SHIMANO FD-C050
Rear Derailleur - SHIMANO ACERA
Shifter - SRAM MRX COMP GRIPSHIFT
Cassette - SHIMANO HG-30, 12/32T, 8 SPEED
Brakes - ALLOY LINEAR PULL
Brake Lever - ALLOY
Rim - ALLOY W/BRUSHED SIDEWALL
Spoke - 14G STAINLESS BLACK
Tires - IRC MYTHOS XC 2.1
Size - 15", 17",19",21"
Colors - POLISHED/BLACK, GREEN

2. Alpine 550

Frame: 6061 Aluminum
Fork: Manitou Trace Elite 80mm
Shifters: Shimano Alivio
Front Derailleur: Shimano Alivio
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Crankset: TruVativ 5-D
Cassette: Shimano HG50-8
Chain: Shimano
Brakes: Tektro Io Mechanical Disc Brakes
Levers: Tektro
Rims: WTB SpeedDisc Double-Wall
Hubs: Formula
Tires: Kenda Koyote - 26" x 1.95
Cockpit Set: UNO Alloy
Saddle: WTB Pure V Comp
Pedals: Wellgo Platform w/ Toe-Clips


3.Alite's 1000

http://www.khsbicycles.com/04_alite_1000_06.htm
Sorry coyld not cut and past spec's on this bike!

The Alite 1000, hands down. The other two are really, really crappy full suspension bikes with components you would find on a $319 hardtail. The Alite's X.7 drivetrain and Spinner fork are actually pretty decent, and comparable to what is coming on a lot of bikes in the $500-750 range.

2. Apline 550's spec seems to be more attracting to me

I'm not sure at all I found each of them in my price range the alpine 550 being the most and the iron horse being the lest. Is there one that has a better fram then the other two?

in my book, most frames are frames... the rest is where money starts talking.

I haven't read your book. The frame is the foundation upon which greatness can be achieved or worthless junk could be constructed. There's a big difference between frame geometry, material, and craftsmanship.

Frame is the most important component. All else can be replaced reasonably inexpensively.

Ignore the Ironhorse, ride the Alite and Alpine to see what fits you best. Between #2 and #3, I'm not sure about the fork but the Alite has slightly better shifting components.

Seems most makers of hardtails in the low-end market make aluminum frames in similar geometries these days. The OP is talking about $500 bikes here... they are probably all made in the same Asian factory.



I haven't read your book. The frame is the foundation upon which greatness can be achieved or worthless junk could be constructed. There's a big difference between frame geometry, material, and craftsmanship.

Frame is the most important component. All else can be replaced reasonably inexpensively.

Ignore the Ironhorse, ride the Alite and Alpine to see what fits you best. Between #2 and #3, I'm not sure about the fork but the Alite has slightly better shifting components.

I've heard a lot of good things about #2 and #3 so far the only bad thing is that no where near me has the alpine's!!