Mountain Biking - Help me... find a bike(SF). Don't hate me.. please.

I'm a student living in San Francisco.
Now I've read couple of posts from this forum and couldn't really find answers that I wanted.
(Oh boy... I can feel the flames coming up on my post...)
The bike store's employee told me I should get a 19".
I'm 6 feet tall, weight in at about 150 lbs.

I'm a noob at riding mountain bikes and I want to get one to get around San Francisco.
Now I have about $400 budget, but I fell in love with a $600 after riding one.
The bike store recommended that I buy a Gary Fisher Merlin but it's design and color I didn't really like.
It was $400 though.
What caught my eye was the Gary Fisher Tass. The grey/black one.
I tried riding on it and man.. was it smooth! But the price was $600.

My friend said I should hold back and try riding other bikes but I dunno... that bike keeps coming up on my mind.
Is it a good bike to go around city grounds? Also what other bikes (Entry level) do you recommend for me for city rides?

I'm selling my gamecube/ps2 to save up more =P
Are there any other bikes that are similar to that at a cheaper price?

Thanks for the help.

Just becuse we like bikes doesn't mean we're flamers. :)

Yes test some more bikes. The more you test the better.

All will feel different and you are more likely to get a good deal.

Size sounds pretty good. I personally ride an 18inch but am the same height as you.

Pssst!! Don't forget end of the year sales!! (and welcome to Bike Forums!!) :)

Do they have huge end of year sales?
This winter break I'm going to Austrailia so i won't have use for my bike then...
When will these juicy sales kick in??

I bought mine two months ago for $200 off...

Most should be on sale now. Good luck! :)

yea, i would wait until bike sales kick which is about this time maybe another month more, you could ask about it to your dealer. haha heard u were going to australia :P!! i am from Australia.. what you in Aus, sydney holiday?

Gary fisher is a nice bike and the color scheme that you speak of is bad a$$! ;)

http://revolutioncycles.com/images/library/large/gf_tass_disc_gray_06_m.jpg
This is the one I'm really looking into. I've read the reviews from this forum and it seems like they like the bike.
You think it's worth it spending $600 on it? I'm going to be just traveling around SF. Is it durable?
My gamecube/games just sold. Hehe.. getting close!!
Are there better deal bikes out there that's similar to this?

I'm going to Austrailia because my roommate is from there. Yes he lives in Sydney. =D I can't wait to check out the ladies over there....


*EDIT* I just called the place I found this bike from and they're not having anymore end of the year sales... they had one a week ago... =(

The GF Tass is a nice rig. I don't think you'd be disappointed with it. I owned a GF Marlin before it was stolen this Spring. I liked the 2005 color (sparkle green apple) better than the 2006 color for what it's worth. Ride it around and see how it feels. You'd probably be ok on a 19 inch frame for normal commuting and XC riding.

Offer your shop the price they had it on sale for and see what they say. Most shops keep the old models on sale until they sell, not just for one week. If you can't get them to come down, see about them tossing in a helmet, or other gear, or just keep shopping.

It's funny with sales this year anyway. It almost seems bike shop owners know people are looking for deals so are holding back maybe partly to get you to just go for the 07s they just got in. I called up the biggest bike shop in Sacramento and asked about an 06 model, if they had it. Without me even mentioning price the guy said 'but we're only going to do maybe 10% off'. I said 'hey thanks for telling me that and saving me a trip in'. So I think around here anyway which is a popular area for bikes I think it may take another month. One other thing though is back on Memorial Day weekend that same shop advertised all their Specialized's at 25% off...sort of getting toward but not yet at the end of the 06 season...(before summer even) so i guess you just have to pay attention when some shop has a sale and be ready.

okay. so Tass 06 model for $600 sounds like a good deal?

You'll get more bang for your buck if you don't mind getting second hand stuff. Check Craigslist, there might be some gems there.

okay. so Tass 06 model for $600 sounds like a good deal?

$600 sounds like a decent price. The 2007's are $730 and the paint's ugly, IMO. If you like the way it feels, go for it!

I bought an '04 Tass a little over a month ago. It was barely used. No scratches.

I got it off of craigslist for $250. If your local CL is like the one around here there are decent bikes posted weekly.

I really love my bike. I'm 5'11" and mine is a 17.5". Fits me perfectly. I think I got pretty lucky.

I've been looking for one on craigslist but I can't seem to find any tass models... not even merlin ones.
Plus if I get a used one, I'd have to fix it all up again and stuff... =(
I'm 6' so I need a 19". Hard to find that exact thing online. Boone man you got lucky! =)
I'll wait till saturday and if nothing comes up, I'll just buy it.

Okay I couldn't wait...
I'm officially a biker!
=)
http://www.digiegg.com/bike.jpg

YAY!! Congrats!! Now you gotta go put this in the Post Your Rigs thread! :D

Woo Hoo Pretty bike!





Pssst! (Gotta take off them reflectors so you can have the "cool" thing goin' on...;) )

Are you serious siu?? I live in San Fran... and there's alot of cars out at night time. Maybe I should keep it on? Or would I look like a dork w/ em on? There's one in the front though.
Damn those shocks look nice...
I wanna sleep w/ my bike... I LOVE ITTTTT

Very nice digiegg. Congrats on the purchase.

Well I'm from The City and I see your point. I meant for off roading. I'd keep them on if I were you. Heck, I'd have reflector tape all over the frame!!