Mountain Biking - Companies/bike impressing you

Instead of a which is best I am just wondering which companies or bikes you think are really standing out this year. Explain the reasoning of course

1 - Ironhorse - I am addicted to these bikes. I personally think their SGS line is the best value on the market today. The are an east coast company making some very mean looking cheap bikes with decent components. I have also had a chance to read many posts by one of the engineers there and he really knows his stuff so I am really liking them this year.

2 - Giant - Always a standout in my mind because of their value and continued quality. I don't really like how the split the ac into two bikes (Ac and VT) but hey what do I know.

3 - Cove Bikes - These bikes make me drool. The G-spot in particular really catches my eye. VEry burly, very tough and a lifetime warranty (4 bar suspension always helps too). The frames are reasonably priced even in my crappy currency. I especially like the people that work there. They are ALL hardcore riders who actively participate in the regions riding and trail maintenance. I am 90% sure my next bike will be a Cove. For 50$ cdn you can get a custom paint job :D.

4 - Kona - I think I will always love Kona. They have a 50/50 customer service report from the different bulletin boards so that will always keep me warry of them but they have some of the best bikes out there and definately the best paint jobs (I hate shiny paint)

So what are your companies...

In my area Kona and Giant are probably 1 and 2. The others are Turner, Specialized, Intense and Foes. Just goes to show how location changes what manufacturers are popular. Other then Kona and Giant they are not in any particulat order being that it changes depending on weather you are in Orange Co., L.A. Co. or farther north, then yu would have to add in Santa Cruz. If I had to put them in order for riders around here it would go lke this :

1- Kona/Giant

2- Intense

3- Foes/Specialized/Turner

4- Santa Cruz

But again, if I drive any distance in either direction it would change although Kona is the most popular company from what I have seen and heard.

Moots – Engineering and manufacturing perfection
Indy Fab- Simplicity and attention to detail excellent manufacturing

i like rocky mountain--

Originally posted by Maelstrom
4 - Kona - I think I will always love Kona. They have a 50/50 customer service report from the different bulletin boards so that will always keep me warry of them but they have some of the best bikes out there and definately the best paint jobs (I hate shiny paint)


I'm fighting the urge to buy my wife a new Kona Hahhana. I just hate supporting a company that uses cheap Indonesion labor to build a bike and them label themselves as a Canadian/American company. Unfortunatly I don't have the extra $ to jump up and get her a Rocky.

I didn't think of it like that...but then again I am broke so don't always have a lot of choices...but that also doesn't leave you a lot of choices since most companies have their tubing made in asia and then assemble them in Canada/Usa. Very few do both (no including rocky which is heavily overpriced)

Reload Bags - nice products and they respond (http://www.wavelo.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=6&t=104&hl=reload&st=30) if you write them.
Dirt Rag (http://www.dirtragmag.com/home.php)
Pricepoint - excellent customer service.
Avid - I'm never disapointed.
Gunnar

Originally posted by Maelstrom
So what are your companies...



You'll never guess!!!!!!!

I was really impressed by Avid's customer service. Not only do they make a quality product, but if there is EVER a problem with it they don't hassle you and ask tons of questions.. they just fix it!

Originally posted by KleinMp99
You'll never guess!!!!!!!

Specialized maybe :D...I would have mentioned that company but the 24" rear wheel bugs me ;)

Originally posted by Maelstrom
Specialized maybe :D...I would have mentioned that company but the 24" rear wheel bugs me ;)


Oops.......somebody is complaining about something they have never owned.:sleep:

Originally posted by KleinMp99
Oops.......somebody is complaining about something they have never owned.:sleep:

Ouch...who said I was complaining. I just don't like the 24" wheel and what it does to the geometry of the bike. I don't have to ride a bike to see what it will ride like. You have been around long enough to know that much Klein :)

Originally posted by Maelstrom
Ouch...who said I was complaining. I just don't like the 24" wheel and what it does to the geometry of the bike. I don't have to ride a bike to see what it will ride like. You have been around long enough to know that much Klein :)


You really think it rides like crap just because of the geometry? You should get on one....they are soooo nice and they climb like mad.

Originally posted by KleinMp99
You really think it rides like crap just because of the geometry? You should get on one....they are soooo nice and they climb like mad.

Don't worry I will. I will be renting many bikes this summer to see which I prefer...

lol 24" rear wheel!!! why not go with 20" like that Pderman with the mongoose few months back? just kidding klein =].

I like a lot of the products that Race Face is producing these days. I'm NOT impressed with the new XTR, verdict still out on the new "Saint" line. I haven't touched/felt yet!

Always impressed with Marzocchi.

Digging the new 29" Surly Karate Monkey! My next bike will probably be a SS!

I've always like KONA.

Of course, I like INTENSE, I'd love to get a new Uzzi SLX. The new SANTA CRUZ Blur is sweet if XC is your thing, or DH bike the VPP 10 (or whatever it's name).

Ellsworth is overpriced I think. I like their bikes, but they're up there.

If I could buy any bike in the world, I'd probably get a TURNER or a FOES FAB, depending on style of bike. I really like the Foes FLY.

Can't say anything good or bad about Giant. I've not ridden any of the new VT's yet. I do like their AC bikes, but not enough to buy one!

L8R

My list:
[list=1]
Specialized - Fast becoming the only company I'll bother with.
Avid - My CPS discs stop on a dime and give you nine cents change.
Dirt Rag - Best "real - world" MTB magazine out there
Rock Shox - My Duke is suh-weet
Sun - Ringle - Love those Rhynolites
Cateye - Lights & computers gotta love 'em
[/list=1]
The ones I'm NOT impressed with:
[list=1]
Pacific / Schwinn - Tragedy
Any other X-mart POS - Do I need to say more?
Fox - Friggin Float won't hold air. I've ridden it 3 times and it's in the shop for the second time. I had the seals replaced and now it's worse than ever. If it comes back FUBAR this time you'd better believe I'm going to have a coil-over put on. Whose remains to be seen.
[/list=1]

I ain't no roadie anymore, but I popped into one of the big lbs' near home and they had the full range of Bianchi road bikes. Quality looked stunning with a beautiful paint job thrown in.

The paint jonb on the Klein Palamino and Attitude is as bootiful as ever it was, but the components 'degrade' the bike a bit.

Some of the Treks look good as well. Overall, we have a lot of great things to choose from.

My number one? Ca**o*da*e.

Originally posted by Bokkie
My number one? Ca**o*da*e.

Hahaha....scared of retribution for using the word...;)...

Originally posted by Maelstrom
Hahaha....scared of retribution for using the word...;)...

Sorry about the secret code! I shall come out of the closet. Will I truly be skinned alive for using the 'C' word...

Carrotdate

:)

<Breaks out the fillet knife> Hey Bokkie did that Gemini Recall (http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/tech/recall-114903.html) affect you?