Mountain Biking - Where to find decent bike with rim brakes?

I'm consdering upgrading my Trek 4300 to something in the $1000 range. But I am having a few issues with the bikes i see in this range. First of all, i am not really that big on disc brakes. It's not that i HATE them i just am happy with rim brakes for what i do.

I definitely don't want hydraulic disc because i ride year round which means 0 F and below sometimes. Also a lot of the bikes in the $1000 range have air forks and such. I don't really need that either. Can somebody suggest a good MTB, with rim brakes and a spring fork? Heck I am even considering a rigid fork for that matter. (Although i know you can't buy one on a bike.)

i know you don't want disc... but if you ride below 0F, i would think mech discs would be more of an asset than a liability.

The basic Specialized Rockhopper runs v's but the parts spec is quite low. The $880 Comp runs BB5 discs, which are great but runs an air fork. I think for 1000, you could actually build up a nice bike using a Sette Reken Frame from pricepoint.

http://pricepoint.com/detail/14169-175_SETHS5-3-Parts-60-Frames/Sette-Reken-Hardtail-Frame.htm
http://pricepoint.com/images/styleImages/Z_175%20SETHS5.jpg

http://pricepoint.com/detail/13629-315_ANSNE5-3-Parts-59-Forks/Accessories/Manitou-Nixon-Elite-Suspension-Fork-'05.htm
*or*
http://pricepoint.com/detail/16026-315_ROCD37_KIT-3-Parts-59-Forks/Accessories/Rockshox-Dart-3-w_-Poploc-Suspension-Fork-'07-w_-Cane-Creek-S-3-Headset.htm

with this brake combo

and build to your own spec.

look at the salsa moto rapido it is just a frame but then you can put all your parts on it. it runs about $700 to $800. it is very nice it is for racing but you could use anything for just riding. it has a carbon seat stay .

http://www.salsacycles.com/frames/images/05_MotoRapido_580.jpg

It think it would be difficult to find a prebuilt bike for that price with coil fork and vees. The stumpjumper is a great hardtail with rim brakes, but it has an air fork and runs about $1400.

Why are you upgrading? Perhaps that could help us more.

i know you don't want disc... but if you ride below 0F, i would think mech discs would be more of an asset than a liability.

The basic Specialized Rockhopper runs v's but the parts spec is quite low. The $880 Comp runs BB5 discs, which are great but runs an air fork. I think for 1000, you could actually build up a nice bike using a Sette Reken Frame from pricepoint.

http://pricepoint.com/detail/14169-175_SETHS5-3-Parts-60-Frames/Sette-Reken-Hardtail-Frame.htm
http://pricepoint.com/images/styleImages/Z_175%20SETHS5.jpg

http://pricepoint.com/detail/13629-315_ANSNE5-3-Parts-59-Forks/Accessories/Manitou-Nixon-Elite-Suspension-Fork-'05.htm
*or*
http://pricepoint.com/detail/16026-315_ROCD37_KIT-3-Parts-59-Forks/Accessories/Rockshox-Dart-3-w_-Poploc-Suspension-Fork-'07-w_-Cane-Creek-S-3-Headset.htm

with this brake combo

and build to your own spec.

This is the best suggestion so far -- if you're happy with an aluminum frame (and why shouldn't you be?). Source parts from ebay or an LBS that won't take advantage of you -- or stick with Pricepoint, Nashbar or JensonUSA, etc. If you're not parting out your Trek, devote money to the wheelset (double-walled, natch) and the brakes. If Vs, buy Avid 7s at least and pair 'em up with good levers. Might as well replace the chain, too. If you need a seat, WTB and Brooks are hard to beat in their price range.

If you're MTB'in below freezing, I'd strongly suggest discs. There's nothing worse than getting your rims iced over after a creek crossing - you grab the brakes and nothing happens!

Of course, if the creek is deep enough your disc brake rotors can get iced over too. But you probably won't be pedaling through a creek if it's that deep anyways.

Why no hydraulic brakes? My winter commuter/trail bike has hydraulic discs and performs better than previous bikes with mechanical discs or V-brakes.

The bike also has an air fork but has been only adequate in colder weather (fine while commuting but not that great on the trails). If you do get a bike with an air fork, chances are good you could sell it (or get the LBS to swap it) for a coil fork and come out ahead. Or swap it for a rigid and have even more cash left over.

I also have no problems with hydros in cold weather. Incidentally, you can buy a Gary Fisher Mako with a rigid fork. It's not really what your looking for but it is sold with a rigid. It's their very entry level mountain bike. I believe it sells for a whopping $250.

Why no hydraulic brakes? My winter commuter/trail bike has hydraulic discs and performs better than previous bikes with mechanical discs or V-brakes.

The bike also has an air fork but has been only adequate in colder weather (fine while commuting but not that great on the trails). If you do get a bike with an air fork, chances are good you could sell it (or get the LBS to swap it) for a coil fork and come out ahead. Or swap it for a rigid and have even more cash left over.

Others said they will freeze up.

Others said they will freeze up.

They don't. I have never heard of this issue anyways. (maybe with mineral oil based? I am just guessing because I know lots of winter bikers with a lot less isues using hydros)

In all of my winter trail riding, I've had my rear brake freeze up twice and that was because I was riding through deep snow and it got packed into the caliper. I had more issues with my mechanical brakes (both disc and rim).

This was one of those times:
http://members.shaw.ca/pisgahfallride/images/Bikes/IMGP2219resize.JPG

So maybe this is a dead issue. I think i ran into an idiot in the Mechanic's forum who told me they will freeze.

Others said they will freeze up.
theres a guy i always see in the middle of winter outside tim hortons, it doesnt matter how cold it is, he's there. I noticed one day he was running hydraulics, and was curious one day and asked them if they ever froze up, he said its never happened to him.

The coldest I've gone in was -25 C, no probs with my juicy 5's.

I can't remember the last time I bled the system, but I think it was with either DOT 3 or 4 brake fluid. My car uses DOT 4 so it's good to at least -40 C. I think it's freezing point is ~-58 C to -60 C.

Some hydro's use mineral oil....not sure what the freezing point is for that.....

Portis, if you are interested in a singlespeed, check out the Kona Unit. It comes with a rigid fork and rim brakes.

Just look at all of the times that you've been stranded in your car because your hydraulic brakes have frozen.


Actually, I had a Saab 900 once which, when really cold, the cable for the hand brake would freeze up, and lock up one of the front wheels. Never a problem with hydraulics though.

Just look at all of the times that you've been stranded in your car because your hydraulic brakes have frozen.

maybe it's just ford trucks, but the brakes in my dads old f150 were really sluggish and it would slow fairly fast without even applying the brakes when it was below -25. Same thing with my current work truck.

It think it would be difficult to find a prebuilt bike for that price with coil fork and vees. The stumpjumper is a great hardtail with rim brakes, but it has an air fork and runs about $1400.

Why are you upgrading? Perhaps that could help us more.


I believe the $1400 is MSRP. MY LBS is selling the Stumpjumper hardtail with v-brakes and air fork for $1200 for the '07 and $1K for the '06.

There you go. Great $1k hardtail with v's.

theres a guy i always see in the middle of winter outside tim hortons, it doesnt matter how cold it is, he's there. I noticed one day he was running hydraulics, and was curious one day and asked them if they ever froze up, he said its never happened to him.

Pat! Fitting he rides a Rocky Mountain "Blizzard" during a Saskatchewan winter! :D

Actually, I had a Saab 900 once which, when really cold, the cable for the hand brake would freeze up, and lock up one of the front wheels. Never a problem with hydraulics though.

That's because the handbrake is cable actuated, not hydraulic.

Operates the front brakes? That's something I didn't know. I'll have to remember that for my parents if they ever get a flat with their old saab. I wonder why they designed it like that?

That's because the handbrake is cable actuated, not hydraulic.


I know, thats why I said "the cable for the hand brake"!!



I wonder why they designed it like that?

The same reason they put the ignition in the center console.

I know, thats why I said "the cable for the hand brake"!!

Oops, didn't see that/brain ignored it :)



The same reason they put the ignition in the center console.


That explains that too ;)

Why no hydraulic brakes? My winter commuter/trail bike has hydraulic discs and performs better than previous bikes with mechanical discs or V-brakes.

+1

It was minus 19C this AM and the XT brakes were fine. Juicies were great to -25C. Hayes worked fine at -26C. It never gets much colder than that here

Of course, if you want to not get discs for some other reason (aesthetics, cost, whatever) then all of this means nothing.

Pat! Fitting he rides a Rocky Mountain "Blizzard" during a Saskatchewan winter! :D
you go to the same Timmy's then? :)