Mountain Biking - 2002 Oryx T125 - First Post, New Bike

Hi everyone,

been shopping for a new mtb for the past 3 weeks and checked out many brands/models, including Specialized, Giant, Gary Fisher, Rockey Mountain, Jamis, Kona and finally Oryx. I'm on a tight budget due to wife with baby on the way so I've been looking to get the most bike for $700. My LBS has the following bike for $675 (before taxes and Canadian dollars) which I think is about as good a deal as I'm going to find for that price. You can check out the specs online at:

http://www.oryx.ca/2003/en/collection_2003.asp#

Click on 2002 bikes at the bottom of the left menu, then on the flash screen which pops up click on 'T-Line Series' and then on 125.

Brief summary:

Frame: 7006-T6 fullbutted tubing
Fork: Marzocchi EXR (AIR)
Rims: Weinmann ZAC 2000
Front/Rear Hubs: 4Rox Rock N' Roll
Tires: Maxxis Larsen Mimo
Chain: KMC Z72
Chainwheel: Alivio
Front Derailleur: Alivio
Rear Derailleur: Deore
Shift Lever: Alivio
Brakes: 4Rox 4/1 Alloy Forged

Same LBS has the 2003 Giant Yukon (black finish) for $625 (Canadian Dollars). More specs on the Yukon are available at:

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/cn/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?lYear=2003&bikesection=8797&range=96&model=9828

While I'm not anywhere near as knowledgeable as I would like to be, I believe the Oryx is a much better deal for the money and comes with a nice frame which I can grow with over the next few years.

More info: mostly trail riding, however trails in the Gatineaus and Laurentians are not always the easiest rides.... varied terrain but nothing extreme.

Any advice, tips, or suggestions on the info provided above, or other bikes I should look at in the same price range would be appreciated greatly! :)

Thanks!

Note: $675 Canadian = approximately $480 USD.

I looked at the specs and don't see a big difference either. But the real test is to ride both bikes and see which one feels the best to you. Components can always be upgraded later. Good Luck!

if they are both comfortable go with Oryx. Support an up and coming company (they have been around a bit but are trying to break into the freeride market) and they are canadian :D

I just bought the Giant Yukon (yesterday) after debating a lot with 3 other bikes, and let me tell u that it's great! I love it so far, I got it from Cycle Path on Yonge St. So far everything is great, nice smooth ride, and it's nice looking. Just one thing that i don't like that much is the fork. It's the Manitou and it's "softer" than all the other brands that i tried there like the Judy TT which is another low-end suspension. Ah well, no biggie.

Matt

I'm going to test drive both today... which should be the deciding factor. I'm leaning towards the Oryx for a couple reasons:

1. slightly better components.
2. same frame is on their $2000+ priced T750 so it's a solid base.

However, the Giant is very similar and I will need to ride both to decide.

Thanks!

LOL, have to share this one. The LBS of the 2 above mentioned bikes tried to convince me that there is no need to test drive a bike because they are all the same.... ROFL... I couldn't believe it... I laughed out load when the salesmen told me that. After the laughing subsided my response was "you must be kidding...that's nonsense and probably the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. No test ride, no purchase. That simple."

I think it's time to shop around at other LBSs, cause I can't take these people seriously with comments like that :)

I heard that before(different shop), the guy let me ride the bikes I was looking at, but he treated me like an idiot whill he explained that because all bikes were based on race results they were all the same. I stoped listening to him at that point.

Originally posted by Maelstrom
if they are both comfortable go with Oryx. Support an up and coming company (they have been around a bit but are trying to break into the freeride market) and they are canadian :D

Agreed, plus it is "handbuilt", alas there are no Easton tubes. ;)

Looks like a great deal for 675, plus it is a sweet looker. I'd pick it up if you like the geometry.

Yeah, I'm pretty impressed with the Oryx, just not with the store selling it. I suppose once the bike is bought I never have to return there again... however I would rather support a LBS who deserves my business... decision decisions :)

Thanks for the input everyone!

Found the 2003 T125 for $717 + Tax. Only $42 dollars more then the 2002 and it comes with upgraded components (Deore rear/front/shift), 100mm Bomber fork, + other little changes. Plus it's black with gold labels, which is always nice :)

I believe it's worth the $42 more, but now I'm into the $825 (with tax) range, a little over my budget. However, the salesperson did say they would throw in a helmet or work out something with accessories :)

I think I found my bike! Thanks for the feedback everyone!

I bought the 2003 Oryx T125. What a beautiful bike!! :)

Took it for a couple hours last night and it was awesome! Going to post some pics soon.

Sounds like you found what you were looking for. Congratulations. Been following the thread and I am also intereated in a first bike. Do you know if this bike is sold in the U.S or where I might call. Their web site says not available in U.S. but their is a guy on E-bay in Florida that says he is authorized dealer. Also looking at an Ibex Ignition 1 or 2. I live in Mississippi and want it mainly for exercise and using on my hunting club- nothing too rough. On a very limited budget. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Forester - have you checked your local bike stores yet? If not, then that is the place to start. Don't decide on a brand first and try to find where they are sold. People have preferences but I think ALL brands sold in quality bike stores are good bikes.

Originally posted by KrisA
Agreed, plus it is "handbuilt", alas there are no Easton tubes. ;)

Looks like a great deal for 675, plus it is a sweet looker. I'd pick it up if you like the geometry.

But Oryx are still cheap and reasonable ;) Unlike other handbuilt canadian companies ;)

Congratulations on the new bike. I like the looks of the 2003 much better than the 2002. Did you get it from a different shop?

Originally posted by LowCel
Congratulations on the new bike. I like the looks of the 2003 much better than the 2002. Did you get it from a different shop?

Yeah, it's much nicer then the 2002 and comes with a few upgrades :)

Yes, I found a store across town that gave me $182 off the retail price of $899 by simply asking for their best price. I thought that was fair and bought on the spot. They were courteous, professional, patient and it was owned by a father/daughter team which I thought was cool! I would highly recommend them to anyone. They're in the east end of Montreal, on Hochelaga street. You can find their number and exact address on the Oryx.ca website under 'Authorized Dealers'.

This bike is worth more then the $717 + tax (canadian dollars) I paid for it. Very pleased! :)

I took 24 pics of it last night and am going to pick up the pics this evening and post them immediately after I get back. Unfortunately I had to choose between a digital camera or a bike..... that decision was a no brainer... hence the wait for the pics ;)

Originally posted by 6Rider


I took 24 pics of it last night and am going to pick up the pics this evening and post them immediately after I get back. Unfortunately I had to choose between a digital camera or a bike..... that decision was a no brainer... hence the wait for the pics ;)

You have chosen well!!

Here are the pics as promised. For those who want to see more pics can use this link:

http://webfors.com/oryx/

I apologize to those on dial up... this images are pretty big :)

The Bike:

http://webfors.com/oryx/view_from_back_right.jpg

My best boy Austin informed me that the bike had to pass his sensitive Sniff-Test before he would give it his approval:

http://webfors.com/oryx/sniff_check.jpg

The second Sniff-Check was more thorough:

http://webfors.com/oryx/sniff_check2.jpg

After hours of analysis, Austin finally gave it his approval:

http://webfors.com/oryx/boy_and_bike1.jpg

I'm off to Gatineau Park tomorrow morning for a 20K ride. Looking forward to it beeeg-tiiiime :beer:

Nice ride man!

Cool dog, is that a retriever or a labrador? I have three labradors myself :D

Have fun on your 20k man!

Thanks Dude!!!

Austin's a mix, mother was a Golden Retriever and father a Yellow Lab. My two favourite dogs in 1 :)

Already took the bike out for 3 hours of messing around in the city... this bike is incredibly smooth and agile, very happy with it!!