Mountain Biking - newb with specs question... please help!

hello all, just joined (as you can tell). i'm getting back into biking after a hiatus (6 years). i'm 31 and i like to think i've retained some of my athleticism. anyway.. i'm looking at bikes now and i'm stunned with how much things have changed in the 10 years since i've bought my last bike. it's exciting to see the growth, but overwhelming in the same way.

anyway... i tend to get longwinded (long fingered? )...

i've found a bike that meet my price range, for the sake of avoiding the brand loyalist bashing that is common with most things, here is the specs list. the bike sells for $450. can you help me with the specs? is this a decent combo of components?

Frame Custom 7005 Aluminum Trail-Tuned POWER STAY frame, box section chainstays, bi-axial gussetted downtube, sculpted rear dropouts with replaceable rear derailleur hanger, 2x H2O bosses, International Standard rear disc mounts
Fork RockShox Dart 2 Adjustable with Hydraulic damping and 100mm travel
Crankset TruVativ 5D Aluminum Triple 22/32/42T 175mm (TruShift Rings)
Bottom Bracket Sealed Cartridge
Pedals ATB Beartrap (metal cages)
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore Mega 9 top swing
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore XT long cage (traditional action - not rapidrise)
Shifters Shimano Deore Mega 9 Speed STI Rapidfire Pods (27 speeds total)
Cassette/Freewheel Cassette 11-32T 9 Speed Hyperglide
Chain 9 Speed Z9000 Super Narrow
Hubs Skye DiscSpecific Aluminum (black) Sealed Bearing mechanism
Spokes Stainless Steel
Rims WEINMANN SP-17 - Double Wall Aluminum CNC sidewalls
Tires WTB Velociraptor Blackwall 26 x 2.10
Brakes TEKTRO AQUILA Mechanical Disc Brakes with Multi Pad Angle adjustments
Brake Levers Tektro for Disc
Headset Cane Creek Internal Sealed bearing VP A42E 1.125 inch
Handlebar Skye Comp Aluminum Riser
Stem Skye Comp Threadless Aluminum
Tape/Grip WTB Dual Compound
Saddle WTB Speed V with comfort groove
Seat Post Skye Aluminum Micro-Adjust
Seat Clamp Alloy w/QR
Sizes 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 inch
Colors Polished Silver

Wish I could get this bike for $450 new in Canada

nice build, what does it look like?

EDIT:

found it for $399 + shipping

http://item.express.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ExpressItem&item=230127265081&FROM_MERCHANDISING=1&tr=merch:cvi

I wouldn't do anything too risky with those Tektro brakes.

Shill!

Just kidding, we don't get our panties in a bunch here like they do over in the roadie forum whenever someone trots out a Motobecane.

The specs look reasonable for the price. I've noticed that a lot of the major players (Kona, Specialized, Gary Fisher, etc.) have been pushing some of their components down a notch or two on the spec list. For example, when I got my Kona hardtail it was all Deore stuff. The same model today at the same price now has Alivio stuff in it.

All that to say that it appears to be spec'ed correctly.

Here's the big HOWEVER part coming along. Since you admit not being around bikes in a while, we do not recommend buying bikes online to newbies. First and foremost you have to make sure that the bike fits you well. You can only know that if you try the bike. The various bike manufacturers have different geometries and one company's 17" will feel great and another will feel like crap to you.

I recommend you visit one or several local bike shops (LBS) and go in telling them how much you want to spend and what you want to use the bike for. You will find several bikes that fall within your price range that will be great. At that price point the spec list is more or less the same but the big differentiator between the bikes is how it fits you.

thanks for the replies. yes it is a motobecane. yes it is online. but i really wanted to know more about the specs. i have no reference point to go to my LBS with. i prefer to be as educated a consumer as i can be. it makes the buying experience easier for both parties, at least i like to think so!

that being said... i take it the specs are about what you would expect to find on a $500 bike or so at a LBS?

pierce

thanks for the replies. yes it is a motobecane. yes it is online. but i really wanted to know more about the specs. i have no reference point to go to my LBS with. i prefer to be as educated a consumer as i can be. it makes the buying experience easier for both parties, at least i like to think so!

that being said... i take it the specs are about what you would expect to find on a $500 bike or so at a LBS?

pierce

Yes, at around $500 the spec list will be more or less the same. Maybe one bike will have an Alivio front derailleur and another will have a Deore. Not a big difference there, but what is important is having a bike that fits you well and a local bike shop to support you for the little things.

If you go to your LBS you'll get a free adjustment after 30 days (or for the first year) which will be necessary as all new bikes go through something referred to as "cable stretch". For a newbie this service is invaluable. The second thing is that if you go to a LBS you can get some things for free such as spare tubes, patch kit, tire levers, etc. The rest of the gear you can get at a discount of about 10-15% off (I forget the standard rate) which will cover helmets, pumps, locks, etc.

point taken. thanks Santiago!