Mountain Biking - Help! can't decide on my 1st MTB

among these three, they're all in the same price range (300-350) and entry level for trail MTB:

- Giant Rincon
- Jamis Cross Country 2.0
- Fuji Sunfire

Which one offers the best value and bang for the money, also reliability and performance?

NOTE: I'm not a racer, and don't plan to do stunts or rough trails

Please feedback folks,
Corsaire :(

I'm not familiar with any of those, but I just checked out the specs on the net and can see very little to seperate them. Specs wise they are all about equal.

I would go for the Jamis it has to be my favourite from just looking at the manafactures website's, but thats not a lot to go on!

I'm not sure what £300-350 buys you in the U.S, going by mtbr.com reviews most people seem'd really happy with all the bike's you mentioned.

Evo

For what they are the bikes are all about equal. I would however go with the Giant just because they have very good customer support.

:beer:

Forgo all of them, and find a 2003 model Trek 4500 at a shop on sale for 350 ;)

Thats how I got my first bike, and it worked well, until I sort of outgrew it...

Yeah, looks like the Giant is the ticket based on the reviews I read about the Rincon, however I'm getting the best deal from the Jamis dealer $ 316.00 sales tax included. I don't want to make a rushy decision....
Corsaire

Giant makes some nice lower end hardtails IMO. My friend had a Rainier that was a pretty sweet scoot. But I associate Fuji with lower end bikes so I'd eliminate that one altogether. Can't lose with either the Jamis or the Giant IMO.

Most entry level bikes from every manufacturer will be comparable in components, frame material,...etc. This is a highly competitive price point. The differences will be in two categories: Geometry and Aesthetics. In other words, the angles and lengths of the individual tubes and how they are assembled, and the paint color and graphics.

I recommend buying which ever one is most comfortable when you test ride them. So, go out and test ride each, maybe even several times, narrow it down to two bikes, and then pick the one that looks better!

L8R

jamis all the way

I like Blue Thunders idea most though, see if you can find an older bike 2003 or 2002 with at least a Deore spec in your price range. The front fork at the price your looking at is not to important, you can always upgrade that later.

My first bike was an older model but it had a good frame and basic Deore group, I paid £350 for it reduced from £650, I think paying a little extra to get the Deore groupset is worth it IMO, not sure if others here would agree with me?

Evo

I've narrowed it down to the Jamis & Giant: the Jamis Cross Country 2.0 - 2004 model I've been offered for $ 316.00 (taxes included) is Black/Gray, so color is not to exciting but the price is the best deal so far.
The Giant Rincon looks pretty neat and color scheme is great, but I have yet to see if the guy would let it go for under $ 350.00 (taxes NOT included)
But maybe I should look into the 2003 models, they might be able to give me a better deal just to get rid of 'em.
The ride test should decide also 'cause I've yet to test ride each.
Corsaire

At that pricepoint you are getting pretty much the same bike regardless of maufacturer. I would make my decision based on the shops. Who has the more professional staff, who seems to have more patience answering your questions and fitting the bike to you? You probably feel more comfortable in one shop than in the other, and that would be a consideration IMO. If your on the net looking at bike forums and buying a bike from a bike shop, then this bike will not be your last. You will want a good working relationship with your LBS, now is the time to start cultivating it, before you contract a bad case of upgradeitis...

With an 2003 bike you should be able to get a much better bike for your money, and bikes are not like P.C's older models are not always obsolete.

If your going to choose either the Giant or Jamis, even though Giant is the bigger company I don't think that should sway your choice. The Jamis is a very good deal, its equal to the Giant and you seem happier saving the money.

Whats more important is how good the Bike Shop is, wether you get the Giant or Jamis the LBS should be able to help with any problems with both brands. What I'm saying is Giant being the bigger company doe'snt always mean it will give a better after sale support, your LBS should provide that.

Evo

Good point, I'm inclining towards the Giant, the Jamis' good deal is from a LBS 50' by car from where I live, and the Giant LBS is 5' from my house. Besides I kind of like how the Rincon looks like and the color scheme.
I'll make an offer to the Giant dealer guy after the test ride, hopefully I'll like the ride, everyone in MTB reviews rave about the Rincon (in that price range). However, I'd still like to test ride the Jamis' so I hava a good comparison point...Oh boy! what a thinking ordeal just to buy a damn bike! how times have changed!
Corsaire

How about the Cannondale F300?
Does anyone know about this model?
This is the lowest end model for their hardtails, but they seem pricey....is it better quality ?
Any opinions?
Corsaire

Definitely the Giant!!!

jamis jamis jamis

...im just saying that because i have a jamis and i love it. buy whatever you want

Canondale is a bit pricey.

As for which bike. Giant. Just to go against the grain. But really you aren't going to loose with either of them.

http://www.konaworld.com/2k4bikes/2k4_fire_mountain.cfm if you have a dealer in your area.

OR

http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=6013&JServSessionIdroot=9ycauv651u.j27003

Canondale is a bit pricey.

As for which bike. Giant. Just to go against the grain. But really you aren't going to loose with either of them.


Giant? against the grain? i think there are a lot more Giant owners than Jamis owners...

$316 is a killer deal for an 04. My vote is for the Jamis. But I test rode a Trek 4500 and bought it in the same hour so I'm a bit impulsive.

Giant? against the grain? i think there are a lot more Giant owners than Jamis owners...

Yeah my wording was wrong. But really he is asking something about two bikes that are virtually the same. The only weak point is the companies. Jamis doesn't have the backing giant does. It doesn't say anything for the quality.

Forget Fuji, JK, my shop deals them, and I really have started to dislike them, just how their packed and assembled whatnot kinda turns me off.

when i started hunting for a first bike, everybody told me this

now, it looks like they are all saying it again: at this price range theres no difference!!!!

i rode all of those. personally, i found a Fuji Nevada to feel the best to me.. plus it looked spiffy.. was rarer.. and i had a good deal from a great shop.

Why Cannondale are pricey? ...I wonder....
do they think they have better quality made bikes?
I mean the lowest end MTB: F300 - retails for $ 500.00
I guess with the same gruppo as in the $ 300-350 range....hmmmmmm!
Corsaire

Why Cannondale are pricey? ...I wonder....
do they think they have better quality made bikes?
I mean the lowest end MTB: F300 - retails for $ 500.00
I guess with the same gruppo as in the $ 300-350 range....hmmmmmm!
Corsaire

Handmade and American (or canadian) jumps the price up.

Cannondale's frame costs more to make and is thus more expensive. Partly due to being made in the USA, and partly due to the extra steps they take in making it, such as: Sanding all the welds smooth to create a smooth finish, use better grade aluminum tubing, and then heat treat the frame after it's welded rather than just the tubes prior to assembly, and finally the paint is a better grade.

L8R

Well, it looks like (Cannondale) they lost a customer for not remaining competitive...although there's always a customer who pays...
Corsaire

well, if you think about it that way...whydoesn't everyone do a crappy half-assed job and charge a lower price...that way they could have competitivly priced bikes!

cannondale's trademark is better frames and crummy components. the idea, i suppose is that you get a nice frame that you can upgrade in future, instead of getting nice compents on a crummy frame that you are basically stuck with. BTW, it is a lot cheaper to upgrade a derailleur then to upgrade a frame...

Cannondale are still senselessly expensive, it doesn't have to be a 1/2 azz job to make it competitive, right price is what is all about these days, y'know.
"Money makes the monkey dance"
Corsaire ;)

Guys, it's like asking Mercedes to be competative with Fords. Different bikes for different people. If you don't want to spend the money on a Cannondale, buy a Haro!

L8R

Cannondale are still senselessly expensive, it doesn't have to be a 1/2 azz job to make it competitive, right price is what is all about these days, y'know.
"Money makes the monkey dance"
Corsaire ;)

I amnot going to get into the better frame debate as I am not impressed with canondale. However there is a boutique market in every category. Canondale fits into that category in biking. Boutique bikes have the whole 'wow' value. If you own one people look. If you own a giant...people don't.

What people think? two words: w-h-o cares....
you'll be laughing all the way to the bank with those extra bills in your pocket because of the savings and value for the money you got, just my opinion.
I'm still considering the Giant Rincon though, gotta test ride both Jamis & Giant, and I'll make an offer to get it below MSRP. (the Donald's style ;)
Corsaire

What people think? two words: w-h-o cares....
you'll be laughing all the way to the bank with those extra bills in your pocket because of the savings and value for the money you got, just my opinion.
I'm still considering the Giant Rincon though, gotta test ride both Jamis & Giant, and I'll make an offer to get it below MSRP. (the Donald's style ;)
Corsaire


I thought GIANT was bought up by Pacific. Just like Mongoose & Schwinn.
I'd be careful of the Giant if it is true they are now part of Pacific. IMHO

I thought GIANT was bought up by Pacific. Just like Mongoose & Schwinn.
I'd be careful of the Giant if it is true they are now part of Pacific. IMHO

Never heard that. Giant is ownder by trek I believe and still produces some of the highest quality stuff. At least I think so.

Never heard that. Giant is ownder by trek I believe and still produces some of the highest quality stuff. At least I think so.

Could be. I remember reading someplace that Pacific had purchased them and were going to keep them as their "hi-end" brand.

But then again, I can't remember the magazine I read that in. :rolleyes:

I hate getting old... :p

You sure that wasn't GT?

But yeah I hate getting old too :)

You sure that wasn't GT?

But yeah I hate getting old too :)

Your right!!! It was GT.... sorry about that. ;)

What people think? two words: w-h-o cares....
you'll be laughing all the way to the bank with those extra bills in your pocket because of the savings and value for the money you got, just my opinion.
I'm still considering the Giant Rincon though, gotta test ride both Jamis & Giant, and I'll make an offer to get it below MSRP. (the Donald's style ;)
Corsaire
youre really being cynical and nitpicky for someone looking for a 20$ bike. who cares what you think of cannondale? get your rincon, or whatever it is you want, and live with it

youre really being cynical and nitpicky for someone looking for a 20$ bike.<<<<<<<<<

Hey, $ 20.00 sound like a good deal to me, if I could pull that off I certainly would, and still be laughing "cynically" ALL the way to the bank.
:) :) :) hahahaha!
Corsaire