Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.DerekF
03-08-04, 08:25 PM
Hi
I'm in the market for a new bike (current bike is a Rocky Mountain Fusion, rigid front fork!) and a little overwhelmed. My search has been narrowed down to the XTC2, Stumpjumper and Caldera. In Montreal the Giant & Specialized sell for $1600 & $1700 respectively. The Caldera is $1350. Of course the more expensive bikes have really nice components and better forks, etc. The Caldera's advantage is price and Hayes disc brakes (vs. Avid Vbrakes on the others).
I ride hard, but am fairly gentle on the bike (try to be smooth, not much air time, and slower on the downhills the older I get!). Most rides are in the Laurentians (north of Montreal) --- typical XC stuff (some of you may be familiar with Bromont, just south of Montreal ... that kind of terrain). Most rides recreational, with a handful of races in to keep me motivated and push the limits.
My problem is I've looked around at bike stores and mountain bike centres but no-one rents these bikes. I'm 6'4" tall and most bikes don't even have large frame bikes in stock! So it is hard to demo and see which has the best fit. I have to try the next size down (often in the shop) and then "guess" if the bigger size would be too big. Crazy when $2000 and years of riding pleasure are on the line!
Any comments welcome! (disk vs. Vbrake, owner experiences with the bikes, places near Montreal where I can demo these bikes, etc.).
Thanks in advance!
Derek
I'm in the market for a new bike (current bike is a Rocky Mountain Fusion, rigid front fork!) and a little overwhelmed. My search has been narrowed down to the XTC2, Stumpjumper and Caldera. In Montreal the Giant & Specialized sell for $1600 & $1700 respectively. The Caldera is $1350. Of course the more expensive bikes have really nice components and better forks, etc. The Caldera's advantage is price and Hayes disc brakes (vs. Avid Vbrakes on the others).
I ride hard, but am fairly gentle on the bike (try to be smooth, not much air time, and slower on the downhills the older I get!). Most rides are in the Laurentians (north of Montreal) --- typical XC stuff (some of you may be familiar with Bromont, just south of Montreal ... that kind of terrain). Most rides recreational, with a handful of races in to keep me motivated and push the limits.
My problem is I've looked around at bike stores and mountain bike centres but no-one rents these bikes. I'm 6'4" tall and most bikes don't even have large frame bikes in stock! So it is hard to demo and see which has the best fit. I have to try the next size down (often in the shop) and then "guess" if the bigger size would be too big. Crazy when $2000 and years of riding pleasure are on the line!
Any comments welcome! (disk vs. Vbrake, owner experiences with the bikes, places near Montreal where I can demo these bikes, etc.).
Thanks in advance!
Derek