Mountain Biking - Severe Depression (HT MTB Search)

I'm a roadie looking to broaden my horizons.

I’ve been looking at HT Mountain Bikes. I looked at the Cannondale F Series, the Trek 6700 & 8000, and a Bianchi.

I decided I wanted the Bikes Direct Fly Ti http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../fly_TI_09.htm

That’s a lot of bike for $2100.

I looked at the pictures for a full week. I go to order the bike and find out there are none in my size and none due in to BD until late spring.

BD has a Fantom Ti but they do not have the level of components I’m looking for and a wider gear ratio then I probably need. Plus, I don’t like not having a choice between 11-32 or 11-34. You get what comes on it. (I do run an 11-32 on my triplet)


Few questions:
1. Any good bike suggestions?
2. Vuleta wheels: What other manufacturers use them and your take on the wheels?


Fort Stewart has 279,000 acres full of tank trails ready to ride (I'll stay out of the impact area :eek:)

gt xizang!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like the Stumpjumper HT. For $1850 it has a pretty decent component spec and you can get it as a 29er for a little more. I'm not a fan of BikesDirect, but it's hard to match their price.

If you budget is $2100, you can get a really nice HT for that from about any mfgr. If it were me, I'd go with either a Ti or high end steel frame (Reynolds 853/631 or equivalent). Jamis Dragons are nice, but they're the same price or more as the BD Ti bike. Gunnar is another nice frame.

You might consider a 29er HT, like a Niner.

Also consider used. Lots of HT's out there as most people transition to full suspension.

Not sure if their avaliable in your part of the work but Van Nicholas do some nice looking Ti bikes (unfourtunally never had personal experience with them) if your set on a Ti frame. What type of riding are you after?

I'll probably ride dirt roads and non-technical single track to begin with. It will probably progress to more.

Ti is not a must have. The Ti was just a few hundred more in the BD Fly series. Plus, it came with the FSA KForce Light GXP Carbon crankset. After thinking about the Fly Ti, I'm not ready to settle for the Fly Team http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fly_team_09.htm which is still a good bike for $1800. Hard to get XTR level /Sid Race for that price.

I looked online at the Stumpjumpers. For some reason my bike shop swayed me more toward the Cannondale. Maybe because he knew I had a CAAD 7. The Stumpjumpers do look good.

Why are several of the manufacturers using SRAM X series shifters and derailleurs? Are they better then XT/XTR or is it costs?

(still looking for some history on the Vuleta wheels)

Thanks for the replies.

SRAM isn't better or worse, it's just different. X0 is roughly equivalent to XTR, X9 to XT, X7 to LX, etc. Personally I like both a lot for different reasons.

And the wheels are Vuelta wheels.

I was riding on a directional trail one day and some numbnutz noob on a Motobecane Fly Alu was going the wrong way. We went head on and I actually broke his frame in half. This was probably back in March, and my right pinky still hurts like a mohphoh.

I looked at the tubing where it broke in half and was appalled at how thin the tubing was. Don't get the Motobecane man. It's cheap.

yea really, the reason you can get such nice components so cheap is that they give you a cheap frame to put the parts on. Id much rather have a nicer alu. frame than the crap ti framesets from bikes direct. actually at that price you can get a really nice full susp. and really in my mind full squish is the way to go

yea really, the reason you can get such nice components so cheap is that they give you a cheap frame to put the parts on. Id much rather have a nicer alu. frame than the crap ti framesets from bikes direct.

Don't let Pcaddy hear you.

...... actually at that price you can get a really nice full susp. and really in my mind full squish is the way to go

Why?

Why?

It's sexy.

Why are you so passive-aggressive? It makes me sad.

TOO many moving parts.

TOO many moving parts.

Not if you have a modicum of hack-wrenching skills.

If I can maintain my full squish, then anyone can.

It's sexy.

Why are you so passive-aggressive? It makes me sad.

....and that makes it better? Can you really give a good answer?

....and that makes it better? Can you really give a good answer?

Yes. It keeps your rear wheel on the ground in bumpy situations.

Some may say it helps your buttocks maintain a healthy feeling throughout your ride.

You are freaking froward.

Awesome.

Ugh.

Your face is awesome, et cetera.

Ugh.

Your face is awesome, et cetera.

Did you sneak into Daddys spirits this evening?

Did you sneak into Daddys spirits this evening?

That would be "Daddy's".

Captain Morgan FTW!

Did you sneak into Daddys spirits this evening?

I think they gave him the wrong dosage of NyQuil actually.

Yes. It keeps your rear wheel on the ground in bumpy situations.

Some may say it helps your buttocks maintain a healthy feeling throughout your ride.

You are freaking froward.

I actually prefer to keep my rear wheel in the air in bumpy situations...same with the front wheel.