KaoTiK
03-21-04, 06:59 PM
I can get a used 2002 Kona Stinky for $1200 CDN or a new 2004 Norco Fluid 3 for $1400 CDN. Which one do you guys think I should get?
Mountain Biking - 2002 Kona Stinky or 2004 Norco Fluid 3
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Maelstrom
03-21-04, 07:03 PM
I don't buy used, especially bikes. Especially freeride bikes...that should tell you my answer :D
Besides the 2002 kona stinky sold new for 2000$ cdn...if he sold it for 1000 or 900 I would consider it.
Besides the 2002 kona stinky sold new for 2000$ cdn...if he sold it for 1000 or 900 I would consider it.
diamondback_man
03-21-04, 08:06 PM
KONA STINKY!!! get it! trust me!!! it's a nice @$$ bike!
KaoTiK
03-21-04, 08:38 PM
KONA STINKY!!! get it! trust me!!! it's a nice @$$ bike!
Is the Fluid 3 not a nice ass bike? lol
Is the Fluid 3 not a nice ass bike? lol
Maelstrom
03-21-04, 09:04 PM
Well really you are looking at two different kinds of bikes...comparing them is hard..
KaoTiK
03-21-04, 09:15 PM
Well really you are looking at two different kinds of bikes...comparing them is hard..
Well, the Fluid 3 is an all mountain bike, that's what Norco calls it, what would you call it? I'm not familiar at all with how you guys define bikes.
The Stinky is a DH bike, isn't it?
Well, the Fluid 3 is an all mountain bike, that's what Norco calls it, what would you call it? I'm not familiar at all with how you guys define bikes.
The Stinky is a DH bike, isn't it?
rasheed
03-21-04, 09:26 PM
I can get a used 2002 Kona Stinky for $1200 CDN or a new 2004 Norco Fluid 3 for $1400 CDN. Which one do you guys think I should get?
i got an '03 fluid 3. it's a great all around trail bike, but built for a different purpose than the stinky is. i guess it'd depend on the type of riding you'd want to do. all the upgrades i'd make on the 03 fluid 3 have been made on the stock 04, which makes it that much better than mine. :D
i got an '03 fluid 3. it's a great all around trail bike, but built for a different purpose than the stinky is. i guess it'd depend on the type of riding you'd want to do. all the upgrades i'd make on the 03 fluid 3 have been made on the stock 04, which makes it that much better than mine. :D
Maelstrom
03-21-04, 09:28 PM
I am not going to define it simply because everyone believes freeriding is different things. But the stinky is a burlier bike than the fluid which is more of a trail bike. The stinky is more on par with the specialized bighit or Norco shore bikes...
BikeTyke
03-21-04, 09:42 PM
$1200 is too much for a 2 year old freeride bike with only 5" of travel.
KaoTiK
03-21-04, 10:39 PM
So what kind of things is the Fluid 3 made for?
BikeTyke
03-21-04, 10:59 PM
If you look around at your LBS you can find demo'd or used bikes from last year for about the same price. I already saw some Norco Atomics from last year at LBS demo'd for $1200 and comes with the full warranty. Just call around to all (and I mean all) the bike stores in your area and ask nicely if they have any used or demo'd bikes from last year.
Maelstrom
03-21-04, 11:17 PM
So what kind of things is the Fluid 3 made for?
Well..they were made because the VPS series bikes are too big for smaller riders to actually ride. This is a small less burly version. It will be able to handle a lot but isn't a dedicated freeride bike. It is like an overbuilt trail bike....a great bike...
but the point is moot imo. The stinky is overpriced and no warranty. The fluid will be awesome, has a warranty and comes new. In my eyes there is no debate...
Well..they were made because the VPS series bikes are too big for smaller riders to actually ride. This is a small less burly version. It will be able to handle a lot but isn't a dedicated freeride bike. It is like an overbuilt trail bike....a great bike...
but the point is moot imo. The stinky is overpriced and no warranty. The fluid will be awesome, has a warranty and comes new. In my eyes there is no debate...
KaoTiK
03-21-04, 11:32 PM
Well..they were made because the VPS series bikes are too big for smaller riders to actually ride. This is a small less burly version. It will be able to handle a lot but isn't a dedicated freeride bike. It is like an overbuilt trail bike....a great bike...
but the point is moot imo. The stinky is overpriced and no warranty. The fluid will be awesome, has a warranty and comes new. In my eyes there is no debate...
K, so the Fluid 3 it is. But what do you mean they were maid for 'smaller' riders? Like physically? How big would someone have to be to handle a VPS bike, and a Fluid?
but the point is moot imo. The stinky is overpriced and no warranty. The fluid will be awesome, has a warranty and comes new. In my eyes there is no debate...
K, so the Fluid 3 it is. But what do you mean they were maid for 'smaller' riders? Like physically? How big would someone have to be to handle a VPS bike, and a Fluid?
Maelstrom
03-22-04, 12:30 AM
VPS bikes are huge. Someone 5'6 would have issues handling them as a dh bike for example. The fluid is an average sized bike so it fits everyone in general (although the large doesn't fit me, I fit a VPS bike perfectly)...
Not saying small riders 'don't' ride vps bikes, just in the process of design they are large.
Not saying small riders 'don't' ride vps bikes, just in the process of design they are large.
KaoTiK
03-22-04, 04:22 AM
VPS bikes are huge. Someone 5'6 would have issues handling them as a dh bike for example. The fluid is an average sized bike so it fits everyone in general (although the large doesn't fit me, I fit a VPS bike perfectly)...
Not saying small riders 'don't' ride vps bikes, just in the process of design they are large.
Hmmm, ok. Well, I'm 5'7. I'm not familiar with small medium and large concerning bikes, as I've always dealt simply with frame sizes. What do you think would fit me best?
Not saying small riders 'don't' ride vps bikes, just in the process of design they are large.
Hmmm, ok. Well, I'm 5'7. I'm not familiar with small medium and large concerning bikes, as I've always dealt simply with frame sizes. What do you think would fit me best?
rasheed
03-22-04, 11:05 AM
Hmmm, ok. Well, I'm 5'7. I'm not familiar with small medium and large concerning bikes, as I've always dealt simply with frame sizes. What do you think would fit me best?
fit would depend on what feels best for you... but i'm around the same height and my fluid 3's a small and fits me just perfect.
fit would depend on what feels best for you... but i'm around the same height and my fluid 3's a small and fits me just perfect.
KaoTiK
03-22-04, 01:48 PM
fit would depend on what feels best for you... but i'm around the same height and my fluid 3's a small and fits me just perfect.
You said your Fluid 3 is an 03 and you made upgrades on it or something? What was wrong with it?
As it turns out, my LBS's Fluid 3 is the '03 version and thats why I can get it for a cheap price. Is there any reason not to get an 03 Fluid 3 though? I've been looking at the specs and all the main things are pretty much the same, like the shifters and stuff. The only thing I've noticed that is lacking on the 03 version is its got Marzocchi EXR 100mm shocks while the 04 has Marzocchi EXR Pro 120mm shocks.
You said your Fluid 3 is an 03 and you made upgrades on it or something? What was wrong with it?
As it turns out, my LBS's Fluid 3 is the '03 version and thats why I can get it for a cheap price. Is there any reason not to get an 03 Fluid 3 though? I've been looking at the specs and all the main things are pretty much the same, like the shifters and stuff. The only thing I've noticed that is lacking on the 03 version is its got Marzocchi EXR 100mm shocks while the 04 has Marzocchi EXR Pro 120mm shocks.
Maelstrom
03-22-04, 02:08 PM
Same frame. I wouldn't worry about the fork. Exr's suck in general but will work fine for the time being. Personally I would buy the 03 and upgrade the fork later.
rasheed
03-22-04, 02:19 PM
You said your Fluid 3 is an 03 and you made upgrades on it or something? What was wrong with it?
As it turns out, my LBS's Fluid 3 is the '03 version and thats why I can get it for a cheap price. Is there any reason not to get an 03 Fluid 3 though? I've been looking at the specs and all the main things are pretty much the same, like the shifters and stuff. The only thing I've noticed that is lacking on the 03 version is its got Marzocchi EXR 100mm shocks while the 04 has Marzocchi EXR Pro 120mm shocks.
i haven’t made any upgrades just yet, but i’ve started buying the parts. i’m just waiting for stuff to break now before i install everything. i’ve also got a few more parts to get before i’m ready to install the new parts i’ve already gotten.
if you want to get the 03 fluid, go ahead. it’s still a great bike. like mael said, you can always upgrade later. if you can get it for real cheap, go for it. i know a shop here in toronto that’s selling 03 fluid 3s for under $1000 CAD (before taxes)... if you’re from here, just pm me and i’ll give you the shop’s name and address. you might also be able to find them selling some on ebay for cheap (that's where i bought mine off them).
the only problems that i found with it (if you can even call them problems) are: the amount of travel in the fork, the brakes and the tire width. my 03 came stock with the 4” exr, hayes mechs and a set of kenda kenetic 2.1s. the hayes mechs suck kak – they slow you down, but they don’t “stop” you. also, i would have wanted more travel on the front to even it out with the 5” rear. hopefully, when i get the money, i’ll be upgrading the exr to a z1 fr. i’m also planning on getting a set of 2.3 tires and replacing the 2.1s that came with the bike. like i said in my other post, these “upgrades” have already been made for the 04 model.
i’ve also bought a new crankset (truvativ holzfellers, double w/bash guard), new seat (fizik nisene), new shifters and derailluers (all xt), but i haven’t installed any of them just yet. next on the purchase list: new 40mm stem and oversized bar (both holzfellers), and a set of 2.3 tires (probably gonna be tiogas cause there’s a pretty good deal on a set at mec).
As it turns out, my LBS's Fluid 3 is the '03 version and thats why I can get it for a cheap price. Is there any reason not to get an 03 Fluid 3 though? I've been looking at the specs and all the main things are pretty much the same, like the shifters and stuff. The only thing I've noticed that is lacking on the 03 version is its got Marzocchi EXR 100mm shocks while the 04 has Marzocchi EXR Pro 120mm shocks.
i haven’t made any upgrades just yet, but i’ve started buying the parts. i’m just waiting for stuff to break now before i install everything. i’ve also got a few more parts to get before i’m ready to install the new parts i’ve already gotten.
if you want to get the 03 fluid, go ahead. it’s still a great bike. like mael said, you can always upgrade later. if you can get it for real cheap, go for it. i know a shop here in toronto that’s selling 03 fluid 3s for under $1000 CAD (before taxes)... if you’re from here, just pm me and i’ll give you the shop’s name and address. you might also be able to find them selling some on ebay for cheap (that's where i bought mine off them).
the only problems that i found with it (if you can even call them problems) are: the amount of travel in the fork, the brakes and the tire width. my 03 came stock with the 4” exr, hayes mechs and a set of kenda kenetic 2.1s. the hayes mechs suck kak – they slow you down, but they don’t “stop” you. also, i would have wanted more travel on the front to even it out with the 5” rear. hopefully, when i get the money, i’ll be upgrading the exr to a z1 fr. i’m also planning on getting a set of 2.3 tires and replacing the 2.1s that came with the bike. like i said in my other post, these “upgrades” have already been made for the 04 model.
i’ve also bought a new crankset (truvativ holzfellers, double w/bash guard), new seat (fizik nisene), new shifters and derailluers (all xt), but i haven’t installed any of them just yet. next on the purchase list: new 40mm stem and oversized bar (both holzfellers), and a set of 2.3 tires (probably gonna be tiogas cause there’s a pretty good deal on a set at mec).