General Cycling Discussion - RE: Good Value in quality MTB

Hello-

I am glad to have this Forum. My girlfriend (&likely myself) are looking into a bike that best combines the qualities listed at under $minus400-450 max. I just got her a new Tule bke rack for the roof w/ the bigmouth, locks, etc...Truthfully, $350 max would REALLY be the preference. : ) We plan to do some occasional heavy trails (20% apprx), light trails (30+%), & on road use the other half.

I have checked out some of the Specialized Rock Hopper Editions, going to check out the Giant Yukon SE, perhaps some of the Trek models, etc...
Someone mentioned Hybrids? I am not super familiar w/ all the models, what are they? I also heard some GT's were being blown out due to the Bancruptcy. One bike shop told me that I might be able to find $1000 bikes for under $500. I have not found that to be the case (sounds nice though!).

1. Good on & off road handling
2. Weight under 28 lbs (for ease of riding, & lifting on car roof)
3. Good quality f shock (not a Suntour)
4. Smooth shifting quality drivetrain (amount of speeds/gears not important) w/ good brakes
5. Quality wheels
6. A comfy seating position per frame & cranks (so can move quickly)

Feedback appreciated!
Kenny
San Jose CA:confused:

The company that owned Schwinn and GT bikes was bought out by another company. I believe that the remaining stock of bikes was bought up by Supergo. Yes you can get one of these bikes quite cheaply but the new company may not honor warranties. Check these bikes out.
http://www.supergo.com/itemlist.asp?id=7559&subid=7&company=GT

Don't forget you can sometimes get a better used bike for the same money than you can a new one.

Originally posted by JonR
Don't forget you can sometimes get a better used bike for the same money than you can a new one.

Jon's right!

the only thing with this is though that you might need an experienced cyclist to come with you....I bought my Kona frame from MTBR.com which was a bit of a risk but it paid off...you might also consider Ebay...I love that site! :love:

Good luck

Rich

There are a lot of bikes to choose from in the sub $400 price point you're aiming for. Most are similarly equipped and all decent bikes. The minor differences will be components, types of suspension forks...etc. Major differences will be type of frame, i.e. aluminum or steel. Don't rule out steel if it's good quality steel. Like 4130 Chromoly. If it's just labled hi-tensile then forget it! Most bikes at that price will be aluminum!

Some others to consider: Trek, Gary Fisher, Haro, Kona, Fuji, the list goes on and on.

Components at that level should be Shimano Acera or Alivio, if you go GripShift it'll probably be the 3.0 or even the 5.0 level.

Look for forks with adjustable compression, (little knobs on the top of the forks) Most will be RST or Rock Shox Judy TT. There are others, I'd try to stick with the RockShox.

Good luck and let us know when you narrow down your choice.

At this price range, would it not be better to look for a bike with a fixed steel fork, rather than a low-end suspension fork.
I think Specialised are still making fixed fork Rockhoppers.
They are better value, lighter, and more reliable than cheap sus systems. 10 years ago, people were doing advanced technical riding with fixed forks. Im sur anyone could ride a bike trail with them.

Some of us remain happily suspension-free ...

Yep, I'm thinking of getting a pair of Project Two rigid forks for my Kona...

Should be interesting after riding suspension for a couple of years!

Rich

Originally posted by Rich
Yep, I'm thinking of getting a pair of Project Two rigid forks for my Kona...

Should be interesting after riding suspension for a couple of years!

Rich

How uncomfortable are bumps/rough tracks with rigid forks? I've seen Kona Project 2's for only £40. I've no plans for jumping or racing but do enjoy some of the local bridleways.

Richard

Originally posted by MichaelW
At this price range, would it not be better to look for a bike with a fixed steel fork, rather than a low-end suspension fork.

I think Specialised are still making fixed fork Rockhoppers.

They are better value, lighter, and more reliable than cheap sus systems. 10 years ago, people were doing advanced technical riding with fixed forks. Im sur anyone could ride a bike trail with them.

I'd second that; an aluminum (aluminium for those of the British persuasion) frame with a fixed fork and a seat suspension will give you more bang-for-the-buck than a cheaper "hi-tensile steel" frame bike with a cheap front suspension fork. Whatever you do, don't buy a Huffy -- those cheap POSes must be built by GM, because they certainly instill a hatred of cycling into their riders.

If you've never been MTBing before, find or borrow a hardtail before you commit yourself to a $350 purchase of a bike that can get very irritating, very quickly. Hardtails aren't known for their comfortable rides; and those nifty knobbly tires, while great for the trails, aren't really much of a pleasure on paved roads. If you do end up getting a hardtail MTB, at least get a seperate set of road slicks for riding around town.

The other thing is to be humble -- don't think that you'll be riding like Hans Rey in two months. One of the biggest ways that people get discouraged with any activity is by setting their sights too high; leading to a feeling of incompetence when they don't meet their lofty expectations. On the other hand, even moderate regular riding has fantastic health benefits, and if you get a bike you are comfortable with, you'll find yourself taking long-cuts and making excuses to leave work early -- just to ride more.

You have been warned.

Oh; last, but not least, GET LYCRA. LYCRA IS A GIFT FROM THE GODS. I don't care if your friends say that you look stupid, or if you don't feel that anyone lacking Arnold's physique should be wearing them; they make a *big* difference, especially in the summer.

HTH!

Originally posted by Richard D
How uncomfortable are bumps/rough tracks with rigid forks? I've seen Kona Project 2's for only £40. I've no plans for jumping or racing but do enjoy some of the local bridleways.
Richard

Hi Rich,

I've only ever ridden PII forks once, and that was ages ago.

Back then they seemed to have good tracking, but they weren't very forgiving (as you'd expect from a straight bladed fork).

£40.00 sounds pretty good...may I enquire as to where you saw that?

Take it easy mate

Rich

Originally posted by Rich


Hi Rich,

I've only ever ridden PII forks once, and that was ages ago.

Back then they seemed to have good tracking, but they weren't very forgiving (as you'd expect from a straight bladed fork).

£40.00 sounds pretty good...may I enquire as to where you saw that?

Take it easy mate

Rich

I'll try and remember/find the advert and let you know.

Richard

Originally posted by Richard D


I'll try and remember/find the advert and let you know.

Richard

Rich, I don't remember where I saw it originally but I spent five minutes browsing through the ad's in the mountain bike magazines at lunchtime (I did buy something else so I didn't feel to guilty..)

Winstanley Cycles have then for £39.99 but they don't appear to have a website. From browsing the web, their contact details seems to be:

John Winstanley & Co Ltd
725-9 Ormskirk Road
PEMBERTON
Wigan
WN5 8AT
Tel 01942 214864

or

J. WINSTANLEY
729 ORMSKIRK ROAD, PEMBERTON
Manchester, WN5 8AT
T: 0161 480 3992

The advert I found in Smith's was in the current issue of MBR.

Richard