Mountain Biking - Need Trail / Urban bike, 500 - 700 CDN

Alright right now it's a toss up between the Miele UA 300, TT 450, and the Oryx Equipe 50. I'm not sure exactly which one I should go with. All are priced very similar.. around 600 bucks (canadian).

If there are any other 600 dollar bikes out there that you can think of that would suite my needs well, then please inform me. I do trail riding, but also need it for urban use to get to university and back.

I realise the TT 450 is going to be the best bet as the Judy's are much better than the Suntour's, but over all, which is the best one? I like the Oryx's looks more than the TT 450. Although the UA 300 looks very similar to the Oryx.

Any ideas as to which would be best? I'm a modest trail rider, nothing too serious.

Note, I broke my last three bikes, with the most recent from suspension troubles.. the forks just fell out one day (RST 381's).

Also, I have the TT 550 specs listed for some comparison of what I'd get for 100 more dollars.. would it be worth it? I really don't think so, but maybe you guys do?

Here are the specs if you're interested / don't know of the bikes already.

Like I said though, I'm very open to some other bike suggestions for the price range 500 - 700. Fuji had a decent bike for that price, as did Devinci and a few others. Looking for atleast 90 mm front end suspension travel.

UA 300 - 600 $

SPEED
>24 speed FRAME
>OS2T Aluminium w/replaceable drop-out

FORK
>Suntour XC-60 90mm travel
RIMS
>Double wall, black spokes
FRONT HUB
>Alloy, Quick Release TIRE
>26" x 2.35
HANDLEBARS
>Steel 65mm Rise STEM
>A-Head 10°
BRAKE LEVERS
>Shimano EZ-Fire + CRANK SET
>Suntour XCC150 24/34/42 Sealed BB
FRONT DERAILLEUR
>Shimano C050 REAR DERAILLEUR
>Shimano Acera
SHIFT LEVER
>Shimano EZ-Fire + FREE WHEEL
>Shimano HG30 11-32
BRAKES
>Alloy Linear Type PEDALS
>Alloy W/pins

TT 450 - 600 $

SPEED
>24 speed FRAME
>6061 T6 Alumiminum disk brake mount

FORK
>Rock Shox Judy TT 100 mm travel
RIMS
>Double wall, stainless spokes
FRONT HUB
>Alloy, Quick Release TIRE
>26" x 2.10 black
HANDLEBARS
>Alloy 30mm Rise STEM
>A-Head Alloy 6°
BRAKE LEVERS
>Shimano EZ-Fire + CRANK SET
>Shimano M340 22/32/42, sealed BB
FRONT DERAILLEUR
>Shimano Acera REAR DERAILLEUR
>Shimano Alivio
SHIFT LEVER
>Shimano EZ-Fire + FREE WHEEL
>Shimano HG30 11-30
BRAKES
>Alloy Linear Type PEDALS
>Resin, Steel cage

TT 550 - 700 $

SPEED
>27 speed FRAME
>6061 T6 Alumiminum disk brake mount

FORK
>Marzocchi MZ Comp. 105 mm travel
RIMS
>Double wall, stainless spokes
FRONT HUB
>Alloy, Quick Release TIRE
>26" x 2.10 black
HANDLEBARS
>Alloy 30mm Rise STEM
>A-Head Alloy 6°
BRAKE LEVERS
>Shimano Deore CRANK SET
>Truvativ Iso Flow 22/32/44, Sealed BB
FRONT DERAILLEUR
>Shimano Deore REAR DERAILLEUR
>Shimano Deore LX
SHIFT LEVER
>Shimano Deore Rapid-Fire + FREE WHEEL
>SRAM 7.0 11-32
BRAKES
>Alloy Linear Type PEDALS
>Resin, steel cage

Oryx Equipe 50 - 600 $

SPEED
>24 Speeds Ez Fire + FRAME
>Equipe series

FORK
>Suntour XC60, 90 mm
RIMS
>4ROX double wall
FRONT / REAR HUB
>4ROX sealed SPOKE
>600 mm alloy raiser
TIRE
>MTB 26 x 2.10" BRAKE LEVERS
>Shimano EF29
CHAIN
>KMC Z72 BOTTOM BRAKET
>Power Pro sealed
STEM
>4ROX 6° Power Steering FRONT/REAR DERRAILLEUR
>Shimano Acera / Alivio
HEAD SET
>Cane Creek A-Head FREE WHEEL
>Shimano, 11-30
CHAIN WHEEL
>Shimano Mc-08, 22/32/42 PEDALS
>Resin body, steel cage
SHIFT LEVER
>Shimano Ef29 SEAT POST
>Alloy 27.2 mm
BRAKES
>Tektro 832A Aluminium SIZES
>37-43-46-50-54

From the selection you have described I would look at specialized and kona as well. However Oryx is pretty decent as well. Never heard of the other company though.

I would definately say test them all, any of them and all of them. I had one of my gf's try 10 bikes before she found the 'zen' fit for her.

From the selection you have described I would look at specialized and kona as well. However Oryx is pretty decent as well. Never heard of the other company though.

I would definately say test them all, any of them and all of them. I had one of my gf's try 10 bikes before she found the 'zen' fit for her.

Hmm, yeah. Miele is one of the biggest bike manufacturers in Canada. Oryx is also Canadian. Specialized and Kona are American.. which means it'd more more expsensive (due to duty fares and shipping, etc) than a Canadian bike.

I think I narrowed it down to the 550. I wasn't going to get it, but it's the one the local dealer has and it seems awesome. Gonna give it a test ride and see if it meshes well with my kind of posture, etc.

Thanks.

Kona is canadian actually (50/50) I know oryx is, Balfa is as well. Again since Miele definately doesn't have much of a market and almost no reputation in the urban/dj scene I would not buy one of their bikes.

Kona is canadian actually (50/50) I know oryx is, Balfa is as well. Again since Miele definately doesn't have much of a market and almost no reputation in the urban/dj scene I would not buy one of their bikes.

Hmm, I didn't know that. Yeah, I had never heard of Miele before either. I guess I'll look into Kona as well.

Right now, the only difference I see between the Oryx and the Miele is price (TT 550 and Equipe 80, not 50). And the frame would is slightly better on the Oryx.

Anyone had any experiance riding Suntour forks? Am I going to run into trouble?

The last bike I owned, I broke the suspension, they were RST 381's.

Kona seems to be American. Their headquarters are located in Washington. However, they do business in Europe and Canada as well.

Kona seems to be American. Their headquarters are located in Washington. However, they do business in Europe and Canada as well.

Yeah thewir office is in Washington. However if you ask around or even write the company they do claim and I have heard many times it is canadian. The biggest kona dealer in the world is a Canadian company called Cove (they alo make bikes) and I have heard it from them as well...maybe a partnership...

You are getting what you pay for. To be honest I would normally recommend the Oryx DD (desert dueler I think) as it is meant for the type of riding you described. I realize you are trying to save money but you are going to abuse you bike. The bike you are looking at is xc. Not as strong, stiff or even the right geometry for jumping or urban.

I would say to increase your price range to 9ish...the fork and frame will be the proper type and strong enough for initial use. The suntour fork is crap and I would try to get a low end marz. Take a look at the Kona Scrap or Specialized p series for examples.

Oryx dd33 is almost a match for the Kona Scrap (I would think the kona frame is stronger)

Oryx = 999msrp
Kona = 949msrp

I don't think he means "urban" like freeride urban. I think he meant a commuter for school, or just to get around town. A Kona Fire Mountain would be perfect for you, $650 and you get a marz fork up front (it's very low end but any marz is better than a suntour) They have nice colours too if that's your thang.

Hahaha...true...I just automatically assumed the rough stuff. :)

Woops, yeah urban as in just riding around and ****. Mainly want it for trails but I added in the urban thing as I didn't want a cheap heavy assed bike type thing.

So most of you guys recommend the Kona? I'm thinking more about it, and asked a friend and he said Kona would be his choice, even if the marz had 20 mm less travel, the frame would be much much better.

Any other companies I should look into?

Devinci didn't really have anything that looked good for the price I want, and same goes for a bunch of other companies I looked at.

I don't really like devinci...I like Kona, specialized and norco...:)

Alright, same here. I think Norco's a really good company as well. Not a huge fan of Specialized though, but that's purely based on unjust reasons.

Not to butcher the thread...but what is the unjust reason...(I am guessing its an american thing)

That, and just that I like to buy Canadian, as well as I just don't like the name. So, more than unjust, it's just stupidity. :) But I guess we all have our reasons.

Ok, I'm so very glad I didn't buy the Oryx or the Miele. I'm really stoked about the Kona / Norco option.

Here's the Kona

http://www.konaworld.com/2k4bikes/2k4_fire_mountain.cfm

And here's the Norco.

http://www.norco.com/bikes/2004bikes/kokanee.htm

Both bikes are essentially the same price, and both seem good. The Kona I would assume has a better frame, but a worse fork.

Like I said before, I'm not a super hard core rider, so I think the Norco would possibly be better, as I do want a lot of front end travel, or does that not really matter? I have broken two bikes in the past though.. so I want something that is going to hold up to the abuse I give it.

Theya re both fairly strong. I have seen both used on the trails out here which means they can take some abuse. See if you can find them to test ride. They should fit similar but give the fit a try.

Ok, yeah I'm going to this large factory outlet up in Owen Sound by my cottage, so I'll give them both a test ride. Leaning more towards the Kona right now, as the frame is butted and 7005 alum. I doubt the 20 mm less travel (80 compared to 100 on the Norco) will really cange anything for me. It's better than my previous 65 mm RST 381 fork.

Also, what would I need to upgrade the gears from 24 to 27?

Cassette, deraileur and shifter..oh and a chain.

How much would that all run me roughly? I know a Deore derailer is about 35 bucks, what about the other stuff though?

How much would that all run me roughly? I know a Deore derailer is about 35 bucks, what about the other stuff though?

I'm going to assume you want reasonably priced yet reasonable quality stuff here so I'll pick DeoreLX as the component level in the Shimano lineup. You can probably knock about 10% off each price by dropping to straight Deore... maybe more if you shop around. Adjust by about 20% if going to DeoreXT and glop on about a 100% markup (if not more) if you want to go straight up to XTR. |8^)

Are your shifters integrated with your brake levers or on pods? A new set of LX shifters on pods will run you around US$45 a pair and includes cables and housing. If you need LX integrated brake/shifter combos then you're looking at around US$60 a pair which also includes all the cables and housing. A new chain is probably around US$15 for a Shimano HG-73 9sp. I personally would opt for a SRAM PC59 which should be comparable in price. A new cassette will run you around US$35. I'm not sure if you'll encounter any chainline issues. If so, you may also need a new BB with a different spindle length. I'm not sure what kind of crank you have though. A Shimano ES-51 splined BB is about US$20. ISIS BBs start around US$30 for the Race Face Evolve. Old square tapers can be found for around $15 for TruVative Square LE.

All the stuff is on http://www.konaworld.com/2k4bikes/2k4_fire_mountain.cfm this bike. Was mainly interested in whether or not it'd be economically better to add the three extra gears to a 24 speed, or buy the 27 outright. It seems I'll just stick with 24. Thanks.

All the stuff is on http://www.konaworld.com/2k4bikes/2k4_fire_mountain.cfm this bike. Was mainly interested in whether or not it'd be economically better to add the three extra gears to a 24 speed, or buy the 27 outright. It seems I'll just stick with 24. Thanks.

It's almost always going to be more financially advantagious to buy a bike with a higher parts spec than to try and upgrade. Bike manufacturers do not pay the same markup everyone else does on those parts and thus can offer them on the bike at a lower per-unit cost. Personally speaking, I'd save up for the Blast... not for the 3 extra speeds but because it has a much better parts spec.

Also, what would I need to upgrade the gears from 24 to 27?

Why bother? Upgrade when the old stuff breaks. That 9th cog isn't especially crucial.

Yeah, I figured that much, but going from a 24 to a 27 is a fairly big jump, and most of the time they include disc brakes and other crap that I don't want to pay for. Thus far, the cheapest one I've seen is the 700 $ Miele TT 550, in the original post. But I'd rather have a good frame than 3 more speeds and 20 mm more travel.

Rambler, you can still buy 8 spd parts from www.bikeroom.com I am 90% sure. Personally. The shifting is 100% better on my gf's bike then mine. I can never get all gears to works on my 9spd bike but 8spd seems to kick ass even with the lower end shifters. I would just stock up on 8 spd parts (I did this for the gf) and keep the 8spd stuff as long as possible.

Ok, sounds good. I'm probably going to have to replace the derailer on the Kona bike, as I don't know whether or not it'll give me trouble. My last bike always was a hassle with shifting... I'd try and tune it, and eventually gave up and let the local guys tune it, and they couldn't get it to work properly either, but still charged me 30 bucks. :)