Mountain Biking - need to spend 1500$

say i have 1500$ burning a hole in my pocket. What's the best bike on the market? Conditions:
- it has to be available online - can't do any LBS;
- it has to be a full suspension;
- XC or AM;
- Gotta spend it before the end of april

of course, the more advice the better.

cheers,
ct

MSRP: $1450

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/5306/fsrxcvbrake.jpg

Or, if you want disc brakes......

MSRP: $1650

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/1944/fsrxcdisc.jpg

Must be nice having that kind of cash laying around. I can't even pay my cable bill... lol

Why online? No LBS near you? Have you considered used? The ones posted above are nice, but with that cash, you could get a few steps up in a used rig. You say XC or AM, but that leaves a big gap in the choices. At that price range, your gonna get entry level FS bikes. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but the upgrade bug comes fast, and again, used may be the way to go.

And if you don't mind me asking, why do you NEED to spend it by the end of april. Trying to spend it before someone (ie; IRS, bill collectors, ect...) come to take it... lol

hey guys thanks for the replies. i guess i owe you more details: no lbs around as i am in mozambique, africa. i hate buying bikes online but what options do i have? i need to spend it before the end of the month because somebody is coming here from the states with a household allowance that i want to parasite. :)

and i want to stick to xc/ am as there are many hills to climb (dont want to go too heavy) plus i ride with people with xc and i want to be able to keep up.

how is this one: http://www.rscycle.com/2007-Iron-Horse-Azure-Comp-Cross-Country-CLOSEOUT?sc=7&category=531

cd

hey zeo, by the way - where do you get those specialized onlie?

Im very fond of THESE (http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=355_443_1369&products_id=7675). Giant is always a good bang for the buck idea.

Wow, Africa. That explains it.

hey zeo, by the way - where do you get those specialized onlie?

I don't know. I've never bought online. I guess you should do a search, and include ebay on it.

Spec doesnt allow their bikes to be sold online. If you see it its a scam.

^^ LBS can sell them online, but online only shops can't. So... It can be had online.

Here (http://kozy.com/itemdetails.cfm?LibId=48856)

Also more there. May want to call them about shipping to africa tho. May cost you just as much as the bike.

This (http://kozy.com/itemdetails.cfm?LibId=38459) would be a good deal too

Well I'll be damned. I guess you learn something every day huh.


EDIT


This manufacturer does not allow us to ship this item. However you can purchase this item and pick it up at our stores. We can also arrange for delivery (free assembly) in Cook and DuPage County, IL (delivery fees will apply).

Same with the Cdale.

Well I'll be damned. I guess you learn something every day huh.


EDIT



Same with the Cdale.


Well I'll be damned. Didn't see that. What about euro shops. Same thing?

Yeah AFAIK Spec doesn't let anybody sell their stuff online (at least in a way like what this guy needs). I am pretty sure that Trek and all of its brands are the same way.

huh... I remember buying a Lemond road frame online a few years ago, from a LBS that sold there stock online too, I did have it shipped. Maybe they just break the rules. Who knows. Anyway, maybe we need to start looking at something else for him then.

OP: What city are you in, or the biggest city near you. Are you on a base?

Or...drool....
(http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=30512). Chainreaction should be able to ship to you if you give 'em a call

That thing is sweet

Might pay to buy something on-line from somewhere close to Africa (maybe europe?)... shipping could be a killer if it comes over from the States.

you can buy NOS Jamis bikes online at bicyclebananas.com or at jensonusa.com

hey guys - i am shipping into the states - Washington DC. Somebody there will bring it along with their household shippment. hence the hurry.

right - it's between this: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?sku=25789 and this: http://www.rscycle.com/2008-Iron-Horse-Azure-Expert-Cross-Country?sc=7&category=531.

My other bike is a jamis hardtail 29er and i absolutely love it. So i am inclined to go for the GT just because it is a 29er. thoughts?

cd

If its a 29er you like, I say go for that, and the point that IH is dead, so no manufacture warranty. So, what city are you near?

thanks joe - i think i will put the order for the GT9r then. i am spending most of my time in eastern mozambique and in swaziland - some of the best MTB landscape on the planet actually. all of it untouched.

I took my honeymoon in swaziland. It was amazing. Some of the best riding I've ever had. Different than I'm used too, but still amazing in all. It was a biking and herping trip, more spent on bikes then herping though. If you don't mind me asking, what are you doing over there?

indeed - beautiful riding here. i'm working in relief/ development and have been living & riding all over africa (and asia). which also made me a bit of an expert in complicated inter-continental bike logistics
:)

sounds like a cool gig

How's your Siswati and/or Shangaan?

i love people that complain of being broke but have cable and a cell phone.....

thanks for all your advice guys. i ended up placing an order for a GT Marathon 9r. The 29' wheels did it for me and i thought this was a prettyy good opportunity: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?sku=25789.

will report back on impressions once i get it here.

cd

thanks for all your advice guys. i ended up placing an order for a GT Marathon 9r. The 29' wheels did it for me and i thought this was a prettyy good opportunity: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?sku=25789.

will report back on impressions once i get it here.

cd

Nice suspension setup. 100mm travel up front is a bit short but it's going to be a cushy 100mm - I'm a big fan of Motion Control damping. Anyway the 29" wheels make up for it. I have something very close to the Monarch shock on my bike (MC3.3) and it is niiice. By the way, just in case you're not aware, you're going to need a shock pump to air up your suspension (a regular bike tire pump won't work).

i love people that complain of being broke but have cable and a cell phone.....

Have you ever been broke? You need to have a few things in life that make you feel normal, and my cell is my only phone. If you have nothing, then you sit around feeling sorry for yourself. Its the little things that make you feel human again.

S**t, I don't know why I'm even defending myself to you.


CT, nice choice. The trails out there will be very fitting for a 9er

yeah - i have another 29er (a jamis), a hardtail and i love it. If i get that plus rear suspension i'll be happy. The jamis also has air shoks so i have an shock pump as well - should be good to go the moment i get the bike (which should be in a couple of months).

thanks again for all teh good advice

No prob dude. Enjoy the bike, and africa. I'm jealous (you hiring, lol.)

A buddy of mine picked up a Marathon a few months ago, and has nothing but good things to say about it. I rode it a few times, but 29ers aren't really my thing. Let us know how you like it when it comes in.

I just purchased this bike used(waiting for it to ship) and am looking for other peoples experience with it. So please post back Cacti Dodger (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=88593).

Every post Ive seen by someone who owns one, or knows someone that owns one says they love it. From what Ive read, you need to really dial in the rear shock. But it looks like a good bike for the price, cant wait to get it. My current bike is a 2007 Trek 4500.

There is a guy (Guitar Tedd) who has a blog and gave it pretty low marks when he test rode it in 2007. He did mention a lighter (180lbs) rider might like it more, which is good for me.

I think they also fixed the leverage ratio a bit for the 09s, which may be why the 08 is discounted. The 09 also has the new Reba and new SLX group. Still, the 08 is worth it at 1500 for the parts aloe, even if you don't like the frame.

I think they also fixed the leverage ratio a bit for the 09sFrom the GT website, using a mm -> inches conversion, it appears the bikes geometry for 09 is the exact same as 08. And it looks like the new fork has the same offset as the old version. So the ride should be the same.(unless the leverage ratio can be changed in some other way, Im still pretty new to this)

The new component set for 09 looks nice, but it also came with a $400 price increase.

Time couldnt pass any slower, Im ready to test out this bike!

Where are you seeing these on the website i cant find them? im looking to buy a new bike, thats why i ask.
thanks


MSRP: $1450

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/5306/fsrxcvbrake.jpg

Or, if you want disc brakes......

MSRP: $1650

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/1944/fsrxcdisc.jpg