Mountain Biking - Clueless.... need bike advice!

Well it's not me who's looking for a bike. My friend is willing to spend about $500 for a bike that he wants. So he said he'd like to have dual suspension and aluminium frame. Since I haven't been checking out new bikes for a long time, I am not really sure what's out there now.

He's 6'4, thin and main purpose is casual trail riding.

I went to a shop in Towson, Maryland area and saw the 04 Giant Warp DS-2 for $499.97. Ha, it was a totally different bike from the DS-2 that I used to have 6 years back. Anyways, so it's dual suspension with decent parts. I am just concerned about the weight though.

I asked him if it's worth spending $500 on a bike when he will only use it in the summer( since we go to school else where for the rest of the year). Well, he's been wanting a bike for a long time so I guess he's willing to do that.

I am only familar with Giant bikes. I realised that all other bikes that has dual suspension will cost above a grand. I personally would like to have a Giant NRS but of course that's way beyond me. So if you know of a good deal, or some models that fall within the range, pls let me know.

Also, is there any good place to go to for "out dated" models, like 03 or 02 models that are new but sold cheap? I figured it will be the best. Thanx!

Trek Y26 (http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/mountain/y26.jsp)

Its full suspension. Its $389. I wouldn't reccomend. But it is an option.

$500 would buy a nice hardtail.

Yeah at hardtails in that price range you are starting to look at name brand front forks with lightweight race oriented frames. With some manufacturers, you are even moving into 9spd componets and decent wheelsets and cranksets.

Now with a DS2, you are looking at a cheap RST front shock, a generic Giant branded rear shock, suspension design courtesy of the Walmart/Mongoose team and a 30-35lbs bike (though I have not weighed one, I'm guessing its at least that much). The bike will have a fair amount of "pedal induced bob" which is basically energy lost through the inefficient suspension design while you are pedaling.

A lot of people seem to like Ibex bikes (http://www.ibexbikes.com) and they have some cheap full suspensions if your friend is absolutely bent on full suspension. The Ignition 2 comes with a Marzocchi fork, disc brakes, and not a whole lot else, but looks like a deal at $499 (http://www.ibexbikes.com/Bikes/2004/IGN-2-Details.html)

Yeah at hardtails in that price range you are starting to look at name brand front forks with lightweight race oriented frames. With some manufacturers, you are even moving into 9spd componets and decent wheelsets and cranksets.

Now with a DS2, you are looking at a cheap RST front shock, a generic Giant branded rear shock, suspension design courtesy of the Walmart/Mongoose team and a 30-35lbs bike (though I have not weighed one, I'm guessing its at least that much). The bike will have a fair amount of "pedal induced bob" which is basically energy lost through the inefficient suspension design while you are pedaling.

A lot of people seem to like Ibex bikes (http://www.ibexbikes.com) and they have some cheap full suspensions if your friend is absolutely bent on full suspension. The Ignition 2 comes with a Marzocchi fork, disc brakes, and not a whole lot else, but looks like a deal at $499 (http://www.ibexbikes.com/Bikes/2004/IGN-2-Details.html)


Thanx! Yeah I too think he should go for a good hard tail for the light weight and quality. He can very well get a shock absorber for the seat post. I got a GT Avalanche 1.0 2 years back for about $600. Although I ended up not liking it too much, it was a great deal for what I got. Rock Shox Judy XC fork, Avid disk brakes and LX for the rear. Too bad I don't really use it much, it still looks new. One thing that keeps me from liking it is the matter of getting used to it. Somehow I think the nike is taller than what I was used to, and I just don't feel comfortable with it. Also it seems to feel very rigid. The vibrations exhaust me very much. Perhaps I was using the wrong tires since I was doing road most of the time. Somehow I didn't feel the difference adjusting the front fork.

Anyways, the ibex link you gave doesn't seem to work. I will try again later though.

For what he's going to use for the bike, I think Warp DS-2 is good enough. But do you guys think it's a decent deal?

Trek Y26 (http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/mountain/y26.jsp)

Its full suspension. Its $389. I wouldn't reccomend. But it is an option.

$500 would buy a nice hardtail.

How do you think this compares to the DS-2 in terms of the value( price vs what you get)?

The components are obviously inferior to the DS-2, but that means he can shop for the accessories without going over $500( helmet, front and rear light, water bottle rack, and possibly a rear rack for things).

I cannot recommend a full suspension bike for under $1,000. It's just not worth it!

Get a decent hardtail, or a used bike.

L8R

Ditto. 1000$ is the bare minimum. Otherwise you are buying garbage.(unless used)

$1000 entry fee to dual suspension? Yikes.

No you can buy cheaper. But expect nothing from it. Suspension costs money. If you buy cheap they are making sacrifices. On something with that many moving parts I don't want anything sacrificed.

Personally with the way I break stuff I actually wouldn't spend less then 2500cdn on a dually. Just because for the most part you do get what you paid for.

I take that back. Ironhorse and Kona offer bikes in the low 2000dollar and upper teen range I would buy.

$700 = Jamis Dakar. Looked upon generally favorably, although $400-500 will get a ride with the same components in a hardtail.

Also, is there any good place to go to for "out dated" models, like 03 or 02 models that are new but sold cheap? I figured it will be the best. Thanx!

Yes a good place is your LBS or surronding ones and look for asles or closeout prices. I agree with others here though $500 is not going to get you much in DS bikes.