Mountain Biking - MTB from bikes-direct... any recommendations??

I am a intermediate roadie/commuter. I have never mtb'd before. I am looking for a hardtail with aluminum frame, disc brakes at around the $700 or less range. I've never bought anything from BD before and would like some feedback before I purchase anything.

Thanks!!

I've considered BD and for my money, I would look at the Windsor Cliff 29er (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/windsor_cliff29comp.htm) for $569. If you can stretch your budget some, you could get the Cliff 29 Pro (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/windsor_cliff29pro.htm) with a nicer Tora 318 fork, hydro discs and X7 components. For about the same money, you should look at the Cannondale F5 (http://www.rei.com/product/780434) with similar specs to the Cliff 29, but it's a Cannondale.

I am a intermediate roadie/commuter. I have never mtb'd before. I am looking for a hardtail with aluminum frame, disc brakes at around the $700 or less range. I've never bought anything from BD before and would like some feedback before I purchase anything.

Thanks!!

Read my sig.

Booooo bd!

What's a Hardrock level bike on BD?

This does not compute:mad:

Read my sig.Hey, just 'cause you don't have the blue star any more doesn't mean you can blow off the chance to shill an advertiser :D.

Let me try again:

In your opinion, which bike(s) (if any) on BD's website would be similar to a Hardrock or a Rockhopper (in terms of weight & geometry)?

By the way, anyone know the weight difference between Rockhopper vs Hardrock?

I was looking at both the Rockhopper and Hardrock for my daughter. The RH Comp I think, and the HR Sport Disc. The former was about $750 at my LBS, the latter $550 or so, and that was the best they would do.

I considered BD, but ended up getting an IBEX Alpine 550 for $500 (summer sale price). Check it out at www.ibexbikes.com (http://www.ibexbikes.com). They don't have many left, and when they are gone they are done until spring -- apparently they get a big order in and sell them until they are gone. The spec is very good. Better than the HR, and comparable to the RH (with the IBEX being better for some, the RH for others). The frame seems well made (just came yesterday and I assembled last night), and the IBEX bikes have gotten generally good reviews. Their marketing style is much less in your face than BD, but essentially their strategy is the same. Frame was made in Taiwan..black powder coat, good looking welds. It really is a nice bike. Email them to see what sizes they have left if you're interested -- weren't many left, and they only update their website in the mornings, not real time.

And to answer your original question, I think at BD, Fantom HT Trail was roughly similar to the RH.

http://huntergatherernyc.com/2008/05/motobecane-bikesdirectcom-avoid/


Read that

Thanks for the replies. For the record, I am not looking at the SS 29'ers... yet.

I am also considering buying a used frame on ebay and building up myself as the funds become available. Would make a nice fall/winter project.

As far as BD is concerned, there seems to be riders who really like them... or really hate them. We have only one excellent shop in our area. Dollar for dollar, I would buy from them in a heart beat. But when the $$$ is tight, I look for bargans, too.

Hey, just 'cause you don't have the blue star any more doesn't mean you can blow off the chance to shill an advertiser :D.

If I still had a blue star...I would have deleted this thread...and its clones.

Sorry to hijack, but I'm interested in a getting entry level MTB for my son for college. It'll be at risk for theft and weather exposure. Any comments about these?

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_400HT07.htm
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_500HT07.htm
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_600HT07.htm

Is the extra money for the more expensive models worth it?

when your bike needs adjustment are you going to send them a email, these bikes are cheap for a reason

GO TO LOCAL DEALER, BUY LOCAL FIX LOCAL .THEASE PEOPLE DONT EVAN HAVE A PHONE NUMBER!!!!






http://huntergatherernyc.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/img_7993b-300x225.jpg

Face it, a lot of people (like me) know how to tune and repair bikes, or are unafraid of learning how. They're pretty simple really. Buying a bike online is a really appealing way to save quite a bit of money. I've bought 3 so far for various family members and have been very pleased with the results. I had an issue with a BikesDirect Windsor road bike that they fixed pronto by overnighting a new part.

Untill they supply a phone number for contact info ! STAY AWAY !

Hmmmmmmmmm..... Yep. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=569186


THEASE PEOPLE DONT EVAN HAVE A PHONE NUMBER!!!

You sure about that? And who is Evan? ;)

Other than the wisdom of Siu...this thread blows.

That's b/c you posted four times in it.

Here are some suggestions in your price range with a few dollars left for tuning and accessories ... :thumb:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_trail08.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/windsor_cliff4900.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_700HT.htm

If you have questions sales@bikesdirect.com or call 904-252-8881

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/images/fantomtrail08_600.jpg

Blows even more the 5th time.

Well folks... stopped at the only LBS in our area and looked at the Rockhopper and the Hardrock. Wasn't able to take one for a ride as they didn't have on in my size... but they are running a sale next week, 10% off everything... and they can have me one in two days in my size. I think this is the direction I'll take.

I just ordered a BD Fantom 29er for my son. Will advise of any problems. He's 6'1 and 215 lbs, so am thinking it will be more stable for him than a 26.

I just ordered a BD Fantom 29er for my son. Will advise of any problems. He's 6'1 and 215 lbs, so am thinking it will be more stable for him than a 26.

The Fantom 29er is a nice bike and the right size for a guy over 6' and 200 lbs ... :thumb:

Let us know how he likes the new ride ... http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom29_08.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/images/f29red_600.jpg

Alright, let's cut through some of this. If you want a generic catalog frame from Kinesis specd with some run-of-the-mill-to-decent components and iffy customer service for the thrill of buying a new bike online, get a BD Motobecane. It'll wow all of your pcad-esque roadie friends and give you adequate service.

If you want a mountain bike backed up by a large regional dealer/distributor network with local service and warranty service, go to your LBS.

The Motobecane brand name has NOTHING to do with the French Motobecane brand of yore.

:cough: craigslist :cough:

This thread must be put down.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u39/AdelleLaudan/roadkill.jpg

^^ Hey, that's the TGMBG mascot!

BTW, 66, where are those T-shirts?

The Fantom 29er is a nice bike and the right size for a guy over 6' and 200 lbs ... :thumb:

Let us know how he likes the new ride ... http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom29_08.htm

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/images/f29red_600.jpg

It arrived today is now assembled and running good. I'm a roadie and it seems massive and slow on the road to me. My son is supposed to ride it a lot before leaving for college so we can work the bugs out.

Welcome 2'da dark side!

Go try to ride your skinny little road bike on some trail...then take the MTB out and appreciate what it was designed to do.

It arrived today is now assembled and running good. I'm a roadie and it seems massive and slow on the road to me. My son is supposed to ride it a lot before leaving for college so we can work the bugs out.

Congrats on the new 29'er ... for improved road performance increase the tire pressure to 45-50 PSI maximum, and then remember to drop the pressure by 10-15 lbs for off road.