austin-rider
02-15-05, 03:01 PM
What do you think of the big companies in terms of the quality/price ratio of their mountain bikes as compared to the smaller companies?
Mountain Biking - Trek, Specialized, Giant...
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CranxOC
02-15-05, 03:36 PM
My last two bikes have been Specialized and I cannot say enough about how exceptional a bike they build. I had an '02 Stumpy that had a manufacturer's defect (the bottom pivot bolt fell out...twice) and Specialized not only took care of the problem over two years later, they sent me the '04 Stumpy Pro frame as a replacement...with the Triad shock!
The '02 was a great ride while I had it (despite the "minor" defect) and the '04 is one of the best bike's I've ever ridden...literally. Before getting the new frame I did some serious test rides on the Yeti 575, Intense 5.5 EVP, Ellsworth Truth and the Tomack Eli and Foes FXR and wound up sticking with the Stumpy because it was better than every single one of those bikes except, perhaps, the Intense and Ellsworth but they're also almost $2000 - frame and shock only - and they were just barely a cut above; definitely not worth the extra $600-$700 I would have had to spend to get one.
Without rambling on too much longer, I'll atest to the fact that Specialized bikes are at least as good as, if not better, than most bikes that you'll wind up paying a lot more for in the end. Trek also builds a very solid bike and Giants are pretty decent as well but I personally am not a big fan of either of their MTB offerings (I do have a Giant TCR 1 for my road bike however.)
Hopefully that helps.
The '02 was a great ride while I had it (despite the "minor" defect) and the '04 is one of the best bike's I've ever ridden...literally. Before getting the new frame I did some serious test rides on the Yeti 575, Intense 5.5 EVP, Ellsworth Truth and the Tomack Eli and Foes FXR and wound up sticking with the Stumpy because it was better than every single one of those bikes except, perhaps, the Intense and Ellsworth but they're also almost $2000 - frame and shock only - and they were just barely a cut above; definitely not worth the extra $600-$700 I would have had to spend to get one.
Without rambling on too much longer, I'll atest to the fact that Specialized bikes are at least as good as, if not better, than most bikes that you'll wind up paying a lot more for in the end. Trek also builds a very solid bike and Giants are pretty decent as well but I personally am not a big fan of either of their MTB offerings (I do have a Giant TCR 1 for my road bike however.)
Hopefully that helps.
Raiyn
02-15-05, 04:26 PM
My last two bikes have been Specialized and I cannot say enough about how exceptional a bike they build. I had an '02 Stumpy that had a manufacturer's defect (the bottom pivot bolt fell out...twice) and Specialized not only took care of the problem over two years later, they sent me the '04 Stumpy Pro frame as a replacement...with the Triad shock!
Without rambling on too much longer, I'll atest to the fact that Specialized bikes are at least as good as, if not better, than most bikes that you'll wind up paying a lot more for in the end. Trek also builds a very solid bike and Giants are pretty decent as well but I personally am not a big fan of either of their MTB offerings (I do have a Giant TCR 1 for my road bike however.)
Hopefully that helps.
Not the first story I've heard like this. Makes me proud to own two Specialized's of my own. My next MTB is all but assured to be another Specialized.
Without rambling on too much longer, I'll atest to the fact that Specialized bikes are at least as good as, if not better, than most bikes that you'll wind up paying a lot more for in the end. Trek also builds a very solid bike and Giants are pretty decent as well but I personally am not a big fan of either of their MTB offerings (I do have a Giant TCR 1 for my road bike however.)
Hopefully that helps.
Not the first story I've heard like this. Makes me proud to own two Specialized's of my own. My next MTB is all but assured to be another Specialized.
Singularity
02-15-05, 05:00 PM
i have to say the only reason i dont buy specialized is that the local shop(COUGH-binghams-COUGH) carrys them and their ****s! ( i'm biting of my nose to spite my face. i know) that and my preferance for looks, but looks should only matter so much!
every specialized part was a great deal for the price! i put specialized tubes and treads(cost-45$) on my mongoose and even though i tacoed a rim the tires are inflated to this day ( i broke it in '03 but put the treads and tubes on in 2000) and the treads showed almost no wear in three years of riding)
every specialized part was a great deal for the price! i put specialized tubes and treads(cost-45$) on my mongoose and even though i tacoed a rim the tires are inflated to this day ( i broke it in '03 but put the treads and tubes on in 2000) and the treads showed almost no wear in three years of riding)
lotek
02-15-05, 05:18 PM
Thread edited for language. Please guys lets keep it clean
we have kids on here for cryin out loud!
Marty
we have kids on here for cryin out loud!
Marty
CranxOC
02-15-05, 10:47 PM
i have to say the only reason i dont buy specialized is that the local shop(COUGH-binghams-COUGH) carrys them and their ****s! ( i'm biting of my nose to spite my face. i know) that and my preferance for looks, but looks should only matter so much!
every specialized part was a great deal for the price! i put specialized tubes and treads(cost-45$) on my mongoose and even though i tacoed a rim the tires are inflated to this day ( i broke it in '03 but put the treads and tubes on in 2000) and the treads showed almost no wear in three years of riding)
Bro, you're missing out. Not only is the Stumpy one of the best bikes I've ever ridden from a performance standpoint, it's also one of the prettiest bikes you'll ever find. I actaully get quite a few complements on my ride while I'm out on the trails and that's saying a lot here in OC where I'm surrounded by quite a few FREDs. Granted, the only thing on the bike that's not aftermarket is the frame and shock but the frame is just so darn nice looking I almost hate to get it muddy...almost. :)
every specialized part was a great deal for the price! i put specialized tubes and treads(cost-45$) on my mongoose and even though i tacoed a rim the tires are inflated to this day ( i broke it in '03 but put the treads and tubes on in 2000) and the treads showed almost no wear in three years of riding)
Bro, you're missing out. Not only is the Stumpy one of the best bikes I've ever ridden from a performance standpoint, it's also one of the prettiest bikes you'll ever find. I actaully get quite a few complements on my ride while I'm out on the trails and that's saying a lot here in OC where I'm surrounded by quite a few FREDs. Granted, the only thing on the bike that's not aftermarket is the frame and shock but the frame is just so darn nice looking I almost hate to get it muddy...almost. :)
seely
02-15-05, 11:25 PM
The Rockhopper is really hard to sell next to Kona's lineup in that same price range. Kona's tend to be spec'd out very well for their price, with the good stuff where you need it and lesser stuff where you don't. Thing is, their geometry absolutely sucks for XC riding, even on their XC bikes. I guess its kind of a wash. I'm not really thrilled with the Rockhoppers since they use cheap stems, bars, and other components through the whole line, but the geometry is better. Giant has ok geometry with really nice components, but usually really lousy forks, though lately I've been steering more customers that way if they aren't looking for something as aggressive as the Kona.
Al.canoe
02-16-05, 05:45 AM
Nothing beats the Specalized for full-suspension performance with the least impact on handling and interaction with the chain. Amazing comfort and climbing ability. This comes at the price of more weight, complexity and possibly more maintenance compared to the other FS designs. For me it's well worth it.
The quality of the frame and the suspesion links/bearings is first class. However, I'm sure there are a lot of manufacturers out there that have the same level of quality.
Al
The quality of the frame and the suspesion links/bearings is first class. However, I'm sure there are a lot of manufacturers out there that have the same level of quality.
Al