Help with new bike
 

Ok i've been given the opportunity to bring back my junk Sears Jeep bike.

So now i'm back in the market for a MTB. I don't do extreme trails or anything so i'm just looking for some suggestions for a decent bike.

Thanks

BTW I don't really want to spend much more than 400 cdn if possible.

Do you have any trustworthy LBS's that might have a good used bike? What brands are available to you locally in the bike shops?

I know of 2 LBS that i've heard good things about. As far as I know they deal in several different brands of bikes. Trek, Giant, Norco, etc.

I don't know if they deal used though and i don't really want to get a used bike

If you absolutely want a new, decent-quality bike, you will have to increase your budget. Sorry about that ...

How much will I have to increase my budget. I mean i don't want something fancy it just needs to be relible and shift well. My old bike is FS but i'm going to go with a hard tail this time around.

Some of the shortcomings of the budget off-road bikes are shocks with no damping (boing! boing! instead of sqwoosh, sqwoosh), bearings with no seals, heavier weight, and parts with shorter service lives.

Looking at the bikes in that price range from Norco (Katmandu), Giant (Boulder SE), and Trek (820), they are using high-tensile steel frames (gonna be a bit heavy compared to aluminum or chromoly steel) and inexpensive shocks that you would probably wear out in about 18-24 months of trail riding. They would be put together properly by the LBS and given a free maintenance after they were broken in, with warranty on the parts against defects in materials and workmanship for 1 year (typically). They are going to have far more potential than the Jeep bike, if you want to have a quality trail-riding experience. :)

I noticed that all three bikes use a 28-tooth small chainring on the crankset. That's supposed to be your low gear, and 28 is not so low! For that reason, you might want to ask the shop if they'd let you trade up to a Shimano MegaRange rear gear cluster, which has a 34-tooth largest cog, giving you a lower low gear. Along with that, they should upgrade the rear derailleur to one designed for MegaRange, which may cost a few extra dollars too. This is not a very expensive substitution, or a difficult one, but expect it to cost you a little extra.

I would also suggest trading in the plastic pedals for all-metal pedals with toeclips and straps, and perhaps getting some bar-ends and a straight handlebar (the shop should be glad to trade you a straight bar for the rise model).

Good hunting :)

http://www.norco.com/bikes/2002bikes/sidewinder.htm

Is this bike any good? I know most FS bikes that are under a 1000 bucks are not any good but I think I might miss Dual suspension and the parts seems pretty much the same as the Katmandu.


Mainly would the extra cost over the Katmandu be worth it? or just a waste of money?

I would kind of like to go Norco as they are canadian but will go with another brand if I can get a better deal.

I'm guessing your link was intended to go to the Norco Sidewinder. Looking at it, mmmm... I think I'd rather go with a hardtail at the same price. Inexpensive rear shock units are prone to losing their oil after a while, for one thing (ironically, your Jeep would never have this problem, since it has no oil to begin with ;)).

Yes it was meant to go to the sidewinder :)


Ok then thanks for the help i'll prob go to some of the LBS tomorrow and see what they offer.

Check out Giant. I just helped a friend pick one out yesterday (XTC SE-2). For how much it costed, it was the best bang for the buck. Mind you, her budget was 1300bux canadian. But the bike comes w/ great parts and weighs in at 25lbs. Not bad at all compared to the Rocky's, Norco's and Kona's. Anyways, good luck w/ your search.:)

When is the best time to get deals at a bike shop. Would it be now as the season is almost over or durring the winter when sales would probably be lower?

Depends on where you live. But Fall isn't bad (here is kinda sucks cause companies don't need to sell them because winter will be here soon). Spring because they HAVE to dump last years stock. A smart company won't drop the price but upgrade all the parts making it a better value for the same price.

Well I live in newfoundland so once winter comes the riding season is done with.

Right now is probably a good time to get a deal from your local bike shop, because the 2003 models just came in and they should be getting rid of the 2002's. I don't know if any do sales for end of season or that kind of thing.
As for bikes, I started out looking in your price range at the Trek 820 and a few similar, steel-framed. I found out right away that 30 bucks more could get me an aluminum frame and slightly better components. Good bikes in that range were the Giant Rincon, Trek 4300, and Specialized. But... I spent $100 more ($419 US) and got a Trek 4500, so everything on the bike was the next level up, and I've been happy so far

Ok I just got back from my LBS and was looking at a Miele TT150. The price was 420 Cdn after tax. Is this a good bike or would it be wise to look at a different brand?

Also would it be worth it to get clipless pedals and shoes now or just get toe straps for now? I've never used either before if that makes a difference.

Update..

Ok well i went with the miele TT150 only been on a short ride so far and it went well. I had toe straps added to the pedals so i'm still getting used to those because i've never used them before

thanks for all your input everyone. Off to ride :)