don1867

My work has a reward system, and now I can get one of these 7 bikes free. I should only really count 5 of them, because one is just called the Gary Fisher mountain bike (no model or anything) and the other is called the Fuji Leisure bike. Again, no model name, unless that's it.
Here they are. The websites show comparisons and stats or writeups on the bikes. The fisherbike pages show the marlin, wahoo and tarpon first, then I changed out the marlin for the capitola. When I went to the Fuji site, I couldn't find the sundance, so I just included the writeups on it and the leisure bike.
I'll mainly be riding on the street and sidewalks, so my main enemy will be curbs. My biggest priority is to NOT be bending rims, followed closely be being comfortable on multi-mile rides. I would like to be able to go beat the thing silly from time to time, as well. I want to get the best quality components that I can so that I don't have to worry about things breaking or wearing out due to being low quality. I know that at this price range, things won't be made of titanium and diamonds, but I want to avoid getting something that will be more of a headache than it is fun.
Thanks for taking the time to help out a completely new guy. Hopefully, with everybodies help, I can get the right bike and start something that could turn out to be a lot of fun, a way to meet new people, and get some great exercise as well.

Gary Fisher
Marlin
Tarpon
Capitola
Wahoo
Gary Fisher Mountain Bike

https://www.fisherbikes.com/compare/r...oo&bike=Tarpon

https://www.fisherbikes.com/compare/r...&bike=Capitola

Fuji
Sundance 4500 DS With single-pivot, dual suspension, 24-speed twist-grip shifters, and a Shimano® derailleur, this mountain bike sails over rough turf. 19" men's frame. Color of bike may vary.


Fuji Leisure Bike
Spend lazy days coasting through the park on Fuji's leisure bike. Canti-Leisure comfort frame, Tush-Cush seat with spring suspension seat post, and front-end suspension make riders feel like they're cruising on a cloud. Color of bike may vary. 21 speed. 19" men's frame or 17" ladies' frame.

Fuji Mountain Bike
Tear up the trails on Fuji's rugged Sundance 2000 FS 21-speed mountain bike. Its no-nonsense design's front suspension, Shimano® rear derailleur, and twist-grip shifters allow effortless handling in tricky conditions. Color of bike may vary. Men's 19" frame or Ladies' 17" frame.

cryptid01

Get the Wahoo or Marlin - they both have the same rims.

santiago

Of the lot, the Marlin has the best set of components. The Marlin is starting to get into "okay" territory whereas the other Gary Fischer bikes have lower end stuff.

Avoid the Fuji at all costs. A full suspension bike that costs less than $500 is junk especially a Y-style frame.

C Law

I think if you re only riding on the street you should get the Crapitola. You will feel more comfortable with that upright riding style.

If you are asking what the best Mountain Bike is it is obviously the Marlin. But that bike is may not be the best for riding on the street and being comfortable.

Good luck and that sounds like a great place to work. Nothin' says lovin' like free bikes.

santiago

The OP wrote that he wanted to be comfortable and "I would like to be able to go beat the thing silly from time to time,". A comfort bike would fit a retired person living in a Florida retirement community.

szedhr

I'll add to the Marlin voters.

scr1be

+1 for the marlin

don1867

I've been leaning towards the marlin. I went to a bike shop, but they only had medium frames, and I'm 6'1", so he said it would be too small. He also didn't have any Gary Fishers, but at least I got to sit on mountain bikes vs. a comfort bike. This isn't a slam on comfort bike riders, just a comment on my "gotta have immediate control over the bike at all times" attitude, but my first thought when I sat on the comfort bike was , "Just neuter me now and get it overwith." As soon as I sat on it, I jumped right back off. I was afraid it came stock with a small pair of automated snips in the seat. Would the bike have been comfortable? Definitely. Would I have liked it? Not at all.
This week I'm out of state visiting family, and I found a Gary Fisher dealer not too far away. I'll be heading over there to see how I like the bikes. I think my biggest problem is going to be getting the bike assembled properly. I keep reading how everything has to be "just so" with these bikes. Then, after 15 to 30 hours, I need to readjust everything. I have a feeling I'll be spending a lot of time here, asking questions. Fortunately, the people here seem to be friendly and helpful.

Pheard

Putting a bike together requires special tools for certain parts and things need to be tightened to different torques.

don1867

I wonder if I might be better off asking a bike shop to assemble it for me. I'd hate to do that. I really enjoy the challenge of an intricate job, and I have a feeling this might qualify. Still, maybe this is one of those times where I would be better off burying my pride and ending up with better results, courtesy of a professional.
So I have to ask, what tools will I need? Will I need a standard torque wrench, or a specialized one?
Is there a section of this forum that will help me through the assembly process?

MTBnOH

Marlin

don1867

Regarding the Marlin front fork (Manitou Axel Elite w/TPC Lock-Out), what does TPC Lock-out mean? Does it mean I can lock out suspension travel so it acts like a bike with no front suspension?

Pheard

Im not going to act like I know alot about putting a bike back together as Im quite bike illiterate myself. Not sure what kind of torque wrench you need.

You will need for bike assembly:

1. Bottom bracket- you'll need a splined driver to put it in.
2. Crank set- Crank puller/crank remover to remove and/or install a crank set.
3. Cassette remover- Install/remove the cassette.
4. Chain tool- for chain installation.

This isn't including all the common wrenches/screwdriver/hex wrenches etc. You'll also have to find out the correct torques for all the different parts.


Anyone correct me if I'm wrong on any of this, as my knowledge is limited

also for instruction on anything, parktool is great.

https://www.parktool.com/repair/

don1867

Thanks for the link. The instructions are going to help a lot, whether it's with assembly or repair. They list parts, but no prices, so I'll have to ask the bike shop about that.

j944

1) Marlin
2) Any openings?

Pheard

If you want to find the part prices you'll have to look at either a local bike shop or a large online bike part retailer.

www.airbomb.com
www.jensonusa.com
www.performancebike.com
www.nashbar.com
www.cambriabike.com
www.wheelworld.com

Arom

you dont need a crank puller to put on my square taper cranks, you just tighten the dustcap with an allen wrench

Mike321

as stated by everyone else... go with the Marlin!

MudSplattered

That's the idea, although it still wont be as stiff as a regular fork

valbowski1980

A vote for the Marlin here as well...

Pink_Ninja

yeah, marlin... its the most expensive. With a bike, you get what you pay for.