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LBS couldnt answer my questions!

Old 11-29-08, 09:10 PM
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LBS couldnt answer my questions!

So i went to about 5 different local bike stores today and test road about a dozen bikes ranging from DH to Hardtail.

the few that i liked and were in my price range were the Diamondback Response sport - $398, Ironhorse Warrior 6.0 - $625, Diamond Recoil Comp - $525, Trek 4300 disk - $599 and a GF i didnt get the price on but was a hardtail.

Now i was set on a Hardtail to learn from but with some of the prices i saw i could afford a Full Suspension. I am trying not to lean to that side but heres the question i was asking the LBS and they couldnt answer.

Is it better to buy a Full Suspension with low end parts and build or buy a Hardtail with better parts and learn to be a better rider. Im trying not to be a compleate fool and ask the same question but i tried asking the locals and he said "i dont know man, i just sell them". Needless to say i wasnt happy with them and that was my frist shop this morning. The others got better but i was still in the mood that i was just being sold somthing and non of them cared.

Im looking for a good learning bike and will eventually be to a all mountian bike, at least that is what appeals to me now, it might change. BTW all the prices were the LBS prices. I road all of them and these were the ones that felt good and that i could ride. Also the frist shop said the size of the bike didnt have anything to do with how tall i was. Im 5'7" and the frist guy was trying to put my in a Large frame, and i dont think that is right. Well i hope i wasnt to much of a tool and im done complaining. Any advice is appricated and very welcome. Is it sad that the best expirence i had today was at performance bike and bike warehouse!

Thanks
Gary
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Old 11-29-08, 09:34 PM
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In that price range get a hardtail. If you go full suspension it will probably suck and break, and you will quit riding and develop diabEEtus. .002
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Old 11-29-08, 09:48 PM
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You'll get more for your money with a hardtail but time in the saddle is what will make you a better rider. I would stay far away from the shop that gave you the frame size advice.
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Old 11-29-08, 09:50 PM
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I would stick with a hardtail with better components. Size wise, a bit smaller will feel more maneuverable, but the right size will feel a lot more comfortable on longer rides. I'm 6'2" and rode an 18" (medium) for years, I've finally admitted to myself that I am a lot more comfortable on an XL (22")
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Old 11-29-08, 09:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Cornercarver78
In that price range get a hardtail. If you go full suspension it will probably suck and break, and you will quit riding and develop diabEEtus. .002
2 tenths of a cent?
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Old 11-29-08, 10:01 PM
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He's like .007 ...but just not quite there.
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Old 11-29-08, 10:12 PM
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The first bike shop- don't EVER give them any business. Go with a bike AND a shop that feels good to you.

At your price point, a full suspension is gonna be a pig, and unlikely to be worthy of upgrading. Go with a hardtail as others have recommended.

If there is a Specialized shop around, try one of their bikes out. Good stuff.
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Old 11-29-08, 10:16 PM
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Thanks for the advice guys!! Yeah im done with the shop that gave me the advice earlier. I think that performance of bike wharehouse will be my shop. I met the manager at Bike Whaerhouse and he was a good guy. Im thinkning the Trek 4300 disk or a Giant XTC2( i saw one but didnt get then chance to ride it as someone else was)

EDIT: @ kenhill3 - yeah the first shop had one specialized, as for the others i didnt see them but i wasnt looking. Ill look more tomorrow for them.

Last edited by lazebum; 11-29-08 at 10:28 PM.
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Old 11-29-08, 10:30 PM
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Originally Posted by BenLi
2 tenths of a cent?
Very slightly drunk.
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Old 11-30-08, 01:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Cornercarver78
.002
Wow, I had no idea that the US was still producing mills.
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Old 11-30-08, 02:12 PM
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I would like to contribute to the conversation, but am confused. What is a "frist shop"? Once I know this, I can contribute with my opinions.
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Old 11-30-08, 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by chelboed
He's like .007 ...but just not quite there.
hahaha, touche. I'm an idiot. The scary part is that i'm an Engineering major. Kinda makes you wonder about America's future lol
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Old 11-30-08, 05:16 PM
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The frist shop was just that the frist shop i went to. I dont know if we can say the names of shops if we are going to bash them? The paintball forum i frequent will not allow the mention of other competers names and i didnt know if this forum was owned by someone.

As for my search i tested a GF piranah and a TREK 6000. Both at the top of my budget but i really like them both and found them at a TREK store. It was kinda near me more near my wifes work. Good people and a really nice selection fo bikes and equipment.

Is there any difference between the GF and Trek othern thena the GF was $100 more? with not much difference felt when i road them. BTW this shop said i would most likely fit a med and that whoever was at the frist shop was a moron
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Old 11-30-08, 05:23 PM
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The fisher has some better components(IE Fork and brakes). If you can get the fisher, then do it. If you like the G2 geom stuff.
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Old 12-01-08, 12:45 AM
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ok so what is "G2 geom"? I like the color of the Trek and the componets on the GF and both fit me really well.
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Old 12-01-08, 04:25 AM
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G2 hilarity

Gary Fisher marketing vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpvH9j5UEuM

Watch with scepticism.
Test ride all bikes and decide based on feel.
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Old 12-01-08, 06:48 AM
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I'm very surprised that a bike shop could not answer your question! In my opinion a similar priced hardtail is going to be of better quality. Any FS bike under $1200 is not going to hold up under the intended purpose of a FS bike. That's my opinion.
I also think that a lot of people buy FS bikes that really don't need one. Unless your riding warrants rear travel, stick with a hardtail. Enjoy whatever you decide.
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Old 12-01-08, 06:57 AM
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Originally Posted by tilumisteel
I'm very surprised that a bike shop could not answer your question! In my opinion a similar priced hardtail is going to be of better quality. Any FS bike under $1200 is not going to hold up under the intended purpose of a FS bike. That's my opinion.
I don't think it's the frame that won't hold up,I think it's the fork and shock they come with. I paid 900 for a new FS bike several years ago and after I changed the fork and shock it was fine.
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Old 12-01-08, 07:00 AM
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Originally Posted by mtnbiker66
I don't think it's the frame that won't hold up,I think it's the fork and shock they come with. I paid 900 for a new FS bike several years ago and after I changed the fork and shock it was fine.
Correct, I agree. Unless you get in to the $4000+ range a $600 bike and a $2000 bike probably have the same quality frame.
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Old 12-01-08, 10:30 AM
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^really? well that would make sense. Just the componets can jack up the price that much? and if thats the case why woulldnt people just buy the frame and build a better suiting bike than wast money on one already built with inferior componets?
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Old 12-01-08, 10:36 AM
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When I sell a customer a bike I always try and steer towards a hard tail no matter what the price range is.
Thats just my style though.
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Old 12-01-08, 10:38 AM
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[QUOTE=tilumisteel Any FS bike under $1200 is not going to hold up under the intended purpose of a FS bike. That's my opinion. [/QUOTE]

Simplification:

Any FS bike under $1200 is not worth riding.
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Old 12-01-08, 11:50 AM
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^^ Normally I would agree; but IMO the Giant Yukon FX is worth a second look by anyone wanting to dabble in full suspension.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...in/2278/32120/
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Old 12-01-08, 11:56 AM
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I still don't know what a "frist" is...
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Old 12-01-08, 12:38 PM
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^^ "FRIST" is an entry level word. As a gnarhack, you are way above this form of communication.
If you slum with the entry level peeps like me for a week, it all becomes clear.
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