LBS couldnt answer my questions!
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SEMPER FI
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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
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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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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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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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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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.
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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#8
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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.
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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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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#13
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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
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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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.
#15
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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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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.
Watch with scepticism.
Test ride all bikes and decide based on feel.
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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.
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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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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Correct, I agree. Unless you get in to the $4000+ range a $600 bike and a $2000 bike probably have the same quality frame.
#20
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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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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.
Thats just my style though.
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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.
Simplification:
Any FS bike under $1200 is not worth riding.
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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/
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...in/2278/32120/
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I still don't know what a "frist" is...
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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.
If you slum with the entry level peeps like me for a week, it all becomes clear.