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Welcome to BikeShoppingForums! The OFFICIAL What Should I Buy? thread

Old 08-19-11, 05:18 PM
  #26  
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What is a good tire for a bike that sits in the garage a lot and doesn't loose much air, but looks hammered and action packed, just in case I do ride my full squish that I pulled the trigger on down to the Starbucks and want to intimidate the Roadies and what should I wear baggies, cargo shorts, MC Hammer Parachute pants or a really tight Full KIT.
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Old 08-21-11, 03:19 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by estabro
What's up with the 2012 XT lineup? Is it only 10 speed?

I need to replace my broken 9 speed shifters and I can't find any new XT's except for the 10 speeds.
How's about these: https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...Lever+Set.aspx

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Old 08-25-11, 10:26 AM
  #28  
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Is making a buying decision really that hard?
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Old 09-01-11, 07:55 AM
  #29  
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I have a what should I buy questions. Actually, it's more of a what should I be looking at question.

I've had a Giant Cypress hybrid that I've been riding off-and-on (but mostly off) for several years now. But I never really got into it. I probably have averaged less than 50 miles per year over about 7 years. Then I bought a year old Specialized Allez Elite Compact for $1000 in April and absolutely love it. I have 2800 miles logged in 5 months. I never before thought the choice of bike could make a difference in how fun it was to ride. Now I know. I'm sure if I got an even better bike it would be even more fun, but that's for a different forum.

So... living in Tucson, I would like to try mountain biking. But I have no clue what I should be looking for in a mountain bike that would make it as fun to ride as my Allez. I'd like to start by riding the Sweetwater (YouTube video) and Fantasy Island (YouTube video) trails. I don't even know what kind of riding you call that, hence the videos. Trail riding I'm guessing? I'd also like to try riding on Mount Lemmon (YouTube video) someday with the same bike, if possible. (I like watching the videos, they make it look so fun!)

My budget is around $1000 for everything. Slightly more is okay, less is obviously better if I get a good bike that's fun to ride. My questions:
  • What sort of frame should I be looking at?
  • Are there any frames that are better for n00bs?
  • What is the progression of components in mtb? (The FAQ is unclear on this.)
  • What componenents can I get at this price point?
  • The FAQ suggests getting a bike at the $500 price point. Will I notice a difference for the extra $500? (I don't want to waste money buying a bike that's too good for me, but I want to buy a bike I never ride either.)
  • Any other answers that I should know, but at this point don't know enough to ask the right questions?
If it matters, I'm 6'0", 160 lbs, and 30 years old.
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Old 09-01-11, 11:53 AM
  #30  
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need new tires

Need some tire recommendations for loose rocky conditions. Will be running them ghetto tubeless. These will be going on my AM bike so they will see everything from techy climbs to rippin downhill. Was set on the WTB Motoraptors, but they dont make them anymore! Grrr. My LBS recommended the weirwolfs but according to the reviews they have horrible rolling resistance and they are super heavy. Was also hoping to shave a lil weight with the new tire/ghetto tubeless combo. Currently have a 2.5 up front and a 2.3 in the rear and i do like the added stability and traction of the fatties for going downhill. So whatcha think?
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Old 09-01-11, 02:11 PM
  #31  
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^^ Kenda Excavator 2.35 front; Nevegal 2.2 rear. This will give you the big-casing bite of the Ex up front (without having to go 2.5) and a predictable rear that shaves rolling resistance, yet still runs larger-than-normal casing size.
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Old 09-02-11, 12:05 PM
  #32  
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Don't think. Just buy. If that fails, repeat.
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Old 09-02-11, 12:28 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by nathan.johnson
I have a what should I buy questions. Actually, it's more of a what should I be looking at question.

I've had a Giant Cypress hybrid that I've been riding off-and-on (but mostly off) for several years now. But I never really got into it. I probably have averaged less than 50 miles per year over about 7 years. Then I bought a year old Specialized Allez Elite Compact for $1000 in April and absolutely love it. I have 2800 miles logged in 5 months. I never before thought the choice of bike could make a difference in how fun it was to ride. Now I know. I'm sure if I got an even better bike it would be even more fun, but that's for a different forum.

So... living in Tucson, I would like to try mountain biking. But I have no clue what I should be looking for in a mountain bike that would make it as fun to ride as my Allez. I'd like to start by riding the Sweetwater (YouTube video) and Fantasy Island (YouTube video) trails. I don't even know what kind of riding you call that, hence the videos. Trail riding I'm guessing? I'd also like to try riding on Mount Lemmon (YouTube video) someday with the same bike, if possible. (I like watching the videos, they make it look so fun!)

My budget is around $1000 for everything. Slightly more is okay, less is obviously better if I get a good bike that's fun to ride. My questions:
  • What sort of frame should I be looking at?
  • Are there any frames that are better for n00bs?
  • What is the progression of components in mtb? (The FAQ is unclear on this.)
  • What componenents can I get at this price point?
  • The FAQ suggests getting a bike at the $500 price point. Will I notice a difference for the extra $500? (I don't want to waste money buying a bike that's too good for me, but I want to buy a bike I never ride either.)
  • Any other answers that I should know, but at this point don't know enough to ask the right questions?
If it matters, I'm 6'0", 160 lbs, and 30 years old.
Will try to look at the vids later. Maybe someone with local knowledge will reply?

You pose a lot of thoughful questions. My best suggestion is to visit some local shops and, first, get a feel for how they treat you - - if they ask a lot of questions of you to try to get a feel for your needs; if they are patient and thoughtful in answers to your questions; etc. Walk away from the snooty places and the ones that only seem to try to steer you to what's on the floor that may not suit your needs. Now that there are a couple shops you've settled on that you feel like you could do business with, test ride, test ride, test ride.

BTW, you will not feel the difference in a short test ride between the $500 bike and the $1,000 one; but you WILL feel it over time in not having to replace cheap parts that break or wear out prematurely and in major components that perform a bit better. There is no such thing as a bike that is "too good for you" - - too good for your budget, yes, but never for you (within reason). Buy as much bike as you feel comfortable spending money on and it will reward you with a better overall riding experience and an incentive to keep at it and ride more.
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Old 09-03-11, 02:39 PM
  #34  
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Thanks! I've been to 2 shops so far: a Trek store and one that deals mostly in Specialized, but also Trek. So far I haven't seen anything that's really stuck out at me at my price point.

I've also been looking at used bikes on ebay, not really thinking of buying online I don't think, but does anyone have thoughts on these?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2010-Special...-/220845646910
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2010-Special...-/110738278071
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Old 09-11-11, 09:50 PM
  #35  
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Need advice on some good, entry level all mountain forks. Needs to be in the 140-160mm range with good rebound/damping/compression control and decent cost to performance is what I am after. Thanks in advance.
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Old 09-11-11, 11:22 PM
  #36  
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^^ I'm prejudiced, of course, but I'd give a serious look at the RST Titan series. It comes in 15mm thru-axle and conventional QR versions (although the TA versions don't have compression damping circuits).

https://www.rst.com.tw/ct/product/pro...I1249271931244

https://www.rst.com.tw/ct/product/pro...I1249881918660

Available through any shop that orders from QBP.
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Old 09-12-11, 11:29 AM
  #37  
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Not a buying question so much as a keeping question... I have two cranks to choose from, a Deore XT square taper crank like this:



or a Truvaitiv FireX crank like this:



I'm planning on keeping one and selling the other, but I want to keep the 'better' one. The thing that matter to me are: shift quality, stiffness, weight, and quality in general. My riding involves XC/trail and light all mountain. I intend to get further into all mountain when I have a bike that is better suited to it. My bike is running XT 9s.

I know the that the GXP crank is newer tech, but Truvativ in general gets mixed reviews, and Shimano generally has better shifting/quality chainrings.

Please advise.
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Old 09-13-11, 02:06 PM
  #38  
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Old 09-13-11, 04:01 PM
  #39  
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Haha - - was giving others a chance to chime in (I talk too much) but here goes:

My take on it would be that if you have a chance to ditch square taper, XT or not, go for it. Fire-X isn't a bad crankset. I don't have any direct experience with the GXP BB interface but I'm a big fan of the Howitzer style and ANYTHING is better than FSA's external BB setup, IMO.

The arms should hold up fine. As for shifting, I don't row through the chainrings very much, so smoother shifts are not a problematic thing to me - - as long as it drops quickly to granny when I really need it. But that's not a function of all those finely-engineered ramps and pins anyway.
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Old 09-14-11, 06:01 AM
  #40  
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Dminor, thanks for the links. I splurged and purchased a set of Rockshox Sektor coil 150 mm .
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Old 09-14-11, 02:47 PM
  #41  
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I have the Fire-X (per Doug's suggestion) with the GXP BB. Granted I've only had the bike complete for a little over a week now so I can't speak for long term satisfaction, but thus far I couldn't be much happier. GXP is buttery smooth, Fire-X is fairly light & has a stiff/sturdy feel to it. Little experience with the XT though, so I can't speak for how it compares.
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Old 09-15-11, 08:56 AM
  #42  
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I turned to this forum sometime ago for advice on road riding. And now that I have a firm grasp on that, I figured I should throw that to the wind and get into some more mountain biking. I am looking for some ballpark recommendations on a entry-level / mid-range bike around $1,200. Mostly looking at hard-tails, and will be riding primarily in very hilly regions with tight single track.

If it has merit - I am male, 5'10 and about 170lbs.

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Old 09-15-11, 09:15 AM
  #43  
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Anyone have any quick thoughts on this ebay listing? Ending in 3 hrs... looks like a really good deal to me. (No jacking up the price )

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=180722605982
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Old 09-15-11, 12:15 PM
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OK. I give. After riding a Jet9 this weekend I will be buying a 29er next spring. The confidence I got from plowing down rock strewn ST here in Colorado, humping over logs, and grabbing the steep climbs by the nads has turned me around. Current ride is a 10 year old Sugar One - SID on the front, FOX in the rear. 25.1 LBs. XTR/XT. I loved the Niner and might be able to grab it as a used bike. I'm strictly XC, no hucking or divebombing. The Jet9 weighed in at 27+ pounds, saving some weight with Stans, and a carbon DT Swiss rear shock. Any other suggestions? I would prefer aluminum to carbon. I can spend bucks, but would like to keep it around 3k, which might mean a used higher end bike.
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Old 09-15-11, 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by nathan.johnson
Anyone have any quick thoughts on this ebay listing? Ending in 3 hrs... looks like a really good deal to me. (No jacking up the price )

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=180722605982
I don't know what those go for new, but I'm thinking it's a lot more than that.
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Old 09-15-11, 01:24 PM
  #46  
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Originally Posted by SKYLAB
Any other suggestions? I would prefer aluminum to carbon. I can spend bucks, but would like to keep it around 3k, which might mean a used higher end bike.
You can have higher-end AND new (albeit with a less-deluxe build) in a bike from your state, for your state. It's not all aluminum but it sounds like they did the carbon in just the right spot. Check it out - - Yeti Big Top:

https://www.yeticycles.com/#/bikes/BigTop/1/
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Old 09-15-11, 02:36 PM
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Thanks Dm...Nice find. I've considered Yeti in the past, albeit several years ago. Golden is not a far drive for me. What I really need to do is be able to ride a test bike for 2-3 days, get some real trail experience on one. Noodling around parking lots or bike paths just will not tell the story. I'll talk to the guys at the Golden Bike shop.
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Old 09-20-11, 10:49 AM
  #48  
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^^ Happy to help. If you can't get enough of a test ride from the shop to suit you, PM me back. Maybe I could see if I could wheedle you a lunchtime ride at Yeti HQ on one.
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Old 09-20-11, 11:32 AM
  #49  
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If you don't mind waiting, Yeti was showing off their SB-95 at Interbike. I know you said you're an XC guy, and the SB-95 is going to be a little chunkier than the Big Top (supposedly it'll slip just under the 30lb mark), but it might be worth it for the rear suspension.
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Old 09-20-11, 05:34 PM
  #50  
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Originally Posted by dminor
Maybe I could see if I could wheedle you a lunchtime ride at Yeti HQ on one.
While you're at it, wheedle me up an SB66c over here. kthxbai
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