santiago

Thanks, went back to the LBS who told me originally he did not have the regular Rockhopper. Turned out the binder he was referring to was missing pages but he checked with the owner of the shop and there are some that he had ordered and were due soon. I will wait for this one to come in and then I will go back for a test ride. I did get to sit on a Rockhopper Comp Disc. The 17" frame looked like it fit me the best (5'9", 160lbs.)

I was offered various discounts on accessories (25% off of clothing, bags roughly 33%, etc.) I have nothing, what accessories, tools, etc. should I look to get? I was thinking a simply toolset/repair kit, removeable mudguards and a pump.

I did find the address of another LBS that is just north of me that carries Specialized, too. I'll try to run out to see them today.

Thanks for any input.

Raiyn

Priority: Helmet, gloves

Very good to have: A good multi tool -I recommend Topeak (something from the Alien line) Mini pump, water bottles & cages (for short trips), A Camelbak (long trips and trail rides) spare tube(s), patch kit

Extras: Jerseys, bike shorts, as for fenders I recommend the Topeak DeFender series.

antiloop

Hello,

I Decided i would like to get a mtn bike (mostly for excercise) and have been reading lots of reviews and lurkin the forums for a few weeks. I will be using the bike almost completely for street riding. this will be my first bike since BMX like 10 years ago. Im 5'10 around 150lbs, i want something reliable , fun to ride and as LIGHT as possible.

these are the bikes so far im interested in, the cheaper the better, but i would pay more if it will mean ill pay less later in upgrades / repairs.

05 Rockhopper - 500.00
05 Hardrock Comp Disc - 550.00
05 Trek 4500 - 460.00

Any suggestions of which of these would be best for someone like me?? also any idea what frame size i should get? Do you know which of these weights the least?

Thanks!

PWRDbyTRD

The Hardrock and rockhopper are good choices, here in the thing...with the rockhopper you'll get a better frame, lower end components, with the hardrock you'll get better components and a lower end frame...I dont' know mucha bout the trek.

crashnburn

Thanks for everyones input on this thread. I am considering options for me and my wife and have l;ooked at the following - All will be 2005 models. Note I am tring to keep my price point at around $500 retail for me and $350 for my wife. The riding we will do may be 70% street 20% trials 10% jumps n fun(probally nothing over a 4 foot drop).

For Me - really would like full suspension

Trek y26
Linked
Front Suspension InSync Grind 2, 70mm
Rear Shock Mozo USA
Wheels
Wheels Alloy front, Shimano RM40 rear hub; WTB Dual Duty rims
Tires Bontrager Connection Trail, 26x2.0"
Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano EF29
Front Derailleur Shimano C050
Rear Derailleur Shimano Acera
Crankset SR 42/34/24
Cassette SRAM 730 12-32, 7speed
Pedals Alloy platform, clipless adaptable
Components
Saddle Bontrager Sport
Seatpost Bontrager
Handlebars 30mm rise
Stem Bontrager, 25 degree
Headset Aheadset, semi-cartridge, sealed
Brakeset Tektro V w/Shimano STI levers


Schwinn Rocket 2005
Linked
Frame Schwinn Iso-Drive suspended BB 4-bar proprietary design with 3.5" rear travel, custom drawn 7005 aluminum, fully sealed cartridge bearing pivots, forged dropouts with replaceable hanger
Fork RST Gila T5 w/ Aluminum lowers, Coil / MCU spring, pre-load adjust, mini-boots, 100mm travel
Rear Shock RST-22 coil spring, hydraulic damping, floating piston Spring size S-500 lbs, M-600 lbs, L-700 lbs, XL-800 lbs
Crankset TruVativ X-Flow alloy arms, 42-32-22 Cr-Mo rings
Bottom Bracket TruVativ sealed cartridge with chainline stabilizer 68 x 113 square taper
Pedals ATB Resin body, Boron steel axle, Steel cage, w/ toe clips & straps
Front Derailleur Shimano C-101, 31.8 clamp-on
Rear Derailleur Shimano Alivio
Shifters Shimano ST-EF29-8 Rapid Fire
Freewheel SRAM 830 eight-speed index cassette 11-32
Chain Shimano CN-IG51
Rims Alex PC19 double wall with ground sidewall
Tires WTB 26" x 2.1" Velociraptor Front and Rear specific tread pattern
Front Hub Joy Tech Alloy double sealed QR, 32H
Rear Hub Joy Tech Alloy Cassette double sealed 8-speed QR, 32H
Spokes Stainless steel 14 gauge
Nipples Brass CP
Front Brake Tektro SCD-5 Linear Pull w/ 60mm MC pads, linear springs and Self-Centering device
Rear Brake Tektro SCD-5 Linear Pull w/ 60mm MC pads, linear springs and Self-Centering device
Brake Levers Shimano ST-EF29
Handlebar Schwinn Butted Alum. 20 mm Rise, 9 degree bend, 620 mm wide
Stem Schwinn Ride Tuned TIG welded threadless , 10 degree rise with forged front load cap
Grips Schwinn double density Kraton / Gel
Headset FPD Threadless 1 1/8"
Saddle WTB Speed V Sport w/ Comfort Zone
Seat Post Schwinn Ride-Tuned Alloy with cold-forged alloy head 27.2 x 350mm
Seat Clamp Alloy Low-Profile QR w/ forged clamp
Extras Seat post water bottle mounting clamps


Wife


Trek 3700
Linked
Front Suspension RST, 63mm
Wheels
Wheels Alloy hubs; Matrix 550 rims
Tires Bontrager Connection Trail, 26x2.0"
Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano EF29
Front Derailleur Shimano C051
Rear Derailleur Shimano Acera
Crankset SR 48/38/28
Cassette Sunrace 13-34, 7 speed
Pedals Nylon platform
Components
Saddle Bontrager Sport
Seatpost Bontrager
Handlebars 25.4, 30mm rise
Stem Bontrager, 25.4, 25 degree
Headset Aheadset, semi-cartridge, sealed
Brakeset Tektro V w/Shimano STI levers

Specalized Hardrock Womens Sport
Linked
FRAME A1 Premium Aluminum, Designs For Women geometry, DT/HT 3D box gusset, forged dropouts with reinforced disc mount and eyelets, replaceable forged alloy derailleur hanger, designed for 100mm travel fork
FORK RST Gilla T5, 100mm travel, preload adjust, 28.6mm Cr-Mo stanchion and 1-1/8” steerer, coil/MCU spring
HEADSET 1 1/8” threadless, sealed loose ball, alloy cap
STEM Specialized Mobius, alloy, 10 degree rise
HANDLEBARS Alloy, 38mm rise, 9 degree sweep
TAPE / GRIPS Specialized “Telluride” double density Kraton
FRONT BRAKE Tektro “V”, linear spring, stainless steel pipe
REAR BRAKE Tektro “V”, linear spring, stainless steel pipe
BRAKE LEVERS Shimano Altus
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Acera, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Acera
SHIFT LEVERS Shimano Altus
CASSETTE Shimano HG-50, 8-speed, 11x32t
CHAIN Shimano IG-31
CRANKSET Truvativ X-Flow, alloy, capless bolts
CHAINRINGS 42t Cr-Mo x 32t heat-treated Cr-Mo x 22t heat-treated Cr-Mo
BOTTOM BRACKET Truvativ, 68x113mm, square taper, sealed cartridge bearing with drive side crank stop
PEDALS Dual sided, composite body, steel cage, toe clip compatible
RIMS Alex DH-20, 26"x1.5", double wall, machined side wall, black
FRONT HUB Joy-Tech, 36 hole, ground race double sealed loose ball with alloy QR
REAR HUB Joy-Tech, freehub, 36 hole, ground race double sealed loose ball with alloy QR
SPOKES 2.0mm (14g) stainless steel, brass nipples, L267/R267mm front, L266/R264mm rear
FRONT TIRE Specialized Enduro Sport, 26"x2.2", wire bead
REAR TIRE Specialized Enduro Sport, 26"x2.2", wire bead
TUBES Specialized schraeder valve
SADDLE Specialized Body Geometry Sport ATB Women’s
SEAT POST Alloy 30.9mmx300/350mm, micro adjust
SEAT BINDER Alloy QR, 36mm I.D.
NOTES Chain stay protector, reflectors, clear coat, owners manual


Please feel free to share any models you are won over with (relative to price) for performance and value made by GT, Gary Fisher, Trek, Schwinn, or Specalized(limited to these per my vendor). Again looking for a base of around $500 MSRP for me and $350 for my wife.

Also, should I scrap the idea of a Scwhinn Rocket in favor for a hardtail with disc's?

Specialized bikes
Trek Bikes
Schwinn Bikes
Fisher Bikes GT Bikes

Thanks for any help/comments!

Raiyn

Read through the thread. there's even a chart a few posts up

Raiyn

You should drop the idea of full suspension AND discs in the price point. Read the thread somemore.

crashnburn

Thanks for the advice, with respect to the favorable and unfavorable charts I have looked at a couple other options:
GT 2005 Avalanche 3.0 Disc (MSRP $400) - Has Tektro IO cable actuated disc brake, FD Suntour XC-202, RD Shimano Acera, Fork SR Suntour XC-60 one piece aluminum lowers with disc mount and preload adjustment Linked
GT 2005 Avalanche 2.0 Disc (MSRP $500) - Has Tectro Aquilla brakes, FD Suntour XCC-322, RD Shimano Deore, Fork Marzocchi MZ- Comp, Linked
GT 2005 Avalanche 1.0 Disc (MSRP $600 - can splurge)- Avid cable actuated disc brake, FD Suntour XCC-504, RD Shimano Deore LX, Fork Rock Shock Judy C Linked
Trek 4500 (MSRP $600 - can splurge)- Has Shimano 495, mechanical disc w/alloy levers, FD Shimano Acera, RD Shimano Deore, Fork RockShox Judy TT w/preload adjust Linked
Gary Fisher Marlin - Has Promax V brakes w/alloy levers, FD Alivio, RD Shimano Deore, Fork Manitou Axel Comp w/TPC Lock-Out


From what I gathered you thing the following components are crap - Brakes Hays mx2's (are HMX's ok?) Forks Judy TT and RST Gilla Plus 5 and suntour (Is the Marzocchi ok how about the Judy c?) , And a person should go for at least a Alvio/Aceria or Deore derailures if they can get it.

Please suggest what I should pick up - I will worry about my wifes later :-) I am limited to Trek, GT, Schwinn and Gary Fisher - I really want a good (not great) disc option to start as it will hard to scale this with it's expense in the future ( I can up my entry price a bit considering this $650 max MSRP). If your advice is aginst the GT or Schwinn just because Pacific bought them I am not concerned unless there has been a drop in quality. I again appreciate all of your knowledgeable help and your opinions are respected. THANKS!!

santiago

I am not a fan of Dorel. Dorel has been fined in the past for failing to report product failures that have resulted in the deaths of babies through their Cosco and Safety 1st brands. https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/cosco.html

Dorel is also the parent company of Pacific Cycles. Any company that allows children to die for profits does not deserve any business. https://www.pacific-cycle.com/news/news_detail.php?id=18

All of my statements above are documented. Please follow the links.

crashnburn

I understand this, however it is the case with all large companies. Haven't you seen fight club? That recall statement is entirely true.. If the net sum of all settlements is < cost of recall then don't do it. I am after the best value here, the Fisher Marlin looks pretty good and I have rode several thosand miles on Genisiss geometry.

Any thoughts on the Haro Xtreme X1? Here

How about the Marzocchi MZ- Comp fork?

santiago

This is a strange argument. You're saying that you're looking for the best value and you think you may find it in a company that may (or may not) hide defects in their products that may result in death or injury. I do not feel comfortable buying a bike from a company that has knowingly hidden defects in the past. You are obviously allowed to choose this course of action but given what we use our bikes for, I think there are better choices out there.

Raiyn

There has been a SIGNIFIGANT drop in quality of the new GT's and Schwinns as opposed to the pre Pacific days. Pacific and later Dorel industires as capitalized on the Schwinn brand and used it to sell inferior bikes to the public. I'd sooner ride a Cannondale than a new Schwinn

willtsmith_nwi

I ride anywhere from 260 lbs to 270lbs. I have ABUSED my fork. It is AOK. The fork is adequete. And I don't think you'll get much better at that pricepoint. No it is not a downhill or jumping fork. But the Yukon is a cross-country bike.

MX-2 discs are trying to dial in. But once you do, you can lock up your wheels with a reasonable amount of lever pressure. Most pad/rim brakes are harder to tune than an MX-2.

The Yukon now has decent cranks over last year. The drivetrain has a Deore derailleur but the alivio shifters aren't so hot (no worries, most bikes in it's class come with the same shifter/brake pods). It would rock if Giant ditched Shimano and shipped with X.7.

willtsmith_nwi

The other downside is that you haven't established a relationship with a local bike shop. After you buy a bike, those guys will do a lot more for you. They'll tune up your bike and sometimes even swap out components that aren't quite working right for you.

eBay is for experienced bike guys who know EXACTLY what they want and know EXACTLY how to maintain it.

willtsmith_nwi

Say that in the rain with an untrue wheel.

Raiyn

Disc brakes at this price level are unnecessary. They suck money from from other components. Remember it's all about profits and discs and the related parts are expensive. The money has to come from somewhere

santiago

My LBS is killing me. He still didn't get his order of Rockhoppers and I'm itching to take it out. I even managed to find a local club and joined it so that as soon as I get my bike in, I'll start taking it out with them.

Anyway, the other LBS has Gary Fischer Marlins and Kona Blasts in stock. I haven't ridden those yet because the concensus was that I should get the Specialized and was waiting to ride it first. I may go out to ride the Marlin and Blast tomorrow to see if I love either of them. My question is, is the Blast worth the $100+ over the Marlin/Rockhopper? What if I can get them to go down on the price of the Blast? Is it worth it? (Can you tell I'm itching to get my bike?)

antiloop

im trying to decide between the hardrock and the rockhopper. my lbs has the rockerhopper for 450 is that good price? which bike is all around better? lighter?

i like how the rockhopper looks better. other then that, i dont really know.

CaptainClegg

Anyone have any thoughts on the Fisher Marlin VS. Trek 4300. Both the same price. I am leaning towards the Marlin but I am new to this. I will be test driving them this week/

Raiyn

For the last 2 posters. Ride the bikes, beyond that go back through the thread to find answers. Those are 4 of the moist commonly mentioned bikes in the thread

antiloop

i have actualy went thru this whole thread a few times, and i did ride them both around the parking lot, i like them both, so im trying to decide which to get based on which has better components , the rockhopper is 150 more so im trying to decide if its worth that ?

siliconSmith

I'm looking for a cheap MTB. I have posted here before and was recommended to get a beater from a thrift store/pawn shop as I will mostly be using the bike to commute to campus, and some trail riding on weekends. Well, I don't want to do that because I will not know if a used bike is defective when buying it, and a second reason is that I want to get a bike with the right fit and establish a relationship with an LBS for future tune-ups, etc. Bikes do get stolen on campus, but I see a lot of good brands too. So I figure if I use a bad a$$ lock, I should be good.

So, I visited 5-6 bike shops, and found a Giant Rincon and a Specialized Hardrock Sport both for approximately $330. The salesman in the shop selling the Rincon told me that the Rincon has better deraillers and components. But in this thread, the Hardrock is highly praised while the Rincon is hardly mentioned, even though Giant makes Specialized frames. Why so?

Also, I can get last year's Giant Boulder SE for $220. $330 is really stretching it for me, so is the Boulder SE a good option?

I would really appreciate any input.

Raiyn

I have yet to have someone prove this. Specialized makes it's frames in conjunction with Merida

CaptainClegg

Well I have read through the thread and my question was not answered. I found a few things about a trek 4500 but I was not asking about that model. If anyone could be of more help that would be great!

TPW

The Marlin has the Fisher Genesis Geometry so you really need to ride them and decide what you feel more comfortable on. At the price point you are looking at the components are all going to be about the same. Comfort is the most important thing....

CaptainClegg

Thanks! I plan on riding them later this week.

Iron Chef

It would be nice to be able to try both of them out riding uphill. I feel I climb easier with the Genesis frame. Maybe it is all in my head.

CaptainClegg

Well I got to ride a Trek 4500 and a Speicalized HardRock Sport Disc, and I must say that I am do not like the HardRock at all. The bike feels to bulky, in contrast the Trek was responsive and agile. I am still wanting to try the GF Marlin but as of right now I am going with the Trek.

Anyone else have any other bikes that you think I should try before I make my purchase?

santiago

I recommend you try out the Specialized Rockhopper. It is a parallel to the Gary Fischer Marlin other than the Genesis geometry. It is similarly spec'ed and is similarly priced. The HardRock, IMHO, is put together as a bike that does a bunch of stuff okay whereas the RockHopper is is a little more specialized (no pun intended) as a XC bike.

CaptainClegg

Well I would have but they didn't have one in the right size for me. Also there is a price increase with the rockhopper.