Thread: The "around" $500 MTB thread.
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Old 03-23-05 | 11:54 PM
  #381  
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Raiyn
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: St. Petersburg, FL

Bikes: 2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSR Comp, 1999 Specialized Hardrock Comp FS, 1971 Schwinn Varsity

Originally Posted by santiago
From what I've read, the Genesis geometry is a love-it-or-hate-it thing.
That's basically correct
Originally Posted by santiago
I do think that the regular Rockhopper would be a contender but my LBS didn't have it in his price list. He only had the Rockhopper Comp. I suspect it is pricy only because of the "LX" rear derailer. It appears to be higher up in the chain based on this link:
He can order it, don't let him snow you. If it's out of stock on the company end that's a different matter, but beyond that he can order it. As for the LX derailieur it's a nice thing, but being only two steps down from race level it's not a "must have"
Originally Posted by santiago
I have learned from this thread that in this price range the bikes with disks tend to skimp on the other components.
If you follow the spec lists like I do you'll see that this is true 99.25% of the time
Originally Posted by santiago
I've also seen the Hardrock Sport get positive votes but it has the RST forks (my buddy suggested I avoid these) and it has an "OK" rear derailer.
The RST's are not my first pick for a fork, they'll work OK if you're not a larger rider, and don't plan on going hard, and plan on swapping them out for a closeout fork from one of the mailorder companies
Originally Posted by santiago
Would it be worth checking out other LSB for places that carry GT, Cannondales or other marks?
GT (and Schwinn) was bought out by Pacific Cycles maker of most of the Walmart brands. They really screwed the owners of the previous incarnation's bikes when it came to warranty items. Personally I wouldn't give them a plug nickel's worth of business. Cannondale is really lacking when it comes to this price range, it's more of a name game with them anyhow.
I would try any other brands in your area to get a more complete sampling
Originally Posted by santiago
Last question, when buying from a LSB, can I negotiate tune-ups and/or accessories? The last bike I bought was from a X-Mart about 15 years ago so I have little experience in this area.
Normally there is a discount on accessories built into the purchase of the bike (ie 10% off with purchase). Haggling is usually a waste of breath, but find out what they DO offer.
As for tuneups some shops will give a lifetime tuneups while others will do a one time adjustment, and still others will do a year's worth. Find out what your local shop does and go from there. Bear in mind that if you hang around long enough and can follow simple instructions the vast majority of the easy stuff you can do at home
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