Originally Posted by Raiyn
You could do that as well. If it were a case where it wasn't a first time MTB buyer I'd suggest moving on to a higher model if possible.
The bikes in this pricepoint are solid entry level bikes that are intended to get people interested in the sport so that they can decide to- Continue in the sport upgrading to a more expensive bike later
or
- Decide that they don't like the sport but find that they still aren't out that much money
The #1 thing is "Does the bike FEEL right?" Components are a secondary concern (You really don't want ***** components but it's still not as important as feel.) It's my opinion that buying a bike is 80% FEEL and 20% everything else.
In the words of Snoop Dogg "If the ride is mo' fly then you must buy"
Ok, yeah. I am not a first time buyer, I do have a Trek 830 Mountain X/C. Basically crappy components all around except the rear derailleur. I just got the bike tuned up and it does "feel" pretty good and it gets me around, but all the crappiness from the lousy components is too much for some of the riding I want to do (to the extent that I avoid using the front derailleur at all costs, but not all of the bikes problems are inherently its fault, I have fried some sprockets on the cassette, etc...).
So, I guess I am convinced that I should just save a little longer and look around the $800-$1000 level. The 830 was like $450 in '99 when I got it. If by the time I save up the 1G, I am still as intense about riding as I am now I will purchase in that level. So, it is probably about time for me to leave this thread and find another. After doing all the fun hours of reading websites, finding dealers, looking into warranties, comparing a seemingly endless amount of components, it is time to do it again on totally different bikes ($hit, @#&*%$!*&%^, followed by more explicatives...)
I think I will keep that search narrowed to Trek, Giant, and Specialized. As far as I can tell they seem to have the best frames, life-time warranties, and good components at a reasonable price.
Thanks-
