Companies/Parts To Avoid
#1
Specialized Rider
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 38
Bikes: '08 Specialized Rockhopper Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Companies/Parts To Avoid
As a fairly new guy, a few questions come up when looking at bikes. Figuring out what the best are is pretty easy in most cases. It seems that Specialized and K2 have it down. But a big question that always comes to my mind is "What companies should you avoid?" Usually, that takes care of bad parts, but once in a while there are a few lemons. So what companies/parts do you think it's smart to stay away from?
#2
Giggity giggity!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Danville, Ca
Posts: 1,800
Bikes: Yeti DJ Custom build. X.9, Marzocchi, RaceFace, Gamut, DT, Truvativ, Michelin, Hope.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I personally dont like haro very much but some people on this board are pleased with them.
Just stay away from department store , hummer, and honda bikes.
Just stay away from department store , hummer, and honda bikes.
#3
Still kicking.
While Specialized does, K2 is somewhere there. To give an honest listing would set off a firestorm.
__________________
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
#4
Giggity giggity!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Danville, Ca
Posts: 1,800
Bikes: Yeti DJ Custom build. X.9, Marzocchi, RaceFace, Gamut, DT, Truvativ, Michelin, Hope.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by KonaRider24
To give an honest listing would set off a firestorm.
#5
Still kicking.
Originally Posted by Dirtbike
and honda bikes.
__________________
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
#6
Specialized Rider
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 38
Bikes: '08 Specialized Rockhopper Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by KonaRider24
To give an honest listing would set off a firestorm.
#7
Still kicking.
Originally Posted by Zetal
Trying to state the actual best in order would do that. But I was just kicking out examples. I guess "have it down" was a poor choice of words.
__________________
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
#8
Giggity giggity!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Danville, Ca
Posts: 1,800
Bikes: Yeti DJ Custom build. X.9, Marzocchi, RaceFace, Gamut, DT, Truvativ, Michelin, Hope.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by KonaRider24
Until the DH rig goes for sale.
#9
Still kicking.
Which is the case with DH racing bikes.
__________________
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
#10
Giggity giggity!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Danville, Ca
Posts: 1,800
Bikes: Yeti DJ Custom build. X.9, Marzocchi, RaceFace, Gamut, DT, Truvativ, Michelin, Hope.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Just wondering, how much is the frame going to cost?
#11
Still kicking.
No idea off the top of my head.
__________________
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
Appreciate the old bikes more than the new.
#12
pacifist-vegetarian biker
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 178
Bikes: Iron Horse Triumph, Trek 800, KHS XC604
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Im not a big fan of some of the cannodale propriety stuff. I like the fact That I bought a bike that was equiped with off the shelf SRAM, Avid, and Rock Shox gear, stuff which came with its own manual and would be easy to replace if i needed to. When Buying a frame I look for something that is of a quality Where i wouldn't mind upgrade components on. I have used shimano and sram stuff and Have ever had a major problem with either that wasn't my own fault
#14
Specialized Rider
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 38
Bikes: '08 Specialized Rockhopper Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Raiyn
I have to agree with you there. C'dale proprietary stuff is ever so much fun
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Between the mountains and the lake.
Posts: 16,681
Bikes: 8 bikes - one for each day of the week!
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Cannondale does require more of an after-sale commitment. You must be on good terms with your dealer in order to be happy with the bike. Their stuff works great, but they're as high maintenance as Jennifer Lopez. Personally, I'm warming to Felt, as they seem to be good value and well designed, much like Jamis. Things to avoid? Entry level bikes and entry level components. I'm certain that nearly ever major brand out there offers at least one item or model that is spec'd to a lower price point rather than what we would consider to be an acceptable level of quality.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 239
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I would also avoid Cannondale bikes like the plague.
Even the simple rigid bike I bought 10 years ago was difficult to upgrade due to Cannondale using an off-sized head tube. That Lefty and Headshock stuff is even worse.
Even the simple rigid bike I bought 10 years ago was difficult to upgrade due to Cannondale using an off-sized head tube. That Lefty and Headshock stuff is even worse.
#18
:\ ping of death
Join Date: May 2003
Location: GA
Posts: 1,382
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Zetal
It seems that Specialized and K2 have it down.
#19
Wood Licker
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Whistler,BC
Posts: 16,966
Bikes: Trek Fuel EX 8 27.5 +, 2002 Transition Dirtbag, Kona Roast 2002
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Avoid
1 - canondale
2 - any other seatpost but thomson
3 - hayes mechs or promax mechs
4 - under xt hubs, rapid rise sucks ass, flippy shifters do to. I tend to like after market rear hubs
5 - 9mm front axle forks
6 - Tioga wheels (owned 3 different kinds and they all blew)
7 - No love for truvativ bb's. I went through 3 before I trashed them in place of fsa
Loves
1 - wtb saddles
2 - thomson seatposts (there is no comparison)
3 - marzocchi forks
4 - Maxxis wheels
5 - ryno lites for trails, 321ds (or whatever they are) for freeriding/dh
6 - The new avids hydros are the best value brakes around
7 - anything by fsa makes me happy
8 - e13 chainguides
Thats the short list.
1 - canondale
2 - any other seatpost but thomson
3 - hayes mechs or promax mechs
4 - under xt hubs, rapid rise sucks ass, flippy shifters do to. I tend to like after market rear hubs
5 - 9mm front axle forks
6 - Tioga wheels (owned 3 different kinds and they all blew)
7 - No love for truvativ bb's. I went through 3 before I trashed them in place of fsa
Loves
1 - wtb saddles
2 - thomson seatposts (there is no comparison)
3 - marzocchi forks
4 - Maxxis wheels
5 - ryno lites for trails, 321ds (or whatever they are) for freeriding/dh
6 - The new avids hydros are the best value brakes around
7 - anything by fsa makes me happy
8 - e13 chainguides
Thats the short list.
#20
Senior Goat Hearder
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 169
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Cannondale's are for Mac users, people who like to have a one stop shop (because there is only maker of most primary parts) and pay dearly for it. Stay away from them.
#23
I Am Online Now!
Join Date: May 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 350
Bikes: Bianchi Pista, LeMond Poprad, Specialized Allez
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
When I worked at Gotham Bikes we were always waiting for weeks to months for Cannondale parts whenever someone brought in their bike with something like the Lefty fork on it. Hard to get replacement parts from Cannondale.
I wouldn't buy a Cannondale MTB either (or a road bike).
I wouldn't buy a Cannondale MTB either (or a road bike).
__________________
I rock peas on my head but don’t call me a pea head.
Bees on my head but don’t call me a bee head.
Bruce Lee’s on my head but don’t call me a Lee head.
Now please excuse me, I gots to get my tree fed.
I rock peas on my head but don’t call me a pea head.
Bees on my head but don’t call me a bee head.
Bruce Lee’s on my head but don’t call me a Lee head.
Now please excuse me, I gots to get my tree fed.
#24
Too Much Crazy
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: NY
Posts: 3,660
Bikes: Eriksen 29er, Gunnar Roadie, Niner RLT, Niner RIP 9
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 116 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
I think carbon seatposts are parts to stay away from.
File them under completely unnecessary
File them under completely unnecessary
#25
Light Makes Right
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Green Mountain, Colorado
Posts: 1,520
Bikes: Gianni Motta Criterium, Dean Hardtail
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by crashnburn
Cannondale's are for Mac users