DSSad

I'm a total newbie and have just started looking into MTB.
I saw this bike
https://www.earthspirits.net/Merchant...b03_hondathump

At $200 it seems very cheap for a full suspension bike. I know that it weights 38lbs and I know this is pretty heavy for a bike. Are there any other reasons why it is so cheap? I weight 220lbs but I have very strong legs from running and hiking. I know I need to get something more heavy duty then the average mtb but 38lbs sounds extreme. Any opinions welcome

tFUnK

looks like a dept store bike...although i could be wrong. either way, it's heavy, and it's got low end parts. i don't want to beat a dead horse but i'm willing to bet that after you ride that honda and then ride a real bike store bike, you'll prefer the bike store one.

Cornish_Rdr_UK

hose bikes are finne if your starting out, it will teach you how tyo maintain your bike, as that bike will not last long, cis of its low end parts, your better off buying a front sus bike from a lbs and going from ther. Those bikes are rip offs really...

mikeym

Frame: 18” Y-type Hi-Ten Steel Suspension Frame
Rear Shock: Coil over, 750lbs spring
Fork: Hi-Ten Steel Suspension Fork
Wheels: 36 hole alloy rims
Tires: 26” x 1.95”” knobby MTB
Saddle: Padded MTB
Seatpost: Alloy, Quick Release
Handlebars: Alloy, flat bar with Bar Ends
Stem: Rise, MTB style
Headset: Steel Threadless
Shifters: Microshift® thumbshifters, 21 speed
Front Derailleur: Shimano TY-22
Rear Derailleur: Shimano TZ-30, 7 speed
Crankset: Alloy/Steel 3 piece
Chain & Cogset: 7-speed, 14-28t
Brakeset: Alloy DISC front, Linear Pull Rear
Pedals: MTB style pp plastic
Extras: Rear Mounted Kickstand, CPSC reflector kit, Bar Ends

hmm... i'd go checkout your local bike shop, look for used bikes that are cheap... because the honda is a cheap bike (no offense)... actually i saw a bike called lynx or something like that at kmart, if you want a cheap fs bike with disc brakes for like $120

~mikeym

Dannihilator

I'd look for something better.

mikeym

yeah dude, unfourtiatley... you're probably getting ripped off... thats a kmart brand of bike (i just found the honda bikes at kmart) my advice would be look in the classifieds online, and in your local newspaper... ~ mikeym

stinkyonions

a used bike is always better than a shiny department store bike. plus a hardtail helps you A LOT in developing skills. search the forums for threads on department store bikes since it has been discussed many times and you can probably find some valuable information. just because it is cheap and full suspension does not mean it is high quality. although like others said, if you are strapped for cash it will definitely teach you how to maintain a bike until you upgrade.

Chi

eBay baby!

Zin

I found my Specialized Hard Rock Uno in a local Pawn Shop for $250.00. I was riding a WalMart MGX before I got it. No comparison. The same shop even has a JAMIS Dakar hanging in the window now for around $200.00 asking price. (you never pay asking price in a pawn shop) So look around, you can find a quality ride used in many places. Good luck!

Chuvak

Welcome to forums!

You say you are new to mountain biking, so why don’t you start with a hard tail first (No rear suspension). Is there a reason you want full suspension bike (FS)? Or is it the ”cool look” factor? Visit your local bike shop (lbs) and see what they have, used or new. I can almost guarantee you a better bake that will fit YOU.

DSSad

Actually it’s not the full suspension that I care about. It’s the fact that Honda has a bike that got my interest. I’ve worked with a lot of their engineers and I know that Honda is capable of making some really great things. But I was skeptical that they could make a great bike for $200 and was posting here to see what the deal was.

tFUnK

well assuming honda actually engineered the frame (and not just rebadged a generic one), for $200 you know you are still going to be getting low end parts that won't last on the trails. if you actually knew the details about the frame-making process employed by honda, and they turn out to be decent, then the frame might be worthy of upgrades. otherwise it'll just be a bike that might make you hate bicycling.

edit: OT but i was checking out that site and saw monroe shocks spec'ed on some mtn bikes. i know monroe makes truck struts (on the affordable end) but does anyone have experience with their suspension forks?

mikeym

hey... i believe that the honda bikes are made by huffy... ~ mikeym

Zin

You may be right. They sure do look a lot alike.

Chuvak

You are talking about 2 totally different things, engines and bikes. The bike is just another way to get their name "Honda" out to the public. Would you buy a car from a bike company? I can see the advertisement already, “The first 4X4 from Specialized, the ultimate car of today!” If you want quality get a bike from a bike company not a car company.

Raiyn

How about a motorcycle from a bicycle company - oh wait Crack-n-fail tried that. Honda bicycles are {censored} (same goes for Jeep et al) pure and simple run away from the junk heap and don't look back

Bokkie

By the same token, Porsche made their own bike, and Mercedes made a belt drive bike. I saw both close up, and frankly, having ridden both, I was not impressed with either (a) the weight, (b) the price, (c) the specs. I'd rather invest in a truck-load of horse manure. Much better value for money.

Just because the manufacturers make great cars, does not translate into great bikes. Cannondale got poked in the eye trying to make motocross bikes on the back of their bike division - and look what happened. If Trek popped up with a sports car would you buy it becuase they make great bikes? Probably not.

I Honda were really serious about making a bike, they'd put a lot more into it than just taking a cheap pile of trash and sticking their decal on it. Others'll give you a more balanced view, less biased. I've seen the car manufacturer endorsed bikes, and others'll tell you about the ones made by Jeep. In general, stay away from them. You can buy better for your buck at your lbs.

Chi

Actually Honda did engineer a DH bicycle based on their dirtbike technology. As far as I know, that is the only bicycle they actually "make." Huffy or whoever does the Xmart bikes is just using Honda's name under possible licenses.

Maelstrom 

And the bike was strictly prototype. They have no interest in doing production level dh bikes

mindbogger

i saw that honda bike in one of last months magazines (mbuk?) pretty cool i tell you. High end parts and the whole package wrapped up in one nice bundle.

lamajo25

About 2 months ago I was in Wal-Mart and saw a bike magazine on the racks that had this really elaborate bike made by Honda. It's full suspension, disc brakes, and I believe that it was actually fully automatic transmission (yes you pedal it to make it go still).



They may be marketing some less elaborate bikes to get thier name out there. What better place than the department stores at a lower price.

lamajo25

That one's made by Jeep. Looks pretty nice to me. Then again with a $899.00 price tag it better be.

Chuvak

The suspension design looks like Kona's

Chuvak

What in the world can you use this thing for?

lamajo25

Honda Develops Mountain Bike for Downhill Competitions
--- Will Participate in 2003 Japan Series

Tokyo, February 3, 2003 --- Honda Motor Co., Ltd., as part of its ongoing commitment to spread the dream of mobility, has developed a mountain bike for downhill competitions called the RN01*1 ("RN zero one"), which it will enter in the 2003 Japan Series (all races) and the World Cup (spot participation) in order to develop further technical know-how and enhance the bike's performance.

Machine development and team management will be overseen by Honda R&D Co., Ltd.'s Asaka R&D Center - Honda's motorcycle research and development division - as part of its R&D activities. The team assembled to compete in the 2003 season will be called Team G Cross Honda*2, and the rider will be Naoki Idegawa, who was ranked 68th in the world and 5th in the Japan Series for 2002.

Distinguishing characteristics of the RN01 include a frame that has been subjected to rigorous strength analysis and reinforced in those sections where the stresses are greatest, plus the use of a suspension made by Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd. The brakes, developed in partnership with Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd., are lightweight and deliver superior braking and control. A transmission mechanism employing such newly developed technology as frame mounting for reduced unsprung weight is being tried out for the first time on this bike.

Downhill racing is a bicycle race that typically takes place on snowless ski slopes or other downhill courses. Racers compete against the clock, reaching speeds of up to 70~80km/h. Each year there are seven World Cup races, one World Championship race, six Japan Series races, one Japan National Championship race, and one Asian Championship race. Due to the extreme ruggedness of the courses, the machines must be highly rigid and durable. Honda is adapting the technology it has accumulated in motocross racing to sharpen its competitive edge.

How the names were chosen: *1 The "RN01" machine name: The name combines R and N, which stand for Racing and Natural force ("nature's power"), followed by "01" to indicate that this is the first model.
*2 The "G Cross" team name: The name is a combination of G for Gravity and the 'Cross' from motocross.




RN01





Rider Profile Naoki Idegawa
Birth date: April 22, 1980
Birthplace: Hiroshima Prefecture
Height: 172cm
Weight: 71kg
Blood type: A

Career highlights:
1996 Japan National Championship 1st place
1997 Asian Championships 3rd place
2000 Japan National Championship 3rd place
2001 Joined an overseas team and began competing on the World Cup circuit.
2002 World ranking: 68th, Japan Series ranking: 5th