Jerronc

What do you all think about this bike? I know nothing about mountain bikes but am looking to get one within 3 months hopefully. Are there any other bikes around that price range that are better or compareable? I like that look of mountain bike, kind of a stupid reason to get one, but hey, it's the truth. A little info; I'm not going to be doing anything crazy with it. I just want to be able to go out and have fun trail rides, as well as do some downhill stuff and be able beat it pretty hard without it falling apart.

Dannihilator

Avoid that bike at all costs, it is trouble. Just go for a ht.

iamlucky13

I'm not at all keen on that bike, although, I admit I have never ridden. I do know that it is an old design, and does not pedal very efficiently, because the rear suspension bobs. Trek does not put a very impressive parts package on it either. For the money, you would be better off to get a hardtail like the 4500 or 4900. You might be surprised how much you can do on one if you focus on being smooth. Plus a hardtail will be noticeable easy to pedal uphill and on long rides than the Y-26. Giant and Specialized also offer similar bikes.

If you really do think that full-suspension is what you need, you should consider spending more and getting a more efficient and modern design. Probably the least expensive decent such bike is the Jamis Dakar. Most other companies' decent full suspension option start at around $1000, so $300 more than the entry level Jamis. The fork and drivetrain may not be quite as nice, but it's a decent frame design.

a2psyklnut

I agree, the Y-design from Trek is an abortion of full suspension design. It's an experiment gone BAD!

That's me being NICE about it!


You can do much better. What is your budget? A decent full suspension bike that gets decent reviews for around $500 is the Giant Warp. I haven't test ridden one in years, but I've heard they've come a long way. I think I test rode a 2001 model and it was JUNK, but I understand newer models are significantly improved and are "Decent" bikes for the money.

I think Raiyn works at a Giant dealer, you should PM him and ask his opinion.

L8R

diamondback_man

whoa! lets see a picture of this thing!!

diamondback_man

Nevermind, i found a pic of it on the site. Ewww.. it looks like one of those wal-mart bikes. Personally, i would much rather buy a decent hardtail for that price.

a2psyklnut

That's what I would recommend ANYWAYS, but if you MUST have full squish, I understand they're decent. Not good mind you, but decent!

L8R

Jerronc

I really apreciate everyones responses. From the reviews I'm deffinatly NOT getting that bike. I see, now thinking about it, the way that rear suspension is set up it would was a lot of energy with each pedel rotation. If a hardtail is going to be my best bet, what are your recomendations as to the best one for, preferably under, but if not then around, $800 - $1000? Thanks again

diamondback_man

The 2004 DiamondBack Apex is only around 600$-700$(CAD) maybe a slight bit more expensive. Strong, light, an awesome bike all&all.

https://www.diamondback.com/items.asp...temid=121&va=0

Iron Chef

If you want to spend less than $800. Maybe a Trek 4900, or Gary Fisher Marlin, or a Specialized Rock Hopper,(basic model) will do what you want. Use the left over funds to get shoes, cleats and fun accessory items. I myself want the GF Tassajara but that is a little more money. ($670)

Heck the Trek 820 is a good bike if you just want a blike to ride around. I would much rather have the 820 than that Y26 pogo stick. But that is just me and I am not a mountain biker either. I just like to ride bikes a lot and do things on the cheap.

Good luck.

Jerronc

Thanks for the info guys. Always nice to be saved from making a regretful decision

iamlucky13

$800-$1000 gives you quite a bit of selection in hardtails, even a few decent full-suspension bikes. For hardtails, definitely check out the local dealers for Trek, Giant, and Specialized, and also see what of the smaller brands they offer, as well. Most of smaller companies' rides are just as good as the big 3.

pual

For $1000 USD you can get a Kona Caldera...pretty nice hardtail for the price. You get XT/deore rear/front, hayes hydros and a decent fork (zocchi EXR Pro 100mm)

Raiyn

It's not terrible it's just not something I'd recommend to a friend

adelii

Had to chime in about this. As much as everybody ragged on this bike, its 2016 and i still got this bike.

I used this bike for about 10 years before i had enough money to buy myself a beautiful Fuel.

I was looking at it the orher day and really want to refurbish it. My first real bike that everybody hated. Its still alive though. Has original drive train(it skips) but original and i replaced brake levers. And upgraded the rear shock way back when. This bike has gone through hell and back.

Probably was a bad design or bad whatever. but i loved it, got me in shape, and got me into mountain biking. Its now going to be fixed up and mounted on my wall as Vintage Art lol

stockae92

Glad you are not going for the Y frame design. I actually had one back in the "old" days, a Gary Fisher version of it.

The problem with it was every seated pedal stroke, the bike will unweight the rear tire, which makes climbing in lose trail handful sometimes. Mine had a lock out in the rear, so it climb a little better, but of course, I lose out on the benefit of having a rear suspension on the climb.

I couldn't get rid of it fast enough and replaced it with a Specialized FSR, that was day and night

If you want to cruise around, then the Y is not a bad museum piece, otherwise, I much rather live with a entry level modern 29er HT these days

adelii

Yea i also bought a shock with lockout on mine. It changed the while bike actually. Im now honna buy a fork for it, just to remember the ol days.

OldGoose52

Consider hitting your a lbs for purchasing a rental. Can save a ton of money if they have what you want. You can get a better bike for less money.

osco53

Looks like all those current walmart FS bikes.

People bring them to The Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve now and then, Mostly the bikes get walked out,,No longer ride-able.

rebelcontender

Holy thread revival Batman!

adelii

Thanks. i thought it would be fun to bring er back up