Question about Pacific 26" Elite
 

Hi Guys,

I woudl really appreciate it if someone can give me the low down on this bike..and if it is any good to go mountain biking... Also if anyone has an idea about how much it costs and where I can buy it, please let me know.

I found this listed on their site http://www.pacific-cycle.com/brands/...rameset-1.html but was unable to get information as to where I can buy it and how much it costs.

Thanks a bunch!!

How much do you want to spend on a bike?

A Pacific bike can usually be found at Walmart or department stores. It is not a bike designed to be used for actual mountain biking, but rather for riding around the neighborhood and *maybe* unsealed fireroads. Assembly will be the biggest concern, as they'll usually be put together by untrained low-paid assemblers, not skilled bicycle mechanics. You'll get no service backup from the retailer. It's a bike that might be good to get you interested in cycling, but if it is assembled as poorly as some that I have seen it could just as easily turn you off cycling for good!

These bikes are usually offered in one size only, and when it comes to bikes one size does not fit all! If it does happen to fit you and you do decide to buy one, at the very least take it in to a dedicated bike shop and have them give it a good look over from an assembly and safety standpoint.

My advice? Save up about $300 and go to a dedicated local bike shop (LBS). There you'll get a bike with a strong, quality frame in the size that fits you. It will be assembled by a trained bike mechanic and come with service backup (often free lifetime tuneups). Good options here are Giant, Trek and Specialized.

Good luck!

Run away, run away from that bike as quickly as you can!!!

It's a DISPOSABLE bike. If you have the mentality to buy it cheap and buy it often, then go for it. It's a great way to introduce yourself to the sport without a lot of cash outlay. Just realize that it won't hold up long and if you do get interested in the sport you'll need to buy a new bike in 6 months to a year.

I suggest saving some more money (or increasing your budget) to the $300 price point and buying a bike from a BIKE SHOP. Bike Shop bikes are available in a variety of sizes, are professionally built, and are maintained and backed by the shop from where you buy it. Also, you establish a relationship with other riders (through the shop) and can find out about local trails and people to ride with.

L8R

Pacific lists many bikes in their '26"' lineup. You need to point to an exact model. However, I will tell you that general consensus from those on this forum is that these types of low-end dept. store bikes are:

• Made from low-quality material and components
• Have suspect build quality
• Have suspect design attributes
• Not suited for offroad riding. Some might go so far as to say they're not even suited for road riding.
• Are prone to breakdowns even when properly maintained
• Hard to maintain... expect to spend more in the long run than if you were to have bought a higher quality but slightly more expensive bike
• Not generally sold by any retailler who is knowledgable about bikes although many bike shops do see a lot of these types of bikes come in for constant repair work
• Not generally sold by any retailler who will service and support the bike
• Typically has an expected (from the manufacturer) lifespan of around a couple of hundred miles

I'm sure I'm missing some other points but you get the general idea. This forum is littered with many posts on this subject. Do a search for something like "Mongoose" (Mongoose is owned by Pacific) and you'll dig up a few discussions on the topic.


You can typically find these bikes at discount department stores such as Target, K-Mart and Walmart. I woul strongly advise against buying bikes from those types of stores. I would highly suggest you visit a real bike shop, explain your needs and test ride a bunch of bikes. I would also suggest you visit as many shops as is practical to get a good sampling of what's available for both fit, performance, service and price.

Dang booyah, er I mean Stubacca,

You must've been typing at the same time as me. Interesting that we both share many of the same thoughts.....hmmmm. Maybe because we KNOW what we're talking about!

L8R

You too Khuon!

Here's a few much better options, and well worth saving up the extra dollars:

Trek 820
Trek 4100
Specialized Hardrock XC
Specialized Hardrock Sport

hehe... great minds etc etc :D

Or maybe it's because I've helped out a few too many people with bad shifting, breaking Pacifics and Huffys... ;)

I think we've all been responding to so many of these types of posts (especially lately) that regurgitating the same answers becomes almost second nature by now. That and because I think every one of us has had some experience (mostly bad) either directly or indirectly with the Huffy/Murray/Next/Vertical/Magna/$INSERT_YOUR_CHEAPO_WALLY_WORLD_BRAND_HERE bikes of the world.

redcedarbum, please don't take us for being snobs. We're just trying to relate to you our experiences to help keep you from possibly making a bad decision. In the end, it's your money and while the advice you receive over the Internet is worth what you paid for, sometimes it's still good and valid advice.

Agreed!

redcedarbum - to answer your question on price. Whle I don't know for sure, most comparable bikes at department stores sell for $100-$150.

Agreed!

My Father (whom I love and respect dearly) is of the mentality (in most things) to buy it cheap, use it up, and then buy it again.

I'm of the mentality that I buy the best I can afford, take care of it, and I won't have to buy it again for years.

i.e. I ONLY buy quality tools like Craftsmen or Husky, or bike related Park and Pedro's.

My Dad buys cheap crap tools and uses them till they break (and they do) and then he throw them away!

L8R

The other option is to find a used MTB that is in your price range, maybe a bit beat up, but is of a decent caliber. I've seen so many used, but almost new bikes for sale around here because a young couple bought matching bikes to do "together time" biking, then decided mowing the lawn on Saturdays was more important. If you find a used bike from someone you trust for a good price, post the specs (including the size and your height), and I'm sure the folks here will help you decide if it's a bargain.

A note on dept store bikes. I bought a Huffy MTB (sic) several years ago, alum frame but no shock. The first ride the pedal fell off and stripped the crankarm! I got it in a different town from where I was staying, and the local K-Mart wanted to ship the bike back to the factory for the repair, taking several weeks. I went to a local bike shop and got a new arm for $5. However, after that, I put on slicks and the bike has been great for tooling around town. I still wouldn't take it on trails, though!

Try buying a used, but in good shape, bike off eBAY or in your local Iwanna paper. Many hardtails on eBAY can be had for about the same $$$ as you wish to spend on that tank you mentioned. Those type bikes will actually turn you off to the sport simply 'cause they're too damn heavy, constantly tear-up & just don't ride good....

Good luck. I'd buy used 1st.