21 speed is out of date. YOu ususally want a 8 or 9 in the rear. Diamondbacks generally are not liked anymore because they have become converted to xmart(many of them).

Well I just picked the bike up today. The only mods on the bike is the speedo. The Derailer need a little adjustment. The bike was probably ridden about 4 times. How hard is it to adjust the derailer by myself? The Bike still has warranty and the shop that it was purchased from is about 1hr 30mins away. Can i go to another shop for free adjsutments?

probably not free unless they like you

but no more than $10 for derailleur check ups etc.

I picked up my bike Wednesday...Gary Fisher Mullet - MSRP $600 - I got it for $550 @ Mike's Bikes in Palo Alto, CA.

Front and back disc brakes
Manitou Splice - 100 mm fork

I like it so far I only wish I could make the suspension a little firmer, even at the hardist spot on the knob (all the way clockwise) it's still a little bouncy sometimes. It's a lot better than my old $200 Specialized that had the SR Suntour fork. I'd rate it a 4.5/5 because of the travel adjustment.

Umm yeah thanks. This thread is for bikes with an original MSRP of $500 or less.
$525 I could see, but $600 is too much.

Thanks for the post anyway.

Nice bike doodzapalooza. I like that fork, felt really plush. But it looks wierd! So take that! *is jealous*

What do you guys know about this bike and it's components. Is it worth a shot?

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MakeTrack=true

i dont like carbon fiber bikes

plus it doesnt look like its worth $580, so id say no

How about expanding upon that thought besides just "I don't like carbon fiber bikes"

They are lighter than aluminum and are supposed to be more structurally rigid. I am just wondering if it can endure the lateral stress involved with drops of around 2 feet or so. I don't plan on getting too crazy. Anyway, as far as componentry goes, it seems to have the best setup of anything else I have seen in that price range, complete Shimano Deore from top to bottom, Hayes disc brakes, and Suntour forks (which don't have alot of travel but seem to be good, at least I know you guys hate those Rock Shox Judy TT forks that come on everything else in that price range. And then there is the Montinou Six forks that get stress fractures all the time.) Anyway, before I go blabbing off, I will say I am a newb and am only going off what my research has found so far, so I am more than open to suggestions, I just ask that you expand upon your suggestions to tell me why one is better than the other so as I may learn.

This is what I am looking for. I want a light bike around $500 front suspention only and it has to have trigger shifters and a good derailer. I would like decent brakes, though they don't have to be disks, and It will be mainly used on roads and light trails.

So once again, my focus is for it to be light, have good shifters, and decent brakes whatever they may be.

Thanks for hearing out a newb, and any suggestions are welcome

I don't trust people who build "surplus" frames. It's also too expensive for this thread it's for bikes $500 and under Current bid on that one is $580 way outside of any reasonable round-down margin

the only carbon that has proven itself to me are easton carbon bars, i dont like carbon fiber because it is tempermental persay, after it is scraped/chiped/whatever, it is worthless and stuctually unstable, as for the components theyre from a reputable brand, but they are low end. as for the fork, no no no, stay away from sr suntour, they suck huge ass. i also dont like the look of this auction, the title and description list the fram as giant, but the name on the frame doesnt match, and i dont think giant makes an all carbon frame. i would look into a specialized hardrock, or something similar instead.

It's a scam.

Looks a good buy if legit, Giant sell millions of Suntour forks every year so don't worry about individual parts you can always upgrade when you have the cash. The frame is the most important thing and that looks like something you can build on. All the components seem to be low end Deore but again it's worth building them up on a quality frame. The frame does look a little strange in the picture though.

why would giant sell suntour forks, i thought they were there own company, and the frame doesnt even say giant on it, most likely a scam.

ok, her is the scoop. I did a little digging and this is what I came up with. Giant does design of their frames. Then Giant produces one. They then proceed to feild test it and do more R&D. Then they tweak and redesign it to get what they want as their finished product. Now is the important part. They contract out the construction of their frames, which must meet their design and standard, but it is cheaper and faster to have them produced in a plant that is already able to handle the production load that they need. Well, this company, as yet unknown to me, has been producing these frames for then for a long time. They got to thinking, "hey, we are sitting here making frames for Giant at a profit of say $10 a frame. Why don't we make our own company "Worcycle" and make our own frames and sell a complete bike for say $300 profit." So that is what they did, they designed their own frame loosely base off of Giant, and then did just like everyone else, slapped on a bunch of other company's parts, like shimano shifters and suntour forks and Hayes brakes. After all, when you get right down to it, maybe 10% of a Giant is accually made by Giant, the rest they just peice together and then slap their name on it.

Anyway, that is what I dug up, though I may still be wrong. It seems that the company that accually produces Giant frames has made one of their own. This new company is Worcycle, and the bike that I put the link to is their "Sick" model. Anyway, under these circumstances, it should be a pretty good bike. They have been making frames for quite some time for Giant, so they know the right specs, and it seems as though they slapped some good parts on it for the price range of the bike.

Let me know what you guys think about it.

there are in fact many good carbon/part carbon frames, and bikes, but these cost thosands of dollars, i dont think that for 500+ shipping youll get that great of one, like i said before, there are tons of better bike around this price range, plus when buying from ebay, you dont get to ride the bike before you buy it, which is very important in purchasing a new bike

Definately plausible, and most companies do this to some degree. But keep in mind Worcycle may skimp on some sections of build quality that Giant may not. They may also redesign to save money. Take for example the Horst linkage, they may change the pivot positions in order to avoid paying anyone money to build their bike, which GREATLY changes ride quality.

well fear not. Since It is my first decent bike in a long time of being out of the hobby I decided to go get some advice from the LBS. Glad I did. I was just looking at getting some info and ended up walking out with a 2004 Diamondback Topanga Comp. You just can't beat the support that a LBS gives as far as support, advice and encouragement when you are a new rider. I think I got a good bike. I like the feel and the components seem very good for the price range. I walked away with it for $475, about $100 off. Anyway, let me know what you guys think as far as the bike, and if I got a deal. He also will service the bike for free as long as I own it.

Thanks guys

Sounds like a good deal to me, Enjoy!

I'm a newb and I'm looking seriously at the Specialized Rockhopper. Test drove it and the GF Marlin and I liked the more upright feel on the Rockhopper. I'm about 5'10" and 160 and was riding a 17" frame. Does that sound about right? If I decided to later upgrade to disc brakes what can I expect to spend on that?

On another note my son is 7 and wants a new bike to ride "off-road". Would a $99 Target bike be ok or should I spend the extra $$ (around $220) and get him the Trek MT60?

Hey Everyone,

I'm getting back into some light mountain biking but I need to purchase a new bike. I have looked at the Kona Lanai and the Trek 3900. I am open to suggestions. I am looking to spend under $400. I mostly ride on bike paths or horse trails, but will be doing some light mountain biking. Thanks for all your help. I'm a fairly big guy around 240#'s... I know a good frame is important. What should I do??

I am in the Los Angeles are if it makes a differrence.

Thanks..
Rez

Disc brakes? Depends, assuming you've got disc mounts/hubs (damn, I never get it right, someone please correct me ) then it'd be around 230 euros for Shimano Deore Hydraulic Discbrakes here in Europe. Depends on if you want mechanical or hydraulic.

On the Rockhopper. If I remember correctly you'll need a new wheelset as the stocker's don't come with disc hubs. Don't worry you can get a decent set for $120 https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/120...-Lite-Rims.htm
I actually use that model myself. As for the Disc brakes themselves I'd suggest https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/126...rake-160mm.htm
$70 a wheel plus cables and housing so for around $300 you'll have and upgraded wheelset AND the best mechanical disc brakes in the industry.

ive gotten pretty seroius into mtb over the last couple of months, and my walmart bike just doesnt cut it anymore. My parents said theyd chip in 340, and the rest of the money is up to me. im thinking the max i'll put in about 150, so that puts me up to 500. Some of the ones im looking at in order of preference:

Ironhorse Warrior Disc: 500
Jamis Durango Sport SX: 500
Trek 4900: 430 (04 model, clearance)
Specialized Hardrock Sport: 340 (wouldnt have to pay for it )
Ironhorse Maverick Disc: 340
Trek 4500: 450?
im also hearing alot about the specialized rockhopper, but i havent demoed it, and v-brakes for 500 seems a little weak.

weight is also a factor...trying to stay under or very close to 30 pounds