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So which would you choose?

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So which would you choose?

Old 01-04-12, 02:56 PM
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So which would you choose?

Looking at entry level hardtail mtn bikes.

Curious as to which one you would choose from these 7 and why.

https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik...railxr_bk.html

https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik...railx1_bl.html

https://www.scott-sports.com/us_en/pr...0/55716/217995

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...ck/7509/44529/

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...cname=Mountain

https://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/mountain/talus-3-0-12/

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes.../sport/820/820

Last edited by flyingscotsman; 01-05-12 at 06:24 AM. Reason: Added another bike
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Old 01-04-12, 04:38 PM
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If that Scott has double wall rims, that would be my pick. Otherwise I'd go for the Giant. Of course opinions will vary.
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Old 01-04-12, 07:32 PM
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I'd say 6:1 ; 1/2dzther...except for the first Jamis. Quill stems suck!
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Old 01-04-12, 07:37 PM
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I'd probably get something used for $400 and get a much nicer bike for the money.
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Old 01-04-12, 09:50 PM
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I'd probably get the Scott because it looks the best aesthetically. Other than that, +1^
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Old 01-05-12, 01:16 AM
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What? No Specialized? Who cares what I think about these bikes?

This smells of "which bike should I buy" thread....
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Old 01-05-12, 06:25 AM
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Originally Posted by ed
I'd say 6:1 ; 1/2dzther...except for the first Jamis. Quill stems suck!
Missed that with the stem, thanks.
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Old 01-05-12, 06:27 AM
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Originally Posted by ed
I'd probably get something used for $400 and get a much nicer bike for the money.
+2

Most of those look very breakable. If you want to ride them on rail trails I'm sure they're great but any kind of rocky trail would be a nightmare.
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Old 01-05-12, 06:31 AM
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Originally Posted by commo_soulja
What? No Specialized? Who cares what I think about these bikes?

This smells of "which bike should I buy" thread....
There you go added a Specialized to the list.

Yes it does smell of which bike, I was actually talking to a co-worker and where talking about entry level bike shop mountain bikes.

The conclusion we came to do is they are all pretty much the same and anybody purchasing one should make the purchase choice based on two factors how did they like the feel of the bike and how the bike shop treated them.

I thought I would ask on the forum what people thought of the entry level bikes, so far other than the stem on one bike they do appear all the same and it mostly it appears that no one is any better than the other. I was looking for confirmation.
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Old 01-05-12, 11:35 AM
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i'd take the cannondale all the way
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Old 01-05-12, 12:05 PM
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Originally Posted by junkyard
i'd take the cannondale all the way
Jerkyard...................
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Old 01-05-12, 12:08 PM
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Originally Posted by flyingscotsman
The conclusion we came to do is they are all pretty much the same and anybody purchasing one should make the purchase choice based on two factors how did they like the feel of the bike and how the bike shop treated them.
This, in a nutshell, is the be-all/end-all answer to the thousands of "what-entry-level-bike-to-buy" threads that get posted here. Wish there was a macro that would just spit this out when the poster hits "submit."
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Old 01-05-12, 12:24 PM
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And boil that nutshell down even smaller to read: get the one you like.
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Old 01-05-12, 01:38 PM
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Originally Posted by commo_soulja
What? No Specialized? Who cares what I think about these bikes?

This smells of "which bike should I buy" thread....
The question doesn't belong in the "Bikeshopping.net / which bike should I buy" thread b/c the OP gave a few choices. I won't move a thread there unless there are no options whatsoever.

The first thing I was thinking was to suggest a Specialized, but since the OP asked about specific bikes and the Hardrock wasn't in his list at the time, I refrained. (I also went to Jenson and looked at closeout bikes, but they're pretty-well picked through)

Now that the OP has thrown the Hardrock up there...no question.

Last edited by ed; 01-05-12 at 01:42 PM.
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Old 01-05-12, 04:56 PM
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So it would appear by far the two with the best opinions are :-

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...ck/7509/44529/

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...cname=Mountain


Not sure why I did not have the hardrock listed it was one I had been looking at.
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Old 01-05-12, 07:00 PM
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The Hardrock has a bomb proof, if heavy, frame. Great bike. Looooove mine.
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Old 01-05-12, 07:04 PM
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Originally Posted by ESW116
. . . bomb proof, . . . .
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post13636584
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Old 01-05-12, 07:06 PM
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My shop has Hardrocks in Blackout or blackout with decals and hubs that are anodized orange or green. For entry level another 150 bucks would get you a cool looking ride.
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Old 01-05-12, 07:09 PM
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pft okay.

the integrity of the frame of the specialized hardrock rivals that of a cold war bunker
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Old 01-05-12, 08:01 PM
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Originally Posted by ESW116
pft okay.

the integrity of the frame of the specialized hardrock rivals that of a cold war bunker

Awesome description
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Old 11-17-16, 07:34 PM
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So never did purchase a mountain bike, started looking around again and this is what appears locally at entry level price range, any tips or thoughts?


https://coolbreezecyclery.com/product...6-209651-1.htm

https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/trailxsport.html

https://www.performancebike.com/webap...400308__400308

https://www.performancebike.com/webap...400308__400308


https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/pr...g=Wheel%20Size

https://www.rei.com/product/892247/c...-275-bike-2017
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Old 11-18-16, 07:47 AM
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In that price range for a HT I think I would go with this, Save up to 60% off new Mountain Bikes - MTB - Motobecane Fantom 29COMP
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Old 11-18-16, 04:51 PM
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^^ Stay well away from BikesDirect catalog-frame sh**. BD mountain bikes are aimed at roadies who are easily dazzled by reading down the component group list. That's not the way to chose a mountain bike; you chose one by fit, geometry, handling and braking.


There, I can say that now that I'm not a moderator and don't have to worry about dissing a site sponsor any more.
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Old 11-18-16, 06:12 PM
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Originally Posted by dminor
^^ Stay well away from BikesDirect catalog-frame sh**. BD mountain bikes are aimed at roadies who are easily dazzled by reading down the component group list. That's not the way to chose a mountain bike; you chose one by fit, geometry, handling and braking.


There, I can say that now that I'm not a moderator and don't have to worry about dissing a site sponsor any more.
So you are calling me roadie who is easily dazzled.?

One I have never ridden a road bike in my life. I actually built my first mountain bike in the 70s before any manufacturer made them.

Two not all BD bikes are bad, and I know this because there are BD stores, it is not online mail order only.

We have a store right here in town and I just bought a 529 HT this year. I went in, looked over their stock, test road, and took one home, very nice bike for the price. Actually nicer than the comparably priced Giant or Specialized, which I also went to the shop and looked at. I now have three bikes in my garage the Motobecane and two Giants, one full suspension.
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Old 11-18-16, 08:54 PM
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Originally Posted by hig4s
In that price range for a HT I think I would go with this, Save up to 60% off new Mountain Bikes - MTB - Motobecane Fantom 29COMP
So while I have considered items from bikes direct in the past, I decided for this purchase I will only purchase from a store where I can be properly fitted for the bike, hence the selection I placed above appears all to be available to purchase in the Charlotte area.
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