Daniel_E

Hi all,
I am considring 3 pairs of bikes (all costs the same) -
Haro V4 2005 model with disc (lx/deore).
Norco sport 2005 model that comes with HYDES disc brakes and Marzocchi MZ shock (deore/deore).
Diamondback topanga comp 2004 model with discs (lx/deore).

I know that each one has its own advantage and disadvantage, but i would like to hear some info about the equipping in each bike, and wich one will you recommended.

Thanks ahed,
Daniel.

a2psyklnut

At that price range the components will all be about the same. One may have a better rear derailleur or a better fork, but really it all boils down to frame geometry, paint color and graphics.

Test ride each and buy the one that's most comfortable.

Personally, I'd stay away from disc brakes at that price range. Unless you get Avid Mechanical discs, you're wasting your money. Buy a "disc ready" bike and upgrade down the road. Spend more money on a bike with the better fork.

My cost assesment priorities are as follows:

Best frame for the money.
Best suspension for the money.
Best cranks.
Best brakes.
Best Shifters.
Everything else.

DjRider04

Exactly....I had something like that happen when I couldnt decide between my Bullit and an ASX. Test rode both, and the Bullit fit much better, and was like $500 cheaper....

Daniel_E

Thanks for the replys.
The norco has good disk brakes (cant remmember the specific model... hydes or something likr that..) and frame, but i doubt the suspension...
on the oder hand the haro v4 has good featurs but i doubt its frame (weight ) and
Tektro disc brakes.
i have also saw a Giant bike with avid disk brakes and a very light frame but a 80 mm sr sountur suspension.
Anyway, what do you think of the v4 frame and the norco suspension because this are my main dilemma.
10x.

a2psyklnut

Haro and Diamondback are bike companies with BMX roots. Their frames are strong and solid.

Don't know the history of Norco, because they're a Canadian Co., but what I've seen they build a good bike.

Honestly, AVID's are the ONLY mechanical discs to consider. Hayes mechanicals are 'o.k.' but aren't in the same league. Vee brakes would probably stop you better and are lighter weight. Don't get discs because they "look" cool. Cheap discs SUCK!

Get the next level up bike w/o discs and a better fork over the bottom of the line crap bike with crap disc brakes.

Upgrade down the road. Seriously. Upgrading to discs aftermarket will run you less than $200. If you can get a couple levels higher in the model line-up with Avid's for less than $200 then save you money and do that. If not then WAIT and upgrade in a year. YOU DON'T NEED DISCS as a beginner (or relatively newbie).

Maelstrom 

I woudl be surprised if the norco has Avids. Norco distributes hayes and I think has a contract with them. Hayes throughout

hooligan

Norco Sport? I can't find it.

mtbikerinpa

Ive used Formula and Hayes mechanicals extensively before going Deore Hydro. The HMX are acceptible, but yes if you are in fair conditions then stick V-brake. If its mud then the HMX are almost as good as Avid.

THere is however, no comparison to true hydaulic braking(and the shimano's don't cost that much now)

hooligan

I like my frame, my suspension won't get better than an MZ race for about 600 USD (I got it sort of "wholesale" which just mean discount, big ones, but not actually wholesale). Awesome hussefelt dh cranks, my discs aren't the best, but they aren't crapp. Shifters are crap. EVerything else isn't that great either,but at my weight (120 lb, or about 50-55kg) it doesn't matter. Maelstrom said ditch witches suck, bent them on xc.

I'm guessing I don't weight as much as maelstrom. haha. Im just a kid.

Maelstrom 

Ditch Witch suck. I still say that. I went through 2 wheels. (front and rear)

you also don't have an 1/16th of the terrain I do ...

swifferman

oy... ^tis true I like the name though. DITCH WITHC! DITC WITCH!!!

Out of those, i'd get the Norco, just because it's norco.

DjRider04

The Hayes dont have **** on the Avids in mud....trust me. I wish I had front brakes that worked at my last DH race.

B1105

Take these people's advice. Stick with V's unless their Avid Mechs.

Killer B

I have both Hayes HMX-1's and Hayes HFX-9's and honestly I couldn't tell a helluva lot of difference. I did only use the mechanicals for about 6 rides though. They may get weak in a hurry, I couldn't tell you. I already had the hydraulic's, and decided to use them since I had $250 tied up in 'em already.... Maybe the 8" rotors made the difference.

Bottom line is I don't have any quirks about the HMX-1's for the short time I used & abused them.... They are the '04 model, and someone wrote in another thread that they were definitely better than the earlier models.

Once a V-brake or anyother rim brake gets wet or REAL muddy, they just won't hardly stop (me anyway). That's something you just don't have to worry about with rotors & disc brakes.... Period.

Daniel_E

Hi all I am back.
I heard from a friend that Hayes are a good disc braks, are you sur that regular V can beat them?
the Norco seems to be a bit lighter vs the haro, but I dont know about his suspension,
what do you think is better, Marzocchi MZ Comp 100mm or Manitou Six 100mm or Rock Shox Judy TT?
I know they are all cheap model, but still...
Another thing I wanted to ask if there is a critical diffrent between the deore and the deore lx?

btw
heres a link for the norco 2004 model (2005 looks better ).
https://www.norco.com/bikes/2004bikes/storm.htm
btw2
I am not a beginner rider (riding above 2 years).

Thanks alot for the advises guys !

Dirtbike

my bike came with crappy discs but i wanted them so i could upgrade to my avids.

Daniel_E

I dont have money for further upgrade..
anyway what about my qoustions?

a2psyklnut

The forks are all about the same quality, so go with whichever bike fits the best. Of the three, I think the MZ are probably a wee bit better, but not by a significant amount.

Like I said, Hayes mechanical are decent, but don't compare to the Avid's.

They are all decent bikes, but at this price range the discs will be a detriment, not an advantage. Just my opinion.

Dirtbike

the mz is a better fork, but has no damping. its just a coil spring and needs to be lubed. once its lubed its not bad tho. my biggest problem was it bottoming out on just 4 stairs!

Daniel_E

Hi,
thanks for your replys.
i am more tending to the norco side know that i know about thier suspension..
here is a link to the 2005 model btw:
https://www.siskorea.com/storm.htm (you can get info here about the discs).

I've been offerd a Giant bike with Avid CPS Disc and a very good frame, but i am not sure about thier suspension (SR SOUNTUR 80 mm), unfortunetly i cant remmeber the model (something with three..) i will find out an update you guys.
Thanks!!

Cornish_Rdr_UK

Sr suntour forks are probably around the same sort of level as the Judys... lots of people rip them off, but ive heard they're ok for a beginner.....

Have you thought of the Specialized Hardock?

Daniel_E

I am not a beginner, just a xc rider with a low buget.
Didnt find the Specialized Hardock at my area..

Dirtbike, what is lubed??

Dirtbike

Lubed= Lubricated
you have to lube the stanchions (that how you spell it?) because they get sticky fro dust and dirt. the places where i rode with it were mostly to blame - dry and dusty. i asked for some and my LBS slapped some on for free.

Sp@eder

No offence to you, but I get a little tired of people with their shortsighted view of Suntour forks. Suntour makes forks in all kinds of price ranges. Low-end to high-end. Comment like that (not necessarily you but in general) makes you wonder if these people even ever visited their website...

Maelstrom 

Take a pill brother. In NA, suntour sucks. We don't see the high end suntour stuff, ever. So none of us would recommend them. There are a few companies from euro that make high end stuff but no one in NA would know it.

What the use of a website if the product doesn't even make it over here