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Mountain bike what to buy

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seagull Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,979 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#424680
whats a good buy for a mountan bike ?
I would like one for around $250.00 > $800.00
have no idea what to look at if I go into the shop , so what a good buy in a mens mountain bike Please , cheers seagull
Looking for that special lady : PM me for coffee & cake

habbit Learner Dubber

19 posts · joined Apr 2005 ·

#424696
It sort of depends what you want to do with the bike really.
ill asume your looking at hardtails and not dual suspensions as that is another topic alltogether...

- if your just after the sunday ride on flat track and not really into dirt then you could look at two types. One is the hybrid style bike, which is a mountain bike frame but with 29" wheels and a more upright seating position. (designed more as a comfort style bike), or the traditional 26" wheeled bike which puts you in a more forward position.

-if more aggressive riding is on the agenda then a 26" style is probably best looked at.

-pricing...
250 > 400 range are mostly steel frame bikes, whaich means more weight.
--they either have bottom end shimano (or equivalent) derailuers and shifters, usually in metal not alloy and only 7-8 speeds on the rear +3 on the front.
--single wall rims - which mean if you took a cross section of the rim, there would only be one piece of metal between the tube and the outside world(hope that makes sense), generally means a lower strengh wheel more prone to buckling.
--you cannot really call the shocks that come with these bikes shocks so i shall call them pogosticks.
--this price bracket only really good for the casual sundays

401>600 range
you start to see alloy frames appearing and a higher spec in the running gear. Still generally only 24 speed but better rear derailuers and levers
--rims are more than likely single wall alloy still

601>800
there is quite alot to pick from in this range.
--double wall rims become standard and are all alloy and alot less prone to buckles because of it.
--27 speeds become the norm around the 700 mark.
--better derailuers (smoother operation)
--cable disc brakes come in around 650
--there are significant upgrades to the front forks and most actually do some sort of job in the dampening stakes.

I hope that has made some sort of sense, but i`ve only just really scratched the surface.

check out
avanti
http://www.avantibikes.com/bikes.asp?t=8

GT - awsome spec at the moment - great value for money
http://www.gtbicycles.com/mountain/catalog/category.php?catid=221&country=aus&brand=moun

Mongoose
http://www.mongoosebikes.com.au

grab some catalogues and prices from your LBS and compare.:P

vwtyp2 Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,504 posts · joined Sep 2003 ·

#424743
sounds like habbit knows a lot about bikes.
you've given yourself a very big price range.
the more you can afford to spend, the better you will get.
Kinda like building a car really, get the best stuff, get the best result.

I'd personally recommend different brands though.
Not wanting to slag off other brands, but, my shop used to be a Mongoose dealer until a few years ago, when we had big warranty issues with frames splitting along the tubes, and Mongoose not warranting them. Their entry level bikes are average, their top end bikes are very good, but above the price range you specified.
GT used to be a very good brand, until they went through the wringer a couple of years back. They've been picked up by the same company who do Mongoose, and are now pimping the name on low end product. Again, you have to spend decent $$ to get a good GT. Some of the brands that GT own, such as Dyno are now being sold in supermarkets. Mongoose do similar with their MGX brand, and you see a lot of Mongoose clothing in Target.

I'd reccomend a Trek or a Haro.
Read the review in this months Australiam mountain bike magazine on the Haro V4.
You can see that just because it's an entry level bike, it's not just a slapped together rig.
They actually use decent frame geometry similar to that used on a proper cross country mountain bike, but for the recreational rider, use a tall head stem and handlebar for comfort.

Trek Bikes have had a huge winfall with Lance Armstrong winning 6 Tours de France in a row. I know he rides a Roady, but the amount of revenue he has created has gone practically straight into R&D across the whole Trek Range..

Anyway, do your homework before you buy anything, test ride other peoples bikes if you can, and think about what you want the bike to do.
Hopefully thids helps.
Please ask as many questions as you need.
Cheers.

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Most people seem normal, till you get to know them.

gull Wolfsburg Wizard

446 posts · joined Jun 2005 ·

#424774
K mart has a mountain bikefor $169.00 all frame duel supension , ally frame >rims , looks ok ?

YIOughta Seriously Crusin Dubber

190 posts · joined Sep 2005 ·

#424775
Dual suspension is a loose term - to test rear susp wind the spring off and watch the 'shockie' collapse - they are a gimmick on the cheapies !

Im looking for an entry level MB atm - having a road racing history i know nout about MB's - so im taking my time! will probably be a second hand jobby... :blah
🥷

vwtyp2 Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,504 posts · joined Sep 2003 ·

#424797
be careful with second hand bikes too, someone like me may have ridden it.
Most people seem normal, till you get to know them.

Starbug rustbag

2,408 posts · joined Feb 2003 ·

#424798
if you are using your bike for commuting (like me!!) definitely stay away from full suspension bikes, but make sure you DO get one with a decent amount of suspension travel in the front (makes stopping in the wet that much easier)
the reason i say stay away from full suspension is that my friend uses his foes weasel downhill bike to get around town (its the only one hes got!) and i have been commuting for a much longer time than he has... needless to say i found the huge amounts of travel both front and rear an absolute bitch to get up hills!!
in the beginning, the universe was created.
this made alot of people very angry and is widely regarded as a bad move.

YIOughta Seriously Crusin Dubber

190 posts · joined Sep 2005 ·

#424804
tp2 - yeah im targetting the gumbies who think they need a $3000 bike to ride to the shops...get over it and the thing sits there - they are out there, and ill find a goodn! Im certainly aware of a 'used' bike

Cheers
🥷

oval TOFU Bitte, ein Bit!

2,946 posts · joined Jul 2003 ·

#424824
vwtyp2 wrote:be careful with second hand bikes too, someone like me may have ridden it.
And you DON'T want that! :kiss

If done correctly, buying a second hand bike can be a very economical way to getting some good quality gear for a lot less than retail. Some componants seem to drop in price like a Stuka once it leaves the shopfloor.. But if you're not into the second-hand thing (why are you driving a VW?!) then you can still get pretty good kit for your money nowadays.

But like habbit said, it largely depends on what style of riding you're going to be doing...

A small plug for Giant bikes as they sell a lot of bikes, and therefore, this year, can offer some very good prices..

Try www.farkin.net
and www.melbourneriders.com

good luck
...and Robert's ya father's brother...

benno_h Casual Dubber

24 posts · joined Oct 2005 ·

#424845
does anyone here carry a DH bike on their beetle? Any rack recommendations?

ColumBUS Hail To The Bus Driver!

3,601 posts · joined Sep 2004 ·

#424887
i used to race a norco team DH series 01 (2001 model) back in 03, cost the team $5,000 and it was a beast, with 200mm of travel in the soft tail and marzocchi forks, hydraulic disc brakes, a frame that weighed next to nothing and 9 gears (remember, downhill doesnt need low range gears as much), it was an absolute monster. you can check out how the canadians are making bikes at www.norco.com

my advice for roof racking a bike on a beetle: don't.
unless you plan to buy a bike rack for the top of an average shaped car, bend it to shape a beetle roof and then stick a bike on top, its not worth it. and i wouldnt risk strapping a decent DH bike to a cal look roofrack either. buy a kombi or type 3 wagon, nice flat roofs and plenty of storage in the rear for your spares.

back to the original question: don't buy norco. their retail bikes are lame. nice meaty frames, but the running gear (brakes, deraillers, forks) are below par.

go for a 2005 range giant methinks.

[ Edited on 4-11-2005 by Kroozin_Kikko ]

vwtyp2 Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,504 posts · joined Sep 2003 ·

#424892
yep, no rack required. the bumper brackets are the same width as the wheel base on my rig.
just sit it on the bumper irons, and strap it to the wheel arches.

benno_h wrote:does anyone here carry a DH bike on their beetle? Any rack recommendations?
Most people seem normal, till you get to know them.

seagull Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,979 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#425024
Thanks for the feed back guys :thumb
Looking for that special lady : PM me for coffee & cake

habbit Learner Dubber

19 posts · joined Apr 2005 ·

#425187
vwtyp2 wrote:be careful with second hand bikes too, someone like me may have ridden it.
hehe lol
-vwtype2 i assume thats you on the road gap :thumb

vwtyp2 Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,504 posts · joined Sep 2003 ·

#425197
Merida bikes are pretty good recreational bikes.
Just hope that nothing goes wrong with it, as the wholesalers can be tricky to deal with.

Yes, that's me doing the road gap on my Trek Session 7. I love it.
I've also had Haro, Diamondback, G.T., and Cannondale Bikes.
I rate Trek the highest in my personal experience.
Their entry level bikes aren't ecxeptional value for money, I'd lean towards the Diamondback or Haro, but their upper end bikes are awesome.

I wouldn't reccomend against a 2nd hand bike, just be careful.
I sold a 2nd hand Mongoose Nx 9.7 today with all LX and XT and manitou forks for $300.
absollute bargain. The guy who used to own it only sold it to get a bike with disc brakes.

here's a pic of me on my ORYX DH bike.

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Most people seem normal, till you get to know them.

byronbus dsk

4,204 posts · joined Jul 2003 ·

#425390
So summary on best bike in the 600-900 range, for some light off road but more tracks and gutters etc...but will do 10-20ks 5 times a week
www.dsk.com.au

seagull Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,979 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#425425
thanks , seagull
Looking for that special lady : PM me for coffee & cake

vwtyp2 Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,504 posts · joined Sep 2003 ·

#425600
check these out.
these would be my recommendations.

http://www.harobikes.com/atb/v3.php

http://www.harobikes.com/atb/v4.php

http://www.trekbikes.com.au/catalogue.cgi?rm=product&subcategory_id=2&product_id=43

http://www.trekbikes.com.au/catalogue.cgi?rm=product&subcategory_id=2&product_id=41

rrp on the haro's is in $US.
rrp on the Treks is in Aussie Pesos

[ Edited on 6-11-2005 by vwtyp2 ]
Most people seem normal, till you get to know them.

byronbus dsk

4,204 posts · joined Jul 2003 ·

#517492
What do you think of the GT 2005 idrive 5 2.0? What sort of dollars is reasonable for this bike?
www.dsk.com.au

vwtyp2 Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,504 posts · joined Sep 2003 ·

#517534
forget about a GT.
GT Australia closed their doors this week.
a bit of bike industry gossip for you.


have a look at a Trek Remedy 5
http://www2.trekbikes.com.au/catalogue.cgi?rm=product&product_id=192&category_id=4&subcategory_id=36

or for the $$ a Raceline extreme expert 1
http://www.apollobikes.com/racelineproducts/cid/5/parent/0/t/racelineproducts
Most people seem normal, till you get to know them.

byronbus dsk

4,204 posts · joined Jul 2003 ·

#517535
What sort of dollars?

The GT im looking at is in stock at the local bike shop for $2000
www.dsk.com.au

vwtyp2 Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,504 posts · joined Sep 2003 ·

#517608
the raceline is under $2k

check out the tref fuel 70 as well for under $2k.
we've got some '05 models in store, 17.5" frame and 19.5" frame for $1500.
Most people seem normal, till you get to know them.

baybuscamperkid prince of insufficient light, ruler of heck

4,316 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#517632
personally at that end of the market Im a big fan of the Norco's. Canadian made, it was a few years back now, but i have a kockanee, alloy frame, alivio/altus groupset, decent alloy brakes and rims, Ive beaten that bike pretty bad, twisted the front wheel into the shape of an S but never damaged the frame. i ride alot of bikes from different eras and styles and the Norco is by far the most comfortable and best to ride that i have ridden. the fact that i got a $900 bike for under $500 because it was last years stock (and better equipped then the new model) just makes it sweeter.
Reimagined/Recycled/Upcycled Cool

byronbus dsk

4,204 posts · joined Jul 2003 ·

#517643
I like the fuel 90...the GT has great components for 2k...I want something with similar components, i dont mind if its an 05 model, seems some models only changed colour from 05 - 06...

vwtype2, let me know what deals you can do on the TREK 90...
i'll go and speak to the boys at Free to Ride in Byron. I would like to use my local and faithful bike shop Sunrise Cycles in Ballina as they've always looked after me...

Also, should i be spending more than 2-3k?
I only want to do some light DH and single track rides, maybe an endurance type event...

I ride 10-15ks a day, mainly light offroad...
I have a Merida hardtail that i want to put road tyres on for more training and less off road...
www.dsk.com.au

vwtyp2 Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,504 posts · joined Sep 2003 ·

#517807
sorry Byron, we're out of stock of the 90's.
can do you an 80 for $1900.
if you wanna spend that kind of $$ then look at a Trek Remedy, especially if you wanna do some light DH and enduro type riding.
Most people seem normal, till you get to know them.

Fireball xl5 Seriously Crusin Dubber

193 posts · joined May 2006 ·

#517823
Forget the gears and bounce go single speed!