MTN Bikes... Which one would you choose??

[MikeC78]

Hello!

I'm currently in the market for a good mountain bike. I ran across a few that caught my interest on Ebay, what do all you experts think about these??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=016&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=260126841231&rd=1&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=014&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=330133206750&rd=1&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=014&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=330133068043&rd=1&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=018&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=280124685058&rd=1&rd=1

Thanks for all the help!

Mike

[bobman1235]

Canondale's approach to "quirky shock designs" always bothered me, especially the single sided fork, but that's no reason not to buy a bike.

I've loved my Fisher from the first day I had it, so I have a soft spot for those. But it's also the only bike I've really owned. My cousin has a Specialized that's built like a tank. So really you can't go wrong with either of them.

I'm sure others will chime in with more knowledgable / less biased opinions.

[MikeC78]

Canondale's approach to "quirky shock designs" always bothered me, especially the single sided fork, but that's no reason not to buy a bike.

I've loved my Fisher from the first day I had it, so I have a soft spot for those. But it's also the only bike I've really owned. My cousin has a Specialized that's built like a tank. So really you can't go wrong with either of them.

I'm sure others will chime in with more knowledgable / less biased opinions.

Bob,

I'm with you on Cannondale's shock design, not to crazy about the mono-shock thing. I believe they headed that direction to lighten them up a little bit?

The good thing about them along with the rest of the bikes listed, you can adjust the stiffness on the fly and lock it out. I like that feature, and it's almost a must have for my heavy 6'2 250lb frame.

[edbert]

I would go Specialized. My brother-in-law has had two of them(first one got stolen) and absolutely loves them. First was a hardtail and the second is a full suspension and both performed well. I rode them a few times just to try it out and it was a very nice riding bike. I would just make sure the size of the bike is right so that it fits your frame. Nothing is more unenjoyable than riding a bike that is either too tall or too short for you. I would see if you could go to a local bike shop and demo a bike from each of the manufacturers that you are trying to decide between so that you can make a more educated decision. They may even help you figure out what size and style bike will fit you based on what you want to do with the bike. Check out www.dorba.org (local Dallas MTB website), as it might give you a better selection of people who ride these bikes all the time and know which is better. Good luck and have fun!

[MikeC78]

BTW,

The one that I believe will go for a decent price will be the Specalized Hardrock Pro (custom paint) with upgrades. I'm hoping I can snag it for around $500.

[strider]

I love my Cannondale Jekyll. It has the Lefty (one sided) fork , too. It's a bit disconcerting the first time you're at the top of a long, fast downhill, but it works very well. The lock out feature is key, I'm 6ft and about 230, so I know where you're coming from there. My bike is full suspension, though. I haven't cared for the Cannondale hardtails I've ridden. Maybe because they weren't set up, suspension-wise, for me, but that big diameter Al tubing back end seemed to bounce me around something fierce. The other Al hardtail I owned was much more compliant; it was smaller diameter tubing, if that has anything to do with it.

What are you going to use it for? Trail riding only, trail and street, etc? Some of those "race" features a couple of the bikes refer to may make it harder to live with on the street. I wouldn't want to give up the extra gears on street, a la that second Cannondale down. The Specialized looks good, but it's still a $450 bike with a bunch of cool parts hung on it. I don't think the parts group (derailleur, shifters, etc) is much to write home about. Out of the bunch, though, I'd still pick it.

Also, if you haven't ridden 'em before, be leary of the clipless, or SPD, pedals. There can be quite a learning curve, not to mention the added expense of needing specialized shoes.

[BIZILL]

i like my cannondale jekyll as well, w/lefty fork and full on-the-fly lock-out front and rear. but i know it will not hold up to the drops i want to do. did a nice 5' drop with no prob, but still. was 200 lbs at the time. i also have a very hard time keeping it straight on the road riding with no hands.

[rskarvan]

Buy your MTN Bike from a cycle shop. Those guys work hard for very little money and deserve your coinage. They will get you into the RIGHT bike and not buying the wrong bike will save you lots of money in the long run. Besides, the economy needs a boost right now.

I recommend: Vitesse Cycle Shop in Normal, IL.
I purchased a Nishiki Olympic road bike there new in 1989 ($450) and I still ride that bike occasionally.

[Willow]

I like the first 2

[Bill Ayotte]

The markup on a bike is nothing short of obscene, I used to sell them.....I would go with the Fisher, then the Hardrock...I am a little biased to the Fisher, I own two...(MT. Tam and Paragon) I have owned a lot of bikes, mountain and otherwise, and the geometry on the fisher was nicer to by back over long rides and I love climbing with them...Your weight is farther back, just about right over the rear wheel....I can climb the majority of the time without coming out of the saddle...Something I couldn't do on the Specialized...Just my $.02...

[exalted512]

I bought a Raleigh Mojave 8.0 and a 5.5 for my g/f. Fantastic bikes. It seems like Raleigh doesnt use as much as the name brand stuff, forks, brakes, etc, but uses stuff thats not quite as heard of but is just as good if not better and is able to keep prices down that way.
-Cody

[bikerboy]

Hi,
I would ask : what do you ride now, what do you want to do with it, and do you know how any of those bikes feel? Ride a few and you will find the one you like the best. The aluminum hard tails can be what some people like but I have found in the 7 years working at a bike shop that some people find them too stiff. But others want that. Sold Cannondale, Klein, ect. How long the top tube is and is it the fit right for you is hard to tell without riding it or something like it. So like hearing a stereo component or something like it, it is hard to know if you will like it. The fit of a bike is the most important thing. Riding them is the only way unless you have something similar to compare them to. Just my .02$:)

[neomagus00]

i'm not a huge fan of deore components (the first bike), and i'm not sure if you want to pay for a paintjob that costs as much as the bike

i like the second bike, but it is build to be very lightweight, so it won't stand up to big drops or the like - XC only on this one (if you didn't notice, it comes with the gear to convert it back to 3 rings)

i like the gary fisher name, but it has cantilever brakes, so i can't reccommend the third bike

the fourth bike seems fine, there's not a ton of info there, but the fact that it's completely unused is attractive

i'd personally choose the second bike, followed by the fourth, then the first, then the third... i'm also a lanky guy that does all XC riding, and i like the component set on the second bike (the fisher came in last because of the brakes, that's all). note, however, that my top two choices come with clipless pedals, which incur the extra cost of shoes, but i consider them completely worth it - the learning curve was, for me, steep but short, and the efficiency of clipless cannot be denied.

i must, however, ultimately vote for a real bike shop - they'll fit you to a bike the right way, often guarantee a first tune-up or two, and you'll get exactly what you want and no more, with warranties to boot.

for your reference, i ride an 02 specialised stumpjumper... only work that's been done other than normal maintenance is a rebuild of the rear shock and two replacements of the bolt that holds it to the frame... urban riding is hell on lightweight bikes...

[treitz3]

I would choose bike #2 all day long and twice on Sunday. Reason; Weight, rims, gears, brakes, original gear setup, seat and all other custom equipment this cat has added. If you don't like it, you could probably not lose a dime provided you keep it in at or near the same condition.

Note* Ask the seller if the bottom bracket was replaced by a professional and if he would agree that if the threads are damaged upon inspection of purchase, that he would agree to a full refund. If he changed it out and cross-threaded the bracket, the frame is shot when the bearings need to be repacked, unless you are lucky....but even then, it's a one time deal. If he didn't change it out, you might have a hard time changing gears with the single gear front end.

[MacLeod]

Big fan of Raleigh. I love my M80. Hard to get more bang for the buck. $600 bike with Shimano LX drivetrain and disc brakes!

[mantis]

Buy your MTN Bike from a cycle shop. Those guys work hard for very little money and deserve your coinage. They will get you into the RIGHT bike and not buying the wrong bike will save you lots of money in the long run. Besides, the economy needs a boost right now.

I recommend: Vitesse Cycle Shop in Normal, IL.
I purchased a Nishiki Olympic road bike there new in 1989 ($450) and I still ride that bike occasionally.
This is very good advise. You have to be sized anyway. Your biking needs will be met as these bikes are designed for certain kinds of riding. You can spend alot of money and not get the right bike.

All those bikes are good quality. But you have to ride them to see if it's the right fit. A Large from Specialized may not be the same as a Large from Gary Fisher or Cannadale.

Personally I favor Specialized and Trek. They offer some fantastic bikes. The Trek Fuel series are one of the most balanced bikes I have ever rode. The Specialized are alittle more on the custom side and not as Balanced but can be with the right bike.

You also gotta think about full suspension or hard tail. Which one is right for the kind of riding your going to be doing.

[krabby5]

I'm 6'3" and 250lbs...

I've weighed anywhere from 225 to 280 lbs in 5 years (I know..I know)

Through this whole time Ive been using a Specialized HardRock Comp and nothing fazes this bike...It must be built like a tank

and being 6'3", I have a 21" frame on the bike....

but yeah, make sure the bike fits you

[DaveMuell]

I second the buy local from a bike shop suggestions.

We have a couple of Haros and we have a Giant. All good bikes.

[MSALLA]

I would go for full suspension front & rear.

[Strong Bad]

I finally purchased a bike rack that fits on the tow hitch of my SUV. Thanks for the advice from another related thread. It gets delivered tomorrow.

http://www.seasonaloutfitters.com/product/hd2/

So, now I'm going to spring for a new bike to replace my old entry level Diamond Back. It's a nice bike, but I want to start riding alot more on mainly flat or small crushed stone trails here in MD. I hate the shifting assembly on it as it rattles and sometimes slips into another gear while riding. I need something a bit more solid feeling also as i'm a fairly tall guy (at close to 245 lbs).

I found a couple shops near work and really like the one called Bike Doctor. They carry Trek, Cannondale, Specialized and some others. I like the Treks and am debating on a Mountain or Hybrid Bike.

Thanks for the info guys!

John