Killed my crap 1st bike, need another. HELP?

[KWICKS]

Wanting some help here. First MTB I had was a crap Schwinn Mesa for keeping up with the kids on the footpaths. Then some mates bought bikes and got me out on to the trails and the bug has bitten. I've basically killed the Schwinn, snapped derailleur hanger and munched rear derailleur last weekend. I'm considering the following on a budget of $1000, max $1500 (not a cent more!):

Giant Talon (about $1000 now...)

Specialised FSR xc (about $1500 with upgrade to hydraulic discs now...)

Merida's (Matts TFS Trail 550D and AM 500D)

And Jamis Parker (but $1600 is too much!)

I ride on Sydney's Northern Beaches, Red Hill, Oxford Falls, Terrey Hills, etc on trails with some technical aspect. I think i want a dual suspension bike but I'm not sure! Which of these would you buy and why/why not? I'm leanin towards the Specialized FSR xc?

Much appreciated, sorry for looong post, but pics help!

 

[scalpel]

Decisions, Decisions.

A couple of things to think about before you buy.....

How heavy are you and how heavy do you ride - in other words - do you plow through stuff or can you place your bike where you want it to go ?

The specialised would be a good buy if you are a beginner who wants a good ride - but I warn you now - in this price range the suspension, linkages and bearings will not take kindly to a heavy rider or a rider prone to trying to do things to the bike that it is not designed for. i.e taking jumps, hucking and anything over 2 foot drops ! Another bike to consider would be a KHS dual suspension - you can check them out in the dirt works catalogue or online at dirtworks.com.au or try the forums at mtbr.com for reviews.

See how you go - and good luck - it's always a good time when you can go and buy a new ride !

 

[Nub]

If its going to be one of your first bikes I would lean towards a hardtail, simply because you can get better spec for the amount of money you spend and they are simply easier to maintain and ride.

I wouldn't go and blow 1.5k on a bike at the moment if I was you at the moment. I'd go with a cheap bike again that will last the distance. You want to go out there and learn the basic's of off road riding, you want to learn how to maintain your bike and you want to learn exactly what you like and don't like about riding/your bike. If you own a very expensive, touchy bike with very expensive parts, you don't want to be fiddling and playing with those parts, because if you break them its going to end up badly. You are almost gaurenteed to get the fiddle bug, so better be safe than sorry.

So, if I were you I'd go for something like the Giant Talon, its definitely good for money and it's not going to break very quickly.

 

[maxwolfie]

Another +1 for a decent entry level hardtail. I don't think $1000-$1500 is really worth spending on a dually, because you won't get that much of a bike, however you can find a very decent hardtail for this kind of money

Another +1 for the Talon! The Giant Alias won best hardtail in 2006 for <$1000, the Talon being one model above the Alias.

 

[KWICKS]

How heavy are you and how heavy do you ride - in other words - do you plow through stuff or can you place your bike where you want it to go ?

Good question, very heavy!!! Have been riding every weekend for about 6 months (minus 4 weeks when I had to break for vasectomy) so am getting better on bike. Agree a hardtail is likely to be a better option for maintenance but I don't want to outgrow this bike too soon? Will I outgrow a hardtail and be wanting the duallie in 6 months??? Can't see the minister for finance approving such a purchase again in 6 months time...

 

[Some Guy]

Will I outgrow a hardtail and be wanting the duallie in 6 months??? Can't see the minister for finance approving such a purchase again in 6 months time...

You might want a duallie, but in your price range the duallies aren't really worth having. If you get one of those you'll just end up wanting something better in 6 months. Go for the hardtail.

 

[leftieant]

Yep, hardtail wins out.

Have a look around, with the '09 models about to be released, there should be a few deals kicking around on '08 models.

For $1500 you might even be able to go up a model or two. Have a look at a Giant XTC2 - my $0.02

And whaddyamean you took 4 weeks off for a vasectomy? Blouse!

(joking...)

 

[scalpel]

Decisions, Decisions.

I appreciate that the hardtail option will allow you to buy better spec, and will allow for easy upgrades, and will do most things very well. But, to answer your question - will you want to upgrade to a dually ?

Yes.

And that is the problem with catching the mtb bug, once you get your first - you will want another and another...... But realistically - you WILL want a dually, and you WILL want to upgrade - it is the nature of the beast ! If your local trails are all smooth flowing, not too many bumps, logs, rocks etc then go a hardtail. If you have a little bit of a rougher track then get the dually. The goog thing is that at the moment their are deals to be had with all local bike shops, you might be amazed at what putting the hard word on them can do to the price !! You may have to stretch your wallett a little further, but it may pay in 6 months time.

 

[maxwolfie]

The bottom line is that I think you'll be much happier with a good hardtail rather than a crappy dually.

Either way, you will want to upgrade sooner or later. You can buy your $4000 dually then, and keep your hardtail for road and light XC use. (Or just sell it)

I was in the same boat about a year ago, and bought the Giant Alias (2006 model). It served me well for a good 12 months, and I recently sold it for a Giant Reign 1, which is the base model (dually, ~$2800)

 

[Mr. Pink]

If you can convince the minister for finance to increase your budget by a bit it would be well worth keeping your eye out for a second hand dually - that's what I'm doing. Most of the people on here look after their bikes meticulously so you can probably snap up a dually that's 1-2 years old and in near perfect condition.

Just don't outbid me!

 

[maxwolfie]

If you can convince the minister for finance to increase your budget by a bit it would be well worth keeping your eye out for a second hand dually - that's what I'm doing. Most of the people on here look after their bikes meticulously so you can probably snap up a dually that's 1-2 years old and in near perfect condition.

Just don't outbid me!

I don't think you should do this.... your budget will just get higher and higher, until you realise you've gone way past what you concieve to be your realistic limit.

$1000-$1500 is an excellent budget for a decent hardtail, along with maybe a new helmet and a few spare tubes etc

 

[do-a-flip]

like said above you wont get a good dueley with good parts brand new for under $2500. i would suggest going the hardtail talon or wait a bit, save up an extra $500 and get yourself a second hand reign on here. great bikes.

 

[frostbite]

Dont discount cheap dualies so easily.. I bought a 2004 GT I drive back in the day. rrp was bout 1500. I rode that thing for about 2-3 years and did all kinds of stuff on it. Its still kicking around today as well! Solid bike, even if it didnt have the best spec on it, was still good to ride and apart from the usual consumables didnt really have much issues with it. Today when I ride it, I really enjoy it as it is actually a very nice bike for what it is.

 

[Mr. Pink]

your budget will just get higher and higher, until you realise you've gone way past what you concieve to be your realistic limit.

That's true, it's very easy to up your limit by a bit here and a bit there - before you know it you've spent twice what you wanted to. You definitely need to have a limit and stick to it. Was just suggesting another possibility if there was a little more $$ available.

 

[KWICKS]

Great responses. Never knew how many bloody bikes there are out there! Looking at a Specialized Rockhopper Intl Discand Avanti Hammer as well now... Think the Talon will win out, mates I ride with have Alias and Yukon's so I'd really be one of the lads then...

 

[Grover]

with your budget i'll echo the suggestions to stay with a hardtail IF you buy new. don't discount the second hand market though...search for keywords such as 'trance' and 'reign' on a certain well known auction site. you'll find at least one within your <$1500 budget now, in Sydney.

 

[sawtell]

ill chuck something out there, get ready to continue to smash deraliuers and hangers.. doesny matter how much the bikes worth, you stilll wreck them, and it cost more to replace them!!!


+92387348973 for a decent ish HT.. you can always sell the HT frame off cheaply, and pick up a cheap DS frame later.. generaly pretty lucky with parts swapping over, you may need a new seatpole.. thats about all.

 

[gness]

Another vote for the Talon here, it's a very solid bike and is very decently spec'ed.

I was in the same boat as you not too long ago, I had a Giant Boulder which was used mainly for commuting and after being introduced to trails I bought a Talon which has been awesome so far.

Even if you outgrow it, you can always sell it to fund the dualie.

 

[rockydog]

Another vote for the Talon here,

They are making the Talon in a dual-sprung model now, for less than a grand.

never thought I be recommending Giant, but the value is too good on that dog.

 

[pete_2810]

Hi mate,
My local shop put me onto this web site 'cyclenet'. It is all the run out or excess stock from shops all over check it out. You will get most bang for buck on new bike. Or put the money into a good 2nd hander, that what i am doing for my dh bike.
If it were me look at the all mountain bikes for all round fun. Strong yet still light. I own a norco fluid and it can take smooth 6 drops no worries.
Good luck