What sort of MB to get?

[Skid Biter]

:confused:Hi,

I have just completed my first X-Country race on a Mongoose with no suspension or any fancy gear. In fact it was just a $400 special about ten years ago.
Although not fit enough to keep up with the good riders I got absolutely smashed going down the hills and this is where I lost most of the time to the other riders.

My question to anyone who is interested in helping is what sort of bike I should get and with what type of suspension, brakes etc.
I do not have a large budget.

I am interested in building a bike from scratch. If anyone can suggest if this is a good, bad or other idea.

[dog boy]

so you want the bike for xc/trail right?
i dont rely know what bike to suggest cause im more into fr/dh, but i have bacicaly built a bike from scratch by using sights like torpedo7, crc. ect.
if you keep your eyes peeled for bargins it works out quite cheape to build up a decent bike from scratch.

[Skid Biter]

Thanks for the info on the sites Dog Boy.

Now just what to buy???

[tom_burford_orr]

For XC i would definatly go with a Scott spark. what exactly is your large budget? Unfortunetly i found out Melbourne Bicycle Centre has Bought all the stock Scott has left to you have to go to Melbourne to get a good price on them. i would google them and check thier website.

[NASHWORTH]

To be honest you'd be better off buying a complete bike and selling off parts on it to get better parts. This is because buying a complete bike (new or second hand) is much cheaper than building from scratch (like I am at the moment - see link in my sig) and seeing as you said you don't have a big budget.

A Giant Alias or Talon would be great bikes to start XC with (I started with a rincon). Both are hardtails but have really good spec for the price. Or if your lucky like my dad you could pick up a cheap second hand Giant NRS which is a dually. My dad got an 04 NRS 1 in really good condition for just $900 and he's loving it (both MTB and the bike).

Hope that helped.

Cheers,
Nathan

[Skid Biter]

Cheers Nashworth,

Is a Dually better than a hard tail???

What would each one be used for?

[tom_burford_orr]

A dualy is generaly better. It is more comfortable and you get better traction to you can pedal more. however it is more expencive. Any dualies worth buying will start at around $3000.

[Skid Biter]

Thanks T B O

What duallys are worth getting?

[NASHWORTH]

Cheers Nashworth,

Is a Dually better than a hard tail???

What would each one be used for?

It really depends on what your using it for. A dually (dual suspension) would be more used for rougher terrain and for a smoother ride in general trail use in XC. A hardtail (just front suspension) is lighter most of the time and if you look at some of the XC pros their using hardtails. Hardtails are also usually cheaper than dually's and to get started a hardtail would be much better and cheaper. Of course as you become more skilled and have been riding longer you'll probably want to upgrade to a better bike.

I'm gonna stick with suggesting you get a Giant alias or a Giant talon.

Brand new you could pick up a 08 Alias for under $1000 if you shop around and a Talon for a bit more than $1000.

heres the link to the 09 Alias (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-AU/bikes/mountain/2178/31858/) and the 08 alias (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-AU/bikes/mountain/1131/28948/)

and

The link to the 09 Talon (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-AU/bikes/mountain/2177/31857/) and the 08 Talon (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-AU/bikes/mountain/1130/28947/)

Cheers,
Nathan

[NASHWORTH]

Thanks T B O

What duallys are worth getting?

whats your price range? under $1000, over $1000?

[brynDH]

A Giant Alias or Talon would be great bikes to start XC with (I started with a rincon). Both are hardtails but have really good spec for the price.

yeh there is a kid at my school with an alias. it rides really nicely. he is the biggest noob on a bike but it is a great feeling bike. i would have to agree with NASHWORTH on that.

[Skid Biter]

whats your price range? under $1000, over $1000?

Somewhere between $1000 and $2000.

The tracks where I ride are very rocky and rutted downhill and uphill sections. With some smoother dirt sections and dry sandy creek crossings.

I was speaking to a dealer and he mentioned Specialised. He said they had the best suspension set up. Anyone got any thoughts on this?

[NASHWORTH]

Somewhere between $1000 and $2000.

The tracks where I ride are very rocky and rutted downhill and uphill sections. With some smoother dirt sections and dry sandy creek crossings.

I was speaking to a dealer and he mentioned Specialised. He said they had the best suspension set up. Anyone got any thoughts on this?

I'm backing what the dealer said. I've got a half a specialized (being built - check sig link) and I put some old parts on it just to get a feel for it and it was awesome. Maybe check out a Specialized Epic or Enduro or even a stumpjumper.

[nick_dales]

Somewhere between $1000 and $2000.

The tracks where I ride are very rocky and rutted downhill and uphill sections. With some smoother dirt sections and dry sandy creek crossings.

I was speaking to a dealer and he mentioned Specialised. He said they had the best suspension set up. Anyone got any thoughts on this?

Although Specialized are great bikes you will get alot more for your money elsewhere
Have a look at some second hand bikes as you will be able to get a really good second hand setup for the money your willing to spend.