looking for a good hardtail.

[schmook]

My budget is $1500 tops.
for those in the know have you got any recommendations?
I'm thinking about buying a raceline comp but im not too sure about the components.
perhaps buy a frame and build up.
confused, too many choices and too easy to go over budget.

[jays_5000]

have u had alook at avanti's line up? they have some pretty decent xc bikes well priced

[Turley]

I have been riding a specialized rockhopper for over 2 years now and never had a squeak out of hte frame. It is comfy to ride and I cant' realy say much else apart from, It works. I love it!

[Bender is CRAZY]

What about a norco Bigfoot for 1300. I have one, it is awesome for xc but not so much for DH and DJ... :lol:

[Aman]

I know a great bike for around $1500. The Giant XTC 3, I think it's around that price and it's got some nice specs.

Check it out at....and good like with MTBing

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?dealerid=&dealercountry=&lYear=200 4&bikesection=8787&range=44&model=9755

[Aman]

One last thing..... Do not buy a frame the build up from there. See thats cool if you got a huge budget, but buying a complete bike is always better value.

The specs. for the Raceline comp is at....
http://www.racelinebikes.com/range.php?range=hardtail

Comparing it with the XTC 3, the Comp has better rims but real crap forks. The cranks might be a little weaker but other then that most of other components are pritty similar.

I would prefer better forks then rims but it's up to you.........

[LordNikon]

I'd recommend the raceline aswell... I have a Raceline Expert which is slightly higher specced but both are awesome bikes.

Giant bikes do tend to be cheaper, but as we all know cheaper isn't necessarily better. I'd much prefer a slightly lower spec Raceline than a Giant HT. I've heard about many issues with Giant bikes and cracking frames. My Raceline is solid as a rock and weighs in slightly over 10 kgs.

But get out and ride the bikes you're interested in, only you will be able to tell if you feel "right" on them.

[®ider]

what is the type of riding?
recreational XC or Hardout XC?

[Cúl-Báire]

Avanti? The NZ company makes some pretty good bikes, for pretty good prices.

Barracuda: is around 1400, had deore discs, Deore/LX Drive, and the frame will last agers, neat color too. :wink:

Hammer: 1600, this is more of an entry level race bike than anything else, Doesnt have discs, but I higher all round spec, and upgraded "pro" frame...

I am looking at the Avanti Aggressor, as my next XC weight weenie project, if it ever gets rolling, I got the forks for it :wink:

Raceline is also a great company, they make so cool bikes with really great specs, the Comp is a bike that will handle pretty much anything you can throw at it...Even got Hayes hydro's, Mavic rim's other assorted trick bits, defenatly a great buy...

A thing that keeps most of these bike's price's down is the fork's, the forks on most entry level bikes are well not so great, capable but not great...After you ride for a bit,you'll tend to know what you want tuning, travel, spring meddium (air, coil) etc... your after; their pretty easy to upgrade too, just expencive.

[Ride_Guy]

Avanti barracuda is the way to go for valua XC bikes, fits in nicely has deaore and lx gear awsome bike seriously look into it, hydros aswell!!!!

[Jrad]

its well within your budget but a 04 yukon would probably do the job, around 800 and fairly well speced. But because your budget is around 1500 i rekon you could go two models up and go the 04 giant iguana disc.

[peachy]

yeah avanti barracudas are VERY nice bikes for the money.. i have an OLD school avanti barracuda and boy has it held up too a lot!!

[lupine128]

merida also have some nice XC bikes for the money. they seem to be pretty much overlooked by people buying norco and giant and...etc, but you will pick up some excellent deals on '03 rigs right now.
if you are a brisbane boy pm me, we have some '03 models that are going pretty cheap for what they are.

[Sutek]

Ride Guy..good call. Not only is the Barra well specced but do yourself a favour and get on it! Then you'll feel the difference. Year in this is a great bike and the 04 model just kills it!

Go the Avanti!

[stylinruss]

Go the Giant.
Anyone who says a raceline frame is better quality than a Giant needs their head read. The Giant XTC frame is very nice, pretty light and has very cool hydroformed tubes. This is the same frame as the XTC2 and XTC1. Spec is pretty awesome too, Hayes HFX-9 brakes, LX/deore gearing and Manitou axel fork.
I think a lot of people who slag off Giant would probably be pretty surprised if they found out who actually made their frame, Giant is a manufacturer, not just a marketing exercise.
Same goes for Merida, I agree with Lupine, they deserve a look, they may not be the prettiest bikes but at $1500 I don't think that is your biggest concern.

[struggles]

I agree go the giant. I've had an atx890 96model atx870 99model that cracked at the chainstay and was replaced with an 03 xtc2 all changed over and reassembled for $50. I also had a 92model alr1 road bike that was very good.

[schmook]

Looking no further.
I got an early christmas present! I've never had a present as big as this before. People areound here were getting agitated watching me circle ads in the trading post, looking at bike manufactured websites. They couldn't keep their secret hidden any longer.
a Giant XTC team. A nice classic hardtail. its a couple of years old but it seems as it almost sat in someones garage for that long. Its made me happy. that why I haven't posted back on this thread in the last week. I can clip in and go up hills! yay. well almost, I got to get some shoes. What shoes? I like the ones that look like sneakers. suggest shoes for me. I heard specialized are comfy.
Now with my bike money I can do upgrades and start paying off a new ibook for uni.
How did I earn such auspicious events in my life?

But this topic could go on and on...seems to be a bit of competition in the 1500 cross-country bike market.

[nicklouse]

you jammy git!!!
enjoy!

on the shoe side dont be tempted by the sneeker ones as they are not that good for long rides (too soft in the sole but great for commuting or poping down to the pub) a good mtb specific shoe with a really stiff sole (like the shimano carbon one).
take your cycling socks with you and try them on! be a pain and walk round the shop for a good time (or if you can go for a short ride).

when i bought my first shoes i went for the sneeker type and regreted it prety quickly when i went on a longish ride. got some proper shoes and the difference was amazing!

when getting the cleets try and get the mulity release ones first as it is easier to unclip and as you get used to them get the side only release ones.

have fun you lucky lucky person!

[Gonzo]

Ive got the specialised comp shoes. they're more like proper cycling shoes but are pretty cheap compared to alot of the other shoes out there at least.

Just make sure that you get the smallest size possible or else you won't be able to use the shoe to it's full potential.

[LordNikon]

I have 2 pairs of shoes at the moment. One pair I use for commuting and the others are reserved for more serious riding.

Commuters-
Shimano sneaker type shoes, they're comfortable and stiff enough for average riding.

Serious-
Pearl Izumi race shoes. Nasty tread on these things makes them brilliant for XC and the sole is the stiffest I've ever felt. Love em.

Listen to Nicklouse, try them on... decide what you actually want to use them for... then try more on.

:wink:

[nicklouse]

just another thought alot of the shoe people use the same soles for there shoes (or did) i know my Lake ones have the shimano soles (2000 year) but the feel of the shoe is still different!

[schmook]

if i was a little richer and about 6 foot tall I'd like a yeti arc

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3639560427&category=72 97

thought it was purrrty

[J3T-PuLsAr]

ive got a shogun praire breaker pro, it comes standard with 27sp rear deore front alivio, deroe levers, doubl;e wall wheels and rst suspension but only front techtro brake. just a suggestion but why not buy sumthing liek this and get better forks, pedals, brakes and if u want change the alivio to deore or what ever too, i got mine standard for $700 but changed pedals, stem and rear brake

[Grover]

gotta have a look at the giant xtc3 or gt avalanche 1.0 disc for that price range

[Rexy]

Cannondales are expensive but if you get a used one they are great value. an m500 is a good one but needs some upgrading i run mine with deore xt everthing fsa headset soooft avanti seatand freeride rims and fat tyres you just set it up for personal prefrance

[John U]

definitely check out the merida 03 range. last year they had a fully XT specced hardtail for $2,200 which should have come down a bit in price now the 04 bikes are out. i think the model was Matts Special. If you can get the extra penny's together melbourne bicycle centre had the magnesium race for sale at 2,500, full XT, magura marta's, ritchey comp, nice bike.

[Neo]

Get some Top of the line Specialized shoes and dont look back. Body Geometry. Comfy as a pair of ug boots and look sweet.