Another Newbie What Bike Thread

[ABG]

Hi guys,

Looking to buy my first MTB and am looking for solid advice from people like your good selves. It's been about 20 years since I last rode a bike, until a fortnight ago when I hit the trails at Ku-ring-gai Chase with a friend. I had an absolute ball and was bitten once again with the bike bug.

I've set myself a budget of around $1,500 and the bikes that have grabbed me so far are the Trance 2, Trance X2, Anthem 2 and XTC2, although I'm definitely not ruling out brands other than Giant. I'm mainly looking at relaxed XC rides, but I just know it won't be that long before I want to have a crack at a race - I'm just competitive by nature.

Am I best out getting a dually to start out with, or would a hardtail with better componentry be a better bet?

Also, what are the 'must buy' items that I simply can't do without when I first buy the bike and do you have any brand/model recommendations here? A helmet is obvious, as is a pair of shoes (do all the bikes I've listed come with clipless pedals?). And from there, what are the items I should be saving for over the next few months as the bug bites deeper - I'm guessing things like lights, camelbaks, gloves, bike-specific shorts, etc will be on the list.

Appreciate any advice you can provide and I look forward to meeting some of you on the trails in the not-too-distant future.

Thanks,

Andrew

[Martins]

Hey there is another thread (quite recent) in the same section that has discussed bikes at least.

But i also have been pondering the same as you. The XTC 2 has jumped up alot and has been a big recommendations from many people here and also from bike stores. It does come with clip-ins. Im not sure how different the 2009 model is. BUt the 2008 model is RRP $1600, but are being cleared out cheaper. Apparently you can build on it as well.

[ABG]

Thanks Martin. Yep, I've read that thread and the consensus seems to be that Giant represent great value for money. I want to narrow it down a bit and see what the more experienced hands reckon would be the best compromise solution for what I want.

A couple more bits of info about me. I'm 6'0" and weigh 82Kg. I'm run regularly and do lots of karate, so I'm pretty fit.

I just came across a pretty good deal for a 2007 Norco Fluid 4 at just under $1,300. Is this worthwhile considering. Does anyone know how much these weigh?

Thanks,

Andrew

[Simmo.]

G'day mate.
I'm only 16, but have been riding XC for about the last 8 months, and looking at starting racing in the next half year.
I'm currently on an 08 XTC2. Excellent bike, and has same frame as the XTC1, so upgrades can be done without fuss over frames.

(do all the bikes I've listed come with clipless pedals?)
According to my 08 Giant catalogue in front of me, the Trance 2, X2, Anthem 2 and XTC2 run clipless. (You're looking at the 08 model of these right?)

I just came across a pretty good deal for a 2007 Norco Fluid 4 at just under $1,300. Is this worthwhile considering. Does anyone know how much these weigh?
According to 07 Norco website (http://www.norco.com/2007bikes/templates/model/enlarge.php?id=44), they retail at $1799. It's running Avid cable brakes. You'd be much better off with hydro's that the Giants you are looking at have. It's also running Alivio derailleurs and shifters, where as the Giants run has Shimano Deore. With 08's clearing out, you'd be better off with either of the Giants.

Hardtail or Fully? I'm not sure, but when I started I was drawn to the hardtail simply because of inexpierence on the trails, and hardtails are great to learn on.
Hope this helps.:D

Also, with that budget of about $1500, you could pick up the XTC2 at about, $1300? and have 200-300 on gloves, maybe a camelbak and helmet or something. :)

[BT180]

And from there, what are the items I should be saving for over the next few months as the bug bites deeper - I'm guessing things like lights, camelbaks, gloves, bike-specific shorts, etc will be on the list.


I'm in a similar position to you. I was bitten about 6 months ago and i'm slowly building up all my parts/accessories/etc as I go.

You'll need:

Helmet
Gloves
Hydration Pack
Spare Tubes
Tyre levers
Good multi-tool with chain breaker
Good lube - R&R Gold for example
Shoes, whether they are for clipless or maybe some 5-10s for flats.
Nicks - I was advised to get these to wear under your shorts (If you wear shorts). They do the job a lot better than shorts with built in padding. They feel good so far...

Then start saving for upgrade parts for the bike! :)

[MBPL]

I always reckon that a hardtail teaches you the skills you need, a duallie compensates for a lack of experiencel. I race a duallie and swear by it. However I got back onto a hardtail and it is a good experience. Up hills and on good trails the hardtail is, well, almost the best. On the weekend I was one hardtail against 8 duallies in very hilly wet muddy Otway Odyssey territory,for six hours plus, being wet, on the down hill tracks the duallies could not exploit their down hill advantage and uphill the hardtail ruled, until I died.
You can't beat the value of a Giant in the price range you are looking at. A hardtail will have better spec.

[maxwolfie]

1500 will give you an excellent higher-end hardtail Giant, as well as leaving some change for a helmet and some gloves :)

[ABG]

Thanks for all replies so far. The consensus so far seems to be go for the hardtail XTC2. Interestingly, a good friend of mine who has ridden and raced for a number of years now advised me just the opposite. She said that once you go to a dually, you'd never consider going back to a hardtail, especially with the excellent rear shocks that are available now, and is strongly advising me to look at either the Trance 2, Trance X2, or Anthem 2. This has left me more confused than ever.

I'm planning on hitting the shops this weekend and taking them for a spin around the block. Shame you can't take them out for a test run in real life conditions.

Finally, any recommendations as far as helmet and gloves are concerned? I don't want to fork out a fortune for either, but I don't want to waste my money on rubbish either. Has anyone come across any good comparisons that might help me?

Thanks again,

Andrew

[XCer]

If you ever do go a full suspension, have a look at the Scott MC range, a bit pricey but I have an MC-30 and have never looked back, worth every dollar and then some....

You cannot go wrong with a Bell Sweep XC helmet, comfy and if you crash and crack it, you send it back with you get a new one for half price....

[BT180]

I'm planning on hitting the shops this weekend and taking them for a spin around the block. Shame you can't take them out for a test run in real life conditions.

Finally, any recommendations as far as helmet and gloves are concerned? I don't want to fork out a fortune for either, but I don't want to waste my money on rubbish either. Has anyone come across any good comparisons that might help me?

Thanks again,

Andrew

What area are you in? BA in North Manly will let you take a demo bike for a day. The cost of that then comes off the purchase price.

I'd recommend the Fox Flux helmet. It's not one of the cheapies and not too expensive either. I paid $170 for mine from memory. There's a write up here - http://reviews.mtbr.com/blog/fox-flux-helmet-pro-review/

[ABG]

Thanks once again for the replies. The Scott looks very nice, but is a little out of my price range. Looks like a great policy from BA - I might have to check them out, even though I live in Sydney's south. Appreciate the feedback re helmets too.

A quick update. I visited my LBS and can get my hands on an XTC2 for a bit under $1,500, an Anthem 2 for around $1,800 and a Trance 2 for an extra $50. Are the dually's worth the extra money? I'm no spring chicken (on the dark side of 40). Will a dually make a difference in terms of comfort on shorter runs of 30-50 km (which is what I'd imagine I'll end up doing pretty regularly)? A $400 difference in terms of comfort?

Appreciate all the help I'm receiving.

Cheers,

Andrew

[thepotatokid]

Thanks once again for the replies. The Scott looks very nice, but is a little out of my price range. Looks like a great policy from BA - I might have to check them out, even though I live in Sydney's south. Appreciate the feedback re helmets too.

A quick update. I visited my LBS and can get my hands on an XTC2 for a bit under $1,500, an Anthem 2 for around $1,800 and a Trance 2 for an extra $50. Are the dually's worth the extra money? I'm no spring chicken (on the dark side of 40). Will a dually make a difference in terms of comfort on shorter runs of 30-50 km (which is what I'd imagine I'll end up doing pretty regularly)? A $400 difference in terms of comfort?

Appreciate all the help I'm receiving.

Cheers,

Andrew

A duallie will be much more comfortable, but a hardtail will help you get your skills up, and make you pick your lines better - i.e. you'll learn better habits. I reckon you're better off getting a good hardtail for your first bike, and then moving up to a duallie later on. Plus you generally get a better value for money on a hardtail - but the specs look pretty similar between those three bikes.

But if you have a bad back, or really need something comfortable, then a duallie will be a better option - aluminium hardtails can be pretty hard on your lower back.