Newbie Bike Advice

[FrogBoy]

Hi Guys,

I am just starting to get into Mountain Biking, and need to get a better bike. As it is a new hobby I don't want to spend too much money to get started. What I am looking for is an entry level bike that I will use primarily for Fire Trail riding.

I have a budget of about $500 - $600 dollars (I don't have any more money to spend so don't bother saying for $200 dollars more you can get bike X because it is really good value for money)

As I have been researching I have come to realise that most bikes in this price range basically have a very similar configuration (I suppose there is only so many components a manufacturer can work with in this price range)

My main focus is to get something with a decent frame so that I can upgrade components later on.

Bikes I have been looking at include:
Trek 4300, Giant Rincon, Haro V2, Diamondback Response

Anyone got any opinions/suggestions that will help me out?

Thanks

have you tryed looking second hand?

[kane]

if ur first gettin into it check out some of the websites with 2nd hand bikes like mtba and bicycling australia you should pick somthin half desant off there

[matty_2004]

Yeah, i have to agree, with only that much you should probably look at something second hand for example my trail specific Merida... i want 500ish for it, i've had it for 9 months but its in pretty nice condition.
Heres a pic, but pm me if your interested, dont turn this topic into a for sale topic.

http://www.farkin.net/forums/album_pic.php?pic_id=912

Good luck finding a bike and welcome to the world of mtbing... great sport !

[ELX]

I dont really know that much but i would go the giant or trek the diamondbacks arnt all that great and i cant really say abput the v2's but i recon the rincorn would be a grwat value bike. Giant have a good reputation ofmaking good quality bike's for good prices. If it were my choice i would go the giant. But seriosly i dont know wheather you will want to upgrade parts on a bike that cheap cause it gets to a cirtan point where any newer parts are better than the frame is so i would consider either getting a second hand bike or a new one and rather than upgrading compnantry, buying a new bike, But the second hand option in a good one and if you find a well maintaied bike it will take you along way. and be upgradable without getting silly by having really good componatnts on a not so god frame. Good luck mate

[matty_2004]

The 500 dollar treks are good value and that but the cranks/bb area and forks seems to be pretty nasty, they are a bit to heavy for xc but its still do able easily but when it comes to anything more like trail riding or basic urban or something, i know 3 people, 2 trek 810s and a giant rincon, and all of them wrecked the cranks and stuffed the bottom bracket, just by basic riding and some trail riding so i think you should still really considering 2nd hand, you can pick up quite alot for your money if you go 2nd hand, just make sure you know what your buying.

[ELX]

Yeha you could get somthing like a notco bigfoot or ryde second hand the bigfoot is a good bike but just ave a look aroud

[FrogBoy]

I have thought about second hand, but am a little wary because I am inexperienced and therefore would not necessarily know if a part was worn, or if the price was good.

[Mommers]

well, my last bike was a Trek 810 (equivalent of 4300), Trek have really nice frames but let themself down with components. I have the Giant Yukon now which I am extremely happy with :D but have only had it for 1 week so i cant really tell you what is bad about the Giants. Maybe consider a Hardrock, i think the base hardrock is $600-$650, correct me if im wrong. But you could probly pick up a good deal on a 2003 model, These bikes have really beefy frames and would take a fair bashing.

[matty_2004]

Ryde is a bit too low in the rear end to be a specific trail bike isn't it? just a thought.. :lol:

[wombat]

My pick would be the Diamondback, I've been very impressed with how well they go together, it feels better than the Haro IMO. I haven't had personal experience with the Trek or the Giant though, so I'm only going on a quick look at the spec sheets. The idea of fluid formed tubing on the Giant is nice, although I'd love to know just how extensive the process is on a bike at this price point.

Probably the best advice I can give you is to go and ride all of them, feel is very important, and a test ride will probably tell you more than a bunch of unestablished opinions.

[FrogBoy]

Good Advice Guys,

I must admit I do kind of like the idea of getting something new. Probably not the smartest in terms of value for money - but it is nice to have something new and shiny :)

But I am really quite open minded about second hand though

Kane, could you supply links to the sites you mentioned.

[matty_2004]

I have thought about second hand, but am a little wary because I am inexperienced and therefore would not necessarily know if a part was worn, or if the price was good.

What do you think this forum is for man :lol: Ask around ! there is ALWAYS someone on here willing to help you out.

[ELX]

Yeah the ryde is more od a dj, urban bike so might not be the best trail bike. But second hand bikes' arnt all that hard to pick a good one if you are carefull and go over them with a fine tooth comb. Yeah just go have a look at a few shops that stock diffrent brands, mods and ask around.

[wombat]

I have thought about second hand, but am a little wary because I am inexperienced and therefore would not necessarily know if a part was worn, or if the price was good.
Very good logic. If you could hunt down someone more experienced (I mean really more experienced, not just somebody who read the latest magazine buyers guide, then shopping second hand could be a much more viable prospect.

[FrogBoy]

Well I must say, I am glad I stumbled onto Farkin.net

I wasn't expecting to get so much friendly, helpful advice so quickly :lol:

[matty_2004]

I have thought about second hand, but am a little wary because I am inexperienced and therefore would not necessarily know if a part was worn, or if the price was good.
Very good logic. If you could hunt down someone more experienced (I mean really more experienced, not just somebody who read the latest magazine buyers guide, then shopping second hand could be a much more viable prospect.

^^^^^ Ideas Man :lol:

[wombat]

Well I must say, I am glad I stumbled onto Farkin.net

I wasn't expecting to get so much friendly, helpful advice so quickly :lol:

Well when you haven't got a proper life you need to amuse yourself somehow. Anyway, the more educated people we have, the fewer ignorant bastards I have to serve.

[lupine128]

quick word on the rincon. we've got a cpl in the shop, retail is around $550ish, ask around in your area.
pretty good frame, and the forks aren't total crap. the spec sheet is pretty ordinary, but for a budget price, not to bad.
you generaly get a good bike for begining , and the frame is good enough to warrant hangin on to it for a while, and upgrading any parts that you destroy (and you will destroy most of them in time).
as far as second hand bikes go, you really need a fairly good idea what you are looking for, and what to keep an eye out for when you buy it. budget $50-75 for cables, brake pads, and assorted little stuff that might be buggered. it will be worth making that $100, and dropping the new second hand machine into a shop for a basic service (which will cost around $40-50) that will cover getting the gears and brakes working smoothly, checking the bottom bracket and hubs, and generaly adjusting everything to run as well as it can. the mechanic will also let you know if theres anything else you might be up for in the near future.
just after christmas will be a fairly good time to buy a secondhand bike as people either sell unwanted gifts, or sell the old bike now they have their new super bike.

the ryde is over his price range

[baz]

the rincon is good, another possiblilty is the avanti venturer, about $600?

[FrogBoy]

Thanks for the advice on the second hand lupine128, It is that sort of thing that does make me wary of second hand.

baz,

I don't know much about avanti bikes. What are they like?

[Az]

Id go with the giant, giant is so big that the components on their bikes are often far better then the offerings from other companies (IMHO). The ones to look into would be something from the GT avalanche series. If you can get find one most the 03 models are on sale for good prices.

Avanti make some top bikes, well speced for the price aswell

[wombat]

Avanti make some top bikes, well speced for the price aswell

I'm with fuzzy on this one, Avanti's bikes are very underrated. As opposed to Giant, who's value (especially at the cheaper end of the market) is talked up a lot more than it really should be.

[FrogBoy]

So the Avanti bikes are pretty good huh.

I haven't seen too much about them around. I guess I will have to look some more.

[Mommers]

tell me where I can get a new Ryde for $500 bucks and I'll get one tomorow :lol:

thats what i was thinking

[FrogBoy]

I picked up a Diamondback catalog today. The Response 2004 model looks pretty nice. The specs in the catalog seem different to those on the diamondback website. Are these specs much good guys (for $550)?

Fork: Suntour XC-60
RD: Shimano Deore
FD: TY32
Wheels: Weinmann Zac-19 Double wall
Crankset: Shimano Acera
Cassette : Shimano Alivio
Brakes: Alloy V-Brakes

[wombat]

It's a strange sort of pick, the big upspec for the rear mech was a bit of a token gesture IMO, but it does have double wall rims, which the Giant and Haro don't and they feel like a solid bike, no dramas to build and that's always a good sign.

[FrogBoy]

Yeah, The double walls do appeal to me somewhat. The fire trail I do my daily ride on does have a few nasty rocks and some stumps sticking out of it. (Mind you it hasn't broken my old K-Mart special yet :) )

[matty_2004]

notco bigfoot or ryde second hand the bigfoot

Or you could learn to read... 2nd Hand

[chucK]

Rincon or Hardrock, personal experience for over a year on both (well actually a Yukon, but they're very very similar) and they are both top choices. Yukon is still going an absolute treat and it gets a daily thrashing and the hardrock.. well the gear systems going a bit iffy its still pretty bloody solid.

[matty_2004]

They are both 750+... isn't his limit 500?

[S.]

notco bigfoot or ryde second hand the bigfoot

Or you could learn to read... 2nd Hand

Or YOU could learn to read, he mentioned second hand. Jesus.

[bighitter]

maybe check out some of the bikes from the iron horse range. They seem to be well specced for the price

[sprucas_fab3]

i definately say get something second-hand - bikes depreciate quickly - i know you probably don't really care cause you are going to be riding all the time - but you can get some really great bikes for $600 - esp some that are a couple of years old and have been really loved - don't rush out and buy without quizzing everyone on this site if they have a great bike for the price you are after

[matty_2004]

notco bigfoot or ryde second hand the bigfoot

Or you could learn to read... 2nd Hand

Or YOU could learn to read, he mentioned second hand. Jesus.

Socket that was exactly my point, i was saying that to the guys who said i wish i could find a ryde for 500 new, probably the wrong comment to quote, should have quoted the peoples comments about trying to get a ryde for 500, but yes, i was trying to say that he said second hand. Jesus... :roll:

Edit: Spelling

[matty_2004]

i definately say get something second-hand - bikes depreciate quickly - i know you probably don't really care cause you are going to be riding all the time - but you can get some really great bikes for $600 - esp some that are a couple of years old and have been really loved - don't rush out and buy without quizzing everyone on this site if they have a great bike for the price you are after

Yeah exactly, the general rule for selling 2nd hand bikes is divide the original price in half, than take another 10% for each year, this does depend on the condition though, but yeah, 2nd hand bikes are cheap as!
Quite often you can find brand new un-ridden bikes that have been a present or what not, and they take like 200 off the original price, might find an avanti cheap like that.

[ELX]

Yeah thanks Matty. Notice the works second hand in my original post concering the Ryde........hmmmm.......now could that mean that the bike wouldn't be new and therefore not cost 1000 dollars or there abouts and only cost like 500-600 ie. Frogboys limit. Not trying to piss anybody off but before you start making assumptions make sure your right. Now lets get back on topic.

[matty_2004]

That's exactly what i was telling them! you said you might get one for 500 2nd hand, then they start saying, a ryde for 500 new? ill buy one now! and than i was quoting you saying 2ND HAND! I was backing your comment up cause they miss read it!

[FrogBoy]

Well guys, You have definately convinced me to have a good look at second hand gear.

Now, can you give me any pointers in terms of what to look out for. What parts tend to wear/break the soonest and could cause me some problems?

[matty_2004]

Look for a good named fork... RST's come on most of the cheap and nasty bikes, Rockshox and Marzocchi's come on the upper speced bikes.

You can usually see what level all the specs are by looking at the derailleurs, cause it goes SIS(Target stuff), Altus, Acera, Alivio, Deore, Deore LX, Deore XT, XTR. But with the massed produced frames they tend to be shitter quality and cheaper so they can afford to put better specs on the bike... If you see a bike i guess you could just post a pic of it and the specs in this thread and people could tell you what its really worth and if its any good, if your worried about if it is damaged or in good condition than take someone who knows a fair bit about bikes with you to check it out, or if the seller lets you, than get it checked out by a bike shop (which will cost you an X amount of money).

[FrogBoy]

OK guys,

I am still looking around, evaluating etc (i.e. haven't got the cash to buy a bike yet).
I have been looking around at some other bikes in my price range (500-600) and was wondering if anyone knew much about the Norco bushpilot. I know norco have a decent reputation, but what about in the lower end of the market?

Thanks

Specs as follows from the Norco site:

FRAME: Aluminum biaxial tapered tube MTB frame with sloping top tube and disc mount rear dropout
FORK: SR Suntour XC-60 75 mm travel
HEADSET: 1-1/8" threadless
CRANKS: Shimano TX-70 alloy triple
FREEWHEEL: Shimano HG-30 8 sp 11-32
FRONT CHANGER: Shimano Acera
REAR CHANGER: Shimano Alivio
SHIFTERS: Shimano EF-35 EZ fire 8 sp
BAR: Alloy Riser bar
STEM: Aluminum threadless
FRONT BRAKE: Tektro alloy V brakes
REAR BRAKE: Tektro alloy V brakes
BRAKE LEVERS: Shimano
FRONT HUB: Formula alloy QR
REAR HUB: Formula alloy QR 8 sp cassette
RIMS: Alex Ace 18 double wall
SPOKES: Stainless
TIRES: Kenda Klaw XT 26x2.10
SADDLE: Velo Race MTB

[peep]

heyho, welcome to farkin!

I bought my first bike at the beginning of the year, and its a bushpilot. I only started riding this year and have been really happy with the bike- i do a little bit of everything on it (xc, downhill, commute and some REALLY dodgy attempts at dj).

I havn't had any trouble with the components, i'm still running stock everything except for my front brake but i'm not a heavy or superhardcore rider so probably don't stress them too much. I'm replacing the forks soon but the Suntour are fine to start out on and hold up to general trail riding ok.

Anyways, thats my personal experience with that bike, hope it helps!! Don't forget to test out the bike before you buy - i looked at quite a few and the bushpilot seemed to 'fit' best, as well as having ok components.

[FrogBoy]

peep,

Thanks for the info. Sounds like the sort of thing I want to be doing with my bike when I get it.

What other bikes were you looking at when you were in the market?

[peep]

*struggles* o my memory!
I think I tried an Avanti, and a Haro, both around the same price. I didn't do good market research like you are doing, just went to the local bike stores and tried out the bikes in my price range with a friend who knew what to look for in terms of decent components.

[FrogBoy]

Unfortunately I don't have any mates who are into mountain bikes, so I have to trust my own research etc.

Believe me, If I had the money I probably wouldn't be researching so much, I would be out there buying. I suppose not having the cash helps me not buy the first thing I see.

[Mahoney_007]

Youve started at the right place, I came here about 4 months ago when I had to find a new ride myself and this lot know their shit hahaha.

My mate just picked up a 600 dollar bike last week, Diamond Back Sorrento, Suntour(i cant remember the model) forks, shimano acera levers shifters and BB, LX rear Dr but standard Shimano up front, double walled rims(cant remember the brand of these either), shimano disc brakes, the rest of it was no name stuff, but quite the bargain nether the less.

I'd say if your buying new, and I hate saying this but buy something imported. The aussie dollar is getting stronger so the price of bikes is dropping or your getting better specced bikes for your buck.

[drewie162]

i have got a diamond back response with maxxis high roller 2.7 and it goes really well in technical bits.

[TonyG]

i have got a diamond back response with maxxis high roller 2.7 and it goes really well in technical bits.

Does it now. That is great news.
I've got a massive hangover and I'm have great difficulties with the technical bits at the moment.

[Dozer]

i have got a diamond back response with maxxis high roller 2.7 and it goes really well in technical bits.

You have to check the date of the thread before you post in it. This thread is close to four years old and you've dug it up (a gravedig as we call it) and added no valuable content.
Gravedigging is frowned upon so please, check the date before you post!
Welcome aboard and all that jazz, please get a feel for how it works then enjoy it!