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Doing Duel
Hi everyone, thanks for a great ride today. I went to the local shop today and they were selling a merida one twenty tfs 700 for an awesome deal brand new. Instead of my buying a new shock im considering taking the leap and buying a dualy. I also rode a specialized fsr xc which was set up for my weight and now im hooked!!!! Much better then a hardtail.
My question is whats everyone opinion on the merida?
Btw it has some really good kit, like a preitty much full xt drivetrain, suntour epicon shock? 120mm all round suspension.
Thanks
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My opinion of Suntour forks is pretty poor, but that may just be becasue I haven't seen any of their better spec units.
but rest of bike looks like quite a good deal. Advertised on Bke Exchange for $2,499:
http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bikes/show/100099...
Ive read up on the forks and they get good write ups on mtbr.
the people who wrote the write ups on mtbr obviously never rode with quality suspension like Fox or Rock Shox. I had a suntour fork on an old bike and it was an atrocious piece of rot that you would expect to find on a k-mart bike.
The reason those suspension items are on the lowest spec bike is because they are the lowest spec suspension. They have gone for a higher spec drive train and lower spec suspension.
rather save up for something with better suspension.
In my opinion, the most important parts on a bike are suspension, wheels and brakes.
rather get this if it's still available (and if it's your size)
http://nobmob.com/node/15712
i wish i could afford a 3k bike but i really cant, im cutting it very fine as it is.
Suggest you keep on $aving. In the meantime keep developing your skills a little longer on the hardtail until you can get the bike you want, rather than the bike you can just afford.
The worst he can do is say no. And he may say yes.
Important: Research market values first, by looking at completed listings one eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Giant-Trance-1-2007-Large...
The measurement you need ot check is the Horizontal Top Tube Length. Go on line and find out what it is for your current ride and stay with +/- 10mm of that for any new ride you might be considering.
This bike will be too big for you. jacojoco has a medium, and it's bigger than my large Cannondale
If I was buying a new bike, I'd be going for a higher quality frame, with lower spec components. This way, as parts wear out or break. You can replace them with better spec'd parts. But in the mean time, you've got a sick frame!
Also, shop around. I know you can't afford 3k, but there's a Cannondale Rush down at NBC for 3k. There's also a few other bikes that are absolute bargains!! Definitely worth looking around.
Just make sure the bike is the right size and definitely don't compromise on this even if it is a bargain.
All the stuff you guys are saying defiantly makes sense. Of course i want an awesome frame that will last me ages but im just not sure whats good? I rode a specialized xc fsr comp which was set up for my weight, i rode it around the block (down stairs that kinda stuff...) and it felt awesome! i can tell you that the gear was good ) but i cant tell you about the frame because i have no idea so this is why im asking everyones expertise
Is it good?
If not what should i keep my eyes peeled for?
Thanks everyone, im a difficult customer
Jono
The only way to learn is to ask questions.
I love my Cannondale Rush. It's a 4" bike and I've got 130mm Fox 32's on it. As a XC bike, it's awesome. With the RP23 rear shock, having it on the hardest pro pedal setting, it's almost like a hardtail. I rode the 4hr yesterday with the propedal on. It soaked up the little jumps I went off really well considering the setting and how firm it is. Pedalbob is non existent. Turn the propedal to the softest setting and the ride is so plush, it's like riding on a cloud. It's very noticably better than my Norco 6 with a DHX5 coil. I've also taken it off some bigger drops like 3 and 4 ft drops and man it feels bottomless. I'd read this in mags, but never knew what that felt like until I rode the Rush. It feels a heap better off the smaller drops than my Norco again... i just need a 7" Rush and I'll be set! hahah
As far as other brands go the better brands, the more 'boutique' brands might not necisarlily handle better (though they generally do) but they are definitely lighter and stiffer. More main stream frames are generally a little heavier and a bit more robust. Some other brands out there, are Commencal, Orbea (their carbon 4" design is very similar to the Rush, but the frame look better with it's built in mud shield looking down tube.), Marin have a pretty sweet suspension design, as well. Santa Cruz, is another.
There are many others out there, unfortunately with most of those brands the price tag is huge. But it's always worth a look around as you'll never know what bargain you might find in a shop, usually like a run out model or something.
Some other brands that aren't so 'boutique', like giant, Jamis, Scott, Fuji, Norco (I have a soft spot for my Norco's... lol) are a bit better priced as far as spec goes for your dollar.
This is my interpretation and not gospel, but it's some brand names you can research at the very least.
Ive seen a few good deals around like the merida twenty one tfs 700 for $1800.00 and the specialized fsr xc expert for $2200 with awesome kit. All brand new with warranty and servicing that kinda stuff.
But one thing else to consider is how much i will get for my bike?
Rockhopper disc....with
Xt 160mm rotors, hone calipers, deore lx dual control shifters, size is a large, 2009 model.
This also has quite a big impact on what i buy.
Thanks
epicon and axon forks are the top forks of suntour, the axon already been in the podium in an international race, epicon is just bang for the buck, light and w/ good features.
It's just my 2 cents, good luck for the hunt
brand new 2010 model trance on rotorburn:
http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/showthread.php?2......
Its a medium
out will_81 bike he has 4 sale in classified it won't hurt trying it out ?
... which is about the right size.
Jono, what's a large in one brand can be a small in another. Example: The medium Giant is about the same length frame as my Large Jekyll, which is almost the same size as my original hardtail, an Extra Large Mongoose Tyax.
You need to go by the horizontal top tube length. Forget about what the manufaturer calls the size. It's the HTT length that you need to go by.
The 2011 models will be out soon... then the 2010 models will be reduced. That's how I managed to get my Anthem last year. I was looking at a decent hardtail, but when the Anthem was dropped by $900, I couldn't say no.
Keep an eye out.
I just pm'ed him.
Looks like a reasonable buy - make an offer
a large but I put a shorter headstem on it , I got it cause it was value for money but could have been suited to a medium better ....maybe . Which one are you gouing for Jonathon ? The X2 is a better bike than the X3
I pm'ed will_81. Not an offer but just to see if i could look at it.
best buy at the moment . I think it might be ok for you good luck
Any reason you say might be ok?
Its a little worrying
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CANNONDALE-PROPHET-1000-/...
It otherwise looks good. A good all-rounder. The size is the same as mine. If you thought mine fit you, this bike would be worth looking at.
I just got back from riding the merida one tewnty with that suntour fork grrrrrr but i was actually very surprised. Very plush, smooth, and nice indeed.
the dale is a nice looking bike all the gear on it too even the fox forks are worth a penny .
Make sure you see the bike first. There are a lot of scams where the goods do not exist.
i don't plan on buying anything off ebay, its to risky and plus all the half decent bikes are in victoria and im not willing to buy blindly
It might be worth looking at the Giant. The trance x3 has the same frame as the x0 & the rear suspension's the same (different shock of course), so you won't be throwing your money away on upgrades. For size, I'm on a medium & I'm only just shy of 6ft. I went from a hardtail & I've been riding the trance X for a while & I'm still amazed at how many mistakes it lets me get away with - 127mm rear travel & fox F120 15mm thru-axle. Haven't ridden any of the boutique brands to know how they feel but the value giant offers is hard to go past, even better if you're not paying retail.
http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bikes/show/100151...
A tranceX2 for $2400 + a trip to the central coast to pick up
These guys are renowned for good pricing
There's plenty of new bikes on here in your price range
Just might require a bit of driving or use these prices as a bargaining tool when approaching your LBS
Don't let the LBS swing you with a few free services etc IMO - free servicing is worth about as much as you pay - nothing
Don't get too caught up in componentry - these wear out and can be replaced
Having said that i would stick with Fox or rockshox for suspension duties
you'll never have a problem getting parts or your LBS to service them
And stick with the known brands - Giant, Specialized etc NOT Atomik
To sum up
Known brand frame - don't stress over which one. They're all pretty good these days
Fox or rockshox suspension in my opinion
Brakes - most likely Shimano or Avid - don't stress over which ones
Drivetrain - Shimano or Sram - both are good - again, don't stress
All components in this price range will be passable at least, and can be upgraded easily
But cross that bridge when you come to it
Ditch the bone rattler, it sounds like it's time - I was so happy when I did
You won't be disappointed with whatever you get
I shopped around last year and got a good deal on a 09 Trance X1 from Cycology Tuggerha, good people to deal with.
Specialized and other top brands a good but the Giants a just such good value.
My mate has a trance x as well and we are realy happy with them perfect trail bike and for raceing enduros did the Dirt Works on it this year and it made a massive differance to the previous year on a good hardtail.
The 15mm tru axle fox fork improves handleing and the Fox shock makes a good balanced set up, most of the time i ride Glenrock with pro peddle Off because its so plush and i dont seem to lose any performance only turn it on for the road and cycle ways onthe way to the real fun.
Jonathon,
By the sounds your wants outweigh your wallet, ebay is difficult. You never know what you buying without seeing it first hand. I'd be sending Santa a note, he won't let you down.....
Santa's a dream killer... Don't trust him!!!
sinkes must know a different Santa to me....
Thanks for all the help from everyone. Ill let everyone no how i go.
What was your budget?
absolute max up to 2k
Hi everybody, thanks again for your help. My search has ended with the addition of a 2010 giant trance x2, im absolutely over the moon!!
See you all around on the trails.
Jono.
Enjoy it!!!!!
... it didn't happen.
It won't let me add a photo, how do i?
http://nobmob.com/node/add/image
[Mod. fixed image]