You are hereForums / General Discussion / NoBMoB Chat / Newbie to site!
Newbie to site!
Hi Everyone,
My names is steve, am as per the suject heading am new to the site, new to syd, and pretty new to mountian biking. Orginally from melbourne and done lots of road biking, however after seeing the narrow roads, and the non existence(inner city at least) of bike lanes, am not taking my life in my own hands when riding out there. Alas, have always been interested in Mountain bikeing, however, dues to the costs of both sports, could only choose one.
The bike, have actually got it yet, however, after numerous shops, sales people, endless frustration, 1 think i have decided on one, 08 GT Marathon 2.0, can anyone tell me any of there experiences with this brand, or, any tips on what i should go for. Looking to get serious about this sport, however, i dont think i would enter anything professionally. Want to be able to tear round a trail on a weekend and have a bit of fun. Also looked at a Giant CRX, Trek Fuel 5.5, am interested in the D/S bikes, rather than the hard tails, thanks everyone, looking forward to meeting you all one day at least on a trail ride
Steve
- Login to post comments
- Bookmark & share
Welcome Steve... as you'll find we're a pretty jovial bunch here and like to joke and jest a lot - so will start by saying that despite being from Melbourne and having a road background I'm sure people round here won't hold that against you!
For the bikes - isn't a Giant CRX a hybrid? Yerch, yerch, yerch! You probably want to look at a Trance or Reign from Giant, although the Reign 1 (entry level) is more expensive than your options it's a serious all mountain bike with more travel and can handle bigger drops if it turns out that's what you're into.
The other two you mention look pretty nice and would see you proudly riding most Sydney trails I reckon. Although for the same $$$ you are in entry level Cannondale Rush territory (esp. with some discounted end of '07 models you may still find about). Although I would say that, I ride one and love it (cue a Specialized 'freak' to talk about similar stuff they have).
From the two you mention though, think you've done Trek a disservice, at that price point shouldn't you be comparing the Marathon 2.0 with Fuel 6.5? If that is the case, after a cursory look at the specs it looks quiet close - each have chosen to spend their $$$ in a different field (Trek has bling rear derailleur but it's cranks and hubs not as nice as GT for example). Try and get a test ride on the dirt or find a rider with something similar and try theirs. Then you pays your $$$ and makes your choice.
See you out there!
Rob
The GT looks like it is a pretty decent bike. Shimano LX componenets mainly should serve you well. The rear shock is pretty basic though. I believe the Float R only has rebound adjustments with no adjustable propedal like on the higher end Float RP23.
Do not go a Giant CRX. That is like a bike path kind of bike. In the Giant range have a look at the Trance (4 inch travel), Trance X (5 inch travel) or Reign (6 inch travel). Personally I ordered myself a Trance X0 which should be arriving sometime in Jan
As Rob mentioned, Cannondale Rush is another option but you will have to put up with our constant jeers at riding a bike with only half a fork
Another very popular bike on the trails is the Specialized Stumpjumper.
Have a look at the latest issue of Australia Mountain Bike. They have a review comparing various 5 inch trail bikes.
Hey steve - defiantly look at what Specialized has to offer before buying anything. I have had a Stumpjumper for a couple of years and just brought an Enduro with 6 inches of travel and love it. Northside at Chatswood will let you take out their bikes for a test ride, as will most other quality bike shops. City Bike Depot will give you a Cannondale Rush for the weekend as well, which i tried, but i could not go past the Enduro.
Good luck and enjoy.
Benny
Welcome Steve - here's my 2 bobs worth.
There are many makes and models of bikes and most people will recommend the make and model they are currently riding - imagine that.
As someone new to the sport I suggest you find a GOOD local bike shop, tell them the type of riding you want to do e.g. cross country, trail, downhill, etc and go with there recommendation. You will be relying on the LBS a lot in the first few years, then if you are like most of use you will probably want to upgrade in 2 or 3 years time and by then you will know a lot more.
I've owned a GT, Specialized Ground Control, Cannondale Jekyll, Specialized Stumpjumper and now a Yeti and my theory is that bike riders can be categorised into 3 groups:
1) Those who know nothing about bikes,
2) Those that own a Yeti, and
3) Those that wish they owned a Yeti.
Paul
hairy ape man, OK paul in your cse I can understand.
My vote will ofcourse be for a specialized. Probably better value for money though would a Kona, and they build them tough on the shore.
http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bikes/show/100004265
http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bikes/show/100004393
http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bikes/show/100004259
Welcome to sunny Sydney, please step around the hail storms and please don't feed the car drivers.
My Trance X Zero (same as Buck) should be here in February. I'm new to the sport (well I rode BMX in the early 80's) and spent the last 12 motnhs cutting my teeth on a hardtail. It will be my reward for quitting smoking 6 months ago.
Stuart, how many times have I told you not to kiss and tell, besides since you started waxing fewer people have been calling you "sasquatch".
fishnet type clothing.
hey, I'm not the one riding around on half a fork ...
Back to the OP's question, Giant bikes, IMHO, offer the best bang for buck. Check out the Trance, Trance X or Reign models.
The $2k and a bit budget won't stretch to a Specialized Epic or a Stumpjumper with Brain. The only reason you would want to consider a Specialized is due to the Brain valve on the rear suspension. Essentially the Brain turns the rear suspension on and off depending on the terrain, eliminating pedal bob. So the bike will feel like a hardtail when climbing and feel like a dualie when riding over rough stuff.
I would probably get a Giant if I was in the market for a new bike. Says he owns two Specialized bikes ...
although ive bought four specialized in just over a year i would have to agree that although they might not be my favorite bikes, giant always seem to have the best componentry for the money. great bikes! get one for a few years then upgrade to a specialized!!!! i mean you dont go out and buy a ducati 996 straight off your 'L' plates do you?
if you can stretch to it a Cannondale Rush is a great bike - the pogo fork looks a little odd but it is SOO solid that it is hard to fault. The single pivot rear suspension is great. If you shop around as Rob says you should get a 2007 model pretty reasonable.
It does tend to depend on your riding style however. Rush's are kinda All Mountain/Enduro. Manage to take everything I pointed it at so far (unlike me!!!)
Take'em for a ride I say. thats how I ended up with the 'dale.
One of my mates purchased a Honda 250cc on his L plates. Then purchased a 1000cc Monster which he later proceeded to throw into the bushes one day, breaking 3 fingers in that stack. Lesson learned.
Oh yeah, if you have the money, you will always end up purchasing whatever you want. Right Gaz? (does any of this sound vaguely familiar?)
My suggestion is work out how much money you have and what style bike you want and research every model within that range, then visit bike shops and check out the models that interest you and take for a spin where possible.
Around the $2500-$3000 you can get a fairly decent dual suspension bike, Anthem 1 and Trance 1 is within this price range, Specialised epic is just over $3000 and you can get a Scott Genius MC30 for about $3200 - http://www.bikes.com.au/p/370641/2008-scott-geni...
The scott is excellent value and has great componentry for the price.
I dont think you will get a decently specced Rush in this price range.
There are heaps to choose from
Goodluck
Don
there is a magazine out in the news agents that i got a while ago, still around now i think, called mountain bike buyers guide i think..it has a list of pretty much all available mtb's, compares specs, tells you who stocks them and how much etc etc.. was very useful to me when purchasing mine recently..if you cant find it and want it, i think i still have a copy would be happy to give it to you..
(oh cmon someone had to!)
my 2 cents, if price is an issue id stay away from most of the "high end" styles bikes, like your yeti's, cannondales, santa cruz etc etc., aas they just dont compete on the buget end imho, compared to your say norco's giants, mongoose stuff like that.. like i say just my opinion..one piece of advice bike shops often have bikes they want to get rid of cause they might be last years model, or the wrong style for the shop to sell (in my case, i ended up with a $6500 for $2000 new as the style of bike was difficult for the shop to move (downhill bike in a XC store)..just to give you an idea of how big a mark up they have! whatever they want, offer less! if they say no, play hard ball! and now that the 2008's are pretty much out, alot are going to be trying to move the 2007's or maybe even 2006's for alot less $$..look out for good warranties too like trek for example have lifetime, where as cannondale offer a 1 day warranty on their cork/elestomer frames as long as you dont go through a puddle or snap the fork in half again or in quarters
anyway good luck!