Is this a good mountain bike?

[Descartes]

BMW Q3.S

Ok, I admit it, I was first attracted to the bike simply because I liked the way it looks. The price isn't bad compared to a Trek or something of that calibur, but is it a capable bike? I'm not an avid biker, but I would like something comfortable that I can cruise through the hills.

So, good bike, bad bike? Any other suggestions?

 

[Daniel]

It is a status symbol that gives you no specs and is probably way overpriced, I would just get a real bike, I doubt you will find any real bikers that will recommend that bike especially at that price.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Ack! From an engineering standpoint that is a terrible design (it can't have much in the way of lateral steering rigidity since the head tube only attaches to one large downtube, rather than a top tube and down tube), and it is very poorly equipped for a $1K MTB. I love BMW but this is not a good bike or a decent deal.

 

[yakko]

<< it can't have much in the way of lateral steering rigidity since the head tube only attaches to one large downtube, rather than a top tube and down tube >>

Robochaix and Alpine Stars are two bikes that do it with one tube and they are not alone.

 

[DanFungus]

holy crap! a BMW BIKE?!!??!?!?!

 

[stevens]

No i would definately go Gary Fisher. They make great bike period and are less expensive than Trek and GT.

gary fisher

 

[Lars]

<< holy crap! a BMW BIKE?!!??!?!?! >>



There are also some from Porsche and Mercedes.

 

[yakko]

<< No i would definately go Gary Fisher. They make great bike period and are less expensive than Trek and GT.

gary fisher >>

And are owned by Trek.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

<<

<< it can't have much in the way of lateral steering rigidity since the head tube only attaches to one large downtube, rather than a top tube and down tube >>

Robochaix and Alpine Stars are two bikes that do it with one tube and they are not alone. >>



That doesn't mean it makes sense. I have never heard of Robochaix but have never had much esteem for Alpinestars (going all the way back to their hideous elavated-chainstay bikes in the early '90s). The only reputable bikes I have ever seen with this kind of design accomplished it with a much larger, flatter downtube (e.g., the Fisher Y-bikes, which I would also not recommend but which are not as laughable as this monstrosity).

In all fairness I am a bit of a traditionalist as far as hardtails go, and see no compelling reason not to stick to the basic, venerated diamond frame design.

 

[bigshooter]

If you aren't an avid rider, then just get a mid line Trek. I don't remember the model i looked at, but they'll probably go for around $450-$550. It's a really good bike though, i need to start riding to try to get in shape again. (Had back surgery and now it's screwed again ) I had a Trek 830 I think a while ago and it was great.

 

[Supahfreak]

You could get a name brand bike with XT parts(second highest from Shimano) or other high line stuff that they'll actually NAME in the brochure The only status that bike will get is "look at what that moron bought, for HOW MUCH!!! OMG what an idiot" Save yourself the trouble.

FreAk

 

[C'DaleRider]

Interesting bike.........but VERY CHEAP components for a grand.

The crank is apparently Alivio, one of the lowest component groups Shimano has, as is the rear derailleur. XT is a flat silver with a rounded body, LX is dark steel blue, Deore is either black or flat silver. The crank, with its plastic chainguard, is found on $200 bikes.

The fork appears to be something like a Suntour or Post Modern.........not a RockShox or Manitou. Junk in other words for offroad riding. (I sell this sort of fork for the economically challenged students for $79....installed.)

Vuelta Airlines rims.........Trek uses that rim on one of their road bikes.........the cheapest one they sell. The next level up and they move to something lighter and more substantial.

The frame design looks very reminiscant of some Huffys and Pacifics and Nexts rolling around right now.......cheap junk.

This BMW......probably retail for $250 or so in a bike shop without the embossed BMW name.

If you want, I can point you in the direction of a few Taiwanese and Chinese factories that will emboss your name on the frame as its made...........as long as you commit to purchase 10K of the frames. They'll look just like this bike.


Go to a bike shop......get a name brand, take advantage of their service policies.

 

[MikeMike]

for a mountain bike try gary fisher, GT, trek.

make sure you get rock shox and shimano derailers and that is about all i know

 

[Thegonagle]

24 speed is indicative of a low-end hub. Should be 27 for this price. They refuse to list the components. Plus, good hardtails all use the classic diamond shaped frame, which is, from an engineering standpoint, the strongest configuration possible. Those are my red flags that this is not a serious bike.

"Identified by BMW lettering embossed on frame." Oooo! Ahhh! (There's the other $750.)