Looking for new bike - UPDATE Purchased!

[BassBomb]

Any ATOT Mountain Bike experts?

I am in the market for a new bike, probably hard tail. I ride on light gravel trails that are usually maintained so not very technical in terms of roots or trees around.

I went to my local bike shop and they recommended I go 29er.

I had stated a budget of ~$1000 which is flexible in going below but not much above

The guy recommended GIANT over TREK (the two brands they pretty much carry) and in particular this bike:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/_pdf/bikes/canada/giantbicycles-58313-talon.29er.0.pdf

Any tips on what I should be looking out for? Would this be a strong choice ?

 

[deanx0r]

I'd consider 29ers only if I needed the clearance for more technical trails. Are you set on buying a mountain bike? There is always that trade off between efficiency and versatility. If you are not going to ride any single tracks, I would recommend going with a road bike or a hybrid instead which handle light gravel trails just fine.

Also, if you can work on your bike, consider http://www.bikesdirect.com/.
I assembled 2 bikes from them without any hitch. Tweaking can be tricky, but you can just take the bike to a LBS then.

 

[BassBomb]

I'd consider 29ers only if I needed the clearance for more technical trails. Are you set on buying a mountain bike? There is always that trade off between efficiency and versatility. If you are not going to ride any single tracks, I would recommend going with a road bike or a hybrid instead which handle light gravel trails just fine.

Also, if you can work on your bike, consider http://www.bikesdirect.com/.
I assembled 2 bikes from them without any hitch. Tweaking can be tricky, but you can just take the bike to a LBS then.

I am set on a mountain bike, not a hybrid or road bike. While the trails aren't technical per say, they are very windy and wouldn't be suited to else. Also I want to start finding more difficult trails to ride on.

I'll take a look at that site, thanks!

 

[Dirigible]

I've been riding a 29er almost exclusively since 2008 and recommend one.

At $1000 you should be able to get a nice hardtail. That Giant has adequate shifters and derailleurs. I'm unfamiliar with the fork and brakes. Wheels at that price point will be nothing special and machine built; ask the shop to hand tension them if you buy from a shop.

I'm also unfamiliar with most current hardtail frames. See if you can get test rides to get a feel for them.

Have you considered used? Often good deals there.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[thedarkwolf]

Have you been posting on 4chan too? Just saw something asking about a giant talon 29er on there.

The talon is overkill for what you want to do but if you plan to go more off road later it looks like a good upper end entry level bike for trail riding. The whole 29er vs 26er thing is just personal preference. I ride the same crap on my 26er and 29er and I don't feel that the wheels on either slow or speed me up enough to matter. My 29er has a lot better suspension on it which does make a lot of difference.

http://www.airbornebicycles.com/category/55-cross-country-2629.aspx
Another online only bike dealer to consider. They have a lot of good pres over on mtbr.com

www.mtbr.com has a mtn bike forum that you should spend some time reading around on. Tons of What bike should I buy for $???? over there.

Dirigible
The rock shox XC line of shocks are their Dart replacements. Their bottom of the line shocks but still better than the craptastic suntours most entry level bikes get.

 

[BassBomb]

I've been riding a 29er almost exclusively since 2008 and recommend one.

At $1000 you should be able to get a nice hardtail. That Giant has adequate shifters and derailleurs. I'm unfamiliar with the fork and brakes. Wheels at that price point will be nothing special and machine built; ask the shop to hand tension them if you buy from a shop.

I'm also unfamiliar with most current hardtail frames. See if you can get test rides to get a feel for them.

Have you considered used? Often good deals there.

Good luck and enjoy!

Looking for new only, yeah I can test ride them once weather gets better here. They'll tension and tune up any purchase from their shop (and cover maintenance for 2 year)

My old bike was dual suspension, below starter end too (Iron Horse)

He was saying that Giant is a step above entry level (better shock, better lockout, better frame and deraillure)

 

[BassBomb]

I rode the Talon 29er 0 and the TREK which was a class above (in price, fork)

I loved how the Talon felt. Bought that at the Bike show time since they gave me a deal and I got a bunch of other things for the bike.

Almost ready to hit the ground running when the snow melts

http://imgur.com/a/AZ8bN

 

[Baked]

Ooooh shiny. Hope you like it.

 

[Kadarin]

I do mountain biking at Santa Teresa County Park in San Jose, and I just ordered a Specialized Enduro Comp. I'm hardly an expert at it, but the sport is a hell of a lot of fun and well worth the investment.

 

[JM Aggie08]

Been looking at getting myself a Hybrid...hard to find a 25" frame though

 

[CraigRT]

I rode the Talon 29er 0 and the TREK which was a class above (in price, fork)

I loved how the Talon felt. Bought that at the Bike show time since they gave me a deal and I got a bunch of other things for the bike.

Almost ready to hit the ground running when the snow melts

http://imgur.com/a/AZ8bN

Wonder if I saw you there. I was in the market for a Giant Seek 0 but I could not find a 0 model at the bike show. Shame, had cash in hand.

I was going to suggest to you the XTC 29er but Im glad you got something you like already.

 

[BassBomb]

Wonder if I saw you there. I was in the market for a Giant Seek 0 but I could not find a 0 model at the bike show. Shame, had cash in hand.

I was going to suggest to you the XTC 29er but Im glad you got something you like already.

This shop didn't have a booth, just had deals in-store during the show's weekend.

I did check the show out on Sunday just to see if anything nice was out there. Got a few simple things from there like a pump

 

[Clinkster]

Wow, I just thought of finally looking into ~$1k MTBs too. I'm marking this thread and would def appreciate any more input.

 

[BassBomb]

Wow, I just thought of finally looking into ~$1k MTBs too. I'm marking this thread and would def appreciate any more input.

What I found was most bikes at the price range will have similar components, frames, forks and all of the above and price. I think it will just come down to personal opinion and feeling when you ride it (for example the more expensive bike I didn't like the frame feeling or the brakes). There are options that have more value such as Airborne or Motobecane as mentioned in the thread.

Stick with hard tail at this price range.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Really at around $1k everybody has basically the same level of components. What it really comes down to is which bike fits you better so you just have to go out and try some. You might get lucky and find a left over 2012 for for a deal. If you are willing to take a chance on fitment the online only dealers have some good deals too. Assuming you don't want to go used.

Guess I should have typed quicker lol

 

[Dirigible]

I do mountain biking at Santa Teresa County Park in San Jose, and I just ordered a Specialized Enduro Comp. I'm hardly an expert at it, but the sport is a hell of a lot of fun and well worth the investment.

Enduro? Nice bike. But with that much suspension travel, you are now required to bomb down Rocky Ridge in Santa Teresa at high speed, and then head to Soquel Demo to hit hella mad air on Braille... :awe:

 

[Dirigible]

I rode the Talon 29er 0 and the TREK which was a class above (in price, fork)

I loved how the Talon felt. Bought that at the Bike show time since they gave me a deal and I got a bunch of other things for the bike.

Almost ready to hit the ground running when the snow melts

http://imgur.com/a/AZ8bN

Nice. You are ready for wet trails for sure!

 

[BassBomb]

Nice. You are ready for wet trails for sure!

I need to be, since the thing with our trails around here is a light rain the trails won't be wet. A heavy rain the trails can stay wet for days (killing ride time)
All because of the tree cover

I've got a few maps of trails that I want to now visit

- Dundas Valley
- Short Hills park
- Welland Canal
- Kelso

 

[BassBomb]

I bought front mudflap: SKS Shockboard 28/29" version. I am now a victim of marketing. I had the original SKS Shockboard 26". If you put the two side by side, there is very little difference. The old one is a little wider in some areas. They're both about the same length and the 28/29" version has a little bit more curve to it.

 

[Kadarin]

Enduro? Nice bike. But with that much suspension travel, you are now required to bomb down Rocky Ridge in Santa Teresa at high speed, and then head to Soquel Demo to hit hella mad air on Braille... :awe:

Crappy picture:

I did the switchbacks this past weekend, so Rocky Ridge is next! I also need to get a hydraulic seatpost, probably the Rockshox one.

 

[Chrono]

If you're liking the feel and geometry of the bike go for it. I'm riding in a Trek Cobia and I love it... too bad I took a bad spill going 30mph+ and dislocated my left hand.... 2 month or so ago... Can't wait to ride again.

 

[BassBomb]

If you're liking the feel and geometry of the bike go for it. I'm riding in a Trek Cobia and I love it... too bad I took a bad spill going 30mph+ and dislocated my left hand.... 2 month or so ago... Can't wait to ride again.

Cobia was the one I tried and didn't like. Bike is all ready to hit the ground when the weather is good. Too bad cold came back this week.

My 2011 season was cut short by a spill being nudged by a car (my fault) hitting the pavement with my face, forehead and arm.

I still need to make sure I am fit to the bike and get my clips on the shoes.

My old steed:

 

[Dirigible]

Crappy picture:

I did the switchbacks this past weekend, so Rocky Ridge is next! I also need to get a hydraulic seatpost, probably the Rockshox one.

Nice! :thumbsup:

And you'll like a remotely adjustable seat post. I've been using a gravity dropper since 2005. Refuse to mtn bike without it. Even bring it along and install it on rentals.

 

[brainhulk]

Nice! :thumbsup:

And you'll like a remotely adjustable seat post. I've been using a gravity dropper since 2005. Refuse to mtn bike without it. Even bring it along and install it on rentals.

I agree with getting a dropper seat post. I bought the KS one. Best mod i did for my bike so far. getting your ass over the rear seat on the hairy downhills is made much easier and you don't have to stop and drop your seat

well, that and the shimano xt hydraulic brakes

 

[BassBomb]

I agree with getting a dropper seat post. I bought the KS one. Best mod i did for my bike so far. getting your ass over the rear seat on the hairy downhills is made much easier and you don't have to stop and drop your seat

well, that and the shimano xt hydraulic brakes

What's a dropper seat for?