AWMA MTB'ers, your input is appreciated...
03-05-2009, 09:42 AM
#13
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Make sure to ride it, GF's have slightly different geometry
some love it, some hate it. Puts you more over the rear wheel. The one thing that bothers me about the new G2 geometry is it uses high trail forks - which means if they break/wear out/suck, you're going to change your geometry by going aftermarket. Ick.
Make sure to ride whatever you pick, there are plenty of good brands out there (off the top of my head: Trek, Giant, Cannondale, GF, Specialized, Rocky Mountain, Kona...).
If you're looking for a long-term bike, that you plan on upgrading components on but keeping the frame for 5+ years, you're better off buying the lowest end model of the high end series. You'll often get the same exact frame as the higher end model, just with lesser components draped off it.
My first bike was a GF Kaitai - I liked it until I cracked the chainstay at the dropout weld
They replaced it quickly and for free though, so I can't fault them too much.
Make sure to ride whatever you pick, there are plenty of good brands out there (off the top of my head: Trek, Giant, Cannondale, GF, Specialized, Rocky Mountain, Kona...).
If you're looking for a long-term bike, that you plan on upgrading components on but keeping the frame for 5+ years, you're better off buying the lowest end model of the high end series. You'll often get the same exact frame as the higher end model, just with lesser components draped off it.
My first bike was a GF Kaitai - I liked it until I cracked the chainstay at the dropout weld
They replaced it quickly and for free though, so I can't fault them too much.
03-05-2009, 10:15 AM
#14
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I've ridden an older model GF hardtail (don't recall the model, it was red/white), and liked it...
I prefer to sit farther back from the front axle anyway; I can't stand roadbikes. Maybe another reason to look into a 29er.
I see what you mean about buying the frame moreso than the bike as a whole. It may come down to buying the frame and components separately if the cost savings is significant....while I gain the extra customization, I have to put in the research, legwork, and labor in assembly. Hmm.
I see what you mean about buying the frame moreso than the bike as a whole. It may come down to buying the frame and components separately if the cost savings is significant....while I gain the extra customization, I have to put in the research, legwork, and labor in assembly. Hmm.
03-05-2009, 10:55 AM
#15
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actually alot of manufacturers have adjusted their forks to Fisher G2 similar increased offset forks
RockShox and Fox both offer their 29ers in 46mm offset vs G2 51mm. Old style was 39mm, so marked improvement. And you can run an nonG2 fork on a Fisher G2 geometry bike. That's what I'm doing personally. And have experiment with a whole host of fork variables.
It all depends upon what handling characheristic you like. Similar to how you set up your fork & shocks. Those can effect trail almost as much as fork offset and axle-crown measurement.
It all depends upon what handling characheristic you like. Similar to how you set up your fork & shocks. Those can effect trail almost as much as fork offset and axle-crown measurement.
03-05-2009, 10:59 AM
#16
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unless you have $s to burn, you can't beat the OE pricing/value of a complete bike...
especially for under $1200. Short of a good used condition bike. But like used car, used bikes typically need some fix-me-up servicing.
03-05-2009, 11:44 AM
#17
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Will almost always be more expensive to go frame + custom parts
unless you're sponsored. Lucky for me I was the sponsorship coordinator of my college team when I built my bike up. "Hey Marzocchi, want to sponsor my team? Great! So how soon can I order a fork from you?" Even better, it was before Shimano cut all their non-pro teams, so I got a full XT kit (including those massive 4 pot hydraulic discs) for under 800 bucks (of course, half the stuff I got in college is gone now).
My advice - buy a good frame with ok parts. When something breaks or you can't stand the performance anymore (God these brakes suck!), replace it. Ends up being more expensive in the end, but you're not throwing money out the window while you're at it.
I did that with my old bike for a lot of parts - when the frame finally broke, the only thing original was the front wheel, rear hub, and headset spacers! Then I upgraded the frame to FS, and built up the replacement frame with old parts I had lying around for a fun 1x9 I used for a while as a "smooth terrain/urban cruising" bike.
Check out the link below for the local mtb club, sometimes you can find some good used stuff on there. Good group of people to ride with too, and the clinics are actually a pretty good time.<ul><li><a href="http://www.more-mtb.org">http://www.more-mtb.org</a</li></ul>
(of course, half the stuff I got in college is gone now).My advice - buy a good frame with ok parts. When something breaks or you can't stand the performance anymore (God these brakes suck!), replace it. Ends up being more expensive in the end, but you're not throwing money out the window while you're at it.
I did that with my old bike for a lot of parts - when the frame finally broke, the only thing original was the front wheel, rear hub, and headset spacers! Then I upgraded the frame to FS, and built up the replacement frame with old parts I had lying around for a fun 1x9 I used for a while as a "smooth terrain/urban cruising" bike.
Check out the link below for the local mtb club, sometimes you can find some good used stuff on there. Good group of people to ride with too, and the clinics are actually a pretty good time.<ul><li><a href="http://www.more-mtb.org">http://www.more-mtb.org</a</li></ul>
03-05-2009, 12:10 PM
#18
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Found an '07 GF HKEK in the local classifieds...asking $850, we'll see.
Like dis...
<img src="http://www.fisherbikes.com/img/bikes/2007/640x400/HKEK_disc.jpg">
Yup, I know the MORE people; they're a...uh...'dedicated' bunch. Actually the few dozen I rode/met with were so gung-ho it made me look like a chimp on a circus bike. Only one or two of them got under my skin.
<img src="http://www.fisherbikes.com/img/bikes/2007/640x400/HKEK_disc.jpg">
Yup, I know the MORE people; they're a...uh...'dedicated' bunch. Actually the few dozen I rode/met with were so gung-ho it made me look like a chimp on a circus bike. Only one or two of them got under my skin.
03-05-2009, 02:29 PM
#20
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Hmmm, why not just lockouit the rear suspension and get some lightweight wheels?
Sure a FS is a bit heavier, but it's not like you're racing needing every second possible.
I say get some light weight components for your FS bike like some wheels with narrow tires.....that is unless your FS bike is really really made for hucking.
I say get some light weight components for your FS bike like some wheels with narrow tires.....that is unless your FS bike is really really made for hucking.