Which bike? Which company?

[GrizzlyFD]

Ok so I'm in the market for a new hard trail bike but don't really know or too lazy to find out what companies make a solid bike.

I'm tired of riding my POS around the city and surrounding trails. The only good thing about the POS is that the local's won't steal it (except for the front wheel, who the fuck steals a shitty front wheel :nonono2: ) My wife's full suspension was stolen last year and it was cable locked under a security camera :cussing:

Anyway so I've been out of the bike market for more than a couple of years but was wondering what are the decent companies out there that make a quality bike. Nothing too fancy, ballpark 500 or less preferably.

Also the couple of stores around me basically only sell road/touring bikes and another store that has a bigger selection is run by a douchebag so buying local is out. What online stores should I deal with and have people had a good relation with?

-m

[Chaka]

based on the description of what you want to use the bike for, and your price target, I would suggest checking out Bianchi single speeds, which often go for $500-$800 new if you get a closeout deal. I picked up an '05 SASS last summer for $550 built up with a decent parts kit, and then added a craiglist front susp fork. Rock solid bike.

[uncle crud]

Yup, chaka's suggestion is your best route to max bike for the buck.

Some ideas --

2005 On-One Inbred singlespeed for $599 from PricePoint (http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/14582-175_ONOSS5-3-Parts-47-Bikes/On-One-Inbred-Single-Speed-Bike-2005.htm), sizes 18" and 20" left.

If you can find a Redline bikes dealer (http://www.sbshub.com/alldealers/red-index.php), you can check out their 26" and 29" singlespeed bikes, which are inexpensive and durable. I had a Redline Monocog a few years ago as my first SS bike, it was a lot of fun.

[mntlion]

are you looking for a "hard trail" bike or a "hard tail" bike?

you will find a hard tail bike for that $$$, not a hard trail bike

SS is nice for flatter terrain,
www.jensonusa.com for some deals on jamis.
but most companies make a bike like that, they are all the same really. LX or sram X5ish, frame make in China/Twain, basic front shock

[El Chupacabra]

Get a local buddy who really knows bikes to help you look on craigslist. Plenty of bike deals through there; you'll get something nice for $500.

[BushwackerinPA]

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/bi306a00.aspx this looks like a steal for 689.

[mooseknuckle]

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/bi306a00.aspx this looks like a steal for 689.

Recommended that to a friend who wants a hardtail and purported to have a $800 price limit. Less than glowing reviews on the fork from MTBR. Anyone here have anything to add about the fork or deal that I could share to get friend over the hump? [/sorry for hijack/]

[GrizzlyFD]

np...yea I am looking for a hardtail but in my mind was thinking hard trail and didn't have any coffee this morning

That jamis from jenson look niice but I'm tall 6'2" and would need a larger setup. I like the SS coming from some road bikes, but I probably would be better suited to get some gears out of the box.

Found some decent deals on Kona, Specializeds. Iron Horses and K2 on closeout at rscycle.com Any general feedback about those companies? How there stuff holds up, build q?

[mntlion]

most hardtails are very similar.

AL frame vs Cromo frame.

go disc on the front, maybe both ends

dont look for a jump bike (kona stuff) look for a XC bike

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/bi306a00.aspx
avail in 19"

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BI306A01-Jamis+Komodo+Fx+20+Bike+05.aspx
in 18.5

should fit?

[uncle crud]

Recommended that to a friend who wants a hardtail and purported to have a $800 price limit. Less than glowing reviews on the fork from MTBR. Anyone here have anything to add about the fork or deal that I could share to get friend over the hump? [/sorry for hijack/]

Not so sure that the fork's bad, just that it's not near the top of the Manitou line. Some people like to "upgrade" their bikes and usually when you find a negative review it's likely it comes from someone who just "upgraded" and they're convincing themselves they didn't waste money. MTBR reviews are okay if you accept the fact that a lot of people over there don't know their ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to MTBs, working on them, or riding them.

+++++++++++++
GrizzlyFD,

I'd say those Jamis bikes at Jenson look like decent buys. I've bought many things from Jenson, never been hosed, always received the stuff promptly, and they're good about handling internet orders quickly -- they will even let you know if something you ordered ends up selling out before they get to filling your order. They're pretty decent, I think.

As to that RSCycle, I can't take that shop seriously. When they started they pretended they were a "high end" shop. That didn't work for them. Now they're trying to get high school or college "hipster" kids to pay attention to them, their ads are like some stupid fraternity brother in-joke. And their prices still aren't that competitive. Looks to me like a shop run by guys who want to get good deals for themselves, don't really care about their customers because that's not why they opened a shop. That's my impression of them.

[Spats]

The Warrior Expert at rscycle is a great deal:
http://www.rscycle.com/s.nl/it.A/id.7932/.f?sc=2&category=4959

The fork will be the weak point on any bike under $1000. Just ride it until it blows up and upgrade it then. All bikes come out of the same Asian factories these days, so parts spec is really what you care about with a hardtail. (Full suspension can have quality issues.)

The Jamis Komodo is a heavy jump bike. 33 pounds!

Edit: "cable locked under a security camera?" Cable locks are like not locking your bike at all, and security cameras only give you a grainy picture of your bike being stolen after the fact, usually showing a fuzzy image of a nondescript young guy in a hoodie that could be anyone.

[GrizzlyFD]

Thanks for the help all and good heads up on the shops uncle_c

yea your rights spats...i was fooled by thinking it was a kryptonite because of their U bolt reputation which is what i use now...live and learn. And the deal with the camera was they actually got a face shot of the guy with pretty decent resolution (camera was only 10ft above the ground and pointed right at the rack). Problem is who in philly is looking for stolen bikes when we average more than a murder a day in this small city.

[mooseknuckle]

Not so sure that the fork's bad, just that it's not near the top of the Manitou line. Some people like to "upgrade" their bikes and usually when you find a negative review it's likely it comes from someone who just "upgraded" and they're convincing themselves they didn't waste money. MTBR reviews are okay if you accept the fact that a lot of people over there don't know their ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to MTBs, working on them, or riding them.


Thx UC. I generally take the reviews with a grain of salt, but didn't like hearing the "fork blew up" stories. Granted, it may be the folks that write the reviews are way to core or want to feel that way - but my buddy is a bigger guy. He needs to make up his mind though and it is hard to imagine getting more for less or the same amount of money as the Jamis setup, as long as he doens't mind being all up in '05 (guess if he did though he wouldn't be looking for a HT).