Black Betty Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Thanks for all the help guys. I just got into the sport last summer and decided I'd spends half of my tax return on a FS bike. I have a HT GT avalache now but I'd like to dedicate that to riding around with my parents (more leisurely but some trail). With a budget of $1500 is there anything else I should be looking for? I was leaning towards specialized because my brother's HT Rockhopper? seemed like a much more solid bike than mine. As far as SRAM vs Shimano, I'm guessing shimano is better quality overall, which is why you guys recommended it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mesoam Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Actually SRAM has come a long way since their old crap. Its very comparable to Shimano now and just a matter of how you like shifting. I have always used Shimano stuff, I have a Sram shifter on my around town bike its fine, just different. I think you could get a nicer bike for 1500 though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt b Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 It's usually not a great idea to have a mix of components anyway, especially with newer stuff: it's made to work with the same group. A friend is running Red shifters on a Rival group and the shifting isn't that great. He would have been better off running Force all around (all SRAM stuff). If you like Shimano: stick with it. If you like SRAM, go with it. I know on road bikes at least, SRAM doesn't snap cables like Shimano does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mesoam Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Here's a nice rig for around your price, 2013 model year, similar spec, similar type ride http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kona-Hei-Hei-18in-2013-Full-Suspension-MTB-Bike-Rock-Shox-Sram-/231177337601?pt=US_Bicycles_Frames&hash=item35d33e3b01 similar http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kona-Cadabra-2011-16-Enduro-All-Mountain-Bike-/291099750757?pt=US_Bicycles_Frames&hash=item43c6e5b165 I was looking at Rocky Mtn's on fleabay but there is less selection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Dastardly Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Thanks for all the help guys. I just got into the sport last summer and decided I'd spends half of my tax return on a FS bike. I have a HT GT avalache now but I'd like to dedicate that to riding around with my parents (more leisurely but some trail). With a budget of $1500 is there anything else I should be looking for? I was leaning towards specialized because my brother's HT Rockhopper? seemed like a much more solid bike than mine. As far as SRAM vs Shimano, I'm guessing shimano is better quality overall, which is why you guys recommended it? Go All SRAM or All Shimano.. Not a fan of mixing. For sure $1200 max. Shop Ebay too. If you have any questions feel free to ask if it's worth it Travis' idea of Rocky Mtn is good too.. made in Canada, nice frames. I saw a well equipped Ellsworth Truth go for a grand last month.. Good deals to be had if you're patient. On another note mine is "done"... Waiting on an HSX rotor for the front and some newer XTR shifters: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fudge_Brownie Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Why are you looking to go FS? Personally, I'd try to stay HT for as long as riding style and terrain allow. Cheaper, more efficient, less variables. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Betty Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Why are you looking to go FS? Personally, I'd try to stay HT for as long as riding style and terrain allow. Cheaper, more efficient, less variables. I thought the same thing until I rode a buddies. It just seems a lot easier to climb hills with obstacles without losing momentum or traction from the rear wheel bouncing around. I'm sure I have loads to improve on in the skill dept but that's harder to improve than the rig. I'd still keep the HT though and use it ocassionally. Like I said my parents ride but it's usually very mild trails where even a rigid would be fine. Here's a nice rig for around your price, 2013 model year, similar spec, similar type ride http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kona-Hei-Hei-18in-2013-Full-Suspension-MTB-Bike-Rock-Shox-Sram-/231177337601?pt=US_Bicycles_Frames&hash=item35d33e3b01 similar http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kona-Cadabra-2011-16-Enduro-All-Mountain-Bike-/291099750757?pt=US_Bicycles_Frames&hash=item43c6e5b165 I was looking at Rocky Mtn's on fleabay but there is less selection First one is too small I'm 6' but at least I can open my searches up a bit with these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiksilver Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 I've currently got an 07 Giant Trance 2 and have missed having a HT a couple times, ideally you'd have both. Don't limit yourself to Specialized & Kona, there are many more good bikes out there. GT, Mongoose, Giant, etc... all offer solid options in the trail category. Also, keep an eye on Pinkbike & Mtbr's classifieds. Good luck on your search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fudge_Brownie Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Trek EX seriesStumpjumper or Epic FSR'sThe Hei Hei's like above.Those are generally well reviewed, and because of their popularity, you'll be more likely to find them used over something like Mike's Ellsworth. From what I've seen, looks like Kona likes to save money on the shock/fork so keep an eye on that.This is more a question/open discussion than a suggestion but I have a suspicion 29er is going to fade away. 650B/27.5 is the latest rage. While I've never ridden one, I've seen claims that 29 was the biggest anyone would ever want to go, so logically the 27.5 is the happy medium. Any thoughts? If that seems plausible, I'd want either a 26 or 27.5 bike. 26 because it at least had a long history and there's a lot of parts on the market still. I doubt any of these companies or parts suppliers want to have 3 standards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Dastardly Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 I don't think 26 will ever go away, 29" is more than a fad but not going to be a standard. Not sure yet what I think of 650b. Companies can make forks compatible with 26/27.5 but 29 needs it's own 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fudge_Brownie Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Companies can make forks compatible with 26/27.5 but 29 needs it's ownAll the more reason I think 29 is going to be remembered as a really big fad ~5 years from now.Downhill seems to be a money maker right now, and those guys are pretty strict about having 26. My theory is that 29 will disappear, and 26 and 27.5 will live side by side for at least several years. Then there might be either a push to get rid of 26, or the crowd that's against going bigger will have slowly adopted 27.5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Dastardly Posted March 12, 2014 Report Share Posted March 12, 2014 Yeah I guess it could be a fad. It's already been a few years.. I think of a fad as a couple years. I do agree that 29 will all but disappear. Most of the people who get into them are guys my age and older who like the smooth easy ride and don't care about the lack of maneuverability.. I personally do not like 29. But a lot of guys I rode with 20 years ago sure do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BurgerBob Posted March 15, 2014 Report Share Posted March 15, 2014 Finished my first organized ride. I didn't crash, or puke, or stop for refreshments (like a wimp). 40 miles in 2:00:40. I was faster than the group I started with, but, despite dropping them, fell too far behind the lead pack to catch up. So almost all of my ride was alone, except for the monster I hooked up with who "wasn't a cyclist." Fucking guy runs from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, and his best time is 28 hours. I didn't feel bad when he dropped me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mesoam Posted March 15, 2014 Report Share Posted March 15, 2014 yeah those ultra runners are fucking nuts...Definitely respect them because it just takes A LOT of work to get to that point. My dream race is the Western States 100 but it would be more of a if I ever hit lotto kind of thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mesoam Posted March 15, 2014 Report Share Posted March 15, 2014 took the bike off the wall to give it a wipe down but no ride 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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