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Which Bike <$4000 ?
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
I'm looking to buy a new mountain bike and was hoping for some recommendations as to what to buy and where from.
Currently riding Manly Dam & Oxford Falls on a Merida hardtail and want to upgrade and am wondering what would be best for me. I've read the posts on the Giant Trance X1 which seems like a good option, are there any other options out there ? Would the Giant Reign X1 be suitable, or is it a lot heavier than the Trance X1 (I don't do any downhill at present).
Does anyone have any recommendations with a maximum price of $4000 and which shop(s) on the Northern Beaches are best to visit ?
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aaahhh well I have the trance X1 and a few have the X0 here too (Buck, Brian...). It's a fantastic bike which would be perfect for Manly Dam, Oxford etc.. as the bike is sort of in between All Mountain and XC
The only thing I don't like all that much is the colour of the X1...
The handlebar is wide and position is upright for the technical stuff and the maestro suspension stops any pumping...it's a fun bike with a sexy frame shape
I asked the same question as you when i got it so if you want to read it it's here http://nobmob.com/node/4445
I don't know enough about shops but I think most will say Bike Addiction at Manly is a reasonable one (though expensive for equipments). Try the search engine and you'll find lots of info.
Cheers,
Tom
Go something like this
Trance 4"
Trance X 5" (Alysum, Buck, Brian, me too)
Reign 6"
Reign X 7"
Taking a rough guess at your choice of trails. I say the Trance X and the Reign suit the average rider who are not really into fast racers (Trance) or doing big drops (Reign X). Thus the 4" might be a bit 'racey' and the Reign X might be too much travel.
Trance X0 is about $4k
Trance X1 is about $3k
Trance x2 is about $2k
The X throws on more travel. I think Reign X is a bit much. Where as a Trance (4") with the extra inch (Trance X instead) feels nicer. WHEN you get one, make use of your little clear stickers to protect against cable rub on the frame etc. Good luck, I love my XO.
Are you a massive dude? I'm pretty light (65kg), I think buck and Brian are not all that much heavier from memory. I don't think the Trance X is built for 100kg dudes riding them off large drops. The Reign might be more suited if you look like a front row forward.
I have a feeling that bike shops will start lowering their prices on the 08 models now or next month, and for goodness sake bartar. They are more than too willing to get rid of old stock and be cheeky and get them to throw some stuff in for free like a new lid and gloves. If you cant do it, bring a friend who will.
, you will find them everywhere.
Bike addiction are cool but have found all except the one in Chatswood (not mentioning the shop), but phone around on the one you like. If you like Giant, like Fords and Holdens
I like Specialized and can reccommend Cycleworld in Burwood and got a good discount on the actual bike and free service with gloves but I knew I could of got more out of them if I tried.
but being 6ft 7 I've never ridden anything that isn't custom built, twice your budget and I still haven't ever ridden a full susser*
Looks like you've got a lot of choice you lucky bugger.
BTW I went to Turramurra Cyclery the other day for the first time and was pleasantly surprised at the down to earth service, even towards someone asking about MTB stuff. Can't comment on prices really but it was a pleasant experience which is more than I can say for some of the other professional looking outfits.
* (well, not yet anyway - fear not Rohloff fans, the Zinn full suss 29er avec Speedhub is only weeks away and I managed to pay the bill a couple of weeks ago at $1 aussie to 96 US cents. Phew-it's about 86 now)
have you looked at the merida full suspension bikes, very good value for money like the merida five-o-one-3000 its have a sweet spec http://www.advancetraders.com.au/products.php?ac...
these were at rrp of $4970 we have a few left at $3900.00 plese dont say what wrong with them why are they so cheap. people always want a sweet deal well hear is one.....
other bikes are norco,jamis,cannondale,felt,intense/custom.
cheers adrian
www.belrosebicycles.com
www.northernbeachescycles.com.au
Adrian
Thanks for the information, always had good feedback on the specs of my Merida when it's been in for a service.
Where abouts are you based for me to come and take a look at what you've got available ???
One thing to mention is that Giant Trance X can be hard to find in your size - earlier this year some had to wait for weeks/months.
If you plan to go to Ourimbah from time to time you may want to checkout Cycology at Tuggerah - they sell the X0 for $3800 which is $300/400 less than in Sydney...but it's further to go if you have any problems !
Tom
Just found that out !.....Bike Addiction are sold out of the Trance X1, they have the Trance X0 on special in my size for $3990, or the Trance 1 at $2895.
Cranks in North Sydney. If they don't have it they may be able to get it one from one of the other Cranks stores. That's how I got mine
Cycleworld in Burwood seems to be a nice shop but no Giant there - might be worth checking for any Specialized Stumpys on special
Tom
is a nice looking bike, don't know anything about them but would definitely be worth looking at.
I hear a rumour that certain Merida models are simply a re-badged Specialized. Well - the frame is the same at least. Good or bad? Up to you to decide.
merida has there own factory..
"Handmade" has always been synonymous with quality. Merida has changed this concept being the first company in the world to develop the robot welded system to produce aluminium and magnesium frames.
http://www.merida.ch/en_INT/About.Concept
http://www.merida.ch/en_INT/About.Factory
http://www.merida.ch/en_INT/INT_en
Re design idea vs. manufacturing...
The actual design is even more "global"..e.g. the EPIC frame geometry apparently was first invented in Germoney... by the small German bike manufacturer Bergwerk http://www.bergwerk-bikes.de/
Historic and curent picture of the first EPIC-style side-mounted shock here - looks familiar?
Rgds Hans
____________________________________________
"I thought of that while riding my bike."
Albert Einstein, on the theory of relativity.
BikeBug in North Sydney next to my office is a Merida dealer - though I don't know much about the store and services, I only buy glu there
Tom
I often read glowing comments (I think coming from Germans) about how good the German Rolloff chains are or German bikes this and German horse riders that, blah, blah, blah.
I also read with much mirth how crappy Specialized are, (you give that Lorrie guy shit from day break to sun down).
Now Hans (he must be German) tells us that Specialized are based on a German design.
Does that means that all the breakages, weakness and fun you poke at Specialized is because its based on a flawed German design and even if you put a frigg'n Rolloff chain on it, its still a bad piece of German engineering design.
Go Big or Go Home
Hi Buzz ...I'll take the bite
You're right mate - the germans are infiltrating the MTB scene - there were 3 german speakers on last night's ride... s'truth !
The good news is that even your trusty FSR was designed by a German...Horst Leitner
http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5509679/fullte...
(...speaks he ...who has just purchased the 4th FSR bike for the family...)
==========================
Happiness is a warm shock.
Must be why all the proprietry Specialized parts fail all the time. FAILED!!
..who invented the bicycle???
German, French or an English guy????
Bernd
Hans, Bernie and all the other Germans - take it easy I didn't mean to offend anyone.
I was just stating what I thought was obvious, no need to be so sensitive.
Bernie, for the record according to WikiAnswers J.K Starley from England invented the modern bicycle, the Penny Farthing (so you can't steal that one).
Baron Karl Drais von Sauerbronn (a German) did invent the scooter if it's any consolation.
Also see http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blb...
Go Big or Go Home
I thought it was obvious that this shows us that copies, most of the time, are never as good as the real thing...
keep that important bit of information for themselves so that what you have is never as good as what they had.
Ist das Recht, meine kleinen Freunde?
Speaking of German made bikes - has anyone ever seen any Canyon MTBs here in Sydney/Oz ?
When I was looking for a MTB last July in France I saw on discussion boards that they are quite popular because of the build quality and the low price for the specs. The only problem is it's all online so no chance to try them out beforehand...
Though I don't particularly like the rear suspension frame on the nerve XC bikes
Tom
with most of these unknown brands you are buying a build kit not a bike......
... done Buzz,
this is good fun posting, Karl Drais v Sauerbronn was my favorite, but it looks like it was the English bloke!!!!
Bernd
... has a large outlet near Lake Konstanz, LARGE!!!
We where talking about Canyon last night.
We had a Ghost bike rider, Greg? there last night, which is a German Brand...
Cube, Stevens, Focus, Radon,and everybody knows Nicolai and Storck....and,and
and yes, some of them are build kits, but good ones and good value for the old $!!
Comercial is a very good brand, too , I think French, and you can see 2 gr8t bikes @
KURINGAI CYCLES, 139 PACIFIC HWY, HORNSBY
Bernd
Don't you mean Commencal ? They are from Andorra (between Spain and France).
It would be really good if French brands were imported a bit more...I like the Lapierre and Sunn bikes
Tom
... my french is very bad!!!
the bike shop in Hornsby has a Meta in Stock, looks realy good!
Bernd
The Commencal bikes are great...I've rented a current model Meta 5.5 during a Nepal / Himalaya MTB trip - trip description and pics are here...
http://nobmob.com/node/4543
Ride impressions on the Commencal bikes were fantastic: excellent tracking, subtle steering and very well made - sturdy but light. (Gee Atherton won the recent World Cup run on a Commencal)
They have earned a great reputation and reviews all over Europe...I was seriously looking to buy one when I came back to Oz, but the current models weren't available at the time.
Since then Kuringai Cycles at Hornsby became the local stockist and Charlie (the owner) does some great deals on current models with good specs. Worth checking out!
Nice break from the US-dominated offerings in Oz...!
Rgds Hans
==========================
Happiness is a warm shock.
...recently landed an endorsement to ride Commencal. If it is good enough for him (who is my fav rider) it is certainly good enough for anyone
Hey Ditti, you do know your roadie stuff
I'm also a fan of David Canada Gracia the Saunier Duval rider from Spain.
... that would be Cedric.