Buying a Mountain Bike

For the MTB and mud/dirt/rock lovers...
othy
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Location: Summer Hill

Postby othy » 12 Feb 2012, 15:39

I'm in the USA again, so I'm looking at bringing back another bike.

A mountain bike is next on my list but I have the least experience in these.

I've been looking at USA bikes - Santa Cruz, Niner, Yeti, Ibis, Specialized..etc. So far on the top of my list is..

Yeti Big Top 29er - XT Race spec
http://yeticycles.com/#/bikes/BigTop/6/

I can get this bike for $3100.

Any opinions? I can get a Ibis Mojo SL Frameset for $2300 (negotiable) and build it up later. Probably a bit too much bike for me.. Still waiting for guys from Santa Cruz to get back, and from Niner I was looking at the AIR9..little worried about warranty with this one as I've heard of people breaking these frames.

All very different bikes. Torn between full suspension and hardtail. Have ridden the Mojo SL and Big Top. Big top has some nice components on it for that price, pretty much full XT, forks feel good, thompson seatpost & stem, easton bars, etc..Can also be converted to single speed..

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NOOG
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Postby NOOG » 12 Feb 2012, 16:13

They're all beautiful bikes Tim. I'd say go for a 29er for sure. As for a hardtail or full suspension, go for dual suspension. There isn't much difference in terms of pedalling efficiency anymore, especially amongst the bikes you've just named and you can go faster.
Faster = Funner. So if you're going to go a full suspension 29er, Niners (Jet 9 & Rip 9) are brilliant. As is the Specialized Epic 29er. They're both more race orientated though. For more travel and relaxed geometry, check out the Ibis Ripley and the Yeti SB-95. I'm not sure if they're released yet though. Happy hunting. I'm very jealous.

othy
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Joined: 12 Dec 2007, 10:46
Location: Summer Hill

Postby othy » 12 Feb 2012, 16:25

Thanks John.

I think the full suspension bikes start to push my budge up a bit.

I rode the Ibis Mojo SL with an SLX build kit - This was priced at $2999. You can see the build kit of your click on the right. All of it is a lot lower spec then the yeti big top, but the frame is obviously taking a lot of the price:

http://www.ibiscycles.com/bikes/mojo_sl/#buildkit

Any huge downsides to this bike? They've obviously cut on components. Brakes were the biggest thing I noticed between the Yeti and this - yeti had XT, and the Ibis had Avid (not sure which ones). It was a lot heavier too.

I keep leaning back towards the Yeti 29er hardtail. I have always liked the look of their bikes. I don't think I have the option of the SB-95, can't find it anywhere..

Is this the Specialised you were talking about. There doesn't seem to be much price difference on specialized between Australia and USA at the moment.
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBC ... e=Mountain

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NOOG
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Postby NOOG » 12 Feb 2012, 17:03

The Ibis is a a beautiful bike...Never ridden on though but I haven't heard a bad word said about it. It comes with a great shock too, the rp23 with Kashimax is awsome. The Rock Shox revelation is not so nice, but upgradeable.

I think, in the end, if you go for the bike that you like the most and you'll have fun on it!

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mikesbytes
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Postby mikesbytes » 12 Feb 2012, 17:08

Hi Othy, if you go past, can you get me a pair of 'mikes bikes' socks. Cheers

othy
Posts: 477
Joined: 12 Dec 2007, 10:46
Location: Summer Hill

Postby othy » 12 Feb 2012, 17:31

The Ibis is a a beautiful bike...Never ridden on though but I haven't heard a bad word said about it. It comes with a great shock too, the rp23 with Kashimax is awsome. The Rock Shox revelation is not so nice, but upgradeable.

I think, in the end, if you go for the bike that you like the most and you'll have fun on it!
The shock on the SLX Ibis frame is actually the X-Fusion O2 RCX.
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping ... tegory=136

The RP23 is on the frameset though (~$2300), but that means building one up myself when I get home from online components. What sort of budget would I be looking at to fit out a mountain bike?

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NOOG
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Postby NOOG » 12 Feb 2012, 17:47

What sort of budget would I be looking at to fit out a mountain bike?
Too much...I'd bring a whole bike back if I had the choice.
The bike companies get stuff like groupsets and forks so much cheaper than we can.

Richard
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Joined: 06 Sep 2009, 21:04
Location: Ashfield

Postby Richard » 13 Feb 2012, 08:50

I bought a second hand Specialized Epic from Ondrej from the Bernard Riders.

Great bike with dual suspension.

Not designed to be a heavy duty downhill bike but it is ideal for XC

othy
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Location: Summer Hill

Postby othy » 13 Feb 2012, 09:24

I'm starting think I should just do this back in Australia, just don't know enough to make an informed decision.

Richard
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Location: Ashfield

Postby Richard » 13 Feb 2012, 12:10

My best decisions in life have been the ill-informed ones.

You are welcome to have a go of mine if you like. Size Medium

orphic
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Postby orphic » 13 Feb 2012, 16:28

You're talking about some pretty nice bikes there Tim :) Very different bikes too, so I think it is important you determine what kind of riding you want to do.

If you are going to (heaven forbid!) only own ONE mountain bike, and you would describe your style as more general trail riding, then a 26er 5" travel bike or a 29er 4" travel bike is a pretty good option. But, big bikes are so much more fun! Going fast is great for racing but if you aren't going to race and you want to huck, drop and jump then something with a bit of beef is way rad.

With things like the Yeti, it's a freakin nice bike but you are paying for the boutique brand. Same goes for Ibis. You can get those brands a bit cheaper over there, but everything else is either more expensive or the same price.

With the 26er vs 29er thing, I think that if you can get a 29er with good geometry then cornering isn't an issue and the bigger wheels are an advantage. A few of the bike manufacturers won't be doing any sub 6" travel dually's with 26 inch wheels next year... Kind of gives you an idea about where things are heading!

If I was you I would do this in Australia. You need to figure out what you really need, and once you do you can get previous years bikes sooo much cheaper that it's silly to buy the current models when very little changes are usually made. And between everything around here we know enough people to get you a sweet deal to make sure you aren't paying retail. Unless you are keen on spending heaps on a bike... In which case go ahead ;D

othy
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Location: Summer Hill

Postby othy » 14 Feb 2012, 03:35

Thanks orphic, I think you have just pretty much confirmed everything I was thinking. I will wait and buy in Australia - I'm sure I can find something I will like within my budget. It is a little different to when I purchased my road bike, as I knew exactly what I wanted. I have a lot more flexibility with choosing a mountain bike, and esoteric brands, although I like them, are probably not the best first choice.

orphic
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Postby orphic » 14 Feb 2012, 08:45

Yeah I think I am becoming less of a bike snob as time goes on... I ride a Giant DH bike now. It's their top of the line one, has full Saint components, fox 40's alloy frame and weighs the same as my friends carbon Santa Cruz all blinged up. Basically, it's a heaps rad bike and really has me thinking about replacing my Yeti with a Giant XC bike when the time comes.

othy
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Joined: 12 Dec 2007, 10:46
Location: Summer Hill

Postby othy » 14 Feb 2012, 09:11

I can rule out downhill as a motivator. I much prefer going uphill. Just want something to take it easy on the weekend with and maybe do some 24 hours, because they look fun.

The Specialized Epic 29er looks very interesting, as well as giants Anthem 29er.

orphic
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Postby orphic » 14 Feb 2012, 10:34

Don't knock DH until you've tried it! It's crazy how hard it is. Who knew your heart rate actually maxes out more going down rather than up?! Good times.

But yeah, requires a specific bike so not really an option if you are a one mtb person.

Giant are releasing a carbon anthem 29er for 2013. There will be some demo bikes at the Mont for the Onya boys to ride. Looking forward to seeing them!

Chris96
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Joined: 10 Dec 2010, 19:51
Location: Ashfield

Postby Chris96 » 14 Feb 2012, 16:21

I've got an Epic 29er and its a great bike. Large if you want to test ride it. Ashfield Cycles also have Specialized Epic test bikes


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