Need help with a beginners mountain bike
-
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2007 2:47 pm
Need help with a beginners mountain bike
Postby maxwolfie » Tue May 15, 2007 1:54 pm
I would probably want something fairly lightweight for street use, jumps bunnyhops etc.
Anyone? I'm looking at ebay for options, any good stores in Sydney that have good prices?
- Bnej
- Posts: 2880
- Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2006 11:43 pm
- Location: Katoomba, NSW
Postby Bnej » Tue May 15, 2007 2:11 pm
At this price point, you get a recreational bike. You can hop kerbs and do small jumps, but they are NOT made for big air, high speed downhill, XC racing, etc. You can break them with abuse. OTOH they will last forever with normal use and maintenence.
Do not buy dual suspension at this price point - it will be low quality and break very quickly. Hard tail bike from a major brand is the way to go. Disc brakes aren't great at this price either, you might prefer V brakes and better running gear for your money.
- Hotdog
- Posts: 928
- Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 11:00 am
- Location: North Strathfield, Sydney
- Contact:
Postby Hotdog » Tue May 15, 2007 2:31 pm
- Bnej
- Posts: 2880
- Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2006 11:43 pm
- Location: Katoomba, NSW
Postby Bnej » Tue May 15, 2007 3:16 pm
Between the Giant and Trek, it's a trade off on which components your money goes into. Giant Boulder had a better fork and an 8 speed rear over a 7 last I looked, but probably not as good hubs. And the 3700 has probably changed by now. The best between the two is the one you like better.
A good bike shop should be prepared to help you find the right size. In a Giant, you'd be a Large by their sizing chart, but you should make sure by sitting on the bike and checking you don't feel too cramped, bent over, or stretched out.
-
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2007 2:47 pm
Postby maxwolfie » Mon May 21, 2007 2:48 pm
I have 3 local bike shops in Parramatta, Bikes R Us, Blackmans Cycles and some other one
Some other brands such as Diamondback, Mongoose, Apollo have popped up.. are these any good?
The Diamondback/Mongoose guy said that Giant are !! BAN ME NOW FOR SWEARING !!.. I think he was full of it
-
- Posts: 1192
- Joined: Sat Jul 29, 2006 2:49 am
- Location: Sydney
- Contact:
Postby cludence » Mon May 21, 2007 3:02 pm
Karen.
-
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2007 2:47 pm
-
- Posts: 1192
- Joined: Sat Jul 29, 2006 2:49 am
- Location: Sydney
- Contact:
-
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2007 2:47 pm
- Bnej
- Posts: 2880
- Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2006 11:43 pm
- Location: Katoomba, NSW
Postby Bnej » Wed May 23, 2007 3:24 pm
This Bike? $525 seems like a good price to me. You don't get disc brakes, but I think that's a good fork and deraileurs. V Brakes are plenty of stopping for most people.
-
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Mon May 07, 2007 8:31 pm
Postby todd99 » Thu May 24, 2007 6:53 pm
I bought a gt agressor (400) and progressed from communiting and trail riding to dirt jumping and light downhill and did all this with almost no problems with the bike i recomend these bikes to anyone who will listern so sorry if i sound like a walking advert for GT
- LuckyPierre
- Posts: 1432
- Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:37 pm
- Location: Canberra, ACT
Postby LuckyPierre » Fri May 25, 2007 7:44 am
I'm seeing a lot of 're-launches' happening at the moment - the Shogun, Malvern Star, Gitane, Apollo brands are all being re-vitalised by their distributors / owners and there's a lot of value among them. Maybe not the bling factor with their names, but I'll take value (ie. better components) anytime. I've also not been convinced that disc brakes are necessary, but I've been promised a demonstration why they are on the weekend - Stromlo Forest Park single track, here I come
-
- Posts: 391
- Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2007 9:58 pm
- Location: ACT
- LuckyPierre
- Posts: 1432
- Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:37 pm
- Location: Canberra, ACT
Postby LuckyPierre » Fri May 25, 2007 1:52 pm
If you mean 'why disc brakes are worth it' by 'the same info' then (if I'm still breathing) I'm test riding bikes with v-brakes, mechanical discs and hydraulic discs on Sunday. The theory that I'm testing is when you're riding single track, your rims can flex enough to make v-brakes a bit hit and miss. Because discs are hub mounted, they're always where the brake shoes expect them to be (as the theory goes) and your braking is more consistent. Then, the benefits of the mechanical advantage of hydraulics kick in to make braking less effort, giving you more time to concentrate on your riding.seddo wrote: ... have heard the same info from LBS owner - interested to hear a report ...
(I'll leave you to sort that bit out - the statement is correct).
It all sounds logical, but my gentle pace might not be enough to bring the theory in to practice.
- Mulger bill
- Super Mod
- Posts: 29060
- Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
- Location: Sunbury Vic
Postby Mulger bill » Fri May 25, 2007 10:19 pm
I think you will soon mateLuckyPierre wrote:I've also not been convinced that disc brakes are necessary
I've heard about this place, can we get a report when you can please?LuckyPierre wrote:Stromlo Forest Park single track, here I come
Shaun
- Mulger bill
- Super Mod
- Posts: 29060
- Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
- Location: Sunbury Vic
Postby Mulger bill » Sun May 27, 2007 11:43 am
Good one Max, that's a nice way to start . Where's the obligatory photo?maxwolfie wrote:I ended up with a 21" Giant Alias instead
Get out there and go for a ride mate, then have everybody asking you about that glued on grin!
Shaun
- Andrew69
- Posts: 300
- Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2007 6:36 pm
Postby Andrew69 » Thu Jun 07, 2007 6:54 pm
I agree. I was looking for a MTB a few months ago ad ended up buying a Malvern Star XT3000. Well spec'd for the $'s and at least $200 cheaper for a similar spec'd "big brand name" bike.LuckyPierre wrote:As the resident 'lesser known brands' fetishist, I think that a TR3270 for just over $500 is a steal. If you could con your way in to replacing the Gila forks with RockShox Judy 2's (which some stores will do) then it will be even better.
I'm seeing a lot of 're-launches' happening at the moment - the Shogun, Malvern Star, Gitane, Apollo brands are all being re-vitalised by their distributors / owners and there's a lot of value among them. Maybe not the bling factor with their names, but I'll take value (ie. better components) anytime. I've also not been convinced that disc brakes are necessary, but I've been promised a demonstration why they are on the weekend - Stromlo Forest Park single track, here I come
They only thing Ive changed on it is gripper pedals...otherwise I love.
- europa
- Posts: 7334
- Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:51 am
- Location: southern end of Adelaide - home of hills, fixies and drop bears
Postby europa » Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:42 pm
Sounds good mate. Good to see Malvern Star coming back into the scene again and that their product is good. Keep us posted eh? Lets get that post count into triple figures (welcome the nut house in other words )Andrew69 wrote:I agree. I was looking for a MTB a few months ago ad ended up buying a Malvern Star XT3000. Well spec'd for the $'s and at least $200 cheaper for a similar spec'd "big brand name" bike.
They only thing Ive changed on it is gripper pedals...otherwise I love.
Richard
- Andrew69
- Posts: 300
- Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2007 6:36 pm
Postby Andrew69 » Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:06 pm
I just realised I think faster than I type and should have proof read that post...any way
As far as MS bikes go, I also bought one for the Mrs (Hurricane, 26" MTB) and one arriving shortly for the son (Storm, 20" mtb), and a mate of mine just bought a MTB for his Mrs as well!
As far as bang for you buck goes, Ive found them really hard to beat.
- Mulger bill
- Super Mod
- Posts: 29060
- Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
- Location: Sunbury Vic
Postby Mulger bill » Fri Jun 08, 2007 12:38 am
It's all uphill, into the wind from here..... and we love it
Shaun
Return to “Buying a bike / parts”
- General Australian Cycling Topics
- Info / announcements
- Buying a bike / parts
- General Cycling Discussion
- The Bike Shed
- Cycling Health
- Cycling Safety and Advocacy
- Women's Cycling
- Bike & Gear Reviews
- Cycling Trade
- Stolen Bikes
- Bicycle FAQs
- Serious Biking
- Audax / Randonneuring
- Retro biking
- Commuting
- MTB
- Recumbents
- Fixed Gear/ Single Speed
- Track
- Electric Bicycles
- Cyclocross and Gravel Grinding
- Dragsters / Lowriders / Cruisers
- Children's Bikes
- Cargo Bikes and Utility Cycling
- Road Racing
- Road Biking
- Training
- Time Trial
- Triathlon
- International and National Tours and Events
- Cycle Touring
- Touring Australia
- Touring Overseas
- Touring Bikes and Equipment
- Australia
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Victoria
- ACT
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Country & Regional
- The Market Place
- Member to Member Bike and Gear Sales
- Want to Buy, Group Buy, Swap
- My Bikes or Gear Elsewhere
- Cycling Brands
- Cannondale
- Garmin
- Giant
- Shimano
- Trek
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users
- All times are UTC+11:00
- Top
- Delete cookies
About the Australian Cycling Forums
The Australian Cycling Forums is a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.
Bicycles Network Australia
Forum Information
Connect with BNA
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.