Need help in choosing a mountain bike...

[shane_c]

The last bike I had was a cheapo Supercycle mountain bike that I drove from when I was 12 until I was 33. At that point I sold it for $30 and it still worked great.

I’ve been looking to get another bike and at first thought I’d look for a used bike in the $50 range that needed a bit of work but after talking with a few people I thought I should get a new one and am looking in the $300-400 range.

I would say it would be used about 70% on paved roads and 30% on dirt trails.

Here are the ones I’m looking at:

Norco Pinnacle - $299
http://www.sportwheels.ca/products/norco-pinnacle-2009

Trek 820 - $369
http://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en/bikes...sport/820/820/#

Louis Garneau TS 1 - $399
http://www.sportwheels.ca/products/l...neau-helix-ts1

Norco Katmandu - $429
http://www.sportwheels.ca/products/2010-norco-katmandu

The Trek seems to be the only one with the old style brakes. The Pinnacle has disc front and rim brake on the rear where the Garneau and Katmandu have disc front and rear. Are disc brakes that much better? Is there extra work to keep them maintained? Parts more expensive?

I can’t seem to find much info on the Garneau TS1. I prefer the price of the Pinnacle and the looks of the Trek and Katmandu but really don't know anything about bikes these days. Does anyone happen to have any of those listed above? Any guideance would be appreciated.

[return to the red]

I have this one, http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca/...er/5405/37742/

purchased it a few summers ago for about 300 I think, does everything I need it to

What I found when purchasing it is actually try and get on them and take it for a spin. Frames from different manufacturers will fit your frame differently so best to jump on and see how you like it.

[mykalberta]

I saw this title and I was like - woohoo someone else is looking at budget bikes.

I have been looking at this bike, but the price range is higher than o/p and I have a hard time justifying it to myself but I do go out about 20+ times a years.

http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Cyclin...cle-unisex.jsp

[socktape]

If I were you and the majority of my riding was going to be on the pavement I would look at getting more of a hybrid bike. If you are planning on bombing down some hills/mountains with your 30% you probably don't need the bike to be as "sturdy" as the ones you have listed as it is just extra weight. The lighter bike and larger diameter tires will be better suited to your everyday riding. You could always buy some semi-slicks to put on when you are doing more trail riding vs pavement. That is heavily dependant on the types of trails your riding as well... singletrack vs. dirt pathway.

[HalifaxDrunk]

As you are here in NS, I'd recommend stopping by Bikes By Dave on Young Street in Halifax. http://bikesbydave.ca/ Really great local bike shop and Dave is super helpful.

Looking at bikes online is one thing, test riding is absolutely a must.

[shane_c]

Originally Posted by HalifaxDrunk

As you are here in NS, I'd recommend stopping by Bikes By Dave on Young Street in Halifax. http://bikesbydave.ca/ Really great local bike shop and Dave is super helpful.

Looking at bikes online is one thing, test riding is absolutely a must.

Thanks!
Yeah I've heard good things about Dave. The Marin Sky Trail looks pretty nice.

[shane_c]

Originally Posted by return to the red

I have this one, http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca/...er/5405/37742/

purchased it a few summers ago for about 300 I think, does everything I need it to

What I found when purchasing it is actually try and get on them and take it for a spin. Frames from different manufacturers will fit your frame differently so best to jump on and see how you like it.

I just checked with the Giant dealer here and they no longer bring the Boulder in. Their 'entry level' they carry is the Revel 1 which is $620.

[shane_c]

Originally Posted by socktape

If I were you and the majority of my riding was going to be on the pavement I would look at getting more of a hybrid bike. If you are planning on bombing down some hills/mountains with your 30% you probably don't need the bike to be as "sturdy" as the ones you have listed as it is just extra weight. The lighter bike and larger diameter tires will be better suited to your everyday riding. You could always buy some semi-slicks to put on when you are doing more trail riding vs pavement. That is heavily dependant on the types of trails your riding as well... singletrack vs. dirt pathway.

Thanks for the reply. I have a dirt/rocky trail behind my house that can be pretty bumpy and hilly in places so I think a MTB would be better in my case.

[return to the red]

Originally Posted by shane_c

I just checked with the Giant dealer here and they no longer bring the Boulder in. Their 'entry level' they carry is the Revel 1 which is $620.

good way to price yourself out of the entry level market. I really like my bike but there is no way I would pay $620 for a bike I use recreationally.

[DFO]

Check out the buy & sell on Pinkbike or something similar - could get better quality and value in a used bike probably.

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/?reg...id=35&provid=7

[macker]

Originally Posted by DFO

Check out the buy & sell on Pinkbike or something similar - could get better quality and value in a used bike probably.

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/?reg...id=35&provid=7

In that price range I would buy new though. You don't want to take on a bike that someone else is done with. I would just buy new and any service you need you go back to the dealer and get priorty. You don't get as good of service if you bring in a used bike that wasn't bought through the dealer. There is lots of ongoing service and upkeep with bikes and a good relationship with a good dealer is worth it!

[Mccree]

Originally Posted by macker

In that price range I would buy new though. You don't want to take on a bike that someone else is done with. I would just buy new and any service you need you go back to the dealer and get priorty. You don't get as good of service if you bring in a used bike that wasn't bought through the dealer. There is lots of ongoing service and upkeep with bikes and a good relationship with a good dealer is worth it!

Really that seems strange. What if I moved to a new city and want my bike serviced? I get second rate service because I didn't buy my bike from them?

[macker]

Originally Posted by Mccree

Really that seems strange. What if I moved to a new city and want my bike serviced? I get second rate service because I didn't buy my bike from them?

The relationship with the dealer should be better if the bike was originally purchased through the dealer so in my experience yes. I don't know about second rate service but you can't underestimate loyalty to a dealer especially in smaller shops and it goes both ways. This starts at the original point of purchase. If you are talking about bigger shops where you are dealing with someone different anytime you walk in then disregard the above obviously.

[DFO]

Originally Posted by macker

In that price range I would buy new though. You don't want to take on a bike that someone else is done with. I would just buy new and any service you need you go back to the dealer and get priorty. You don't get as good of service if you bring in a used bike that wasn't bought through the dealer. There is lots of ongoing service and upkeep with bikes and a good relationship with a good dealer is worth it!

We're talking about a cheap mountain bike not a Ferrari. The notion of priority or quality of work you bring up isn't a big deal IMO. I have a few bikes but only one was purchased at the shop I frequent - no difference with work on any of the three. Basic service on a bike can be done anywhere.

My original point was for ~$400 I think there is way better value picking up a better quality used rig than an 'entry level' bike (better components, lighter, etc). Bikes depreciate quickly and you can find good value in something used.

[Bonded]

haha
look at the name of the city, it gave me a laugh.

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/?reg...82193&provid=1

[Northendzone]

If possible, at your price point, it is better to try and find a bike that does not have a suspension fork. Forks at this price point are a bit of a waste.

All in all, I would agree that buying a used bike in this price range should net you a better bike.

From my experience most bike shops will provide you with good service regardless of where the bike was purchased.

[Wormius]

I have to say that one of my first bikes was a hand-me down Canadian Tire Supercycle and it worked marvelously for many years. Don't know what the quality of the bikes is like now though. I upgraded to a low end Rocky Mtn Fusion back in university for about $600. No complaints even with the somewhat low-end factory stuff that was on it.

[kipperfan]

I agree with others and would definitely buy used. Unfortunately $300-450 doesn't get you a very good quality new bike. Last year I bought a 2009 Giant Yukon for about $300 (bike was over $700 new), it was lightly used by the prior owner and has been a great bike for me the past 16 months, all I've had to do is put on a new set of tires (which has also made the bike extraordinarily fast! As a side note, it is definitely worth the money to invest in good tires, makes all the difference in the world both with regards to speed and handling).

[shane_c]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

Unfortunately $300-450 doesn't get you a very good quality new bike.

This is pretty sad but from what I've been finding it's true. Most of the reviews I'm reading for bikes in this price range people seem to be having a lot of trouble with brakes, not shifting properly, pedals breaking, frames cracking, etc. It's pretty depressing that for that kind of money you can't get something better.... So I've decided to give up and go back to finding a cheap bike on Kijiji and giving it a tune up. I'd rather spend $100 or less for a bike that might not be perfect than to spend $300-400 on one that still gives me issues.

[edn88]

I got this bike from Sport Chek.

http://www.sportchek.ca/product/inde...767829.3758104

$559, but it is great, and last year model. Disk breaks, good gears. I had a Cadex ALM1 before which is also a great bike, and this one does what I need it to.