What do you guys think of my bike?

[slowjett]

Well I puchased this bike new in July or August. I wasnt sure how into it I would be. I thought i would ride once a week if that, in fact I allmost bought a comfort bike. I had not ridden since I was a kid, and even then I was not really into it. But after my first couple of trail rides I was hooked. So I did some upgrades..

http://joshnoone.com/temp/dirty.jpg
http://joshnoone.com/temp/clean.jpg

Started as a 2004 Giant Boulder SE bought in July.

Upgrades:
Wheels: Zac-19 Wheels with specialized hubs (hey i got a good deal on em, and they were better than what it came with)
Tires: IRC Trailbears 2.5 upfront 2.25 in back
Brakes: Avid 7
Shifters: SRAM x.9 Triggers
DriveTrain: SRAM Pg-990 Cassette, PC-99 Hollow Pin Chain, x.9 De-railure. Just got an XTR-Crankset M952 and BB on the way.
Pedals: S&M BMX
Other: Bag to carry tubes/tools, Ritchey Grips.

The suntour crankset that came on this thing suck, the spider arms bent so all the rings are bent. So i got an xtr crankset coming. I also have a Manuto fork coming to replace the SR-Suntour fork thats on it. The suntours not bad, but its just a friggen pogo stick, NO dampening.

I kept the reflectors on, I know how hard it is to see people riding at night when your driving.. Plus they look darn cool.

My bro spent like 1200 on his Harro, and my bike is lighter, shifts and handles better, and is balanced way better than that thing. Its a hardtail XC bike. Everyone who rides this bike is impressed, even the poeple who are like "A giant? Heh get a real bike".. Well the frame headset and stuff are the only things stock on it now.

What do ya think?

-Josh

[Quo Fan]

Nice bike. If you like it, then it really doesn't matter what other's think of your bike.

[comtom1]

sweet ride light and beefy at the same time

[bdee]

Nice - don't worry about what other people say. 9 times out of 10 this will apply - the nicer the gear the slower the rider (or the more excuses you'll hear from them about why they are going slow/crashing all the time etc.) If you like it then don't worry - everything in mtb is relative to your own experience.

[Jisch]

I bought my daughter a lower end version of that bike. Its amazing the $$$ I've dumped into my bike. I mean I guess the stuff I put on is better than what's on hers, but it amazes me how good hers is for the cost. I could buy a new twice a year for what I put into mine...

And I'll echo what everyone else says, any bike you ride (and enjoy riding) is perfect.

John

I think it looked better before you washed it. But seeing the paddok behind pobably means it smells better after.

Beware the upgrade bug. It eats income and fills garages with parts.

[sizlinseagulsoup]

The suntour crankset that came on this thing suck, the spider arms bent so all the rings are bent. So i got an xtr crankset coming. I also have a Manuto fork coming to replace the SR-Suntour fork thats on it. The suntours not bad, but its just a friggen pogo stick, NO dampening.

GAH! An XTR crankset is worth more than that bike was retail. As everyone said, it does not matter what other people think. Hell, sometimes I begin to think it does not matter what I think of my bike sometimes (especially when all my parts start breaking and I have to replace them). Therefore, you would probably be better off putting something like Deore or even LX if you feel like spending a little extra on the bike rather than XTR.

If you REALLY want to XTRify the bike, you'd be better off saving for a new one (so you get those hidden benefits of a lighter/more confortable frame, better stem, headset, seatpost, wheels, etc). It seems like you've gotten knee-deep in the process already with the shifters and derailleurs.

Don't worry about the reflectors either, they can really save your #$% sometimes and if you get nailed by a car, you won't be getting any insurance money without them!

[Superb Man]

You know, I'd never upgrade anything on a bike like yours...it seems to me there are two (equally valid) approaches to bike use and ownership.

1. Buy a competent, but lower-end entry level mountain ride and ride it hard and often never spending a nickle (even for hose water) on it-replacing the tires only if they rip (and any other broken parts with ones of equal, or better, lower value). Don't clean it, just ride it-smile-put it away and ride it again. At the end of the season, clean it up a bit and sell it, and buy another new-low end bike to subject to the same gleeful torture. Every season a new bike-little effort and really at the same or less cost then making mid-season mid-level upgrades.

or

2. save your pennies and buy a high end (pre-upgraded if you will) drool ride. Treat it with fastidious love and time consuming affection on and off the trail knowing it will be your one and only ride for the next five years. Replace worn parts with top notch stuff immediatelly, clean it thoroughly and often (buy two chains to swap out evey other ride)...you get the picture. A long term bike relationship requires a heck of a lot of short term effort and attention.

I think you're taking a schizophrenic approach to bike ownership, man. I say ride the rainier till it can't take another mud-ice-grass clogged pedal stroke (bang it on the ground a few times) and then ride it some more. When it's finally had enough-ditch it, get another one-don't waste time or money-enjoy it as is till it ain't no more!

yee ha!

[splat]

If you enjoy the Bike that is the Most important thing.

what Kevin said , I'm Not sure I'd Put an XTR crank on that that ( Heck I wouldn'tput an XTR on my own bike ) but upgrading to something better is always a good thing .

The was an Article in Bicycling a couple of years ago called "the LX factor" and basically said , the tread was to Upgrade to LX and the higher end Bike when People broke stuff would Get the LX because It was almost as good , but a lot less expensive.

By The way Upgradeidis is an illness we all suffer from , Enjoy !

[slowjett]

I think your two options are plain old dumb. =] If I want a better frame, i'll just get one down the road and sell this bike with the old componants on it.

The XTR crankset cost me 80 bucks in near mint condition w/ bb, why would I put on anything less for that price? I take very good care of the bike. Upgrading and doing the wrench work myself is part of the fun.

Also if I were to purchase a bike for the same price as I have into my bike, It would be such less of a bike. I would just have to replace the componants again. Everything is top of line but the frame on my bike. I like the balance of my frame though, i've ridden several other bikes 200 - 2000 dollar jobs, and NONE ride as well as mine.

=]

[Tim]

I think your two options are plain old dumb. =] If I want a better frame, i'll just get one down the road and sell this bike with the old componants on it.

The XTR crankset cost me 80 bucks in near mint condition w/ bb, why would I put on anything less for that price? I take very good care of the bike. Upgrading and doing the wrench work myself is part of the fun.

Also if I were to purchase a bike for the same price as I have into my bike, It would be such less of a bike. I would just have to replace the componants again. Everything is top of line but the frame on my bike. I like the balance of my frame though, i've ridden several other bikes 200 - 2000 dollar jobs, and NONE ride as well as mine.

=]


Slowjett, it's pretty rude to specifically ask for opinions and then call people who respond dumb.

I'll give you my opinion on your bike (since you asked): as bought, it was a solid entry level ride, but now, even with the lipstick, it's still a pig. Adding better components to an entry level frame is a mistake made by many a clueless newbie -- you're not the first and I'm sure you won't be the last. Good luck with it.

Also, can you please let us know what elementary and high schools you attended?

Tim

[slapheadmofo]

Nice - don't worry about what other people say. 9 times out of 10 this will apply - the nicer the gear the slower the rider (or the more excuses you'll hear from them about why they are going slow/crashing all the time etc.) If you like it then don't worry - everything in mtb is relative to your own experience.
9 out of 10 times the guy w/ the crappier gear is faster and better? :) That must explain all those Walmart specials that keep flying past on the trails.

Enjoy your bike, wear it out, buy another bike, repeat as necessary. Everybody who's ridden enough knows you can't judge the rider by the bike. Unless its a recumbant of course. And don't think that if you end up spending big $$ on a bike you have to be nice to it - I think it's even more fun beating a $5k bike to death than a $500 one; usually takes a good bit longer too.

[Superb Man]

If you're so happy and secure with your ride...why are you asking for the approval of complete strangers..are you selling it?

I just don't see what you're fishing for...do you want advice on what components are worth upgrading.

Were you hoping someone would disparage your bike so you could tell them off for being bike elitists? Are you trying to plump for some sort of practical/economical/moral superiority over those who spent more on an upper level bike? what's your game?

Giant is a well-respected bike manufacturer and the raineer is a well-known, time-tested, well-regarded entry-level model-you'll get no argument about that on this list serve or anywhere else.

Seems like an adequate bike-have fun-your money-your choices.

[slowjett]

,
Slowjett, it's pretty rude to specifically ask for opinions and then call people who respond dumb


Tim, I didnt call anyone dumb. Sorry if you got that impression. I personally thought the idea of just beating a bike to death was a bit silly I understand that that it was probably said with a bit of sarchasm, but your right. I am a newb at this. I realy did enjoy riding my bike, but was constantly getting annoyed by the giant jump in gears due to the crappy 7spd megga range setup. It made it really imposable to enjoy some large climbs. The jump from 24t - 34t or your cassette is kind of well its not suttle. Those gears where the two low gears next to each other.

Im assuming the schooling comment had to do with my spelling. I assure you its not a resault of my schooling, but more of a disability on my part.


If you're so happy and secure with your ride...why are you asking for the approval of complete strangers..are you selling it?

I just don't see what you're fishing for

I wasnt fishing for anything. I was just mearly proud of my bike. I really do love it. I put a lot of time into it, and studying differant parts and setups, asked many questions on other sites (im new to this board), read many reviews, and waited till I got an excelent deal on all the parts. I can hardly afford to even pay sale price for a lot of the items I buy, so I wait a buy them as cheap as possable. Between buying this bike new and all the componants I put on it, I have less than 500 into this bike includeing the XTR crankset comeing. So buying a new bike is realy out of the question as it would cost much more, and not have the componants I wanted.

I look at it this way. If I upgrade the companants I can have as close to a nice performing bike as I want without haveing to pucahse a new bike. Which would have cost more than the upgrades. When I decide I want a new frame, I'll just switch my componants onto the new frame. Put the old companants back on the old frame and sell it or give it to someone who will enjoy it.

I dont have a large amount of $$, so I'm just doing what I can. Even if I did have enough $$, I couldnt see myself spending the kind of dough I see people spend on their bikes, when to me my bike is as good as any out there on the trail.

I do apreciate everyones replys, good or bad.

Thanks
Josh

[skyline69]

Glad you love your bike, and that's all that matters. I've always felt that people spend way too much on bikes anyway. It's the rider not the bike.
Oh, and my bike is better. ;D

[hammerhead]

Just be careful hunting for bargains in used or discarded components, especially if you don't know by whom and how much they were used, they could certainly have been used and used harder than a recreational rider could envision. You may be paying $80.00 for something with a $400 List price but end up with a part with no useful life. I advise you to save the parts you take off for when your 'Upgrades' fail. That way you still have a ride to enjoy.

That said enjoy riding, and if you get a thrill from the wrench stuff, have fun there too!

[TeamT]

Josh, since the MTB has probably already taught you about gravity and the tendencies of objects in motion. I will teach you something about Mtn bikers; This is called jealousy!

"9 times out of 10 this will apply - the nicer the gear the slower the rider (or the more excuses you'll hear from them about why they are going slow/crashing all the time etc.)"

Sure it's stupid to put XTR on that rig, but who cares, do it anyway. Hey, I once a yellow Y-bike with full XTR, now thats stupid!

[slowjett]

You may be paying $80.00 for something with a $400 List price but end up with a part with no useful life.

Yeah, I hear that. I traded a new roof rack for a Sun Double walled & welded wheelset, the guys said they were perfect. Im thinking "Woah sweet deal for me", when i got the wheelset in the front wheel was perfect, but the rear wheel had a huge ding in it and a flat spot like he did a 4 foot drop onto a pointy rock. Plus the freewheel had a lot of friction. But kinda felt like the greese gelled up so that could have gone away with a ride or two. Anyway that was a waste. So i definatly know what your talkign about. Most of the stuff I bought was new besides the wheels and the crank. I just got a geat deal on them.


Josh, since the MTB has probably already taught you about gravity and the tendencies of objects in motion. I will teach you something about Mtn bikers;

Thanks for the lesson =]

[slapheadmofo]

I probably should of said 'wearing out' but I'm kind of a hack, so it feels a lot more like beating it to death while I'm riding. And there's something satisfying about riding a frame or component long and hard enough to have to retire it. The best thing you can do with your bike is ride it enough to wear it out. ;D

Also, most of the expensive bikes I've had I bought used and/or got good deals on. You can find some sweet pre-owned bikes, you just have to be selective.

If you're so happy and secure ...why are you asking for the approval of complete strangers..?

I just don't see what you're fishing for...do you want advice
....
Are you trying to plump for some sort of practical/economical/moral superiority ...
... what's your game?


Hey >:( there is only room for 1 person like this on the site.
;)

[gnurider1080]

ok superb man, all you gotta do know is wear jeans when riding and teach some skills clinics over the summer. :P

[Quo Fan]

Think of it this way: Those who care, don't matter, and those who matter, don't care.

If you live your life this way, you will be a much happier person. As I have gotten older, I realise that what others think about me is immaterial. I don't care what others think about me. I am who I am, and if they don't like it, then it is their problem, not mine. The same applies to your bike. If you like it, then that is all that matters. If all you can afford is entry-level components, then that is what you buy. I happen to like expensive toys, and I can aford most of them. If you like the way your frame feels, and that is a VERY personal thing, then by all means, keep riding it til it breaks.

Happy riding to you.

[sizlinseagulsoup]

Sometimes XTR just does not make sense... I have full XTR (cranks, shifters, discs) on a Superlight but I just broke down and bought a XT rear derailleur after snapping my second derailleur in 2 years. For the x number of grams I save with an XTR... I really don't give a damn anymore.

[splat]

Sometimes XTR just does not make sense... I have full XTR (cranks, shifters, discs) on a Superlight but I just broke down and bought a XT rear derailleur after snapping my second derailleur in 2 years. For the x number of grams I save with an XTR... I really don't give a damn anymore.


That is why I run LX , I was breaking too many XT rear derailers , just didn't make cents ( pun intended) when XT cost 2X the cost lx

[Slider]

I vote cheap for disposable parts like anything connected to the drivetrain. Anything above LX, or in some cases XT, is simply jewlery. I don't care how it looks, just how it works.

Slider

[T Grimble]

I like the upgrade approach. My first bike was an entry level Gary Fisher. I upgraded every part on the bike before I decided to upgrade the frame. Now my old Fisher is still in service as a single speed. If you like to tinker it is a good way to keep the bike feeling new and makes mountain biking fun even on the rainy spring days when spending a day with your bike means sitting in the basement with a beer and a can of grease.

This sport appeals to many different people on various levels. Some will only buy the very best and will hire a mechanic to do all their work. Those people are not likely to feel the same type of 'Bike love' that you feel but that doesn't make them any less a mountian biker, they just have a different type of pride and choose to spend a little more on their bikes. The more you save on parts, the more you can afford to spend on advocacy ;D

[slapheadmofo]

The only component I really notice a performance and durability difference w/ XTR is the rear derailleur, though some of the performance advantage may be because I've been running the RapidRise setup for a while now and you could only get it on XTR in the past.

[Jisch]

The only component I really notice a performance and durability difference w/ XTR is the rear derailleur, though some of the performance advantage may be because I've been running the RapidRise setup for a while now and you could only get it on XTR in the past.


I was just about to post the same thing. Now that you can get an XT RapidRise, I'll probably never get another XTR.

I am using my back up bike right now and its got a non-RapidRise XT. I'm just going to say it - anyone not using RapidRise is just silly. It works so much better. Ok it takes a couple of rides to not blow shifts, but its so much better! Its quick to shift when you are going for easier gears - perfect. Why would you want it to be quick to when you need a harder gear? It doesn't make sense.

John

[Quo Fan]

I use "Low-normal" derailers exclusively. I like being able to down-shift while climbing without letting up on the pedals.

[slapheadmofo]

Also, the RR tend to not bang against the frame on my FSRs and M1, making for a much quieter ride. W/ a 'regular' set- up, the amount of knocking on the M1 was ridiculous - the RR solved the problem as the spring holds the der back and away from the frame. BONUS! :)

[Quo Fan]

I also use the medium cage as opposed to the long cage. Less chance of the derailer getting smacked by a rock jumping off the trail into my drivetrain.