Bike purchase questions (long post)

[labGTO]

Brief history,

I started actively riding in 98' after purchasing a GF
Kaitai, a few years later I bought a GF Sugar 3+. And few years later I bought a K2 launch. Riding usually between 2-4 times a week, generally short rides.

I started riding this July after a 3.5 year layoff (shoulder surgery gone wrong), in July a bought a 2002 Schwinn Rockett 88 and have been riding since and once again addicted to riding. The Schwinn has LX, XTR components, SL eggbeaters, Rock Shox pyslo, Fox Float R. Good bike, I just want something newer.


Riding roughly around 3-5 times a week @ Upton, Callahan, Collage st in hopkinton to vietnam. Mainly XC riding and would consider my self maybe a notch above a weekend warrior. This fall I will be going up north to do some trails a little more steep than what I usually ride in my area.

Now to the point I'm looking @ new bike purchase and I want to spend less than $1,800. My biggest question is do I lean more towards a XC bike or a trail bike?

Is there any advantage for where I ride to have more than 4" of travel? Is the extra weight worth the extra travel for this type of riding?

Any advice on the following bike list would be very helpful.

So far I'm looking @:

All online prices.

Santa Cruz Superlite D XC 07' $1,600

Santa Cruz Heckler D $1600

Mountain Cycle ZEN $1600-$1700

Iron Horse Azure comp $1600

Iron Horse hollowpoint mkIII $1700

07' Jamis Dakar XC comp $1600

05" Jamis Dakar XLT 2.0 (leftover) $1800

Marin Rock Springs $1550

Marin Rift zone Quad XC $1759 / East peak $1359

Kona King Kikapu $1520

Motobecane Fantom Comp Ds $895 Seems to be bargain!

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_cds07.htm

Commencal Meta 4.30 $1700

Commencal Meta 5.30 $1700

[mdc]

In my opinion a good trail bike will most likely fit the bill. Currently I am riding a Heckler, and love the bike. The great thing about it is that depending on my riding style the bike can be switched around from cross country'ish to freeride'ish. It's not a 25 lb race bike nor is it a 40 lb hucking machine, but I have ridden everything from 4 hr cross country death marches to technical downhills and the bike takes it all in stride.

Any reason why you aren't purchasing a frame only? Superlight and Heckler frames can be had for around $1000 and you could use the extra $$ for upgrading parts that need changing.. Just my .02

[edge]

"Leftover" 06 Cannondale Prophet 600 for $1,500. Done. Yeah it's got a Lefty. Lucky you.

[Superb Man]

Hmmm,

Well-I'm going to buck a trend and say-you should buy whichever of these bikes (or similar design/ priced xc dualies) that your favorite local (well, at least regional) Bike shop will cut you the best deal on-or just pick the one that looks the best-you really can't go wrong.

All those bikes you listed are great, and frankly they'll all do the same thing and give you the same amount of joy on the trail--a list that big is not helpful-honestly--most big company bikes at each level basically perform to the same level (as they are designed too)--and they're all really good! find the best deal--locally ('cause all bikes can have trouble and it's great to have a supportive dealer near by!)and go with it. Just make sure the bike fits and that you like the color!

xc vs. trail vs whatever--that's glossy bike magazine non-sense-all those bikes are rugged xc dualies (or are they light trail bike dualies?)-they'll all climb pretty well and descend well--that is, if you can climb well and descend well.

The nice thing is that this a great time to be buying a bike-pretty much every big company is making very competitively priced, well-designed bikes--just look at your own list--you could easily add another ten models of quality 1800 and under bikes.

Just buy something soon--if today was any indicator the weather has turned for the best and the heart of the New England riding season is upon us.

[labGTO]

Any reason why you aren't purchasing a frame only? Superlight and Heckler frames can be had for around $1000 and you could use the extra $$ for upgrading parts that need changing.. Just my .02


One of the reason's I have not considered buying a frame is because I have never built a bike before. And I'm not sure how much interest I have in building one.

[labGTO]

Thanks for the comments, I guess I'll start shopping around tomorrow.

Funny thing is after riding the Schwinn 12 miles today, I started wondering why I would get rid of it.

[Doro]

mountian cycles are good frames they are out of business so I wouldn't buy that. Heckler is always a nice bike.

[dirtrider2]

FWIW, Mountain Cycle is back IN business. And unless we are speaking in very BROAD terms, those bikes will handle very differently from each other. Each have different geo's, suspension designs, and components which will contribute to unique sets of advantages and disadvantages. Try before you buy. It really comes down to what you would like your bike to do and what your riding buddies like to do (since you'll be with them).

Dave

[labGTO]

Try before you buy.Dave


I will try to demo a few, it appears alot of dealers don't have demos though?



Try before you buy. It really comes down to what you would like your bike to do and what your riding buddies like to do (since you'll be with them). Dave



And I ride alone so I wno't have to worry about that too much.

[peterdbikes]

I have come to realize that if you can get a stock bike with decent parts that you like, go for it. Buying a frame and then building it usually will cost more in the long run.

Peter

[Slappy]

FWIW, if I was sticking strictly to your list I'd go Heckler. If you've got the time and inclination though, try to test ride different bikes as mentioned.

[Chris_T]

I would add the Kona Dawg to your list. It is more trail-bikey than the somewhat twitchy Kikapu.

Happy shopping!

-C

[labGTO]

Second big question, what is my 2002 Schwinn Rocket 88 worth? See link.

http://www.nemba.org/forums/showthread.php?p=140511#post140511