Need some help with a bike choice.

[dbs2071]

I’m a newbie just getting into mountain biking and could use some direction. We will be riding mostly dirt trails with an occasional pavement outing. I was given an older (1997) Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, but after taking it to a couple LBS the cost to return it to it’s glory was too high..about $300. So I began looking for a new bike.

I have come across three 29er’s in my price range that I could use some help in narrowing it down to. Here are some of the specs:

Felt Nine 80: front derailleur Shimano FD-M310; back derailleur: Sram X4; Sram X4 shifters; Mechanical disk brake; Suntour SF-XCT forks no lockout

Marin Alpine: front derailleur: Shimano Alivio; rear derailleur: Shimano Deore; Shimano Alivio shifters; Hydraulic disc brakes; Rock Shox XC28 forks w/ lockout

Fuji Nevada 2.0: front derailleur: Shimano Alivio; rear derailleur: Shimano Deore; Shimano Alivio shifters; Hydraulic disc brakes; SR Suntour XCM forks w/ lockout

I really like the Felt, but both the Marin and the Fuji seem to have better components. I am leaning towards the Marin. There is only about a $50 – $75 difference between them. I would really like to know your thoughts.

Brian

[Greg Heil ✓ supporter]

What exactly is your price range? You might want to compare those bikes against these:

http://www.airbornebicycles.com/product … -29er.aspx
http://www.airbornebicycles.com/product … oblin.aspx

[dbs2071]

My price range is around $600-650. The Felt is $550 w/ my bike as a trade. The Fuji is $550 and the Marin is $650 without trade ins.

[dozzerboy]

Are you sure you want to go the 29’er route? Have you ridden one? I despise riding 29’ers on anything other than the flattest of trails. Just trying to help you make the right choice.

[slipfinger]

I have come across three 29er’s in my price range that I could use some help in narrowing it down to. Here are some of the specs:

I really like the Felt, but both the Marin and the Fuji seem to have better components. I am leaning towards the Marin. There is only about a $50 – $75 difference between them. I would really like to know your thoughts.

The only true way to narrow down your search is to throw a leg over each one and give it a ride.

The components on all three bikes are entry level, I don’t think you will notice a preformance difference between the components. The brakes fall into the same catagory even though 2 are hydraulic and one is not, you will not notice a difference in stopping power. The only difference you will notice about the brakes is when it comes to maintenance, the mech brakes are easier and cheaper to maintain in the long run.

You have to take each for a ride and see how each fits you, it’s the only true way to determine which bike feels right for you.

[Greg Heil ✓ supporter]

The brakes fall into the same catagory even though 2 are hydraulic and one is not, you will not notice a difference in stopping power. The only difference you will notice about the brakes is when it comes to maintenance, the mech brakes are easier and cheaper to maintain in the long run.

Yes, but I imagine there will be better modulation from the hydraulic brakes.

Also, I would second the choice of a 29er personally.

[blundar]

"dozzerboy" wrote

Are you sure you want to go the 29’er route? Have you ridden one? I despise riding 29’ers on anything other than the flattest of trails. Just trying to help you make the right choice.

29er’s ride very different from a 26er, especially on technically tight and downhill stuff. Try test riding a 29er in the dirt trails where you ride before you commit to spending money on a 29er. Some local bike shops will let you test ride a loaner bike. The difference between the two was so big for me that I now have both a 26er with full suspension, and a 29er full rigid.

"mtbgreg1" wrote

What exactly is your price range? You might want to compare those bikes against these:
http://www.airbornebicycles.com/product … -29er.aspx
http://www.airbornebicycles.com/product … oblin.aspx

+1 on the Airborne bikes. I bought one last year and absolutely love it. In my opinion these bikes are very well built with pretty good components (these are not high end spec bikes), and everything is new. Used bikes can sometimes be a real spoiler, especially if you end up breaking down too often.

[Mtb_Jay]

"blundar" wrote

[quote="mtbgreg1":bxwutmbj]What exactly is your price range? You might want to compare those bikes against these:
http://www.airbornebicycles.com/product … -29er.aspx
http://www.airbornebicycles.com/product … oblin.aspx

+1 on the Airborne bikes. I bought one last year and absolutely love it. In my opinion these bikes are very well built with pretty good components (these are not high end spec bikes), and everything is new. Used bikes can sometimes be a real spoiler, especially if you end up breaking down too often.[/quote:bxwutmbj]

I bought the entry level Airborne Sabre and I am loving it….probably going to be sticking with this brand from now on. You get so much for the price…Next time I purchase I’m getting either Goblin or Hobgoblin "Or something new if they get it in" ….depending if I want to stay with the hardtail or not.

[gar29]

I agree with the others, I’ve rode Airborne since 2001. Very solid and I got WAY more bang for my buck with them. Only downside is you don’t get to try before you buy. Made me nervous, but I was highly satisfied with my bike.

[JT Orlando]

"blundar" wrote

(these are not high end spec bikes)

Sure they are. They now offer XO builds for the Goblin and Hobgoblin at incredible pricepoints.
[url:3iyxrzbt]http://www.airbornebicycles.com/products/128-hobgoblin-x0.aspx[/url:3iyxrzbt]
[url:3iyxrzbt]http://www.airbornebicycles.com/products/129-goblin-x0.aspx[/url:3iyxrzbt]

[Greg Heil ✓ supporter]

"jtorlando25" wrote

[quote="blundar":20jmv64c](these are not high end spec bikes)

Sure they are. They now offer XO builds for the Goblin and Hobgoblin at incredible pricepoints.
[url:20jmv64c]http://www.airbornebicycles.com/products/128-hobgoblin-x0.aspx[/url:20jmv64c]
[url:20jmv64c]http://www.airbornebicycles.com/products/129-goblin-x0.aspx[/url:20jmv64c][/quote:20jmv64c]

+1. I love the fact that Airborne is putting out bikes with higher-end builds that still offer a great value.

[max.power]

I’ve also been looking at the Marin bikes, (specifically the 2011 bobcat), but I looked at the Airborne site that was posted on this discussion and may lean toward this brand. Not having ridden either and based on the good reviews, the specs side by side also lean toward the airbornes. Price wise I like it ($599 airborne vs $750 Marin). I currently ride a very low end 29er and I’m sure to notice a difference in any upgrade but any thoughts on switching to a 26"? I ride mostly trail, technical, mountain…

[blundar]

"max.power" wrote

I’ve also been looking at the Marin bikes, (specifically the 2011 bobcat), but I looked at the Airborne site that was posted on this discussion and may lean toward this brand. Not having ridden either and based on the good reviews, the specs side by side also lean toward the airbornes. Price wise I like it ($599 airborne vs $750 Marin). I currently ride a very low end 29er and I’m sure to notice a difference in any upgrade but any thoughts on switching to a 26"? I ride mostly trail, technical, mountain…

In my humble opinion; For technical, tight turning single track, and all-mountain riding, 26er’s and 650b’s rule. They have much shorter chain stays and are more "playfull". That allows you to snap them around, pop up the front wheel at will, and are just snappier with their handling.

There are always exceptions to this of course, like with super short chain stay hard tail 29er bikes (Canfield Yelli Screamy, Kona Honzo, etc).

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