[PMC]

"tcarbone" wrote

Hi depends on where you ride if in southern california, nevada, arizona, new mexico. I would use the Nevgal up front and the slant six in back. The slant six up front has turn in issues. The slant six and small block eight work well for me as a rear tire. I like the slant six knobs for braking and downhill single track for loose over hard as a rear tire plus it rolls good… The Nevgal works good as an aggressive front tire since it has a flat surface and tall cornering knobs of course rolling resistance is not the best.

Thats my two cents.I ride southern cali

I’m in the Midwest
Northwest Indiana to be specific.

Basically you just confirmed the reasons why I’m stuck! lol
I know slat 6 is supposed to be the compromise between the Nevangel and the Small block 8 but it sounds like I need them to make something between the slant 6 and the Nevangel. 😕 😕 😕

[PMC]

"maddslacker" wrote

I’m friends with the (now former) owner of Giant Cycling World here in Denver and they haven’t seen any major issues. The shop by my house is a Niner dealer and they speak equally highly of that brand.

The geometry is pretty different between the Giant and the Niner, so it would be a good idea to grab a test ride on each.

Thanks maddslacker

I wish we had more dealers around. It would be virtually impossible to ride both from the same shop.

The Niner is aluminum, has better components and is a few hundred cheaper.
The Giant is Carbon with a pretty nice set of components for the $$

coming from a 26" Rockhopper – they all feel different to me!! This is a tough one.

[PMC]

"maddslacker" wrote

[quote="PJM":3jun059s]Is all carbon created equal? I’m almost skeptical of the quality on the Giant frame considering the price point.

Guess who makes most of the carbon frames in the world …[/quote:3jun059s]

Well I’m guessing you’re going to tell me Giant?
That doesn’t necessarily mean quality though. I know Giant makes some great stuff, but at $1800 for a complete carbon bike is unheard of (to me at least). It’s such an aggressive price point that I wonder if they cut corners or have a "budget" carbon frame. I’m hoping someone tells me otherwise and this bike is a no-brainer!

[PMC]

"mtbgreg1" wrote

I didn’t know if the composite frames really ride that much nicer than the aluminum frames

Is the Niner an aluminum frame?

Personally, I REALLY the ride quality of a carbon frame over an aluminum, especially as a hardtail. You can check out a couple reviews I’ve done of carbon hardtails here:

http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-ge … tain-bike/
http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-ge … er-29er-2/
http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-ge … daxe-29er/

That Ibex Maroc looks very appealing!

[PMC]

the Niner EMD is aluminum. It’s a great value considering the component package.

That Giant XTC seems like a great buy as well and the least expensive carbon frame I’ve seen.

I think both are good options – this is why I’m stuck!

Is all carbon created equal? I’m almost skeptical of the quality on the Giant frame considering the price point.

[PMC]

"jtorlando25" wrote

Looks like the Niner has a better component package than what comes on the Giant…and it’s cheaper. I vote Niner.

I’d still have to throw a crankset and derallier at the Niner so I’m sure they will be close in price, but still seems like a great buy.

I didn’t know if the composite frames really ride that much nicer than the aluminum frames

[PMC]

I decided to build my own rack.

On a multiple bike rack, how far apart are the bikes typically spaced? If someone cound give me a dimension I’d appreciate it.

[PMC]

"maddslacker" wrote

If it’s well clamped it should be fine. The forces should be no worse than you flexing your mad skillz on the trails! 😃

good point.. 😳

[PMC]

"maddslacker" wrote

yes, those are decent, and yes they sell just the fork mount that is weldable or can be attached with a big u-bolt.

Another friend uses that setup with three of them bolted to a 2×6 laying in the back of his Suburban.

Yeah I see them all the time on the roof racks but I didn’t know if it made a difference with the bike mounted perpendicular to the travel of the vehicle. Just didn’t know if the starting/stopping would make the bike wobble and damage the forks. Hmmm

[PMC]

what about the style carriers that use the fork clamps on the front forks? Are they secure? Any chance of wobble or damage to the forks?

It seems like these are very simple. I could probably buy the clamp and weld something up pretty easily.

[PMC]

What about frame adapter bars? Are they any good?
The hanging style racks are much more common and there are plenty on craigslist, unline the flatbed style.

[PMC]

"maddslacker" wrote

That one looks a little cheesy, but my friend has this one in the 4-bike config and we regularly strap $20,000+ worth of bikes onto it and drive around the Colorado countryside. It is solid and has never done damage to any of our bikes.

I was afraid someone would say that.
The Xport looks nice. If I can fine it for less than $180 I’d get it.

[PMC]

Alright I edited my original post. Please double check me.

Feel free to use as you wish. I’m not concerned about the credit. If it helps somebody else out all the better 😃

[PMC]

I wanted to be sure I understand you correctly so I put this diagram together.
Is this correct? It seems backwards to me.
Also I drew it up with an 8 speed cassette

[PMC]

when you say shift lightly, do you mean just pedal with less pressure?
I only shift one gear at a time, but is it possible to shift multiple steps at a time?

The hardest for me is going from the middle to the largest sprocket on the front b/c I typically have to dowshift the rear at the same time.

[PMC]

"ChiliPepper" wrote

Congratulations PMC on your choice of MTB! You will not be dissatisfied with the Hardrock and it will serve you well. We wish you the very best riding brother!

Keep it real and ride hard! 😃

Ooops, had to make a correction
I bought a Rockhopper Comp Disc – not the Hardrock.
I’ve looked at way too many bikes the last week 😕

[PMC]

I finally made my decision and got my bike yesterday!

It ended up being between the Rockhopper Comp Disc, Giant XTC2 and Gary Fisher Wahoo Disc. It was extremely hard to decide as I liked aspects of each bike, but ended up with………..drumroll please…………’09 Rockhopper Comp Disc!

I really had a difficult time deciding so I hope I made the right decision! My LBS ran a clearance on the ’09 Specialized bikes so I got it for $175 off the MSRP.

[PMC]

hey thanks for all the info!

I’ll be test riding some bikes tonight at my local shops so I’ll let you know what I end up with. I think I’ve narrowed my search to either the Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc or Gary Fisher ????

[Author]

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