Bike choices...any opiions?

**ProfGumby** · February 26th, 2008, 04:37 PM

Hey Ya'll!!

I am going to be picking up a new Mountain Bike this spring and I think I have it narrowed down to 3 choices.

I'd prefer to support the local shop that is about 6 blocks from my house. He does all the service on my families bikes,so I would like to purchase through him.

He handles both the Giant and Schwinn lines.

In Giant I am looking at this bike -
Giant Bicycles | Â Bikes - mountain - Yukon

In Schwinn I am considering this bike -
Schwinn Bikes - Bike Detail

I am really leaning to the Giant.

Last week though I was in a shop an hour north of here and am really diggin on this bike -
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkM...73&language=US
I case the link does not work right, it is the Hardrock Comp Disc from Specialized.

I am looking for opinions either pro or con....

**justaguy87337** · February 26th, 2008, 06:00 PM

Hey gumby, I used to love to ride my Mountain bike, I rode a Cannondale 3.0 just loved it. My son rides a Giant Yukon, and it is the smoothest bike I've ridden for the price, very good components on it as well. Giant has a very good name and they last a long time. I never rode a Specialized but I have heard they are a good bike as well. I have also heard that you kinda walk like a duck after riding it, I can't say for myself though.
Hope this helps

**wildstang** · February 26th, 2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfGumby

Hey Ya'll!!

I am going to be picking up a new Mountain Bike this spring and I think I have it narrowed down to 3 choices.

I'd prefer to support the local shop that is about 6 blocks from my house. He does all the service on my families bikes,so I would like to purchase through him.

He handles both the Giant and Schwinn lines.

In Giant I am looking at this bike -
Giant Bicycles | Â Bikes - mountain - Yukon

In Schwinn I am considering this bike -
Schwinn Bikes - Bike Detail

I am really leaning to the Giant.

Last week though I was in a shop an hour north of here and am really diggin on this bike -
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkM...73&language=US
I case the link does not work right, it is the Hardrock Comp Disc from Specialized.

I am looking for opinions either pro or con....

me personally i prefer the giant but also like the idea of the schwinns alternate frame heights wich would come in handy for a guy my height. the disc brakes on either are sweet. tough call guy. but, id lean towards the giant for my purposes.

zayyaz · February 26th, 2008, 08:09 PM

Of those bikes I would go with the Giant.

I love my Gary Fisher Mako (bottom of the line) and they virtually have a limitless number of types to get exactly what you want
Mako | Gary Fisher Mountain Bikes

To me the most important thing of any bike is the derailleurs and shifters, the Giant has Shimano which is where its at, Schwinn doesn't.

Any reasons why you were led to those bike choices, other than they were available at a local mom and pop shop?

**sleepyles** · February 26th, 2008, 08:34 PM

Well I do have a Specialized Rockhopper, and I love it. The only thing, that I didn't like about it was the suspension, but I got that changed. When I originally got the Rockhopper, I did walk like a duck, felt like I needed to wear a "cup" while riding. But changing the suspension did wonders.

I also have a Gary Fisher bike for races in the summer time. But I agree with zayyaz, deraillerus and shifter make a HUGE difference.

**wildstang** · February 26th, 2008, 08:44 PM

ive always had to replace the seats on my bikes 4 comforts sake, its uncomfortable having that seat up your crack as if your wearing a g-string......lol
so i replace with wider seat always to distribute the load across more area of my ass.

**SAINT_X** · February 28th, 2008, 10:49 AM

...Not a hard core mountain biker, I am more of a road biker for fitness purposes, but I do have a Trek 4300 that I have really enjoyed. I don't put much tough riding on it, but I have had zero problems with it nonetheless. It's solid orange ... man... I love that bike.

**ProfGumby** · March 7th, 2008, 11:07 PM

Thanks for all the replies!

I was considering these bikes largely as the Giant and Schwinn are two of the brands the local bike shop carries. I have a good relationship with this shop and he and his predecessor have done all the work on my bikes in the 7 years we have lived up here.

I had Schwinn bikes as a kid and have always held the Giant in high regard. The Specialized line is at a bikeshop near some of the trails I ride and I have a good relationship with that shop as well.

I also looked at GT, Diamondback and Trek. he bike shop across the river (about 2 miles away has Trek and a few others. So between the 3 shops I had about 7 lines I could pick from. In my price range that is about 27 different configurations of mountain bike!

The Giant has different frame heights too, so the options available to me just with Giant is about 12 different bikes, just in my price range alone!

I suspect the more I'd look, the more I'd find that would work for my needs. I do not need to have to pick from 200 different bikes...it'd take forever!

So, I went into the closest bike shop, I went in to look at a Giant Rincon and the Sedona. I saw the Yukon and loved it immediately! The Schwinn Mesa looked good as well.

In talking with the owner he showed me the GT line, 2 of them specifically. Then I saw a Rainier sitting there. I looked it over and commented that it was a really nice bike and that I had read many good things about them. But I also commented that it was out of what I was going to spend. I intended to stay firm in my ballpark.

He said to hang on a second, grabbed a calculator and held it up after some figuring. Bill told me that it was a 2007 and he wanted to get it off the floor to put out some more 2008 bikes. He quoted me a price of 501 dollars and some change! This was 168 dollars of the regular price, not the list price, but the everyday sale price. My only beef at the time was it was a 16 inch frame.

Long story short (I know....too late!) I went back yesterday, tried it out and put it on layaway! There is still 3 feet of snow on the ground here, so by the time that crud goes away, the bike will be mine!

I really do believe in supporting the local bike shop, they then know you, know your ride, your habits and can take better care of you....

Thanks again for all the help...now I am looking for another bike, a comfort cruiser (ish) type bike for the city errands and the like.....

Giant Bicycles | Â Bikes - mountain - Rainier

**tooncesthecat** · March 7th, 2008, 11:27 PM

Man, I'll have to get out my old Gary Fisher (Paragon) and dust it off! Seriously, I've been out of the hardcore mountainbiking for a few years now, but Giant, Cannondale, and Specialized all make great mtn bikes. My heart will always be with my man, Gary Fisher and his rides!

**cujo-1** · March 8th, 2008, 02:08 PM

i think i still have my peewee herman looking bike at my parents house....lol i might have to dust it off 2....lol

**wildstang** · March 8th, 2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cujo-1

i think i still have my peewee herman looking bike at my parents house....lol i might have to dust it off 2....lol

i think theres a couple at mine also. probably worth some money by now antique status.

**ProfGumby** · April 1st, 2008, 12:35 AM

Almost got the layaway paid off and the snow is almost gone! Well, sorta anyway.....soon the Ranier will be home where it belongs!

Then I am putting a comfort type cruiser bike on layaway for my around town errands and grocery getting.....I only plan to drive my car when it is raining or on trips too long for the bike....big oil can take their gas prices and....well, you know.

**ProfGumby** · April 8th, 2008, 10:48 PM

Made the decision on the Comfort bike for 'round town. Gona go with the Sedona ST. Steel frame, no front shock and 21 gears...big comfy seat too!

Gonna buy that sucker before the month is out.

**SAINT_X** · April 9th, 2008, 10:25 AM

...you're gonna be saving on the fuel budget!

spandexboy · April 18th, 2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfGumby

Made the decision on the Comfort bike for 'round town. Gona go with the Sedona ST. Steel frame, no front shock and 21 gears...big comfy seat too!

Gonna buy that sucker before the month is out.

The big three (Trek, Giant, Specialized) tend to be over priced in my opinion. Check out a brand like Jamis. I bought one of their competitors to the Sedona, good value for the money.

**ProfGumby** · April 20th, 2008, 01:02 PM

Jamis is a good bike! There are a few others as well, but I was sticking with the Local Shops Selection as he is gonna fix most of what I will do to these bikes....

Aside from that, I saved 170 dollars on the Rainier and about 10% on the Sedona. That works out to a shade over 200 dollars saved on the purchase of both bikes. Add to that I now get 20% off all accessories from the Bike shop....I think the price was very nice for what I got. The benefits of a relationship with your LBS. I also have a good relationship with a Bike shop near 2 of the trails I ride the most. He is my "away" service site....

Anyway, I took the Sedona on a shake down ride yesterday, did about 5 miles. Made a few adjustments to the setup etc...and it is good to go!

I will pick up my Rainier in about 2 weeks and get it ready for the summer trail rides!

spandexboy · April 21st, 2008, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfGumby

Jamis is a good bike! There are a few others as well, but I was sticking with the Local Shops Selection as he is gonna fix most of what I will do to these bikes....

Aside from that, I saved 170 dollars on the Rainier and about 10% on the Sedona. That works out to a shade over 200 dollars saved on the purchase of both bikes. Add to that I now get 20% off all accessories from the Bike shop....I think the price was very nice for what I got. The benefits of a relationship with your LBS. I also have a good relationship with a Bike shop near 2 of the trails I ride the most. He is my "away" service site....

Anyway, I took the Sedona on a shake down ride yesterday, did about 5 miles. Made a few adjustments to the setup etc...and it is good to go!

I will pick up my Rainier in about 2 weeks and get it ready for the summer trail rides!

$200 is probabaly enough to overcome any price differential between them. Good on ya, mate.