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MTB buying advice

palfinger

Chimp
May 21, 2008
4
0
Hi to all!!

I need MTB advice. Iam new at this so i dont know much about bike parts like wich suspension is better and so on. Well this will be my first real bike:), Iam looking to spend 850 dollars, I would like to know what is the best bike for that money. I will ride a bike mostly offroad (like woods, mountains...)
I am interested in this ones..

Cannondale F7 Disc 2008

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/cusa/model-8FS7D.html

Corratec X-Vert Motion '08

http://www.keindl-sport.com/proizvod.asp?id=1710

Any advice would be helpful. If there is better bike for the price I mentioned above please advice me..

Thanks in advance..
 

Lola

Chimp
May 8, 2008
45
0
Small cabin in Alaska
Hey Palfinger,

The bike looks like a typical entry level bike and it would be fine for someone who is just starting or getting back into trails. If you're going to do a lot of trails, the shocks on this bike don't have much travel and are not as nice as some of the higher end shocks (like the Tora)--the RST Gila which have no lock out options, if that's important to you...some people don't care.
The Shimano components are, of course, not the top of the line, but Alvio derailers are pretty durable and the shifters won't be as smooth as some other shifters.

I sell Konas and Specialized so I have experience with them...I am biased, of course and feel you can't go wrong with either of these. So, IMHO, I really dig the Kona Cinder Cone, a hard tail (which sells for about 800.00... a really good deal) which has a better front shock and better componets (Deore and Deore LX) than this Cannodale, BUT...if the Cannondale fits you well and you love it, then go for it!

Also, if your interested in a "dualie" (front AND rear suspension) you're going to need to spend at least 1200 for a decent one.

ETA: Hmm....I don't know about that Kendl...where is that from? Middle east? Russia? I dunno....looks like they threw some Deores on it to throw the buyer. Again, the shock is not as good as what you can get for a better bike with a bit more money, and it doesn't have disc brakes.
Good luck! Happy Trails!
 

palfinger

Chimp
May 21, 2008
4
0
Thanks for the answer Lola. KOna Cinder Cone i like it very much but its a little to expensive in my country. I went to the bike shop to look for corratec because it has better equipment (deore) http://www.corratec.com/content/de-de/produkte/bikes/mtb/hardtail/?model=x_vert_motion_white&offset=-1269px&x=95&y=59
than cannondale F7 mentioned above. The only thing is the front suspension RST Gila! Is it so bad? Are the disk brakes better than normal one (V brakes), I ask that because of maintaining problems I heard about? I dont know is it better to buy bike with better equipm. or with a better suspension... I wouldnt do anything extreme with the bike, at least not yet..

What do you think about this one ?? http://www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/wahoo-disc/bigimage

Anyway keindl sport is a bike store in my hometown Zagreb Croatia in south Europe.

Thank you for your time...
 

ultraNoob

Yoshinoya Destroyer
Jan 20, 2007
4,504
1
Hills of Paradise
Palfinger... have you tried looking at other manufacturers. My first full suspension bike was an Ironhorse Warrior SE. The 2006 model cost $800 and it came with Sram X7 components, a decent cross country fork, and hayes mechanical disc brakes. It's been my observation that Ironhorse and Mongoose are the best bang for the buck.

check out these links to some entry level bikes, should give you an idea of what's out there, just don't forget to factor in shipping to Croatia

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/sub_cat.cfm?subcategory_id=3050

This one is a full suspension with a good suspension design and decent parts
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantomtrail_ds08.htm

This one is a decent hardtail with shimano deore and XT specs
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_700HT.htm
 
Last edited:

jwiffle

Chimp
Sep 7, 2004
19
0
For $850 you can look a couple steps up from the Cannondale F7. The F6 and F5 are both under $850 and will have much better componentry. I'd go with the F5.
 

jwiffle

Chimp
Sep 7, 2004
19
0
I think I will go with one of this two bikes... I think the price is ok and components also except suspension on fuji tahoe pro 2006?!

What are yours opinions about this two bikes???

Norco storm 2007
http://www.norco.com/2007bikes/templates/model/enlarge.php?id=53&view=&deets=2

Fuji tahoe pro 2006
http://www.fujibikes.com/2006/bikes.asp?id=164

Cannondale f5 is much more expensive in stores near me:(

Please advice!!
Either of these two bikes would be nice rides. Much better componentry than the bikes you first listed. I think you would be very happy with either one, as long as it fits.
 

palfinger

Chimp
May 21, 2008
4
0
Thank you all for the comments, I will go with fuji tahoe pro 2006, it has better equip. than norco storm 2007 well except suspension:)
 

MountainDrew

Monkey
Aug 15, 2007
471
0
abrocks22, I would suggest getting a budget first. How much do you want to spend on a bike. After you get that number in your head, hit i couple of the local bike shops in youra area. They will be able to fond you a bike in your price range that is a proper fit. It dosnt matter if you have a 300.00 bike or a 3000.00 bike, if it dosent fit you right, riding will not be fun.