[Mattus]

Hey everyone, I am new to the board here, and I was wondering if you could help me with choosing a new bike.

I have been searching around, talking to my LBS and comparing prices and specs on the net, and I have narrowed my bike search down to the Giant Rainier and the Norco Charger. I live in Manitoba, Canada, and will be doing a lot of singletrack and XC riding, but I want a bike that will also be able to handle a little air and abuse. I am 15, weigh about 130lbs, and am 6 feet tall. My price range is about $800 - $1100 Cdn. What do you guys think is the best bike? Or do you have any other suggestions?

 

[Bikerpunk241]

Giant, they are nice if you break something, they usually warrantie it, and they usually have good components, if you are buying higher end.

 

[RuffRyda]

are they both hard tails?

 

[Mattus]

yes

 

[Mattus]

Does anyone have any ideas??

 

[FlipSide]

For this price range, I would definitly suggest you to try to find a new 2001 bike. 800-1000CDN is the price range at which the hardtail bikes start to have good components (usually Judy forks, Deore derailleurs, etc).

If you can find a 2001 bike for around 1000$, it would be the equivalent of a 2002 bike that cost around 1300$ (depending on the shop.)

 

[Mattus]

Thanks! I'll keep looking around.

 

[Bikerpunk241]

I've seen guys riding the Rainier all over the place, and jumping them. For the money, Avid mechanical Discs can't be beat.

 

[Mattus]

Does anyone know the price of the Avid mechanical discs just on their own? (in cdn).

 

[FlipSide]

A good price that you can find is around 350 CDN for the set (f/r). I got mines for 300, but I bought them with a 4000$ bike.

 

[Mattus]

Thats quite expensive. It seems to me that the best deal would be to but the Giant, since it is only $200 more than the Norco, but you get the disc brakes that are worth about $300.

Thanks a lot for your input, everyone!

 

[peewee]

I would say go with the Giant.

 

[Racerx7734]

Go with the Giant,

Better parts spec. for the scratch and good warranty.

 

[Vret]

I work at my lsb and we sell Giant, I'd say its a great bang for the buck

 

[ReardenMtl]

Originally posted by Vret
I work at my lsb and we sell Giant, I'd say its a great bang for the buck

I'd have to agree. Especially if you're getting the disc brakes (it gets all mucky up there where you live, doesn't it?)

I just moved to Giant's backyard, so maybe these locals are biased, but they swear up and down by them. I'm seriously thinking of getting one of their XTC NSR's.

 

[LoboDelFuego]

The giant. you can't beat a marzocchi fork and disc brakes at that price point

 

[teflon]

Who cares what brand it is just go for the best you can afford from a bikeshop you can TRUST!!!!

 

[teflon]

OUCH!!!

 

[MTB Freak]

Originally posted by FlipSide
For this price range, I would definitly suggest you to try to find a new 2001 bike. 800-1000CDN is the price range at which the hardtail bikes start to have good components (usually Judy forks, Deore derailleurs, etc).

If you can find a 2001 bike for around 1000$, it would be the equivalent of a 2002 bike that cost around 1300$ (depending on the shop.)

That's what I did when I got my Trek 8000. The original price was $1200 but I got it for $900

Definetly get the Rainier. Best deal I have seen in a while.