Please help, what are the best parts?

Toshi · May 25, 2004

hi, welcome to the :monkey:

.

my advice would be to go down to your local bike shop. don't buy a bike from the local department store chain, especially a £200-300 dual suspension one! in that price range you'd be much better off with a front-suspension-only rig purchased from a real bike shop.

BikeGeek · May 25, 2004

I think you'd get more useful responses if you tell us a bit about yourself.

What kind of riding/terrain do you plan to use the bike for? How tall/heavy are you? etc.

200-300 pounds translates to what, about $300-500 US? I think most people will tell you that a dual suspension bike in that range isn't worth it.

Serial Midget · May 25, 2004

You don't need full suspension for what you described - honestly it just wastes physical effort if you are not off roading. Look for an entry level mountain bike - like a Giant Iguana.

axlvid23 · May 25, 2004

ok....but what kind of riding do you plan on doing?

how much money do you plan to spend on this thing???

Parts are very particular to what kind of riding you are planning on doing.

for XC riding...if money were not a factor...i'd go for something with a full shimano XTR drivetrain, fox/manitou/marzocchi suspended. For example, the Gary Fisher sugar Team is a great ride...but will set you back like 4 grand(usd).

As far as disc brakes go...i wouldnt bother with them unless; A. you plan on freeriding and have no intention of buying an XC rig. or B. you live somewhere were it rains 10 hours a day and V-brakes would stop working due to the wet conditions.

hope that helps(somewhat)

Axle
EDIT: forgot to read your previous posts on where you plan to ride. Get a cheap road bike or a comfort bike...no need for a full squisher

RhinofromWA · May 25, 2004

Originally posted by c-p
ok just disregard that part. I want to get a dual suspension bike, I'm one of those people that will get something with that little extra just incase I ever need it.

So can anyone answer my question about what parts are best and if there is anything else I should look out for?

Look to spend 600-100 pounds

Seriously, Give us a name of the bike you are looking at or the ebay link. If is it a department store $150usd bike we will tell you.

If you decide to spend $$$ on a bike that is only slightly better than a boat anchor just to know you have a spring under your azz, than we can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped.

1- link us to the bike you want give us some info.

2- listen or don't listen to us but don't get mad if most of the people are naysayers to buying a cast iron bike that is "full suspension"

3- for spending as little as you are a decent HT will go farther faster and you will be happier than a cheaper FS bike for the same price (cheaper = crappier, does not mean less money)

The Special HardRock series is nice. I have one. They are HT's but give you better components (which make the ride). The Giant Iguana is also a good choice.

Like has been said before more info and we can guide you but you make teh ultimate choice....good or bad.

RhinofromWA · May 25, 2004

Go cheap baby....get this!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27948&item=3678715714&rd=1#ebayphotohosting

Or this!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=58081&item=3679627020&rd=1

Even better

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27947&item=3679419991&rd=1#ebayphotohosting

Or this...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27948&item=3678511586&rd=1

BikeGeek · May 26, 2004

HT stands for "hardtail" which is the common name given to a mountain bike with no rear suspension.

Full suspension bikes are generally heavier, but thanks to technology, the weights are coming down. Unfortunately, the same technology bringing the weight down is driving the cost up.

I only have hardtails (for now) so can't be much help in recommending an FS for you. I will say that a cheap FS bike is usually cheap because of low end components, ie. shock, fork, shifters, wheels, cranks, etc. Low end components are usually cheap because they're made from cheaper, heavier materials. Sure you can upgrade components later, but you would save a lot of money in the long run by postponing your purchase a month or two to save some extra cash for a better bike.

By gears, I see you're referring to the shifting mechanisms, shifters for short. The two major brands, at least in the US, are Shimano and SRAM. The drivetrain (cassette, cranks, derailleurs) and shifters on the Carnage are of the Shimano Altus line. According to the Shimano website,"Altus is a 7-speed MTB-style component group..." In other words, it's not designed for off-road use. It's probably just fine for cruising around town though.

BikeGeek · May 26, 2004

Shifters are definitely personal preference. I currently have a set of Shimano Rapidfire shifters. They have a thumb lever that shifts one way and a finger trigger that shifts the other. The only downside to them for me is that there are only three positions available through the shifter for the front derailleur. I miss being able to fine tune the position for certain chainring/cassette combinations. The SRAM Gripshift shifters allowed that adjustablity. I may go back to Gripshift for a front shifter, but keep the Rapidfire shifter for the rear shifting.

I can't say there is a best. I've used both and both had pros and cons. Stop by a bike shop and test ride a bike with each to see what you prefer.

BikeGeek · May 26, 2004

I've never heard of the manufacturer, but that doesn't mean it's bad, it just means they aren't selling them in the US. Most of the components listed are pretty standard for low end bikes. Functional, but nothing special. I've never heard of the shock manufacturer, but maybe they don't deal in the US market either. In the picture, they appear to have a 1" steering tube. Again, functional, but I wouldn't ride it on the terrain that the bike's image projects it's suitable for. I'd be a little bothered by the write-up telling you what kind of shock protector is on the rear shock, but not what the rear shock is. It's going to be heavy. I found a review that compared the weight of the Enforce to that of the Sun. :eek:

Looks aren't everything.

With all that said, if all you intend to do is cruise around town or down to the pub, by all means, get it, ride it, and love it. Bikes are supposed to offer a fun way to get you from point A to point B and this bike will do that just fine. But, if you look inside yourself and somewhere in there see yourself someday flying through the woods on a skinny ribbon of dirt, or screaming down a hill over knarly, rooty, rocky sections then this is not the bike for you.

berkshire_rider · May 26, 2004

I'm not ruling out ever going off-road with the bike, it's always a possibility, some days I just ride one direction until I get bored, so i may well take to the beaten track

A HT (hardtail - bike with only a suspension fork) will take you anyplace a FS (full-suspension or "dualie" ) will. Most HT's will climb hills better than a dualie will, due to the lack of suspension "bob". The main difference is a hardtail will cause you to feel bumps more, and you will have to pick better lines. In the long run you should become a better rider overall by starting on a HT. A $600 HT will be 2-3 x's the bike a $600 FS is. Once you progress into "real" mtb'ing, the cheap FS will probably break, while the HT will still be going strong.

As far as components, look for Shimano. Deore, LX, XT. For a fork, stick to the major brands: Rockshox, Manitou.

Serial Midget · May 26, 2004

Ummmm - everyone is being polite, not me though :devil:

Both of the bikes you linked are crap - I wouldn't buy either of them for any price. Honestly the minimum level component group you'll was it Shimano Deore.

Don't buy looks - buy function. You say you are a bit skint - buying a cheap bike just to have the cool look and full suspension will end up costing you more in the long run - when something breaks (and something will) you most likely will not be able to fix it - you can't take department store bikes to a shop to be fixed. Most bike mechainics won't touch them... plus they have many parts that are made of low grade steel - rust buckets in 90 days or less.

We have all offered pretty sound advice - you are not going to get a decent FS rig new for the bucks you have available. You, however, can get a fairly decent hardtail for the bucks.

Wumpus · May 26, 2004

You should really consider a nice hardtail with deore or LX components. It will be way more efficient on the road and can handle everything offroad. You can always upgrade components as you get a little money.

Most major brands use the same frames for a group but the price difference comes with upgrades in the components.

RhinofromWA · May 26, 2004

Originally posted by RhinofromWA
Go cheap baby....get this!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27948&item=3678715714&rd=1#ebayphotohosting

Ok from what I can figure out....$350usd = about 193 british pounds. Another $100usd (about 56 british lb) for shipping next day to Europe.........according to their website.

That totals around 250 british pounds for a bike that is so far ahead from the bike you listed it is crazy. It is a MUCH better bike....and I think it looks better, than the bike you listed.

Take another look. I don't know the company but they have a crap load of these bikes for sale on ebay right now.

SOme info from their add on Ebay.
<snip>
(2004 Pro Shop Retail Price List for this Bike is $1,500 )

This particular bike has the newest MINI Monocoque(uniframe construction)design and this design is consider to be the strongest frame design available on the market today. With A hollow tech 7005 Aluminum "100% HAND BUILT PERCISION TIG WELDING" and top end components to reduce the weight, this bike weight in at only 29lbs complete. It perform wonderfully under the most extreme conditions and with the Brand New 2004 Rock Shox Judy TT Black (made in USA), Shimano Deore 27spd/SRAM X-7 combo, Avid 2.0 V- Brake, and many many high end components will make this bike worth over $1,500 at any pro shop.
I have listed all the components clearly for your comparison! Beware of others that sell lower quality "fake" Mountain bikes by avoiding the names. i.e. SRAM , Shimano 24spd, 27spd, (what type? Acera? Deore? XT?) Usually when they don't list it, it means Tourney Or lower which is your Wal-Mart bike and NO COMPARISON to the "Real Mountain bikes" I am selling! & Front and Rear Suspensions (what type? Rock Shox, Cane Creek, Manitou, La Pierre, RST, Fastrax?) Again, if they don't list it, it means Wal-Mart shocks and not the quality you want when you are up there in the Mountain ALONE! Surely you don't want to carry the bike back to the Bottom! So print out the list and compare! Both my Low Price and Quality will stand out!

*MODEL:FASTRAX MINI MONOCOQUE 8.5NX,
*COLOR: YELLOW,
*TUBING:EASTON 7005 SUPERLITE WT. ALUMINUM ALLOY ,
*FORK: ROCK SHOX JUDY TT BLACK (MADE IN USA),
*REAR SHOCK: LA PIERRE/FASTRAX OIL/SPRING
*HEADSET:AHEADSET,
*SPOKES:MAXXIS
*RIMS:MAXXIS,
*TIRES: 26x1.90 MAXXIS,
*SHIFTER:SRAM X-7 (Equal to SHIMANO LX Rapid Fire),
*FRONT DERAILLEUR:SHIMANO DEORE 27SPD
*REAR DERALILLEUR:SRAM X-7 (Equal to SHIMANO LX Rapid Fire) 27SPD,
*CASSETTE:SRAM X-7 9 RINGS
*CHAIN:SHIMANO CN-HG73,
*CRANKSET

OSS (RACE FACE),
*BOTTOM BRACKET:FSA, *SEAT POST:ALLOY,
*SADDLE: SCOTT YZ,
*HANDLEBAR:ALLOY,
*HANDLEBAR Stem:HL ALLOY,
*Grips/Bar Tape:SPALDING,
*BRAKE: AVID 2.0,
*BRAKE LEVERS:KOSKI BRAKE LEVER,
*PEDALS:WELLGO
This bike is Brand New in the box and all parts been tune to perfection. It is already 95% assembled as packaged by the factory and only few parts to put together, but due to shipping journey to your location, you might want to have a professional shop assemble the rest and tune it up for the best performance. I have these bikes which will fit most riders 5'2" TO 6'3". Email me at Ragtopmb at aol.com if you have any questions.

PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
I will ship this bike to the 48 states for $45 via FedEx/UPS. "Special Europe FedEx Air" shipping rate"- Most location $100 via Next Day Air.(Please email to confirm) I take checks, money orders, and PayPal. You can log on to PYAPAL.COM and send fund to my account:Ragtopmb@aol.com. PAYPAL payments will be in next day shipping - shipments paid by check and money order will be shipped upon clearing of the payment.(normally 7-10 days). I will sent the tracking# the day after ship out for your reference.Thank you so much for bidding and please e-mail me with any question or comments at Ragtopmb at aol.com. Attenion

C

Please help, what are the best parts?

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