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What new bike should I get?

M

msucycling

Chimp
Feb 12, 2004
6
0
East Lansing, MI
Ok, so trying to decide what to replace my Azonic DS-1 with. The ones I have in mind are an Evil Imperial, Sinister DNA, Ellsworth Specialist, or Cannondale Chase. Whats everyones opinion, or if you have another idea. Let me know... THANKS!!

Mike
 
F

freerider215

Chimp
Jul 27, 2003
91
0
I gotta say I really like the look of that Atomlab frame. Not a big fan of the DNA or the Evil, but then again I ride bmx mostly so I think the fact the Atomlab looks more like a 26" bmx (simple, strong, 4130) is why. What about the Transition Trail or Park? I think they are reasonable too. Revell's are sweet. Curtis' are sweeter if you can afford one. You can get a real nice Revell 450 for about 1/2 of the cost of an Evil or Sinister. What sort of riding will you be using it for? Street, park, trail? All the above?
 
M

msucycling

Chimp
Feb 12, 2004
6
0
East Lansing, MI
I mostly want it for urban, some ds, and dirt jumping. I like the atomlab, but I dont want to wait cause I really want a new one before I start to do MTN-X and DS races which start next month.
 
D

dv8cam

Monkey
Dec 8, 2003
103
0
Originally posted by mtnbkr4235
Check out the 24 LeToy4....if I had a full wallet that would already be in my garage:D
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Expensive for sure. And if you are talking dirt jumping, alloy does not even coem close to Chromolly's strength (on the Revell). The chromolly frame can even be lighter becuase it does not need all that ridiculous over-gusseting.
 
S

Slug

Chimp
Oct 21, 2002
16
0
LGC nor*cal
there are endless amounts of frames. I recently picked up a trailstar by DMR. I love it. Simple, light, 4130, great frame for street/dirt/mountainx or ds. The price is right as well. I would say go with a steel frame over aluminum any day. But, if your set on aluminum, go with the specialist.
 
F

freerider215

Chimp
Jul 27, 2003
91
0
Well if you're going to be riding urban don't get an aluminum frame. I would without a doubt go for dv8's Revell. Why the hell do mtb hardtails have to be so damn expensive anyway? Personally I think it's ridiculous to go out and spend $600 + on a frame that you are going to abuse. It makes no sense. It seems alot of money for just a simple steel frame. And the fact that there are $600 + aluminum HT's for street is, well, silly. Yeah dv8's Revell is the way to go. Don't forget it's a kick as mtnx frame as well. Dmr's are really fun as well, but the price on that Revell can't be passed up.
 
COmtbiker12

COmtbiker12

Turbo Monkey
Dec 17, 2003
2,577
0
Colorado Springs
Expensive for sure. And if you are talking dirt jumping, alloy does not even coem close to Chromolly's strength (on the Revell). The chromolly frame can even be lighter becuase it does not need all that ridiculous over-gusseting.
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I know, that's why I have a On-One Gimp :D]
 
N

NoRoadtrippin

Chimp
Feb 24, 2004
48
0
Greenville, SC
Ive got a Spec. 2004 P.3 that i enjoy quite a bit...it its the dirt jumps and the urban stuff up pretty well. My only complaint is that the whole bike is a bit overbuilt and heavy but then that isnt an issue if youre just getting the frame.
 
I

isabbisr

Monkey
Aug 9, 2002
108
0
NJ
Evil imperial and Giant STPs are great bikes. My friend has his for 30 minutes and hopped on top of a picnic table, He has never ever been even close to trying that. and this was after not having a ht for 4 months.
 
BoyBoy

BoyBoy

Monkey
Apr 17, 2003
123
0
washington DC
Originally posted by isabbisr
I wouldnt recomend clifcat, My friend has had alot of problems with the bike and the owner.
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it's a totally new world over at Clifcat now. I have ridden aluminum Clifcats for some time, and now i have the new steel frame. It's nothing short of mind blowing.

also, Bill has stepped it up a notch, as far as cusotmer service goes.

have a little faith in the dude. it's a one man show.
 
crashedupderby

crashedupderby

Monkey
Sep 17, 2003
112
0
dont get a bike, buy a monkey. you can have endless hours of fun teaching him to not **** on your carpet, and how to spit in peoples faces...yeah, go buy a monkey.
 
I

isabbisr

Monkey
Aug 9, 2002
108
0
NJ
he had fiath for about 7 months all the while bill was blowing him off about getting him a new bike. or when bill said he would fix the bike and repaint it for $50 and did niether.
 
mutasmurf

mutasmurf

Chimp
Feb 16, 2002
58
0
Bellingham, WA
For Aluminum, I'd personally go with either a Toy3 or Banshee Morphine. I have a LeToy 3, and although it is a nice bike, I wish I had gone with a steel frame. When I got the frame at the time, I was intending to use it as an all-around frame for everything. Now that I mainly ride street/urban, it would be nice not worrying about denting/scratching the frame.

As for steel, If you're a short guy, I'd go with the On-One gimp. The gimp has a very short toptube, and the brake-bosses aren't adjustable, so you'll have to chose whether you want a 26 or 24 inch compatible frame. Other than that, I'd recommend a .243 frame.
 
Lexx D

Lexx D

Dirty Dozen
Mar 8, 2004
1,480
0
NY
Originally posted by freerider215
Well if you're going to be riding urban don't get an aluminum frame. I would without a doubt go for dv8's Revell. Why the hell do mtb hardtails have to be so damn expensive anyway? Personally I think it's ridiculous to go out and spend $600 + on a frame that you are going to abuse. It makes no sense. It seems alot of money for just a simple steel frame. And the fact that there are $600 + aluminum HT's for street is, well, silly. Yeah dv8's Revell is the way to go. Don't forget it's a kick as mtnx frame as well. Dmr's are really fun as well, but the price on that Revell can't be passed up.
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It's called the azonic steelhead. Good geometry, strong and best of all, so cheap it's disposable.
 
Lexx D

Lexx D

Dirty Dozen
Mar 8, 2004
1,480
0
NY
Originally posted by isabbisr
I wouldnt recomend clifcat, My friend has had alot of problems with the bike and the owner.
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i don't know what prblems he had but all the ones i've seen had the shytiest welds I've ever seen on a bike!
 
mutasmurf

mutasmurf

Chimp
Feb 16, 2002
58
0
Bellingham, WA
Originally posted by Lexx D
i don't know what prblems he had but all the ones i've seen had the shytiest welds I've ever seen on a bike!
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I agree. Seriously, the welds on their older Aluminum Clifcats were very messy to say the least. Not sure if this is the case now, but I wouldn't be surprised if the quality of welding wasn't that great.
 
E

endtroducing

Guest
wow, there is a whole lot of crap and blind favoritism in this thread.

first off, let me say, anyone spouting that a frame is inherently stronger or better based on the use of steel vs. aluminum needs to be beat exstensively w/ frames built from each . I can understand the need to talk up a frame you're trying so desperately to sell, but please, there is no cause to put forth complete untruths. I needn't go into details here, but suffice to say, your statements hold no technical water.

Now back to the original question:
You've highlighted 4 aluminum bikes. Any particular reason? Unforetunately, i don't think the Chase is available as a frameset. That leaves you with three very high end, boutique choices, ranging from $750-$1200.

Why are you upgrading from your DS-1? did you break it? is there some specific aspect you'd like to change? do you feel your skills have outgrown it? do you want to appear cooler on an internet bike message board?

The Evil and the Sinister both have fantastic reputations, not only as bikes, but as companies as well. Customer service and attention to detail is top notch. Ellsworth, not so much. I see an awful lot of reccomendations for it, but wonder how many of you have even ridden one? I owned one for two years, and it was a pretty nice ride. The head angle was too slack for my liking, and it was a bit overly harsh, the peened anodization was eye-catching...almost annoyingly so. Is it worth it's retail price? oh hell no. is it worth patronizing a company with such a paltry service record, regardless of price? not in my mind. I bought mine on closeout and even so, i'm embarrassed for paying so much. I didn't know much better at the time, and my options were severely limited....the imperial hadn't come to market yet, and the metalhead was no longer being built.

The statements about price and disposability are valid as well. Small run american made boutique mountain bike frames are by no means cheap. Comparing to bmx isn't completely fair, but it also gives you a point of reference.

My suggestions: number one, look used, some great deals can be found. Jimmy Dean is selling his Endless in the classifieds right now for $500 w/ a paintjob of your choice. That's christmas in may right there. Also don't limit yourself to the frames 14 year old huckers get wood just hearing about. Some may be worth their reputation but don't exclude cheaper options in hand. Specialized P1 frames are good performers and great deals. .243 Racing frames are ultra burl and easy on the wallet. I don't know where they come in on price, but the giant STPs have been drawing raves with the early adopters, and i bet they're a pretty good deal.

p.s. you mentioned not wanting to wait, keep in mind that the cool frames are often exclusive for a reason. Imperials are sold out at the moment and i'm not sure when they'll be available next. So don't be suprised if you have to get in line.
 
crashedupderby

crashedupderby

Monkey
Sep 17, 2003
112
0
Originally posted by endtroducing
That leaves you with three very high end, boutique choices, ranging from $750-$1200.

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you can get an on one gimp from unreal for about 350$ americans ......
 
M

Mitch

Monkey
Dec 4, 2003
156
0
PEI, Canada
Originally posted by msucycling
Ok, so trying to decide what to replace my Azonic DS-1 with. The ones I have in mind are an Evil Imperial, Sinister DNA, Ellsworth Specialist, or Cannondale Chase. Whats everyones opinion, or if you have another idea. Let me know... THANKS!!

Mike
Click to expand...
I just got a 2004 norco 4hun. I am very very impressed
 
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