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Rockshox Dart 2 vs Tora -- deal breaker? 2 bikes ordering soon

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PoorCyclist

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Hey guys can you help
Looking at 2 or 3 very similar bikes. But the fork choice have me stopped

=== 2010 GT Avalanche 1.0 $699 -Rock Shox Tora 302 with 100 mm travel, mag lowers, lock out and rebound adjust
Image

https://www.gtbicycles.com/bikes/mountain/endurance/avalanche-1-0-disc

=== 2010 Felt Q720 $749 - RockShox Dart 2 with Turnkey lockout Aluminum Lowers, Aluminum Crown, Steel Steer Tube, 28mm Upper Tubes, Preload Adjust, 100mm Travel. Disc Brake Specific Lower Legs
Image

(180mm F, 160mm R rotors)

https://2010.feltracing.com/USA/2010-Product-Catalog/MOUNTAIN/Q-Series/Q720.aspx

=== 2011 Felt Q720 so new maybe MSRP $999? - RockShox Tora TK 100mm Travel: 1 1/8 steerer;Turnkey Lockout, Coil Spring, Adjustable Preload and Rebound
Image

https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2011/Mountain/Q-Series/Q720.aspx
(2010 Shimano Hydraulic brakes and Tora)

In terms of GT vs Felt the components are very similar (Shimano Deore, WTB SX-24 Rims). Felt is made in Taiwan, I see that as a positive. I am not sure where the GT is made, but hard to order. GT has the Kenda nevegal but the knobbies on the Felt doesn't seem bad for trail use. Both brakes are probably not that great Felt:Shimano M486 (more positive) vs Tektro Auriga on the GT. Not worth complaining there is no bike with real good hydraulic brakes in this price range.

So I get an OK deal on the 2010 Q720.. it is available for immediate purchase, in my size.
I know everyone prefer Tora over the Dart 2, well it's a $100 vs $200 part right.
I am a beginner so does it really matter if I get the Dart 2, maybe I can upgrade to Fox later? Is the Tora an air charged fork?

I like the paint scheme of the 2010 Q720 most, it won't be hard to get a white fork to match later. I know I should not care for color but the white rims are nice on it :)
OK please give me some input. Should I inquire about getting the 2011 Q720 I am sure it cost more.
 
#2 ·
At this price point...

I suggest doing a search on ebay. You might be able to score a decent full-suspension for the price your looking to spend ($700-$1000). You'd definitely be able to score a very nice hardtail from ebay between these prices - one with a fox fork already installed and with much better components than the bikes you listed.

However, fit is always most important, and if you're set on buying either the GT or the Felt, then go with the one that fits you the best. If it were my money, I'd go with the 2010 Felt for the simple reason that the Felt has disc brakes, which means that you wouldn't have to purchase a new wheelset if you decided to go with discs in the future (you'd have to buy a new wheelset and new brakes with the GT). Although the Tora 302 on the GT is better than the Dart 2 on the Felt, both have turnkey damping systems (I believe), which means that there are more similarities between the two than there are differences. I'd buy the Felt, ride the hell out of it, and when you have more green, then get a better fork (or ask for one for a present during the holidays). You can easily get a nice used fork from ebay on the cheap (I got a Tora 318 Solo Air for $180).

My advice: do a search on ebay and see what you find. But, if you're going to buy one of these three bikes, then go with the 2010 Felt.

Either way, you're going to love mountain biking!!
 
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#3 ·
Sounds like you really like the Felt...I would buy the 10 Felt and ride until stuff breaks or you have extra cash lying around. Wheels, shock, drivetrain.... upgrade in that order if you choose to do so.

Shock's on all three are basic, but will be just fine for your first year of riding.
Don't invest in a high dollar shock until you have some seat time. You will be able to make a better decision when you have some experience
 
#4 ·
If you can get the Avalanche with that shock for $699 buy it.
The shock/fork is almost $200 on its own and its what most of us that buy lesser equipped bikes upgrade to when we bust the Dart fork.
My brother just dropped $300 to have our LBS put that Tora 302 on his bike to replace the crappy spinner.
Felt is nice but for the price I'd get the GT if you can.
 
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Discussion starter · #5 ·
For the GT
I would have to get from performancebike.com so no test rides..

I consider the 2 price difference minimal, you say get the GT is it only based on I am getting the RockShox Tora from the GT for about the same price.
Both frames have hydroformed tube.

I rode with the dart 2 on another bike and it seems adequate to me much better than the $300-$400 bikes already :)

I won't be doing much jumps thats why I am shopping for a hardtail

I don't want to get a internet/ebay bike, I know they out-spec the brand names for the money.. I need to try it to know it is fit for me.
 
#6 ·
PoorCyclist said:
2010 GT Avalanche 1.0 Disc $699
http://www.gtbicycles.com/bikes/mountain/endurance/avalanche-1-0-disc
Click to expand...
You gotta love it when a manufacturer can't get either the specs or the photos right for their own products. So the photo of the 2010 GT Avalanche 1.0 Disc shows a bike with V-brakes. The 2010 GT Avalanche 2.0 Disc lists Jalco AX-430 V-brake rims in the specs while the photo shows WTB SX-24 disc rims. I've also see somewhere that GT lists a "Tektro Aquila hydraulic brake" but the Aquila is a ball bearing mechanical brake ("Auriga" is Tektro's hydraulic brake).

We've still got a while to go before the Chinese take over the world I think.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
I kind of have a gut feeling against the GT because of the Pacific bicycle bought out thing
My authorizied GT dealer told me some bad warranty story for GT giving the run around
seems like all brands have this kind of story tho.
 
Discussion starter · #8 · (Edited)
#9 ·
Im feelin' that '10 Felt. Makes me wish I had a Felt dealer locally. Reason is its $250 less than the '11 for about the same specs (if not the same.)

Do you have all of the neccessities like pump, tire levers, tubes etc.? Youre gonna need to get some of dat stuff. I just got back into MTBing recently and have gone through 3 tubes already. The stock ones seemed to be made by Trojan.:(
 
#10 ·
PoorCyclist said:
I kind of have a gut feeling against the GT because of the Pacific bicycle bought out thing
Click to expand...
GT is owned by Dorel Industries who also owns Cannondale (and Pacific Cycle). Look on the GT forum for warranty stories. The one's I've read said GT was a little slow but satisfactory otherwise.

Try not to overthink this - pick something you like and enjoy it. What you don't like about it after a while you can change.
 
#12 ·
The '10 Felt certainly looks like the best deal. It really hinges on how much you want that Tora. I wouldn't want it for an extra $250 if I was already thinking of the next fork anyway.

If you don't want to deal with part-shuffling, though, the '11 model would probably do well for you for a couple seasons without having to replace anything major.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
The fit and finish, details looks better on the Felt, I was able to see that in person.

Maybe I can get a better fork for it later such as Tora 318? or a $300 fork after I recover from the purchase. I think I can give the original dart 2 /w lock out to my wife's bike who is a light rider and she has a gila RST 80mm and the dart 2 upgrades in travel and lock out feature. So it seems like no parts are wasted in the long run. The Dart 2 seems more than fun enough for her to run over things :)
I like the white frame on the '10 much better than the neon green, and when I upgrade the shock it would not change the appearance.

Thanks I hope the bike fits me fine on the test ride, not really sure what to look for I am bringing my GPS to get some speed data out of it.
 
#16 ·
Yeah you can use the 10% even on bikes and I got another 10% I got my 10 Avalanche 1.0 for around $670 with tax.

I would pick the GT I always liked how the HT frames look, and read nothing but good things about the frames. The fork is so much nicer, the tora looks more beefy than the Dart2. Felt looks heavy, so if you get the GT you wont be able to test it out?
 
#17 ·
PoorCyclist said:
Should I look into the Trek 4500 Disc
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain_hardtail/4_series/4500disc/

MSRP is only $770
isn't it the same kind of bike?

I think this is more comparible (is Deore better than X-5?)
Trek 6000 MSRP $980
Juicy 3 brakes

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain_hardtail/6_series/6000/

Just having a sanity check, pretty sure the LBS don't really have them ready to bargain yet.
Click to expand...
Being that I live in Wisconsin..the homeland of TREK and have seen TREK evolve from a small custom builder in the early 1980's to it's conglomo status today.. I will have to agree with alot of other posts that I have read on these boards and say that there are better spec'd bikes out there for less $$$ than TREK. You are IMO, paying a premium for the namesake.
 
#19 ·
Dood, seems like a the 2010 Felt is really pulling you...just buy the 2010 Q720...ride it for a while. Keep an eye out continuously for good used or closeout deals on higher end forks like Fox Forx and RS Recon/Reba/Sid....then replace when you find a deal.

You can easily pick up a RS REBA that's a couple of years old and practically new for less than $200...or a Fox F-Series for less than $300.

Just make it simple...there aren't many differences within similar price ranges anyways...just go for the one you really want and deal with upgrades and stuff when the time comes.
 
Discussion starter · #20 ·
Hi ..
I can test the 2.0 in my size medium better than nothing to test
But no 1.0 there
Felt published weight for the 17.5" is 29.8
Not particularly light
How are the brakes on your GT 1.0?
Made in china or Taiwan?
 
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