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leesrt

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello everyone. I use to ride quite a bit but stopped and after 10 years want to get back in.

I have a budget between $600-$1,000 and will be buying from a local LBS. I'm looking at the following bikes and would like your experienced input. I've ridden each of these and like all of them for different reasons. I'm just not up on the componants so really don't know the differences. I will be riding some trails but mostly urban. I want the ability to ride some single track in case I go on a trip with some friends. I'm 6'1", 225lbs.
Here they are.

Canondale Trail SL5, 4, or 3. (I can get the 5 for $700)

Specialized Rock Hoppers (I can get the 2013 base model for $880)

Trek Cobia (I can possibly get this for just under $1,000. I think the componants (Air Shocks) on this bike are a big jump over the other two)

Trek Mamba (I like this bike but the upgrade to the Cobia seems worth the price jump).

Let me know and I'm open to suggestions on other models by the above companies.
 
#3 ·
Consider used bikes as well. You will get a lot more for your $ if you go that route. Plus you can figure out what components/geometry/squish you like without the $ associated with new bike(s) each time you want to try something different.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Thanks f your input.

I can get the Trek Cobia for $1050 or the Mamba for $900.

Do these prices sound fair and between the two which would you get?
 
#6 ·
Wow sounds like me 3 weeks ago. I stopped about 15 years ago and then all the sudden went blasting down a hill on my son's bike and realized all the fun I was missing.

I started in this price range too, tryed to keep it down under $1000, but went for the Trek Superfly AL. SO glad I did. If you see yourself riding more than once a week I would advise spending more. Well not necessarily spending more but getting the absolute best bike you can, that may mean used.

From my very very short experience shifting and stopping seem most important, rims are right up there too.

I feel like a kid again.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Right now I'm looking at a Trek Cobia for $1050, a Trek Mamba for $900, a 13 Rockhopper for $880, or a Canon Trail SL5 for $700. I wish I knew more about the components.
I stretched to include the Cobia because it has air shocks.

Sent via mental telepathy.
 
#9 ·
leesrt said:
Right now I'm looking at a Trek Cobia for $1050, a Trek Mamba for $900, a 13 Rockhopper for $880, or a Canon Trail SL5 for $700. I wish I knew more about the components.
I stretched to include the Cobia because it has air shocks.
Click to expand...
disclaimer: I'm a bike snob. But, keep in mind, I bike a *lot* - as in when I'm happiest I'm biking 100+ trail miles a week. My personal ride is pretty much a 'wet dream machine' and I'm going to leave it at that.

First off: They're all of the class "entry level" bikes - and there's nothing wrong and a lot of right about that, but the major thing is that the builder (Trek, Specialized, etc.) is probably saving a bunch of the price by using more modest components. The short of this is that when used regularly, and regularly off-road, they WILL require regular maintenance to keep shifting right and such. It is my experience that the lower priced product lines lose a bit in mechanical stability (they get sloppier for shifting, brakes may not have as much force, etc.). BUT, the good bit is that for the most part these are the easiest things to migrate to better pieces over time as your riding demands replacements.

You had a really good intuition on the Cobia - it's MUCH more expensive to change forks later on, and the lower end steel-spring versions are NOT as good as the modest air-spring versions. The only real tangible difference between the fork on the Cobia and it's next-up brother (Recon Gold Tk) is weight, because the stantions (go between the fork crown and lowers) on the Silver Tk are steel and on the Gold Tk are aluminum alloy.

The next thing I'd look at and hope for is that the frame of the Cobia is the same build quality of the next up models, similar alloy and weight, that kind of thing.

The frame and fork are the piece you're most likely to have the longest, so having good stuff there is important.

The next place the builder like to lower cost is with wheels ... and without going seriously up-model you're just not going to get tremendously better wheels so it's not worth worrying about. IF you ever have a problem with one of your wheels then your LBS should be able to help you right out, either tuning and fixing the one you have or helping you with a good replacement. Again, how you end up riding, how often, and where, will dictate what makes sense here.

As to the rest of the components, well, honestly, they're all in the "working man" class to me - for someone who spends most of their riding time on the dirt the SRAM X7 and Shimano SLX are the lowest product lines I like to see, for reliability in the woods. These aren't individually that expensive but as a whole group they can up the price of a bike considerably.

I would not consider any of the components on any of the bikes you've mentioned as something to sway someone one way or the other.

So, like I say, technically I'd say the Cobia has top billing to me, for you, but you really need to seriously test ride and see which bike feels the most comfortable and gives you the biggest smile (metaphorically, on both ends, ha ha ha) and go with that.

Note that if there are little fit adjustments needed, like a different saddle that fits your underside better, or a different handlebar stem that puts you in a better riding position, your LBS should be able to work with you to some degree on that. Not necessarily free, but worth a little extra. If they're completely inflexibe, I'd look for a different LBS.

Good luck!
 
#10 ·
The Airborne Goblin has a RS Reba fork. This is a long term component, light, tuneable with maintainence vids available.. The fork and wheels/tires are going to color your ride once you are fit. Brakes and gears seem to matter a lot at first, but become less important as you go faster and smoother where traction limits and front stability make things fun.
So for about 1250 shipped compare this to a Cobia.
Airborne Bicycles. Goblin
 
#11 ·
It sounds like for a grand you should consider an Airborne Goblin and get a Reba, otherwise get a bike with decent running gear and plan to upgrade the fork...but Airborne has new models coming out soon, or so I hear. Some of the '13 models from other brands I've ridden the demos for are worth waiting for.

eb beat me to the submit button...:)
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Bear,
Thank you for your recommendations. I was hoping to hear from someone with higher end experience. To me an entry level bike is closer to between $1,000-$2,000. The bikes I'm looking at are more daily riders than hard core mountain bikes.
I'm buying on Saturday so I have a few days to narrow things down. If not the Cobia what would you consider the second pick?

Sent via mental telepathy.
 
#13 ·
But if you can't wait I would agree with the Cobia as the pick. Plus if you have a good lbs you get the support of them as well.
 
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Discussion starter · #14 ·
The Cobia has the SRAM X5s so I think with everything else considered I may go with this bike. Its also the only one of my choices with a 10 speed. The next model up in price has the X7s and Reba dual air forks but also cost $1600. I may be able to get that for $1500 but its still out of the budget.

Sent via mental telepathy.
 
#15 ·
I put in a lot of seat time on a Cobia this spring, and comparing it to other bikes I rode, it seemed like a much higher quality bike than the price tag would indicate. The X-Cal seemed like the best bang for the buck, but that one seems to be out of your price range. I would definitely go with the Cobia over the other bikes you listed. I was testing $1500-$2000 bikes and I would say the Cobia was competitive with them.

Test ride it though. The Trek geometry is a little different, and in my case, I didn't like it as much as the feel of some other brands.
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
Stormwalker said:
I put in a lot of seat time on a Cobia this spring, and comparing it to other bikes I rode, it seemed like a much higher quality bike than the price tag would indicate. The X-Cal seemed like the best bang for the buck, but that one seems to be out of your price range. I would definitely go with the Cobia over the other bikes you listed. I was testing $1500-$2000 bikes and I would say the Cobia was competitive with them.

Test ride it though. The Trek geometry is a little different, and in my case, I didn't like it as much as the feel of some other brands.
Click to expand...
Thanks

Sent via mental telepathy.
 
#17 ·
I was in the same boat -- I started off looking at bikesdirect.com, then I started wondering what kind of deal I could get at a LBS. I ended up looking at two bikes:

The Fuji Nevada 1.0. At the right LBS you can talk 'em down to $949. Solid, mid-line drivetrain (SRAM X5 throughout), really nice ride.

The Diamondback Overdrive 29er XC. This is a Performance Bicycle exclusive, and I still feel kind of guilty that I bypassed my LBS. But for $1,000 even I got a bike with SRAM X7 components, a superior fork, hydraulic brakes, and nice everything else. I've been riding the hell out of this thing since I got it about two months ago and I haven't regretted it a bit.

Next year I'll get a road bike at a LBS but for a good workhorse, this bike is doing A-OK for me.
 
#19 ·
Airborne Goblin, ordered mine today after going through the LBS and not being impressed with the bikes I tried, Trek Mamba, Cobia,Giant Talon, etc. Goblin offers alot for the price, Reba, Sram 7, 2 x 10.
 
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