I was wondering what you guys would recommend for a frist time buyer who wants to be able to ride all day in comfort, have the ability to ride technical terrain, but will not be into racing or hucking. We are looking to spend less than $1,500.
$1,500 and under all-mountain?
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Id recommend looking around for a NOS or lightly used Giant VT.. Very XC capable, with enough travel and strength for aggressive descents.. And damn cheap!
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NOS= New, old stock. 2004, or now, 2005 models not sold yet in your LBS.egibson said:
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Giant Reign and Ironhorse Mark III are two that come to mind.
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A friend got an REI branded Novara Method 2.0 on sale a couple months ago. I'm really impressed with it. I don't normally go for store branded bikes, but this one's beautiful. It has nice welds and decent parts specs. I think it's normally at $1,800, but the Method 1.0 goes for $1200 and still has rideable parts.
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If you want to go with a nice hardtail there is the Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo or the Trek 6700. They are both $1000. Then you can take the other $500 and take some time off from work to ride...
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KHS AM1000-$1499. More all day comfort than you will ever need!
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Here's another... http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/06/cusa/model-6VE4.html Prophet 400, same frame as the 4k Prophet. $1300
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I just read a favorable review of the KHS XC-104 in MBA. It looks like this is the same frame but with upgraded components.
Colodude... awesome suggestion! I was looking at the Rush, but I think that the Prophet would be a better choice. Nice... it will be my girlfriends first mtn bike so the fact that it has 5.5 inches of travel and adjustable geometry is a huge selling point. I think I'll chip in a few bucks and have her get the Prophet 600. Again, great suggestion... thank you.
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Not trying to discourage you at all, but keep in mind that for real AM use the weak link on a bike at the price point is likely to be the fork. You should be able to find one in your price range that will do alright, but it might not be as durable as some of the pricier choices. Just be sure to keep right on top of maintenance, consider having it rebuilt with seals, etc, a little sooner, and consider saving up for an upgrade eventually. And of course, ride it like you stole it!!!
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Got to chime in for the Trance or Reign
I own a Trance and I ride the crap out of it, no hucking maybe 1-2ft jumps/drops on occassion, but I ride it over some rough stuff and it just glides over it and pedals so efficiently. The Reign is the longer travel version (6") and pedals pretty much as good, with a little added weight and 2" more travel. Both have models that can be had for around $1600 - great thing is it's the same frame throughout the line-up so doesn't matter if you get the top of the line of lowest end the frames are the same, just components are different and that's where the prices come from.
As suggested look for last years model to get a better price.
I own a Trance and I ride the crap out of it, no hucking maybe 1-2ft jumps/drops on occassion, but I ride it over some rough stuff and it just glides over it and pedals so efficiently. The Reign is the longer travel version (6") and pedals pretty much as good, with a little added weight and 2" more travel. Both have models that can be had for around $1600 - great thing is it's the same frame throughout the line-up so doesn't matter if you get the top of the line of lowest end the frames are the same, just components are different and that's where the prices come from.
As suggested look for last years model to get a better price.
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