Last year's model is always gonna be cheaper man. Shop for 2010 remnants if you are concerned about depreciation. Or wait till the 2012 stuff is available. Would you buy a year old HD TV to save some cash?
Are FS 29ers like Hi-Def TVs?
I'm saving my pennies, getting ready to pull the trigger on something along the lines of of a GF Hi-Fi or a Fuji Outland (any other recommendations in the $2500-3000 range?) but most reviews still knock a lot of these bikes for weight, tire clearance etc.
A couple of years ago I went out and bought a Hi-Def TV. It was $1500 for something that would now be $500. There was a pretty major shift in that technology in the last couple years that brought the prices down and the quality up. My question is... are FS 29ers on the cusp of one of these shifts? This might be a completely moronic comparison, but I dont want to drop $3000 on a bike now when the value is going to be way better in a year or two. Ive got something to tide me over if signs suggest I should wait a bit.
If indeed FS 29ers are nothing like Hi-Def TVs, any recommendations? Doing most of my riding nowadays in the northeast and mid-atlantic US. No chairlifts or big drops or anything. Looking for a light XC but would prefer a FS becuase of some back and crack issues. My old ass needs a cushier ride. Cheers
A couple of years ago I went out and bought a Hi-Def TV. It was $1500 for something that would now be $500. There was a pretty major shift in that technology in the last couple years that brought the prices down and the quality up. My question is... are FS 29ers on the cusp of one of these shifts? This might be a completely moronic comparison, but I dont want to drop $3000 on a bike now when the value is going to be way better in a year or two. Ive got something to tide me over if signs suggest I should wait a bit.
If indeed FS 29ers are nothing like Hi-Def TVs, any recommendations? Doing most of my riding nowadays in the northeast and mid-atlantic US. No chairlifts or big drops or anything. Looking for a light XC but would prefer a FS becuase of some back and crack issues. My old ass needs a cushier ride. Cheers
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sure as heck would. unless, of course, there was something that happened between 2010 and 2011 that made the value of the 2011 greater than the 2010s. I certainly dont care about being seen on the latest paint job. I just want the best bang for the buck. will definitely look at 2010s
They're very different. While you'll see price drops, and tech trickle-down, it's magnitudes less with bikes.
Go with last year's model, as long as you get proven tech, and a support network (i.e. solid warranty.)
Los
Go with last year's model, as long as you get proven tech, and a support network (i.e. solid warranty.)
Los
The things that make some current FS 29ers worth $3000 aren't going to change or get cheaper, but over time you will see more options with cheaper components and cheaper and simpler frame design and construction. There are already a number of current model year FS 29er complete bikes available for a bit over $2000, though I doubt you'll ever see many options for a complete bike less than that
I haven't noticed prices dropping on bikes. The only thing I have noted is some of the parts at that price level being better than they were a year or two ago. Frames that were $1500 two years ago are still $1500 for the current model, in some cases they have increased in price.
Good luck.
Good luck.
thanks all. 'preciate it. keeping my eye on this jessie
G
All good ideas, but you have to hit the timing just right to get a leftover bike. Unlike TVs, the manufacturers don't make gobs and gobs of bikes and then clear them out later. Many popular models are sold out by summer or backordered. They rarely make enough to keep up with demand, let alone have leftovers.
That being said, I bought a 2010 HiFi in September 2010. It was one of the last in the country and the last in NJ (the warehouse was empty). I got a great deal on it, but had I been a week or two later, I might have missed the opportunity.
Good luck!
That being said, I bought a 2010 HiFi in September 2010. It was one of the last in the country and the last in NJ (the warehouse was empty). I got a great deal on it, but had I been a week or two later, I might have missed the opportunity.
Good luck!
Value?
Come on. Only really an issue if you flip your bikes a lot. Bikes are a bad monetary investment, like cars but waaaaay cheaper. Resale is crap on used bikes, regardless of year.
Get what you like, and don't worry about resale value.
The value is in how much you love riding it.
What, you mean resale value? :lol:Radioface said:sure as heck would. unless, of course, there was something that happened between 2010 and 2011 that made the value of the 2011 greater than the 2010s. I certainly dont care about being seen on the latest paint job. I just want the best bang for the buck. will definitely look at 2010s
Come on. Only really an issue if you flip your bikes a lot. Bikes are a bad monetary investment, like cars but waaaaay cheaper. Resale is crap on used bikes, regardless of year.
Get what you like, and don't worry about resale value.
The value is in how much you love riding it.
The only real tech trend I see happening is going from 9 speed to 10 speed. Not sure if its a real 'upgrade'. The issue is going to be how hard it will be to find good 9 speed cassettes in the future. Same thing happened back around 2000 or so when 8 speed was being replaced with 9 speed. It's super hard to find XT level 8 speed these days, so the upgrade is kinda being forced on 8 speed folks at this point. That change took like 6 or 7 years, really.Radioface said:sure as heck would. unless, of course, there was something that happened between 2010 and 2011 that made the value of the 2011 greater than the 2010s. I certainly dont care about being seen on the latest paint job. I just want the best bang for the buck. will definitely look at 2010s
If you're budget is up to 3,000 I recommend the giant anthem x 29, salsa spearfish , or the speedgoat niner rip 9 signature build (the niner is a little more but the best bike out there).
Bikes never go down in price like electronics. Cheap bikes always ride like cheap bikes. The price point of at least $1000 for a decent hardtail and at least $2000 for a decent FS has stayed roughly the same for quite a while.
Giant Anthem is a lot of value for the money.
Giant Anthem is a lot of value for the money.
I would recommend two bikes. If you want an all mountain bike that can has a more upright ride position I would go for the GF Rumblefish I.
However if you want a lean quick cross country machine that can hits without sacrificing agility I would go with the Giant Anthem X 29er.
All bikes in the Anthem X series have the following feature set:
1. Tapered headtube
2. 15mm t/a
3. Boost valve
4. Shimano Ten Speed Drive Train
The Anthem X is also more agile than the GF Hifi series.
However if you want a lean quick cross country machine that can hits without sacrificing agility I would go with the Giant Anthem X 29er.
All bikes in the Anthem X series have the following feature set:
1. Tapered headtube
2. 15mm t/a
3. Boost valve
4. Shimano Ten Speed Drive Train
The Anthem X is also more agile than the GF Hifi series.
Wasnt the Anthem X 29er recalled this year for frame issues?mefistofeles said:I would recommend two bikes. If you want an all mountain bike that can has a more upright ride position I would go for the GF Rumblefish I.
However if you want a lean quick cross country machine that can hits without sacrificing agility I would go with the Giant Anthem X 29er.
All bikes in the Anthem X series have the following feature set:
1. Tapered headtube
2. 15mm t/a
3. Boost valve
The Anthem X is also more agile than the GF Hifi series.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/news/15305/
They fixed it.Phaceplant said:Wasnt the Anthem X 29er recalled this year for frame issues?
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/news/15305/
Yep, and it was taken care of before they even really released in the US. The formal recall notice came out well after the fact, which is not uncommon for the govt side of recallsVermont29er said:They fixed it.
Comparing electronics to something mechanical like a bike is apples and oranges. You will still find people who love to ride their 10 year old bike, but I don't know many people who will say "I love watching my 10 year old CRT TV!". Sounds like your concern is more if you buy a bike this year, will it be outdated next year, not will it be worth next to nothing. The answer is no. Sure, there may be small changes, but typically nothing major changes year to year on the same model. component spec usually remains the same, it's just if any of those components improve slightly. Other than that, you're just talking about frame geometry and rear suspension design.
Wasnt the Anthem X 29er recalled this year for frame issues?
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/news/15305/
I was actually luck that I got a defective frame. Giant gave me a $100 credit with my LBS and I used the credit to buy some brakes for another bike. So yes not only did they replace my frame but actually gave me some credit through my dealer,excellent customer service.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/news/15305/
I was actually luck that I got a defective frame. Giant gave me a $100 credit with my LBS and I used the credit to buy some brakes for another bike. So yes not only did they replace my frame but actually gave me some credit through my dealer,excellent customer service.
I would add to the NOs for your question, bike tech "improves" or so the manufacturers would like you to think, but right now the improvements if any are small - there will be major improvements coming for forks, but this won't effect you, as it will be for longer travel forks. With your budget there are loads of great XC FS 29ers out there, my best recomendation from what you described is the Salsa Spearfish.
The good thing about bikes - as opposed to televisions - is that they are nearly completely modular and upgrades are easy. If I were you I'd sell the tv and add to your bike budget!
There are a lot of great fs 29ers out there but the spearfish seems to be a great value, with quality parts at around 2200. I'd be looking at those if I were in the market. If I had more money I'd go for a niner. The anthem looks to be a killer value as well.
I'm not sure I would buy a used complete bike unless it was a screaming deal. You,ll probably end up dumping money into it soon - cassette, chain, rings, cables could add a couple handy to your tally for a "new performing" bike. Plus with new 10 speed stuff out it will get harder to get quality 9 speed parts although probably not a problem for a while, just something to keep in mind.
There are a lot of great fs 29ers out there but the spearfish seems to be a great value, with quality parts at around 2200. I'd be looking at those if I were in the market. If I had more money I'd go for a niner. The anthem looks to be a killer value as well.
I'm not sure I would buy a used complete bike unless it was a screaming deal. You,ll probably end up dumping money into it soon - cassette, chain, rings, cables could add a couple handy to your tally for a "new performing" bike. Plus with new 10 speed stuff out it will get harder to get quality 9 speed parts although probably not a problem for a while, just something to keep in mind.
you guys are awesome. very helpful thread. thanks. now I just have to sell my this to make room in the budget.
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