[imaputz]

hi all! - new here, and I want to say this is a great forum with a lot of info! I am just starting out and am looking for my first mtn bike. Roughly in the 400-700 range.

So far I've narrowed it down to few bikes, but would like to see any other suggestions/comments to find which bike is best for me.... specification wise that is.

I know I will have to ride them and see which fits me best.... but I would like to narrow the list down to 2 before I do that.

The bikes are:

LBS:
Cannondale f5 - http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/cusa/model-8FS5.html
Trek 6000 - http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/mountain_hardtail/6_series/6000/

Online:
Motobecane 700ht - http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_700HT.htm
Alpine 550 - http://www.ibexbikes.com/Bikes/ALP-550-Details.html

Let me know your thoughts or any other bike that may be similar/better in components.

Thanks in advance!:thumbsup:

 

[imaputz]

bump for any suggestions? thanks!

 

[dogonfr]

The Trek is well speced across the boards with X5 drive train then backs it up with Avid BB5 brakes. :cornut:

Ibex drops the front derailleur to a X3 and uses Hayes MX4 brakes which are not great. :thumbsup:

Motobecan offers the best rear derailleur but drops the front der & shifters to low end with Tektro brakes which are nothing to brag about.

Best bang for the buck would be between the Trek & Ibex. :rockon:

 

[bwheelin]

Make sure you test ride all the bikes you listed. I've never seen the Ibex bikes at any bike stores I've been to. If you can't test ride it, cross it off your list.

 

[imaputz]

thanks guys!

yea.. ibex is a internet only bike... as with the motobecane... i have never seen them at a LBS.

Dogonfr, any comments on how the CANNONDALE F5 stacks up with the TREK 6000?

Thanks again!

 

[mrpercussive]

you're not comparing bikes in the same price range... Compare those bikes to the Trophy...

http://www.ibexbikes.com/Bikes/TR-COMP-X7-Details.html

 

[bwheelin]

Pick a few bikes out and test ride them. Honestly, I test rode a few and really couldn't tell the difference between a few. I went with the F5. I had a Specialized Hard Rock that got stolen years back, and well, I wanted a change.

 

[GhostRyder]

If that Trek interests you check out a Gary Fisher. I recently got the Piranha for right at 700 which comes with a pretty nice component group SRAM X.5 and some Shimano Hydraulic Disc brakes. Nothing special but it is a really comfortable bike for me with some room for growing (skill wise).

 

[dogonfr]

thanks guys!

yea.. ibex is a internet only bike... as with the motobecane... i have never seen them at a LBS.

Dogonfr, any comments on how the CANNONDALE F5 stacks up with the TREK 6000?

Thanks again!

The Cannondale is funny they put a higher end front derailleur X7 then skimp out on the rear which gets used the most and shifters going with X5's. The Shimano brakes are no better than the Tektro's.

Going with something like the I Alpine you are saving a ton of money over the major brand names & getting a better selection of components overall.

 

[bwheelin]

If that Trek interests you check out a Gary Fisher. I recently got the Piranha for right at 700 which comes with a pretty nice component group SRAM X.5 and some Shimano Hydraulic Disc brakes. Nothing special but it is a really comfortable bike for me with some room for growing (skill wise).

Nice bike dude. I like the Gary Fishers, but there too stretched out for me.

 

[W1ldF1r3]

Gary fishers are some of the best value bikes you can find, even the cheaper ones can take a beating.

I'd go the trek just because ibex is online only and you can't test ride it.

All the 6000's parts are good for the price but definatly get a new seat and some new pedals, the trek's pedals will be gone within in a month or two and the seat, well some things are just to painful to talk about ( rubs extremely tender behind ).

 

[imaputz]

thanks all!! i purchased the trek 6000 at my LBS. I am enjoying it so far!.... already got a flat =(