[murnau]

So, I've been to 4 Local bike shops in the last couple days and have test-ridden around 6 HT XC bikes in the ~$800 range. The bike I liked best was the 05 Gaint Rainier. It's light, has decent components and just feels fun. In particular I like the frame geometry (XTC) better than any of the other bikes I test rode.

Now here's the issue: yesterday evening I take a look at the IBEX website and find that the Trophy-series frame geometry seems very close to the Rainier geometry.

Rainier- Trophy
Size: 19" - 20"
Head Angle: 71- 70
Seat Angle: 72- 73
Top Tube: 23.2"- 22"
Chainstay: 16.7"- 16.75"
WheelBase: 41.7"- 42"
Standover: 31.7"- 31"

The specs of each bike are:

_ 05 Giant Rainier_
frame
ALUXX SL butted aluminum

fork
Marzocchi EXR 100mm Travel

shifters
SRAM X.7 Trigger

front derailleur
Shimano Deore

rear derailleur
SRAM X.7 Short Cage

brakes
Hayes Sole XC 6" Rotor

brake levers
Hayes

cassette
SRAM PG950 11-34, 9-speedT

chain
Shimano HG53

cranks
TruVative forged 22/32/42T for Powerspline

bb
TruVative GigaPipe SL ISIS

rims
Sun Rhyno Lite 32H

hubs
Formula 32H Disc

spokes
Stainless steel 14G

tires
Hutchinson Bulldog AirLight 26 x 2.1"

handlebar
Easton EA50 31.8mm Low Rise

stem
Easton EA50 6 Degree Rise

headset
Integrated, 1 1/8"

seatpost
Easton EA50 30.9x350

saddle
WTB Speed V

pedals
Shimano PD-M505

extras
chainguard

_04 IBEX Trophy 880LX_
Frame:
6061 Double-Butted Aluminum w/ Oversize Tubing /Aerol Downtube / Replaceable Derailleur Hanger / Disc Ready / S-Bend Seat-Stay & Tapered Chainstay

Fork:
Marzocchi MX Comp ETA w/ 85mm Travel / Air Spring - Coil Negative / ETA Lockout / Ext. Preload & Int. Rebound Adjustment / Dual SSV Damping / Monolite Magnesium Lowers / 30mm Stanchions / Superlite Forged "M" Crown w/ Cryofit Design

Front Derailleur:
Shimano LX

Rear Derailleur:
Shimano XT

Shifters:
Shimano LX Rapidfire - 27-spd Indexed

Crankset:
TruVativ Stylo SL - 44/32/22T w/ Alloy Crank Arms & Chainrings

Bottom Bracket:
TruVativ Giga-Pipe SL - ISIS Splined - Cartridge Type

Cassette:
Shimano LX - 11-32T - 9-spd

Chain:
KMC Z9000 Super Narrow - Dark Silver

Brakes:
Avid Single Digit 5 V-Brakes

Brake Levers:
Avid Speed Dial 5

Cables:
Jagwire

Tires:
Kenda Kharisma - 26" x 2.10"

Rims:
Ritchey Pro Girder XC Double Wall - 32H - Black - OCR Rear - CNC Sidewall

Hubs:
Shimano LX w/ Quick Release

Spokes:
14G Black Stainless Steel

Handlebar:
Ritchey Comp Rizer - 620mm x 20� rise - OS 31.8mm Clamp Size

Stem:
Ritchey Comp V2 Alloy - OS 31.8mm Clamp Size

Grips:
WTB Dual Compound Trial Grips

Headset:
FSA Orbit XL II Threadless w/ Sealed Cartridge Bearings

Pedals:
Shimano M520 Clipless w/ Cleats and Clip-in Platform

Saddle:
WTB Laser V Race

Seat Post:
Ritchey Comp V2 Alloy - 27.2 x 350mm

Seat Clamp:
Uno Alloy Extrusion

Also Included:
Multi-tool, Touch-up Paint

-------------------------------------------------

The Trophy works out to be about $100 less (shipping vs LBS tax considered). Of course I won't be able to test it until it arrives at my doorstep. It doesn't have the Hayes disc brake, but it does have what looks to be a better fork. I have no problem servicing my own bike as I am technically inclined. The LBS would provide "minor" adjustments for life on the Giant.

Based on the specs and the close geometry, what would you guys go with?

Thanks.. (Excuse the huge post, and possible xpost on another forum)

 

[TobyNobody]

The devil you know...

Based on the specs and the close geometry, what would you guys go with?

Thanks.. (Excuse the huge post, and possible xpost on another forum)

I'd for sure go with the one you test rode. Just becasue the geometry is similar doesn't meany your going to like it, but you know you like the Giant. ANd $100 is nothing if you consider it is spread out over the life of a bike (10 years if you take good care of it).

The fork issue is a bit of a fly in the ointment.. Except the actual performance of the forks is similar. And fork technology will change in 3 years and both of those will be obsolete for one reason or another - stanchions made from moonrocks, and a brake arch made from a new superlight alloy of bubblegum and roofing tar. Plus it will not have lockout. Or will have lockout ... or ... um whats in style right now? So you can upgrade the fork when new-product-lust overcomes your common sense.