REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Trek or Giant?

1068 Views 5 Replies 5 Participants Last post by rkj__, Jul 3, 2006

THEBAAL

Discussion Starter · Jul 3, 2006 (Edited)

I was thinking of buying what I guess would be a mid to high range mountain bike, but was wondering out of the below, which would you recommend. The price range between the Giant XTC-1 and the Trek 8000 is pretty comparable here in Australia, you can get the XTC-1 for about $2500 or less, and the TREK 8000 FOR $2699 or less. The XTC-0 is a little more pricey than the XTC-1 at $3300... if Giant is the way to go over TREK, is it worth stepping up from the XTC-1 to the XTC-0? Opinions, thanks.

Giant XTC-1 2006 model

Giant XTC-0 2006 model

TREK 8000 2006 model

Also, I called a local store near me that are Giant Dealers, though I did not realise this at the time, and asked them how much for Trek 8000, and the guy replied that they were giant dealers, and that I should probably look at the XTC-1 before the Trek 8000 as it had a better frame, and components. He explained to me that Giant own their own factory and produce all their own frames, and that Trek actually don't do that, and it is the reason they're more expensive and of lesser quality. Now I know what some will say, he's a giant dealer, of coarse he's going to say that! but is there truth behind what he said or not?

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brianlve

· #2 · Jul 3, 2006

Trek

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THEBAAL

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 3, 2006

Ok, but why Trek exactly? what is the argument for Trek over Giant?

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SuperbMan

· #4 · Jul 3, 2006 (Edited)

The more I see these sort of questions-the more I realize I have a bike forum mission.

They're equal. All big bike company bikes of similar pricepoints and specific intended use are equal. I think most consumers drive themselves crazy weighing the miniscule differences between different brands hawking the same bike. Holds true when comparing similar spec/ price trail bikes, xc dualies, all-mountain and all manner of marketing bike categories.

All $1000.00-$2000 (american) msrp big bike manufacturer's aluminum hardtails will ride the same. They'll feel the same and provide the same level of enjoyment. They'll have the same warranty (effectively).

Ditto Carbon Composites if that's your bag-Treks Carbon Hardtail and Giants are both very similar and both swell bikes.

Go to the local bike shop that treats you the best and get the best deal you can on any brand of similarly spec'ed hardtail (if that's what you're after). Jamis, Trek, Specialized, Giant, etc there's just no point agonizing over the diffeerences as they are all but non-existant---and none of them are qualitatively different. They're ALL GOOD!!! Really.

Now get a new bike and start enjoying the season!

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sfhubbard

· #5 · Jul 3, 2006

SuperbMan said:
The more I see these sort of questions-the more I realize I have a bike forum mission.

Go to the local bike shop that treats you the best and get the best deal you can on any brand of similarly spec'ed hardtail (if that's what you're after). Jamis, Trek, Specialized, Giant, etc there's just no point agonizing over the diffeerences as they are all but non-existant---and none of them are qualitatively different. They're ALL GOOD!!! Really.

Now get a new bike and start enjoying the season!

Good point, man.

I've been shopping for my first mountain bike and have ridden Iron Horse, Gary Fisher, and Trek at LBS. Having read this forum, I was expecting to feel a difference, but other than extra knobby tires on the Iron Horse, I couldn't really tell much difference. As an inexperienced rider, I can't get hung up on the difference between a Gila T6 and Rockshox J1. You could tell me all day which one's better, but it won't mean a thing to me until I learn how to ride.

So at these prices, choose based on which bike you happen to like best. Could be something as basic as color!

I don't like the Iron Horse I rode because it's ugly grey.

I've been very disappointed at test rides that my bike shops let me have. Two of the shops are in strip malls and won't let me out of the parking lot.

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rkj__

· #6 · Jul 3, 2006

SuperbMan said:
Go to the local bike shop that treats you the best

Great tip.

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