New Guy

Squid · **Posted:** Fri Dec 31, 2010 8:42 am

Just wanted to drop my first note and say hello. I joined yesterday after lurking for a couple of weeks. Been MTBing on San Diego trails since 1990, but as age and kids crept into my life I found that I was doing less and less riding.

I went on a ride in MTRP on Thanksgiving with my brother in law and as my bike randomly selected which gear it wanted to be in while I was climbing hills (it is a 1990 Trek 990 HT), I thought it was time for a new bike. I have been looking around since Christmas (wife gave me $1500) and have narrowed it down to a couple of options.
KHZ XC 604
GF X-Cal
Stumpjumper Comp 29er (over my budget)
Marin Nail Trail 29er (also over budget)

Bikes sure have gotten expensive, but you do get a lot more than the last time I bought. Any input you guys have would be great and I will post as soon as I pick out a ride. My conditioning is good, but needs work to do climbing, so I hope to be able to start meeting up with some of you for future rides.

Thanks,

Jim

bajamtnbkr · **Posted:** Fri Dec 31, 2010 9:26 am

Welcome aboard :hello:

I would save for that Stumpy 29er but I'm bias about it, if you could hold down for the spring Swap-Meet at the Velodrome you could get a killer deal on a used bike or check out CL also.
See you on the trails.

rmdyman · **Posted:** Fri Dec 31, 2010 10:34 am

I've ridden Gary Fishers, with G1 and G2 geometries, for years now and love them. Keep them stock; even if you upgrade to your preferred components, stay within (or as close as possible to) the stock specifications of the bike and they will ride as advertised.

I've demo'ed Specialized bikes before and they are really awesome bikes as well but they get pretty pricey. I've always leaned towards value, that is, if I can get as much bike as I can get for my money. That alleviates unnecessary upgrading for me in the long run. That's just me.

See you on the trails.

psybike · **Posted:** Fri Dec 31, 2010 10:47 am

I was riding a Gary Fisher G2 Hardtail for about a year and have now switched to a Giant Hardtail. Both are great bikes the GF was faster but alot more twitchy than the giant also the "G2 geometry" that they rave about is about the same as other bikes i just felt better control on the climbs than without G2 geo (imo). The stumpy or the Gary Fisher will serve you well. :thumbsup:

Christ D. · **Posted:** Fri Dec 31, 2010 11:11 am

ValE · **Posted:** Fri Dec 31, 2010 12:54 pm

Welcome and Happy New Bike (Year)

Wisedog · **Posted:** Fri Dec 31, 2010 2:38 pm

Welcome! I have bought mtb's on CL all the time to save money, just be careful looking it over and take someone that really knows bikes with you if you have any doubts.

dirtmonger · **Posted:** Fri Dec 31, 2010 4:57 pm

I am so not the guy you want to talk to about what bike you need

24v · **Posted:** Sat Jan 01, 2011 5:37 am

dirtmonger wrote:

:welcome:

I am so not the guy you want to talk to about what bike you need

Squid · **Posted:** Sat Jan 01, 2011 9:01 am

I appreciate the welcome and look forward to meeting you folks in the future. I have been working with Doug at NOTB concerning the future bike and he has been great. That is the kind of service you don't see at many places.

As far as CL goes. I have been looking there as well as on Ebay, but I am 6'3 and find that most bikes being sold are large or smaller and i really need an XL. I will have to keep the veledrome swap meet in mind if I cannot make up my mind soon.

Jim

fourflys · **Posted:** Sat Jan 01, 2011 9:54 am

Welcome Jim! I was in the same boat a few months back and found a really good deal on CL, but you do have really keep looking and be patient... Doug and Mike at NOTB are great, they'll do you a deal the best they can... I went to the last swap meet and it was so-so in my opinion... a lot of junk and some really overpriced stuff, although I suppose if you get there really early you might find that one gem hidden...

Good Luck and welcome, this is a great group!
Chris

BTW- looks like you are looking at hardtails... any reason why not FS? I was set on a hardtail 29er and a friend talked me into FS crosscountry bike (Superlight) and I and SO thankful... going down on a FS is SO much better than my old hardtail and the climbing isn't that much different... something like this is right in your budget... http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=89397&page=Santa+Cruz+Superlite+D+Xc+Full+Suspension+Mountain+Bike

dirtmonger · **Posted:** Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:17 pm

Squid wrote:

I appreciate the welcome and look forward to meeting you folks in the future. I have been working with Doug at NOTB concerning the future bike and he has been great. That is the kind of service you don't see at many places.

As far as CL goes. I have been looking there as well as on Ebay, but I am 6'3 and find that most bikes being sold are large or smaller and i really need an XL. I will have to keep the veledrome swap meet in mind if I cannot make up my mind soon.

Jim

I'd be careful about that XL frame. I'm 6' 2" and found an XL to be too large.

dirtmonger · **Posted:** Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:20 pm

24v wrote:

dirtmonger wrote:

:welcome:

I am so not the guy you want to talk to about what bike you need

Dude, I wish. The engine in all my bikes sucks. Too heavy and nowhere near enough power output and constantly overheats.

Squid · **Posted:** Sat Jan 01, 2011 4:02 pm

[quote/]I'd be careful about that XL frame. I'm 6' 2" and found an XL to be too large.[/quote]

I have test rode a couple of large frames (GF 29HT, Spec SJ 29HT, Marin Nail Trail 29) and they all felt a little small and the salesperson from each of the separate stores said the same thing. I have not tested a specific bikes XL yet, but my current bike is a 23 and although it feels a little tall at times it would be too small as a 21.

Jim

OldDogDan · **Posted:** Sat Jan 01, 2011 4:58 pm

Welcome! You should be able to get a really good deal on a year-end discounted 2010 (maybe even a 2009 or two out there) full-suspension. Especially since Christmas is over and you want an XL frame. Dealers tend to get stuck with an XS or XL sizes and discount deeply. So get the lower range of a good model and you can do some upgrades later if you want or feel you need to.

New Guy

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