decadude
Training Wheels
Posts:6
Registered Users
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| 05/07/2008 8:37 PM |
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What are some of the better bikes for XC racing and day to day travel there are so many brands makes and types of these brands and accessories like forks etc im ten kinds of confused but i have been reading and it seems like i am getting no where
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smac
Coaster Brake
Posts:15
Registered Users
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| 05/07/2008 9:20 PM |
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| That was a workout reading all that in one breath! How much "better" can you afford? Price being no object, I'm sure someone can help you spec a bike around $10,000. |
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FireBallKY
Big Ring
Posts:117
Registered Users
Lexington, KY USA
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| 05/07/2008 9:53 PM |
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I caught that too, Steve. BTW, HELLO!!
Now to the topic...
First of all, what is your budget? Secondly, what type of riding are you going to be doing exactly? |
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I'm not fat. That's a fuel tank for the love machine!!! |
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russell g
Big Ring
Posts:350
Registered Users
Louisville, KY
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| 05/07/2008 9:54 PM |
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| Buy the best bike you can afford |
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chuck_clark
Big Ring
Posts:249
Registered Users
Louisville
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| 05/07/2008 11:09 PM |
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| I concur with Rusty. |
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decadude
Training Wheels
Posts:6
Registered Users
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| 05/08/2008 12:20 AM |
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I want a bike for casual riding as well as xc racing maybe in the future.
i will use the bike for a lot of road riding some people say just to get a hard tail
i really like what i read and want to maybe get a santa cruz blur
they seem a little pricey i know they are full suspension but i read
good things about them and i like the design. my LBS does not carry
them. i am pushing my budget on this one but i want something nice
that i will like, and from what i am reading with bikes you get what
you pay for...well at least for the most part.
I probably will continue to shop around any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
I will mostly use the bike to ride around town so i will probably get
an extra set of tires that would be better for road what do you guys
think??
thanks again and i am glad i have found this forum |
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Aweful Knawful
Little Ring
Posts:97
Registered Users
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| 05/08/2008 4:51 AM |
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| where do you live? |
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russell g
Big Ring
Posts:350
Registered Users
Louisville, KY
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| 05/08/2008 6:43 AM |
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| I ride a Santa Cruz Blur XC and love it. You can get one at Cycler's Cafe in Louisville. 451-5152. if you are ever out this way let me know and you can demo my bike if ya want it will work for anyone 5-9 to 6ft tall. |
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decadude
Training Wheels
Posts:6
Registered Users
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| 05/08/2008 9:22 AM |
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How much does the store charge for the bike is it brand new i kind of want a used one b/c money is tight but this is the bike i want
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s0ckeyeus
Big Ring
Posts:138
Registered Users
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| 05/08/2008 9:35 AM |
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You really have to go around to different bike shops and ride all the bikes around your price range. If a bike doesn't fit, you won't really be as happy with it as you should be. Most bike stores have older models not displayed on the floor that sell for less than the new bike would. You can get some good deals that way.
I ride my bike on the road all the time. It's really not that big of a deal. I'd rather have one nice bike than two lesser bikes. I don't really feel like changing my wheels all the time. |
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smac
Coaster Brake
Posts:15
Registered Users
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| 05/08/2008 10:12 AM |
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| This may not be what you want to hear, but if you are riding a lot on road and want a xc race bike, you'll be better off going with a hard tail. You may be able to pick up a Santa Cruz hard tail from Ebay. I don't think they make them anymore. |
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PR
Big Ring
Posts:358
Registered Users
Jackson County
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| 05/08/2008 10:39 AM |
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The blur is the best xc bike that I have personally ever ridden, but where I ride is very hard on mtbs, and I've ended up (back) on a heckler. The trails you will normally ride should factor into the style of bike you end up with.
If you're planning on much road riding at all, I'd recommend a hardtail for sure. If you're buying a new bike, try to get one with a fork that has a lock-out feature. That will really help with the road mileage.
If you buy new, I'd get a major label (think Giant,Trek, Cannondale, Specialized), from a local bikeshop. I recommend LX level components (at the very least, especially if you plan on doing any racing) as the best value/durability. SRAM components at the LX level are equally as good.
I'd avoid any proprietary stuff (did you know everybody on here loves me?) like a Cannondale headshock, or Specialized fork on my first bike. Unless you live/work close to a strong dealership of the brand in question. I'm not saying the proprietary stuff does'nt work great, but you sacrifice alot of flexibility on parts, repair, and replacements.
If you end up buying used, I'd try to buy one off a kymba member. There's usally a good deal posted on here. And if you buy locally, you will be able to try the bike out and make sure it fits. Buying a bike sight unseen is not recommended, unless you have already tried out that model and size and know what you are getting.
I've got alittle hardtail sitting in my garage right now. It's a mid 90's ti hardtail. Weighs in at about 22lbs. The retail on a new one is right at 4k. I've got just about 1k in mine. After you get some bike experience in, and really know what you like, you can start scrounging around like me!
Good Luck. MTBing is the greatest. |
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ricdix
Granny Gear
Posts:40
Registered Users
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| 05/08/2008 11:03 AM |
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I'll second testing several bikes in your price range. Every manufacture and model has a slightly different geometry. Some bikes may feel awkward while others should feel just right. There's no way of knowing until you actually sit on one and see how its feels for yourself.
If your riding a lot on the road l also agree with choosing a hard tail. In our area, full suspension is a luxury not a necessity and the bobbing of a fully suspended bike is very noticeable on the road.
Seems like the blurs have a history of the linkage bushing prematurely wearing out. Many owners replace these bushings every season. Hopefully a blur owner will give you an update on this. It may no longer be an issue? Or give Wood-n-Wave a call and see what they say.
By the way..... what are you currently riding?
I've got a Gary Fisher Genesis Geometry hard tail with a Judy XC for sale. Would make a great beginner bike for someone on a tight budget that doesn't want to spend too much but doesn't want a department store bike. Also, soon will have a Cannondale Rush for sale as well. Probably going to buy another Rush this summer.
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Gojira
Little Ring
Posts:75
Registered Users
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| 05/08/2008 2:49 PM |
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I ride a blur xc as well. Get a fork with a remote lock out, set the pro pedal on the rear shock to "3", throw some road slicks (or a 2nd wheelset) on it and it will be decent for commuting. I've ridden many different bikes and beilieve the hype, the blur is an absolute monster on the trails.
Some lighter folks swear by the superlight. It's not burly enough for my big bones... |
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nick
Little Ring
Posts:57
Registered Users
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| 05/09/2008 2:04 PM |
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decadude, i've got a blur classic (04 model frame) i can part with.
Its built with 05 model parts. Got the frame at the end of 04 from wood-n-wave and i slowly built it up over the winter with parts i wanted.
xtr drivetrain and brakes (dual control levers)
f100x fox fork (has internal lock out in it)
thomson stem and post
wtb ti seat
float rear shock (have 5th element that came on it)
king headset
easton monkey lite bars
its a large frame in anodized blue. shows some wear from use such as cable rub and a little chain suck marks but the anodized finish has really cut back on normal wear marks you see on painted frames.
All you would need would be some pedals and wheels to get this thing moving as i want to keep these that are currently on it.
I'm 5'8", i run a shorter stem at 100mm and it fits me great. The difference in stand over between the med and large wasnt very much at all so i went with the large frame over the medium and just shortend the reach up with the stem.
say $700 for almost a complete race ready bike. Best part is I live in owensboro as well so it will make for an easy transaction. Let me know and we can set up something so you can test ride it.
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decadude
Training Wheels
Posts:6
Registered Users
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| 05/10/2008 3:30 PM |
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sent you a message
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Brian in Etown
Granny Gear
Posts:32
Registered Users
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| 05/10/2008 8:48 PM |
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| wow Nick! wish you would part that bike out.......let me know if that doesn't work for decadude. |
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