Any Mountain Bikers Here?

[Matt_]

Im getting some of the guys at work into mountain biking, so i've been going to bike shops with them to help them find entry level bikes...

 

While shopping, I got the itch for a new bike (whats new... )

 

I really like the Trek 6500 and the Gary Fisher Tassajara.... both of those bikes are basically the same components (both made by Trek USA) but the geometry is different, so i'd have to ride both of them to see which geometry i personally like better.

 

I wanted some input from those more in the 'know' about mountain bikes so see how the Trek and GF compare to my Fuji.

 

I currently ride a Fuji Panic Pro.

 

Specs:

Frame = Altair 1 aluminum

Fork = SunTour XC-Pro, 120mm travel

Rims/Wheels = Alex DM-24 double wall aluminum

Hubs = Sealed-bearing disc

Spokes = Stainless-steel

Tires = Kenda Kolossal DH, 26 x 2.35

Crankset = TruVativ Hussefelt

Chainwheel = 32/22 w/bashguard

Front Derailleur = Shimano Deore

Rear Derailleur = Shimano Deore

Rear Cogs = SRAM 7.0, 9-speed: 11-32

Shifters = Shimano Deore Rapidfire

Handlebars = TruVativ LE 7075

Tape/Grips = Kraton, dual-density gel

Stem = TruVativ Hussefelt

Brake Levers = Tektro MT 2.1

Brakes = Tektro Aquila Disc, front: 180mm, rear: 160mm

 

 

I definitely like the paint scheme on the Tassajara... ( http://www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/tassajara/fullspecs )

Frame = Gold Series 6061 T6 aluminum, G2 Geometry, butted DT, cold-forged dropouts & BB

Front Shock = RockShox Tora SL Solo Air, 100mm travel, custom G2 Geometry 46mm offset crown, air spring w/turnkey lockout, external preload & rebound adjustment

Headset= 1-1/8" threadless, semi-integrated, semi-cartridge bearings

Bottom Bracket = Shimano ES25 Octalink

Pedals = Wellgo LU-216A

Front Derailleur = Shimano M531 Deore

Rear Derailleur = Shimano SLX M662 Shadow

Shifters = Shimano Deore M530

Cassette = SRAM PG950 11-32T, 9spd

Handlebar = Bontrager Race riser, 25mm rise, 630mm width, 6d backsweep, 3d upsweep, 31.8mm

Stem = Bontrager SSR, 10d rise, 31.8mm

Grips = Bontrager Race Lite, 130mm dual density

Saddle = Bontrager Race

Wheels = Shimano M495 CenterLock disc hubs, Bontrager Ranger disc rims, 32h

Tires = Bontrager Jones XR, 2.2 rear/2.25 front, 60 TPI aramid folding bead

Brakeset = Shimano M486, hydraulic disc, 160mm CenterLock rotors

Crank Set = Shimano FC-M428, 44s/32s/22s, Octalink

Extra = Bontrager QR seatbinder, chainstay protector, reflectors, Limited Lifetime Warranty

 

And the Trek 6500

http://www.trekbikes.com/int/en/bikes/moun...6_series/6500e/

Frame = Alpha Black Aluminum w/externally relieved head tube, hydroformed bi-axial down tube and top tube, monostay seatstays, forged disc ready dropouts

Front Suspension = RockShox Tora 302 Solo Air w/rebound, TurnKey lockout, alloy steerer, 100mm

Wheels = Shimano 530 hubs; Bontrager Camino rims w/eyelets, machined sidewalls

Tires = Bontrager Jones XR, 26x2.2/2.25"; 27 tpi

Shifters = Shimano Deore, 9 speed

Front Derailleur = Shimano Deore

Rear Derailleur = Shimano Deore XT "Shadow"

Crank = Shimano M521 Octalink 44/32/22

Cassette = SRAM PG950 11-34, 9 speed

Saddle = Bontrager Race Basic

Seat Post = Bontrager Race, 31.6mm, 5mm offset

Handlebars = Bontrager Race Riser, 40mm rise, 650mm width

Stem = Bontrager SSR, 10 degree, 31.8mm

Headset = VP-A76C-TK, 1 1/8" semi-cartridge, sealed

Brakeset = Shimano M432 V-brake

 

Both the trek and the GF have about a 900-1000 price tag... id imagine i can get $350 for my bike. Just looking at the specs im not sure if its worthwhile to upgrade yet for the price. Thoughts?

[Matt_]

crap... i didnt realize there's a sports/outdoors/recreations section ... any mods want to move this thread?

[2000DV4.8]

Give me a little while, and I'll have a detailed response...

 

Best thing I can say right now, is don't limit the brands you're looking at, go and ride everything, even if you think it's ugly, out of your price range, too much bike, etc.

[2000DV4.8]

Ok I just got home a few minutes ago, and I'm half asleep, I'll type something up tomorrow...

[Matt_]

yeah i wasn't really searching for only Trek or GF. I went to 3 bike shops in the area and looked at all of the different brands that were in the area and the above two bikes caught my eye.

 

One of the biggest reasons i want to upgrade is my Fuji is a 16"... i really want something in the 18" range (both the Trek and GF are 17.5")

[2000DV4.8]

Without going through part-by-part, the two new bikes look more XC oriented, while your current bike looks to be beefier, and more jump-oriented.

 

Where do you ride usually, again?

 

EDIT: Also, how tall are you? Because I'm a tad over 5'9", and my big bike (6" travel front and rear) is an 18", and my hardtail is a 19". I think we're around the same height, so on a bike with cross-country geometry, you might be better off on an 18.5" (Trek). The Genesis Geometry of the Fisher usually includes a longer top tube, so it's hard to say whether the 17.5" or 19" would be better.

[Matt_]

Without going through part-by-part, the two new bikes look more XC oriented, while your current bike looks to be beefier, and more jump-oriented.

 

Where do you ride usually, again?

 

EDIT: Also, how tall are you? Because I'm a tad over 5'9", and my big bike (6" travel front and rear) is an 18", and my hardtail is a 19". I think we're around the same height, so on a bike with cross-country geometry, you might be better off on an 18.5" (Trek). The Genesis Geometry of the Fisher usually includes a longer top tube, so it's hard to say whether the 17.5" or 19" would be better.

 

Yea im around 5'10", maybe a little under. I ride clayton, allair, etc, places like that with intermediate obstacles and some pretty steep decents... The fuji is definitely set up for jump, and dont get me wrong its a FUN bike, but its just a pita to climb with (probably because of the smaller frame, i need more leg extension)

[Matt_]

BUMP!!

 

Last week I rode my friends Trek 4500 and think Im going to like the GS geometry better... i felt a little cramped (long arms and longer upper torso).

 

So with that, I SOLD MY MOTORCYCLE TONIGHT

 

Tomorrow I'm going to buy a new mountain bike because A) I want one and B) it's better than being a depressed alcoholic

 

As far as GS is concerned, Im between the:

1) Tassajara http://fisherbikes.com/bike/model/tassajara

2) Hoo Koo E Koo http://fisherbikes.com/bike/model/hoo-koo-e-koo

 

^^^ Comments? Looks like the HKEK has plenty of upgrades to justify a 300-400 jump (hubs, rims, fork, derailers, shifters, etc)

 

Should I consider a 29er Hardtale? Since $1500 is really my limit... the best GS 29er for me would be the Rig : http://fisherbikes.com/bike/model/rig

But it looks like the HKEK has much better components for the same price of that 29er, so im not sure if its worth it???

 

And finally- any other makes/models that I should look at that are in an equivalent price/performance range?