Joe

My snowboard season is ending quite fast and I need something to keep my legs in shape during the summer.

Last year I picked up a fitness road bike from Giant and I love riding it but I've been itching to get into mountain biking. There's over 90km of trails in the Gatineau Park and I live pretty close.

I've been looking at this Giant Trance x 4: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca/....4/8087/45672/



Looks like a decent bike, I don't really want to spend more than that. I've been looking around craigslist a bit but I can't find anything in XL (I'm 6'5'') .

Anyone have any experience with this brand, the components etc.. All the reviews I've read so far are positive. Thoughts? I know a few of you are pretty knowledgeable on this matter. I'm looking on doing cross country riding where there are hills and climbs.

Thanks.

b00gers

Those are very entry level components. Any reason you want a full suspension? What type of terrain are you riding in. When I think of full suspension, I think of bumpy, rocky, full of big roots...those components arent going to survive that

Joe

I'll probably be riding a wide variety of trails, from smooth single tracks to more rooty/rocky stuff. I figured the components would be iffy but the X3 model is over 2 stacks. :hs:

I might be riding like once or twice a week at most. I can always upgrade some components down the road as I get more experience no?

b00gers

You can...but its always cheaper to buy the bike with the components you already want, especially on a new bike $1500 will get you a nice hardtail

Draconius

I would shy away from full suspension...you don't really need it unless you are doing some hardcore downhill. Save on suspension on get better components.

Zackk

^^ Yerp.

I'm not crazy about the frame shape, and tend to stray away from discs, especially those. I'm a trek whore though.

Joe

I'll check out some hardtail bikes. I have to admit I was only looking at full suspension because it looked so cool :hsugh:

Llamaguy

Look around to see what dealers have in your size. For the same money as an entry level full suspension bike, you can get an extremely nice hard tail. Just be sure to get SLX or Deore XT shifters, derailleurs, etc. Going cheaper on the drive train will only be annoying and cost you more when you replace them because of failures.


I would look for a Rocky Mountain dealer nearby. I bought a "low end" bike on clearance and it is considerably better equipped than a Trek or Giant costing almost double what I paid.

k3ifers

i need new pedals.

i have shitty plastic ones with the stupid toe holder thing on them.

i have these awesome metal shimano pedals from a past bmx bike, but they are like a fraction of an inch too small to fit

Llamaguy

Yes, BMX and old Schwinns' use a 1/2 inch pedal axle and newer adult bikes use 9/16 inch axles.