Any suggestions for a middle of the range mountain bike?

Question

Hi All, I am looking for some input from people who have a reasonable knowledge of mountain biking. I am a roadie but have recently ventured into the mountain biking world - and loved it!! I have a GT Avalanche at the moment, which is OK but I would like something a little more robust. I would prefer a hardtail with hydraulic disc brakes, reasonably tough forks (maybe Rockshox Tora?) and probably an alloy frame (not sure how carbon would hold up when I hit the dirt)

I have been looking at the Avanti Agressor or perhaps the Giant xtc2? I am looking at spending around $1800 australian dollars.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Thanks Kaz And aswomx.

I live in South Australia. I'm planning to ride thru the trails in the hills with a view to doing a few overnighters with swag and stuff.

I take your point about the Alias and in fact have looked at the Talon, which is slightly higher spec'd.

Thanks for your help!!

Answer 1

Mate I would recommend a Giant, Santa Cruz or a Specialized. What state do you live in? Where will you be riding? You need something with decent suspension so maybe working upwards from the Giant Alias which I'm pretty sure is around 14 hundred. Carbon is great for shock absorbtion but is quite malleable in the event of an accident. Are you sure you don't want rear suspension? Having the travel can make things much more fun!
Post a few more details and I'll add to this.
Bummer I was going to tell you to come to my shop! Well get the best Giant you can afford, you won't regret it - get it serviced regularly and it will last for years.

Answer 2

Avalanche is a good bike, but the frame is a little heavy. Carbon will withstand quite a bit, but the people in my club only bring them out in the summer. The problem is that, one dink in the carbon and your frame is toast.

Hard tail, with hydraulic discs? Mongooses latest got a good rating. I ride and XTC 4. Good all round bike. The MPH brakes are reasonable, although others in the club grumble about them squeaking. The 2 uses SRAM X - 9s I think. These are good gears and the general set up of the XTCs is good.

I would also consider SCOTT. Good lightweight frames. However, Specialized machines are worth a look. They do a nice full susser for about £1000, whatever this is in $. From what I have seen in the club, the Specialized are good all round machines. The frames are a little heavy though.

Ultimately, I can spout about my favourates and you can read every magazine printed, but its when you sit on the machine that you will know if this is the machine for you. Get a short list and visit your nearest bike shop.

Luck

Answer 3

Hey guy, what do you want out of your bike?

I use a GT Avalanche, and apart from the occasional broken spoke, or dings in the rims I haven't had a problem. Sure if you are using it for dedicated downhill then you need something that weighs twice the weight and has differing ratios that mean you can't use it as well on less challenging terrain.

This is my second MTB (I came from a road background) and I really like it for the price and the weight. Again, unless you are downhilling, you don't need something like the XTC as it is a little sloppy in the rear end when riding uphill.

The welds on the XT hold well, my Norco didn't make the grade as well, I bent the frame on my first off-road compete!

Ride well, whatever you choose!

Answer 4

I mountain bike in Utah and I ride have a Giant with hydraulic disc brakes and have rode the White Rim trail in Canyonlands three times with it.
All my friends ride TREK bicycles and the love them. And people in Utah recommend Fischer Bikes too...but they cost more $$$.
None of my friends like Specialize bicycles.
Everyone's body is made different. Try out different bikes and find the one that fits you the best.
Don't buy an iron horse! Some bicycles are heavy!!!
Also, there are professionals who can fit you to your bike.
They will adjust your handle bars & seat, so that you can increase your performance.

Answer 5

Hi Cobber, I have a Giant brand Elwood hybred bike that I use on/off road, very comfortable and strong. I put slime in the tubes(liquid latex), from the bike shop, Big W sellit also, it seals the tube if you get a nail or bindy seed stuck in it.

Answer 6

Around $1800...ok...I have a Trek 6500 Hardtail MTB, and it goes sweet lol. Very very nice to ride, and I ride a lot. Otherwise you can go up to a Trek 6700, depending on the cost...I paid around $1600 for my 6500, so yes...Have fun! :) If you have any other questions email me ok?
Cheers.

Answer 7

remove the seat and use plenty of lube. for safety use a condom or 2 as well. u know what i mean.wink wink