To be more specific, I have a Raleigh Mojave 4.0. With the trails i'm riding now, it's just not cutting it for me. I found a one year old Kona Kikapu thats in great shape, for only $500. The Mojave 4.0 and the Kikapu are both considered entry level bikes, but I'm pretty sure the Kikapu has nicer components. Does anyone know if theres a difference in quality between entry level hardtails and dual suspensions?
2007-11-05 10:05:14 · 6 answers · asked by chuckit104 1 in Sports ➔ Cycling
The Mojave 4.0 is the nicer bike. Lighter, more efficient.
Are you exceeding the capabilities of the bike or yourself? I suggest that you practice flexing elbows, knees, wrists, shoulders and ankles and learning to help the bike move over the terrain. Stay off the saddle when negotiating coarse terrain.
Keep in mind that full suspension bikes are much less efficient with your power, heavier, and generally specced lower than the same priced hardtail.
2007-11-05 11:22:36 · answer #1 · answered by bikeworks 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok, first off, that is an EXCELLENT price for a one-year-old Kikapu as long as no parts have been swapped for cheaper stuff and as long as it isn't damaged. If you go for that bike, be sure that the rear shock is tight (and the forks, too). The Kikapu has some cheaper stock parts on it, but it's a very upgrade-worthy frame so as things wear out you can buy nicer parts if you want to. Pretty much everything on it will be nicer than what you're used to, so if you're sure you want full suspension, I'd say you found a sweet deal.
As far as your actual question.....it's hard to answer that. It depends on what level of entry-level you mean, y'know? :o)
The Kona is entry-level full suspension, but on a higher level than, say, the $100 to $500 cheapie full suspension bikes. You can't even compare them well, honestly.
Hardtails.....you have a decent entry-level one, but with hardtails, as you go up in price the quality skyrockets fast. The difference between a $300 hardtail and a $500 is pretty vast. You can get a really nice hardtail with great components for $800 to $1100. A full suspension frame with the same stuff will go for $1300 to $2200. This is because of the complexity in design of the frame....engineering and manufacturing take longer and cost more in both time and materials, not to mention the additional cost of the rear shock.
I hope that helps some. Just remember to break down bikes by frame style, then component quality....keeping in mind that overall design and material quality affect the cost of both aspects first. Good luck with that Kona if you get it!
2007-11-05 21:47:05 · answer #2 · answered by Ride!Urban 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually, an entry level hardtail will be better than an entry level full suspension.
The deal about full suspension when theyre cheap is that the shock will likely work pretty lousy, will be heavy and not really work to provide the traction and control that a mid to high level full suspension bikes.
But if the Kikapu is in really good shape, then that's a good price, I think. But I would think that the Kikapu I wouldn't consider as an entry level bike, meaning that the msrp will likely be a lot higher. So you do have a nice choice.
2007-11-05 11:48:33 · answer #3 · answered by Roberto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In general an entry level hard tail will be a better bike than the same level dual.
2007-11-07 23:10:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hard tail will give you better components for the buck. Its simple math really; full suspension means two suspension elements to pay for and maintain. The money you save by not having rear suspension can be put where you need it; WHEELS and CRANKS.......
2007-11-05 20:30:49 · answer #5 · answered by M V 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go for hardtail . Dual suspension thanks to low quality on entry level bicycle sucks .
2007-11-05 14:52:25 · answer #6 · answered by Vladimir 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋