I need to get hold of a MTB for this winter and to use in some adventure races. As a student I don’t swim in cash and I have a budget of about 1000, maybe less, but definately not more.
My parents are moving back from the states to Norway in 2 months and I was considering transfering funds to them, as I can save a bundle on buying it over there.
However, my knowledge of MTB’s is rather lacking. So any helpful tips are greatly appreciated. The bike will be used mainly on asphalt / hardgravel roads, but occasionally in the mud. Don’t believe that I require discbrakes.
first I would say go over to mtbr.com and browse their message board, maybe check out the reviews after that, much better info than here. Buy a couple of mtn bike magazines while your at it as well.
That being said, mtn bikes are like road or tri bikes, there are a lot of people making them and you really can’t go all that wrong. For under $1,000 new you can cross out any boutique type builders, Turner, Santa Cruz, Ellsworth that many people will tell you to check out. You’re probably looking at a mid-range Specialized, Trek, maybe a Jamis or Rocky Mountain or some of the other small brands sourcing thier frames out of the orient. Bang for your buck avoid Trek and Specialized but you might find it easier locating a shop and trying out the bikes. You can get some pretty sweet bikes on-line say at Supergo, Cambria or maybe Jenson but you probably won’t be able to test ride them.
$1,000 is a good budget for a nice hardtail with quality components, a fork you won’t have to upgrade and wheels that won’t taco on you the first time out. You can also go dual suspension at this price point although you won’t get a really nice component package on a dual suspension for under $1,000 and the weight will probably be a bit high even on a “cross country” full suspension at this price.
Staying mainly on asphalt/hardpack/a little mud probably go hardtail. Disk brakes are cool and almost standard equipment but you are right you probably don’t need them. I love mine though, quality and consistant stopping in all conditions. A fork with lockout is nice when you’re on the road. Maybe some riser bars as it doesn’t sound like you’re going to be doing any hardcore XC racing. Deore/XT level components at that price point, probably easier to adjust and more durable then thier more expensive XTR counterparts anyways.
Check out the Felt RXC. The same bike Jamie Whitmore uses in XTerra and but several adverture racing athletes. THe superlight frame is complimented by a fork with lockout and a Deore/XT component mix. This is the same frame we use on our $2400 bike. The bike uses V-brakes, but there is a disc version coming for 2006.
Let me know if you’d like help finding a local dealer with one in stock for a test ride.