Topic: Buying a new bike and Im having a hard time deciding what to get???

[mellowme17]

+1 for test rides..

riding a bike before you make a decision plays a huge role... if it doesnt feel right you will hate it.

[Alan]

First and foremost, don't listen to anyone who tells you what bike to buy!! 

On that note...you should look into 29ers as well. 

[eclark]

 

First and foremost, don't listen to anyone who tells you what bike to buy!! 

On that note...you should look into 29ers as well. 

Ahahahaha, nice.

[mm]

Not sure where you live but A.J.'s carries both Giant and Specialized as well

[steve]

We will not let you purchase a bike without a good long test ride I have plenty of places to go so you can be sure of your purchase

[hammerhed]

Dude,  Before you buy a bike, you  look around at all the shops first.  Find a shop, a salesman, and an atmosphere that you like.  If you already ride a mountain bike, you know that mountain biking is a maintenance intensive sport.  If you don't take care of your equipment, it will soon be a pile of crap.  Therefore, in my opinion, how a shop treats you is more important than the kind of bike you buy, since MOST bikes at similar price points with similar designs are relatively the same:  Most modern mountain bikes are pretty darn good.  Yes, there are differences, but just check out the pros:  They move from brand to brand with no change in performance because in mountain and road biking, it is the motor that makes the difference!  So, check out the shops.  Do they answer your questions without making you feel like you are an idiot?  Do the salesmen act like elitist snobs?  Do they want your business.  Try to talk to the wrenches though you have to understand that they are trying to work on someone's bike...still, try, because once you buy the bike, the salesman will hand you off to the boys in the back and they become the shop.  I hope this has been helpful.  Forgive me if I've spoken to you as if you were a rank novice, but I just feel strongly about the whole shop connection thing.

[mm]

Dude,  Before you buy a bike, you  look around at all the shops first.  Find a shop, a salesman, and an atmosphere that you like.  If you already ride a mountain bike, you know that mountain biking is a maintenance intensive sport.  If you don't take care of your equipment, it will soon be a pile of crap.  Therefore, in my opinion, how a shop treats you is more important than the kind of bike you buy, since MOST bikes at similar price points with similar designs are relatively the same:  Most modern mountain bikes are pretty darn good.  Yes, there are differences, but just check out the pros:  They move from brand to brand with no change in performance because in mountain and road biking, it is the motor that makes the difference!  So, check out the shops.  Do they answer your questions without making you feel like you are an idiot?  Do the salesmen act like elitist snobs?  Do they want your business.  Try to talk to the wrenches though you have to understand that they are trying to work on someone's bike...still, try, because once you buy the bike, the salesman will hand you off to the boys in the back and they become the shop.  I hope this has been helpful.  Forgive me if I've spoken to you as if you were a rank novice, but I just feel strongly about the whole shop connection thing.

LBS spam

[Darrinw2001]

Dude,  Before you buy a bike, you  look around at all the shops first.  Find a shop, a salesman, and an atmosphere that you like.  If you already ride a mountain bike, you know that mountain biking is a maintenance intensive sport.  If you don't take care of your equipment, it will soon be a pile of crap.  Therefore, in my opinion, how a shop treats you is more important than the kind of bike you buy, since MOST bikes at similar price points with similar designs are relatively the same:  Most modern mountain bikes are pretty darn good.  Yes, there are differences, but just check out the pros:  They move from brand to brand with no change in performance because in mountain and road biking, it is the motor that makes the difference!  So, check out the shops.  Do they answer your questions without making you feel like you are an idiot?  Do the salesmen act like elitist snobs?  Do they want your business.  Try to talk to the wrenches though you have to understand that they are trying to work on someone's bike...still, try, because once you buy the bike, the salesman will hand you off to the boys in the back and they become the shop.  I hope this has been helpful.  Forgive me if I've spoken to you as if you were a rank novice, but I just feel strongly about the whole shop connection thing.

LBS spam

Oh, and What Steve does is not? At least he did not suggest what shop to go to... Go ride Barry!

[psychlyst]

it's all about the fit...and the service!my road bikes go to my old shop,they are top notch,but mtb goes to another that focuses more on off road.Build a relationship based on service and willingness to work with you.A good shop has a good selection of bikes in different sizes,and will hopefully put you on a bike that fits YOU and fills your needs,not just trying to put you on slow moving stock.

[fishindaddy]

Well as far as service goes...

I did not buy my bike at Bents, but they treat me like I have bought ten.

I busted up my rear brake and wanted to ride.  So I took it by Bents thinking (on a Saturday before Christmas) that I would have to leave it.  They were jammed with people buying bikes but still worked me in while I was waiting.  An hour later I was at Carter trying to break something else.

[chainslap]

There was a recent shootout in Mountain Bike Action (mabe November?) with the Trance, Summpy FSR and a couple others in the same class all compaired.  http://www.mbaction.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=63289F179E4146B8A311A0857F9B7444
 
I think the Stumpy has a better component/tire spec and is lighter as well.  They are both great bikes for our terrain.