If you were going to buy new, what one?

[OutCole'd]

Felt Nine 70
http://m.feltbicycles.com/productcatalog/product/1/82497

Giant Talon 29er
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/talon.29er/18770/76227/

Specialized Rockhopper 29er
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/rockhopper/rockhopper-29

I'd like to keep it under $800 budget. Any suggestions?
Thanks

 

[Hammer]

I have that exact same Giant 29er



Been more then happy with it. Only upgrade were the pedals

My budget was around 800 also. Pedals were well worth the 60 bucks or so. Great platform for a starter bike and a good candidate if you choose to add better components down the road.

 

[Luvnlife]

I have really liked my Specialized. Zero problems, maintenance only except a couple parts that wore out.

 

[Skinny Tire AH]

I have really liked my Specialized. Zero problems, maintenance only except a couple parts that wore out.

I agree. I really like the Specialized brand. Customer service is off the charts. They offer a complete line of bikes from 10K all the way down to a few hundred. That said, I think any of the top brands are good. Stay out of the retailers and use a LBS (local bike shop) they can suggest, fit and send you out the door ready to ride.

I think finding a shop with a bunch of 2014 (or even 2013 leftovers) will be happy to discount the hell out of something. Try to stay with 29, suspension, is really up to you. carbon wheels are a really bitchin upgrade that can be had for much less than you may think. That is exactly where to remove weight from a bike (think flywheel weight). Look at ONLY aluminum and carbon frames. They will not put you much higher, dollar wise than where you are.

If you think you will stay with the sport, buy the bike you like and want, if you are just "testing the waters" buy a CL bike some other guy took a bath on. You can buy it, ride it and if you dislike it or want to upgrade, you can get out of it and either get your money back or even make a hundred bucks.

Bikes saved my life. 28 years ago Thanksgiving day, I quit drinking, smoking and dipping. I was a fucking mess. I would be dead or divorced and broke. I'm now 53 and in better physical condition than the day I graduated from high school. But, everyone is looking for something different in bikes, I found life and family.

Best,

Steve

 

[Skinny Tire AH]

Felt Nine 70
http://m.feltbicycles.com/productcatalog/product/1/82497

Giant Talon 29er
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/talon.29er/18770/76227/

Specialized Rockhopper 29er
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/rockhopper/rockhopper-29

I'd like to keep it under $800 budget. Any suggestions?
Thanks

To answer your question, from those three, I would probably by the Specialized. The Giant is also a great value, Just my personal preference goes for "S"

Further, looking at the specs for both, the Giant is a 9 speed rear and the Specialized is an 8. Not a huge difference but those gears are nice to have when you need em'.

 

[OutCole'd]

I agree. I really like the Specialized brand. Customer service is off the charts. They offer a complete line of bikes from 10K all the way down to a few hundred. That said, I think any of the top brands are good. Stay out of the retailers and use a LBS (local bike shop) they can suggest, fit and send you out the door ready to ride.

I think finding a shop with a bunch of 2014 (or even 2013 leftovers) will be happy to discount the hell out of something. Try to stay with 29, suspension, is really up to you. carbon wheels are a really bitchin upgrade that can be had for much less than you may think. That is exactly where to remove weight from a bike (think flywheel weight). Look at ONLY aluminum and carbon frames. They will not put you much higher, dollar wise than where you are.

If you think you will stay with the sport, buy the bike you like and want, if you are just "testing the waters" buy a CL bike some other guy took a bath on. You can buy it, ride it and if you dislike it or want to upgrade, you can get out of it and either get your money back or even make a hundred bucks.

Bikes saved my life. 28 years ago Thanksgiving day, I quit drinking, smoking and dipping. I was a fucking mess. I would be dead or divorced and broke. I'm now 53 and in better physical condition than the day I graduated from high school. But, everyone is looking for something different in bikes, I found life and family.

Best,

Steve

To answer your question, from those three, I would probably by the Specialized. The Giant is also a great value, Just my personal preference goes for "S"

Further, looking at the specs for both, the Giant is a 9 speed rear and the Specialized is an 8. Not a huge difference but those gears are nice to have when you need em'.

Thanks!!

I have had no luck on CL yet, lot's of junk, close to the price of new, or bikes way above my ability...

Definitely buying local!:thumbup: I've been to a few shops, the Specialized dealer was not very interested, more of a tourist shop selling tours and bike rentals. Couldn't get the time of day from their employee's. The Felt and Giant shop was awesome. Guy was more than willing to spend time with me even though he knew I wasn't buying that day. So that's the direction I'm leaning.

 

[Skinny Tire AH]

Thanks!!

I have had no luck on CL yet, lot's of junk, close to the price of new, or bikes way above my ability...

Definitely buying local!:thumbup: I've been to a few shops, the Specialized dealer was not very interested, more of a tourist shop selling tours and bike rentals. Couldn't get the time of day from their employee's. The Felt and Giant shop was awesome. Guy was more than willing to spend time with me even though he knew I wasn't buying that day. So that's the direction I'm leaning.

To be completely honest, Specialized dealers here are the same way. They tend to look down their noses at a guy that wants an entry level machine. Big mistake.

Go for it!!

 

[Hammer]

Thanks!!

I have had no luck on CL yet, lot's of junk, close to the price of new, or bikes way above my ability...

Definitely buying local!:thumbup: I've been to a few shops, the Specialized dealer was not very interested, more of a tourist shop selling tours and bike rentals. Couldn't get the time of day from their employee's. The Felt and Giant shop was awesome. Guy was more than willing to spend time with me even though he knew I wasn't buying that day. So that's the direction I'm leaning.

To be completely honest, Specialized dealers here are the same way. They tend to look down their noses at a guy that wants an entry level machine. Big mistake.

Go for it!!

When I was shopping around the Specalized shop wouldn't give me the time of day either. When I mentioned budget he completely lost interest and I was the only customer in the shop... :thumbdown: giant was great and didn't try to up sell me on something I didn't need. Left with the 29er on the spot...

 

[Sharp Shooter]

My suggestion is to test ride them all.

 

[Luvnlife]

To be completely honest, Specialized dealers here are the same way. They tend to look down their noses at a guy that wants an entry level machine. Big mistake.

Go for it!!

It's like buying an Eliminator or DCB. Once you get one you are in the club LOL.

This is no way a slam on either manufacturers customer service. Thank You

 

[BaileyP]

Thanks!!

I have had no luck on CL yet, lot's of junk, close to the price of new, or bikes way above my ability...

Definitely buying local!:thumbup: I've been to a few shops, the Specialized dealer was not very interested, more of a tourist shop selling tours and bike rentals. Couldn't get the time of day from their employee's. The Felt and Giant shop was awesome. Guy was more than willing to spend time with me even though he knew I wasn't buying that day. So that's the direction I'm leaning.

There's a small shop in Henderson that only deals Specialized bikes. The owner Mike is there pretty much all week except Sun/Mon he's a good guy he will take good care of you the shop is called Aspen Creek it's up off Horizon Ridge between Stephanie and Valle Verde if that's not too far from you.

 

[OutCole'd]

There's a small shop in Henderson that only deals Specialized bikes. The owner Mike is there pretty much all week except Sun/Mon he's a good guy he will take good care of you the shop is called Aspen Creek it's up off Horizon Ridge between Stephanie and Valle Verde if that's not too far from you.

Thanks, i'll give them a call.

 

[FlatNv]

Did you find anything? picked this up few weeks ago, used. Been a blast getting on a bike again:thumbup:

if still looking try southwest bikes out by me, they rent and sale there rentals

 

[OutCole'd]

Did you find anything? picked this up few weeks ago, used. Been a blast getting on a bike again:thumbup:

if still looking try southwest bikes out by me, they rent and sale there rentals

Not yet, getting close. I'll be getting something in the next few weeks, we need to go do a ride once i get back on it. I've been loking for a used bike on CL, figure i can get something a year or two old and save a few bucks. If the right bike does not come up soon, i'll go new.

 

[Howardflat]

I just bought a specialized for my girlfriend here in boulder city at all mountain cyclery. Good guys and willing to spend the time with you.

 

[h2o225]

My youngest son (17) started a mountain bike club at his school this year. So while looking at bike we went with the Superfly 8. The bike is awesome for him but not cheap. at $1600.00 he got a discount through trek. His first race is this Saturday. He pretty much blew my old GT all to hell. So now I get to look for a new bike.