...Okay, well I don't NEED a bike, but I do REALLY REALLY want one. I've wanted a MTB for probably over three years now and the want is greater that ever!
I joined this site a while back and lurk on here and MTBR quite frequently, and just can't stop wanting a bike! And now I really want a nice quality bike because after just wanting for so long, I got my friend into wanting one too. Long story short, this past fall we took the two ten year old rigid's he had in his garage that we pulled from the depths. The one I rode was a Specialized Hardrock and he had a Trek Jetta edition. We got some new tires and tubes, and went and hit up Hartshorne(I'm within 20 minutes from there). The bikes only lasted us three rides, as on the third ride, the rim on the Spec. was so badly bent and the brakes out of alignment that it was cutting a hole in the tire so I rode across the park back to the car with no back brake. So those bikes are out of commission, and we're both ready to get some nice new rides! And I'm ready to do it right!! (And not let this one get to the state these bikes were!)
Phew. So anyway, I'm finally ready to bite the bullet and drop some nice cash on a good bike. I'm willing to spend a little upwards of $2000, probably about $2500 max. I emphasize about because the one bike I already have in mind is $2600. I'll first admit I was pretty much decided on getting an Ibex, which I'm guessing some of you have heard of. It's the internet brand which I know causes some controversy, but that's for another thread. The bike had a really nice build spec, and looked to be a nice ride, so that's why I thought I had decided. Anyway, when they released images of their bike, DW-Link tried to hit them with patent infringement, and being a small company, they didn't want to fight it, so they are scrapping the '08 model of the bike I was going to get. So that has sent me back out on the prowl for a new bike.
I guess I should tell you what I'm looking for and give you some info...I'm a college student from Lincroft, currently attending Brookdale Community College. I'm about 5'10"-5'11" and about 180lbs. My home trail, I guess you could call it, as I'll probably ride there most frequently, is as I mentioned, Hartshorne. I'm looking for a nice FS rig, aimed towards all mountain and preferably/perhaps the stronger side of AM, sliding slightly towards a light-FR bike, as I'd want to occasionally go to Diablo to mess around and don't have money for two bikes....
Annnnywayyyy.....The model I am considering thus far is a Giant Reign X1 (For those interested, http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/mountain/1284/29380/ ). I was/am thinking I'm kind of settled on this bike, but figured I'd take some opinions from some local knowledgeable folks like yourselves before spending this much on a bike, which all my friends think I am nuts for doing. (But what do they know, they've never even tried mountain biking!) I like the build on this bike, and to my somewhat small knowledge looks pretty solid. Strong enough to handle some trips to Diablo, and nice for the descents at Hartshorne, and apparently from the reviews I've read, not a terrible climber either! But the only thing is, I think of a lot of the other trails around here the I'm bound to travel to. Six Mile, Allaire, and others, that I have not personally been to, but have read about, seen pictures and videos of, and they seem pretty flat to me. So really, what all this is getting at, is do you guys think this bike is kind of overkill? Like I said, I would like something a little burlier like this, and I wouldn't have a problem having to push myself to carry the extra weight up hills, but don't know if this is perhaps a little TOO much...?
So I guess what am asking is what do you guys think of this bike and it suiting my needs? Any personal experience? Any opinions really? If not, perhaps suggestions to similar bikes to check out and research? Anything really to help point me in the right direction to finally getting a bike!!
Thanks in advance for any help!
Scott D.
....Wow, just meant for this to be a short little "help me out/suggestions/opinions" post, turned into a life story. Thanks for putting up with that, lol.
I joined this site a while back and lurk on here and MTBR quite frequently, and just can't stop wanting a bike! And now I really want a nice quality bike because after just wanting for so long, I got my friend into wanting one too. Long story short, this past fall we took the two ten year old rigid's he had in his garage that we pulled from the depths. The one I rode was a Specialized Hardrock and he had a Trek Jetta edition. We got some new tires and tubes, and went and hit up Hartshorne(I'm within 20 minutes from there). The bikes only lasted us three rides, as on the third ride, the rim on the Spec. was so badly bent and the brakes out of alignment that it was cutting a hole in the tire so I rode across the park back to the car with no back brake. So those bikes are out of commission, and we're both ready to get some nice new rides! And I'm ready to do it right!! (And not let this one get to the state these bikes were!)
Phew. So anyway, I'm finally ready to bite the bullet and drop some nice cash on a good bike. I'm willing to spend a little upwards of $2000, probably about $2500 max. I emphasize about because the one bike I already have in mind is $2600. I'll first admit I was pretty much decided on getting an Ibex, which I'm guessing some of you have heard of. It's the internet brand which I know causes some controversy, but that's for another thread. The bike had a really nice build spec, and looked to be a nice ride, so that's why I thought I had decided. Anyway, when they released images of their bike, DW-Link tried to hit them with patent infringement, and being a small company, they didn't want to fight it, so they are scrapping the '08 model of the bike I was going to get. So that has sent me back out on the prowl for a new bike.
I guess I should tell you what I'm looking for and give you some info...I'm a college student from Lincroft, currently attending Brookdale Community College. I'm about 5'10"-5'11" and about 180lbs. My home trail, I guess you could call it, as I'll probably ride there most frequently, is as I mentioned, Hartshorne. I'm looking for a nice FS rig, aimed towards all mountain and preferably/perhaps the stronger side of AM, sliding slightly towards a light-FR bike, as I'd want to occasionally go to Diablo to mess around and don't have money for two bikes....
Annnnywayyyy.....The model I am considering thus far is a Giant Reign X1 (For those interested, http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/mountain/1284/29380/ ). I was/am thinking I'm kind of settled on this bike, but figured I'd take some opinions from some local knowledgeable folks like yourselves before spending this much on a bike, which all my friends think I am nuts for doing. (But what do they know, they've never even tried mountain biking!) I like the build on this bike, and to my somewhat small knowledge looks pretty solid. Strong enough to handle some trips to Diablo, and nice for the descents at Hartshorne, and apparently from the reviews I've read, not a terrible climber either! But the only thing is, I think of a lot of the other trails around here the I'm bound to travel to. Six Mile, Allaire, and others, that I have not personally been to, but have read about, seen pictures and videos of, and they seem pretty flat to me. So really, what all this is getting at, is do you guys think this bike is kind of overkill? Like I said, I would like something a little burlier like this, and I wouldn't have a problem having to push myself to carry the extra weight up hills, but don't know if this is perhaps a little TOO much...?
So I guess what am asking is what do you guys think of this bike and it suiting my needs? Any personal experience? Any opinions really? If not, perhaps suggestions to similar bikes to check out and research? Anything really to help point me in the right direction to finally getting a bike!!
Thanks in advance for any help!
Scott D.
....Wow, just meant for this to be a short little "help me out/suggestions/opinions" post, turned into a life story. Thanks for putting up with that, lol.