I'm looking for a new 27.5 plus tired front suspension 'trail' bike. My current 26" Shimano Deore 'no suspension' Aluminum frame MTB ride just doesn't have enough traction where I ride now and it is getting to be pretty hard on my shoulders as I get older (shoulder surgery didn't help either )
I'm looking in the $1K~$1.5K retail price range and DO NOT want a full suspension bicycle. Unfortunately, I'm in East Texas and don't have access to much in the way of dealer support so, the only bicycles I have seen in person are Cannondale and of course the "local" guys all swear by the Cujo which seemed really heavy to me - like fat tire heavy. The "Beast of the East" seemed promising but, I only saw pictures of it. The other dealer really talked up Reid out of Australia (because they warehouse in Dallas ). At some point I guess I will have to go to Shreveport, Dallas or, OKC to see some other options.
A bit of help to narrow my search a bit would be appreciated! Questions to start ...
Pro and Con ...
TIA,
Sid
I'm looking in the $1K~$1.5K retail price range and DO NOT want a full suspension bicycle. Unfortunately, I'm in East Texas and don't have access to much in the way of dealer support so, the only bicycles I have seen in person are Cannondale and of course the "local" guys all swear by the Cujo which seemed really heavy to me - like fat tire heavy. The "Beast of the East" seemed promising but, I only saw pictures of it. The other dealer really talked up Reid out of Australia (because they warehouse in Dallas ). At some point I guess I will have to go to Shreveport, Dallas or, OKC to see some other options.
A bit of help to narrow my search a bit would be appreciated! Questions to start ...
Pro and Con ...
- Shimano or SRAM running gear?
- Suspension forks (what's good and what's junk)?
- Steel or Aluminum frames?
- Cannondale "IS" real or marketing hype?
- Brakes and what to avoid?
- What wheel sets are good and bad?
TIA,
Sid