Help me buy a bike.
- Thread starter DirtRoads
- Start date
Christophe Noel
Expedition Leader
By the way, that GT you have is from the tail end of the glory years of GT - and that's a good thing. In my years in shops, I sold a boat load of Karakorums, Tequestas, and Zaskars. I miss that brand as a top tier brand.
I would still say, reserve some cash for all the ancillary items that make riding fun. The upgrade from an SLX derailleur to an XT derailleur may set you back over $100 and not do a thing to make your rides better, but maybe dropping that $100 on new shoes might make your rides way better.
Yessir that's what I've been told. I plan to keep the old girl around but she was a hand-me-down and not really the right size for me, hence the replacement. Still rides well and is a fun bike though.
Thanks for the advice, it seems like so many people get hung up on the brands and the technology that focus shifts.
Thanks for the advice, it seems like so many people get hung up on the brands and the technology that focus shifts.
Hi Dirtroads,
Flounder is steering you so right it's not fair! he's spot on.
I have moved from a $6,000 Carbon Ibis Mojo, to a $700 Haro Mary 1x9 steel 29er hardtail, and I cannot tell you I'm having any less fun! I sold the expensive bike when my son was born and when I started a new business, and I have not looked back. Now I ride the trails hard, and guess what; my bike rack for the baby seat is still on there for when I take the little dude on the rail trail.
Point is, buy what you need, not as much what you want; and don't get lost in the newest fads. A solid bike is all you need.
Flounder is steering you so right it's not fair! he's spot on.
I have moved from a $6,000 Carbon Ibis Mojo, to a $700 Haro Mary 1x9 steel 29er hardtail, and I cannot tell you I'm having any less fun! I sold the expensive bike when my son was born and when I started a new business, and I have not looked back. Now I ride the trails hard, and guess what; my bike rack for the baby seat is still on there for when I take the little dude on the rail trail.
Point is, buy what you need, not as much what you want; and don't get lost in the newest fads. A solid bike is all you need.
Cackalak Han
Explorer
I think the Rockhopper is a solid choice. If you test rode and like the ride, you've found your bike. As far as the trim, I'd stick to the Expert. Fork difference is marginal and I like the Shimano brakes better than Avid Juicy 3's. I'd even look at the Comp model, if you ever see yourself trying out singlespeeding. (A bit confusing why Spec decided to only equip the Comp model with sliding drops and not the others).
Here's a quick update for all of the viewers who have been glued to their screens for the last few weeks. I ordered the bike two weeks ago from my local bike shop, MOAB (Murfreesboro Outdoor and Bike). The bike came in last Thursday, but unfortunately Specialized sent the wrong one 
.
The shop got everything straightened out and a Rockhopper Expert 29er should be arriving tomorrow and be ready for pickup on Friday :wings:. I have had trouble sleeping because of the excitement ever since I placed the order and it's only getting worse. My girlfriend is about done with me because it's all that I feel like talking about.
An interesting little story to add here. Last Sunday I went to ride a local (rocky) trail and met a guy in the parking lot who was riding the exact same bike that I am waiting on. I got to talking to him and we ran the trails together. Watching him cruise on those 29 inch wheels while I was fighting with my 26's really made me that much more excited.
CAN'T WAIT!!!!!! :bike_rider::bike_rider:
. The shop got everything straightened out and a Rockhopper Expert 29er should be arriving tomorrow and be ready for pickup on Friday :wings:. I have had trouble sleeping because of the excitement ever since I placed the order and it's only getting worse. My girlfriend is about done with me because it's all that I feel like talking about.
An interesting little story to add here. Last Sunday I went to ride a local (rocky) trail and met a guy in the parking lot who was riding the exact same bike that I am waiting on. I got to talking to him and we ran the trails together. Watching him cruise on those 29 inch wheels while I was fighting with my 26's really made me that much more excited.
CAN'T WAIT!!!!!! :bike_rider::bike_rider: