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Xterra racing Mountain Bike recommendations...
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 2008-04-23 1:13 PM |
 Subject: Xterra racing Mountain Bike recommendations...So just this weekend at a sprint triathlon I find out that not even a 1/2 mile from my house is an Xterra triathlon in August. So, of course, I had to sign up immediately. This thing is literally being held in my backyard. I did a LOT of research before purchasing my first triathlon bike and confidently decided on and purchased a Cervelo P2 SL. I am looking for the same thing in a racing mountain bike. Meaning: the best bang for the buck. I am going to 100% use the mountain bike for racing and training to race solely. Hardtail is fine as I want something light and I don't wanna break the bank. I would really I'd like to stay under $800.00 I looked at a Gary Fisher marlin disc, similar Trek's and Specialized bikes -- but they are all around 31 lbs and I'm not sure how competitive I can realistically be with a 31 lb bike. During my sprint this weekend I averaged over 23mph on my Cervelo, and the reason I bought a Cervelo P2 SL was because at the end of the day it was the cheapest bike that still would allow me a chance to podium. I really would like the same thing in a racing mountain bike and so far my researching has not shown anything like this. Please help fellow BT off-road triathletes!
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 2008-04-23 1:17 PM in reply to: #1357291 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
| 2008-04-23 1:23 PM in reply to: #1357291 |
Master 1610    Kirkland, WA | Subject: RE: Xterra racing Mountain Bike recommendations... mountain bikes will weigh more then road/tri, especially if you go for full suspension. full suspension bikes are nice, it makes for a fun downhill, but you can also muscle them uphill (as long as you don't get a 40 lb downhill only bike). i have a trek fuel that we got off of ebay about 5 years ago for $800 ish, and i really like it. granted, i have had some derailler problems, but i have put 500-600 miles on it atleast, all on the mountain. mountain biking is a lot of fun, its just a lot different then road -- much slower, and much more technical. |
| 2008-04-23 1:24 PM in reply to: #1357291 |
Regular 80 Tampa | Subject: RE: Xterra racing Mountain Bike recommendations... Deore LX or better, but that'll be hard for $800 if you stay with the big brands... Here's one that's do nicely: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_comp08.htm |
| 2008-04-23 1:25 PM in reply to: #1357300 |
| Subject: RE: Xterra racing Mountain Bike recommendations... |
| 2008-04-23 1:26 PM in reply to: #1357326 |
| Subject: RE: Xterra racing Mountain Bike recommendations... I'm suspect about Motobecanes Quality Control and welding.... |
| 2008-04-23 1:28 PM in reply to: #1357291 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
| 2008-04-23 1:33 PM in reply to: #1357346 |
| Subject: RE: Xterra racing Mountain Bike recommendations... I have ZERO off-road biking experience, but decent off-road running experience. Four months ago I had zero road biking experience and I'm haulin with it now. I'm a born adventurer...
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| 2008-04-23 1:34 PM in reply to: #1357346 |
| Subject: RE: Xterra racing Mountain Bike recommendations... If anyone knows a name brand sub $1k bike that's around 25 lbs, please let me know.
Edited by Dream Chaser 2008-04-23 1:35 PM |
| 2008-04-23 1:36 PM in reply to: #1357291 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
| 2008-04-23 1:40 PM in reply to: #1357374 |
| Subject: RE: Xterra racing Mountain Bike recommendations... wgraves7582 - 2008-04-23 2:36 PM I hear you! All those brands you mentioned are good. Components are going to be key for your bike though. A lot different shifting and breaking going over rocks and roots and all that good stuff. I would definitely look at the 2007 models if you can still find any around you if you want new. If you don't mind used you will definitely find a good bike for that price. Good luck with the training. I am sending my application in tomorrow. Thanks man. Good luck. And I have no problem buying used. |
| 2008-04-23 1:44 PM in reply to: #1357291 |
Champion 16151 Checkin' out the podium girls | Subject: RE: Xterra racing Mountain Bike recommendations... Ellsworth sub-22. The name tells it all. The dream bike for XC racing. |
| 2008-04-23 1:45 PM in reply to: #1357291 |
| Extreme Veteran 452 GA | Subject: RE: Xterra racing Mountain Bike recommendations... yeah, it would certainly be tough to get a light, race bike "out of the box" for $800, but you can definitely get a bike to race for $800. as others have said, its really the level of components that add the weight. you can knock 6-8 lbs off of a bike by upgrading tires, wheels, fork, and crankset. |
| 2008-04-23 1:54 PM in reply to: #1357387 |
| Regular 80 Tampa | Subject: RE: Xterra racing Mountain Bike recommendations... Dream Chaser - 2008-04-23 2:40 PM And I have no problem buying used. But buying from a well known company with a lifetime warranty is suspect.  There are plently of people of this site who'll vouch for Motobecane and Bikes Direct. I dont own one but I see them at races/xterras and people love em...especially for the price. The Fly Pro with an XT drivetrain and 22lb at $999 is a great XC race bike... I agree with the above, though. buy the best you can afford and upgrade to lighter components as needed... BTW, good choice on the P2SL. got mine last winter... |
| 2008-04-23 2:08 PM in reply to: #1357363 |
Champion 9060 Charlottesville, Virginia | Subject: RE: Xterra racing Mountain Bike recommendations... Dream Chaser - 2008-04-23 2:33 PM I have ZERO off-road biking experience, but decent off-road running experience. Four months ago I had zero road biking experience and I'm haulin with it now. I'm a born adventurer...
Might want to see how techinical the course is, I have see a few Xterra coursed listed as tough for even the experienced. Alot different then riding the road bike. |
| 2008-04-23 2:12 PM in reply to: #1357291 |
| Champion 6786 Two seat rocket plane | Subject: RE: Xterra racing Mountain Bike recommendations... Race bikes are usually expensive. That's true whether you're going to race on the road or off. $800 is on the low-end of the budget scale for a race bike, particulary a new one. I do know a couple of folks who race on Fisher Marlins. That said, marlin does not equal P2SL. 31 lbs isn't that heavy for a $800 bike, and the frame is probably upgrade worthy. |
| 2008-04-23 2:29 PM in reply to: #1357492 |
| Regular 80 Tampa | Subject: RE: Xterra racing Mountain Bike recommendations... ride_like_u_stole_it - 2008-04-23 3:12 PM Race bikes are usually expensive. That's true whether you're going to race on the road or off. $800 is on the low-end of the budget scale for a race bike, particulary a new one. I do know a couple of folks who race on Fisher Marlins. That said, marlin does not equal P2SL. 31 lbs isn't that heavy for a $800 bike, and the frame is probably upgrade worthy. Agreed. I raced my first Xterra on Tassajara, which is the same frame as the marlin. Although, I had removed the drivetrain making it a singlespeed. I now ride a portly steel SS. Any quality XC alu frame with future upgrades will get you what you want... |
| 2008-04-23 2:33 PM in reply to: #1357291 |
| Subject: RE: Xterra racing Mountain Bike recommendations... Awesome. Thanks everyone. |
| 2008-04-23 3:35 PM in reply to: #1357291 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
| 2008-04-23 4:01 PM in reply to: #1357291 |
| Expert 937 Traverse Cityish | Subject: RE: Xterra racing Mountain Bike recommendations... All of us can throw suggestions off the cuff, but your best bet is to go to a local mountain bike race and chat with folks there. Find out if the preferred bike in your area is a full suspension or a hard tail. What are the fast guys in sport and expert racing? Are they 26" wheels or 29" wheels? If full suspension, how much travel. The bottom line is there is no one perfect answer to this. Me living in Michigan a hard tail is all I need or even a rigid 29" wheel bike. A guy in Colorado is going to say full suspension all the way. If it were me buying a race bike for Michigan, I'd be going with a Cannondale CaffeineF3 or F4 model, or I'd just buy a KHS team frame off ebay for $270 and build it up with whatever I want. The key is to spend a bit more to get a good frame worth upgrading the parts on. If you start out with a clunker frame you can upgrade to lighter parts all you want, but it's still a clunker frame. A great frame with mid range to low end parts can be built into a super light racer over a couple years without breaking the bank. |
| 2008-04-23 6:02 PM in reply to: #1357291 |
| Member 78 Oviedo, FL | Subject: RE: Xterra racing Mountain Bike recommendations... I have a Motobecane Fantom trail, the quality seems great too me. I use it on the trail, and the road to train for tris. I am very rough with it on the trail, lots of roots, high jumps, falls (of course), and stream crossings. Trust me you will not break a moto trail bike. Some of the guys I ride with have nicer offerings from moto, and they are quite light. I raced in my first tri 2 weeks ago, and I got 3rd place in the MTB division. I had the 2nd fastest bike split, to a guy with a really nice felt, and clip in shoes. I like moto for their MTBs, but I wouldnt buy a tri bike from them. The only reason I would buy a road bike from them is to use the components on a more advanced frame. Their frames are not aero at all. Face it you are going to treat your MTB like s**t. MTB frames only have to be strong. They dont have to look pretty. |
| 2008-04-23 7:32 PM in reply to: #1358189 |
| Subject: RE: Xterra racing Mountain Bike recommendations... evomike1 - The only reason I would buy a road bike from them is to use the components on a more advanced frame. Their frames are not aero at all. Face it you are going to treat your MTB like s**t. MTB frames only have to be strong. They dont have to look pretty. I'm starting to think of my future mountain bike as an ugly mistress. She'll never be as pretty as my P2 SL; she'll get half the attention; and the only time I'll spend with her is for a quickie in the woods once a week Motobecane is looking better and better as far as high-end components, light frame, and cheap price... thanks again everyone for some eggcellent feedback. |
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