"MTBScottie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:Quoted message said:Subject: Re: Opinions on Trek (specifically, 3500)? From: [email hidden] (JD) Date: 8/30/2003
2:19 PM Eastern Standard Time Message-id: <[email hidden]>
"Andy Barlow" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:I've always ridden road bikes, but since I live in an area with some
real
Quoted message said:Quoted message said:Quoted message said:nice trails, I've been thinking about picking up a mountain bike. I
was
Quoted message said:Quoted message said:Quoted message said:looking at a Trek 3500 at a local shop for $239. Looked like a pretty decent unit -- certainly
a step up from the crapola you find at
Walmart. I
Quoted message said:Quoted message said:Quoted message said:know it's got Shimano shifters, but I'm less familiar with the models
for
Quoted message said:Quoted message said:Quoted message said:mountain bikes than their road cousins. Is this a decent bike for mild trail riding? Are there
better choices in, say, the <$300 price range?
Just to clarify something: Almost every bike at every price point from every brand has Shimano
components. Shimano virtually owns the bike market. Shimano makes low-end junk for WallyMart, and
they make sublime ultra-expensive jewels of component engineering (DuraAce, XTR), and all points in
between. There are at least a dozen different "component groups" made by Shimano, at all price and
quality levels. So, when you say a bike has "Shimano shifters" - that's not meaningful. If you say,
"it has Shimano Deore shifters," then we know what you're talking about. It's not your fault:
Shimano knows full well the value of their brand name. It's sometimes difficult to tell what you
have on the low-end bikes. They don't mark their OEM components very clearly, and this is done
intentionally.
To educate yourself on the various quality levels and differences/similarities, have a look at some
bikes out of your price range. There you will begin to see more distinctions.
FWIW: Low-end Shimano components work great in most riding conditions. You don't need 9 cogs on the
rear wheel. 7 or 8 cogs are fine. You can go just as fast, and climb just as well as the 27-speed
bikes on a 21-speed bike.
Quoted message said:Quoted message said:Bicycle company brand names and constantly suggesting specifc ones are the sure sign of magazine
hype-fed losers
Baloney. Most brands have qualities that can be generalized (thus recommended, or avoided). Certain
specific bikes (even in certain model years) are are an excellent value at given price points. It's
neither hype, nor magic. It's just smart shopping, and being aware of the market. Not that hard.
Bikes and components don't change that much from year to year, either, so it's not that risky to
generalize. A 2001 Stumpjumper isn't that different from a 2003 Stumpjumper.
Quoted message said:Quoted message said:Go ride as many entry level bicycles as you can and buy the one that fits you and your
needs best.
Agreed. That's sensible advice.
Quoted message said:Quoted message said:When certain goobers parrot one brand name 45 times in a few weeks, you know thay are just
another internet e-diot.
If I recommend Kona bikes, it's because I really like their offerings (and have owned several Kona
bikes). Giant is another company that I recommend without reservation (and have owned and ridden).
Both are value leaders in the market, and should have dealers in most areas.
Barry
