Beginner overkill?

Don't ask me my last bike was $2,800....don't regret it at all and I still feel like a beginner.

I say get the best bike you can afford. Nothing more frustrating than trail repairs when your riding
time is limited.

Dean Stepper Laguna Beach, CA

"Brett Jaffee" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi all,

I've been riding for around 2 months, and I have a question about getting

a

Quoted message said:

new bike in the next few months.

Some background first: The bike I'm currently riding is a '93 or '94 Giant Sedona, with a Manitu 1
(I think) fork that has about 1" of travel. Lots of stuff is worn or wearing out. The shifters
stick, and the gears are totally worn because the previous owner never replaced the chain.

I did buy an Azonic riser bar and a new stem to replace the straight bar and 0 degree stem this
bike used to have, but I'm really trying to avoid putting any more money into this bike.

So...a new bike. I'd like to go full suspension, and I was looking at bikes like the lower end
Giant NRS's and similar...something around $1200, I guess. But, is that like total overkill for a
beginer like me? I

expect

Quoted message said:

to keep the bike for a long time, so I'm assuming it will be worth it. I don't expect that it will
make me a better rider, or anything like that, but I do assume it will make it more fun then on my
semi-ancient hardtail. What do you think?

BTW, For perspective as far as where/how I'm riding, I'm in the Los Angeles/Ventura CA area, and I
mostly have been riding in Malibu Creek

park

Quoted message said:

(and the vicincity, as it's right near where I live), Chesebro canyon, and Big Sycamore Canyon.
I'm still pretty out of shape, but getting better (a LOT better from when I started), and I'm able
to do minor technical stuff. My rides are usally 1-2.5 hours long.

"Brett Jaffee" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi all,

<snip rationalisation>

Quoted message said:

So...a new bike. I'd like to go full suspension, and I was looking at bikes like the lower end
Giant NRS's and similar...something around $1200, I guess. But, is that like total overkill for a
beginer like me? I

expect

Quoted message said:

to keep the bike for a long time, so I'm assuming it will be worth it. I don't expect that it will
make me a better rider, or anything like that, but I do assume it will make it more fun then on my
semi-ancient hardtail. What do you think?

It's not overkill if you use it. If you ride it twice and leave it in the back of the garage you're
going to have a very expensive bike gathering dust. If you use it frequently you'll have a
sport/hobby that isn't expensive compared to some other sports. Thats assuming that your
mountainbiking hobby doesn't assume drug addict proportions and consume vast quantities of cash -
which it can and may well do.

It will be more fun and it will not make you a better rider.

Quoted message said:

BTW, For perspective as far as where/how I'm riding, I'm in the Los Angeles/Ventura CA area, and I
mostly have been riding in Malibu Creek

park

Quoted message said:

(and the vicincity, as it's right near where I live), Chesebro canyon, and Big Sycamore Canyon.
I'm still pretty out of shape, but getting better (a LOT better from when I started), and I'm able
to do minor technical stuff. My rides are usally 1-2.5 hours long.

I ride in the Nelson area and the Rameka track is one of my favourites too - just so as you know
where/how I'm riding too ;-)
--
Westie (Replace 'invalid' with 'yahoo' when replying.)

Brett Jaffee said:

So...a new bike. I'd like to go full suspension, and I was looking at bikes like the lower end
Giant NRS's and similar...something around $1200, I guess. But, is that like total overkill for a
beginer like me? I expect to keep the bike for a long time, so I'm assuming it will be worth it. I
don't expect that it will make me a better rider, or anything like that, but I do assume it will
make it more fun then on my semi-ancient hardtail. What do you think?

If you're looking at keeping the bike for a long time, then I'd stay away from cheap FS bikes. You
can get yourself a very nice new hardtail for $1200.

--
a.m-b FAQ: j-harris.netambfaq.htmOpen ↗

b.bmx FAQ: t-online.debmx faq.htmOpen ↗

"Westie" <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

It's not overkill if you use it. If you ride it twice and leave it in the back of the garage
you're going to have a very expensive bike gathering dust.

I hope not! I'm currently (un)lucky enough to be unemployed (perhaps not the best time to buy a new
bike). I'm trying to take advantage of this by riding at least 4 days a week. Hopefully I can get
into good enough shape to have more fun riding by the time I actually have a job and can only ride
on the weekends.

Quoted message said:

It will be more fun and it will not make you a better rider.

Heh..that's all I ask!

Quoted message said:

So...a new bike. I'd like to go full suspension, and I was looking at bikes like the lower end
Giant NRS's and similar...something around $1200, I guess. But, is that like total overkill for a
beginer like me?

As long as you will enjoy and appreciate the new bike, and it sounds like you will, I say hell yeah
go for it. I went from riding a zero susp 1991 32lbs mtn bike to a 2003 FS 31 lbs $1800 mtn bike and
it has totally opened my eyes towards this sport. Night and day difference in fun factor with decent
equipment. If you make the most of the money, $1200 can buy an entry fairly decent end of the year
2003 FS bike. Be careful, but Ebay can also have great deals on new FS bikes.

Have fun. Post back on your impressions if you get a new bike. Peace out.

"Brett Jaffee" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Westie" <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

It's not overkill if you use it. If you ride it twice and leave it in the back of the garage
you're going to have a very expensive bike gathering dust.

I hope not! I'm currently (un)lucky enough to be unemployed

God, I'd love to be unemployed right now. :-) So many trails, so little time.
--
Westie (Replace 'invalid' with 'yahoo' when replying.)

Dude the Giant NRS Is a Great bike life time warranty on the frame .the lowend one are same frame
but cheaper parts,Replace as needed. If you have any luck you could get a NRS 3 for less than a
1000$ .Don't go ebay a friend bought a Trek 98 and the rear stay cracker Clydesdale rider but no
warranty .He's F*%ked.Just some insight on EBAY bike.s good luck ride the heck out of it and Get a
job more toys when employed.

--
J/O Trailblazer At large !!

Brett Jaffee scrawled in bright red lipstick:

Quoted message said:

Hi all,

I've been riding for around 2 months, and I have a question about getting a new bike in the next
few months.

Some background first: The bike I'm currently riding is a '93 or '94 Giant Sedona, with a Manitu 1
(I think) fork that has about 1" of travel. Lots of stuff is worn or wearing out. The shifters
stick, and the gears are totally worn because the previous owner never replaced the chain.

I did buy an Azonic riser bar and a new stem to replace the straight bar and 0 degree stem this
bike used to have, but I'm really trying to avoid putting any more money into this bike.

So...a new bike. I'd like to go full suspension, and I was looking at bikes like the lower end
Giant NRS's and similar...something around $1200, I guess. But, is that like total overkill for a
beginer like me? I expect to keep the bike for a long time, so I'm assuming it will be worth it. I
don't expect that it will make me a better rider, or anything like that, but I do assume it will
make it more fun then on my semi-ancient hardtail. What do you think?

For that amount of $$ you will get a much nicer hard tail than FS.

Penny S

Brett Jaffee <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hi all,

I've been riding for around 2 months, and I have a question about getting a new bike in the next
few months.

Here's my advice, and I even give it to first-time bike buyers.

Get the best bike you can possibly afford, because A) if you love the sport, you'll have good
equipment for it, and B) if you don't, then you get better return on resale if the equipment
is decent.

In your case, you already love the sport, so if you can afford to go big, do it. For many reasons,
including the fact that as you improve, your bike won't be holding you back.

Paladin

Brett Jaffee <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

BTW, For perspective as far as where/how I'm riding, I'm in the Los Angeles/Ventura CA area, and I
mostly have been riding in Malibu Creek park (and the vicincity, as it's right near where I live),
Chesebro canyon, and Big Sycamore Canyon. I'm still pretty out of shape, but getting better (a LOT
better from when I started), and I'm able to do minor technical stuff. My rides are usally 1-2.5
hours long.

A rigid Surly 1x1 would work fine for your area.

JD

Penny S said:

For that amount of $$ you will get a much nicer hard tail than FS.

Penny S

For any amount of $$ you will always get a nicer hardtail. The question is will he get a good enough
FS for that amount.

--
Perre

You have to be smarter than a robot to reply.

On Fri, 10 Oct 2003 at 08:45 GMT, Brett Jaffee penned:

Quoted message said:

"Westie" <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

It's not overkill if you use it. If you ride it twice and leave it in the back of the garage
you're going to have a very expensive bike gathering dust.

I hope not! I'm currently (un)lucky enough to be unemployed (perhaps not the best time to buy a
new bike). I'm trying to take advantage of this by riding at least 4 days a week. Hopefully I can
get into good enough shape to have more fun riding by the time I actually have a job and can only
ride on the weekends.

I'm not (un)lucky enough to be unemployed, and I bought a new bike this summer, never having
mountain biked and not having ridden a bike in years. I spent $1400 and I'm glad I did. I felt like
I was a poser with such an expensive bike, but as it turns out, compared to some bikes, mine's a
cheap knockoff. Expense is in the eye of the beholder.

As with any purchase, decide what you can afford based on your priorities. If you shop wisely, the
extra cash *will* provide a better bike, but don't think that you have to have the top of the line
to have fun.

Also, my understanding is that it's always more expensive to add a full set of uber components to a
bike than to buy the bike with the components already on -- so maybe that's some argument for going
ahead and buying the best components you can.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

It will be more fun and it will not make you a better rider.

Heh..that's all I ask!

--
monique Unless you need to share ultra-sensitive super-spy stuff with me, please don't email me
directly. I will most likely see your post before I read your mail, anyway.

Quoted message said:

I hope not! I'm currently (un)lucky enough to be unemployed (perhaps not the best time to buy a
new bike). I'm trying to take advantage of this by riding at least 4 days a week. Hopefully I can
get into good enough shape to have more fun riding by the time I actually have a job and can only

ride

Quoted message said:

on the weekends.

Don't burn yourself out. It's nice to ride as often as you like, but if you try to ride more than
your personal threshold will allow, you'll run out of steam. Just enjoy it and have fun.

-John Morgan
--
"I tried lube, careful prying, careful digging and even not so careful digging. Little chunks of
rubber." --Sad Bob

On Fri, 10 Oct 2003 at 15:05 GMT, Penny S penned:

Quoted message said:

For that amount of $$ you will get a much nicer hard tail than FS.

Penny S

Penny knows far more than me, but I got a trek fuel 90 (full suspension) this summer for around
$1400-$1500 and I have been very happy with it. My fiance has an older trek Y-frame with much better
components on it, but he still keeps eyeing my bike covetously.

--
monique Unless you need to share ultra-sensitive super-spy stuff with me, please don't email me
directly. I will most likely see your post before I read your mail, anyway.

On Fri, 10 Oct 2003 at 18:33 GMT, Stephen Baker penned:

Quoted message said:

Monique says:

Quoted message said:

My fiance has an older trek Y-frame with much better components on it, but he still keeps eyeing
my bike covetously.

I don't think it's the bike he's eyeing.....

;-)

Maybe a little from column A, a little from column B ...

--
monique Unless you need to share ultra-sensitive super-spy stuff with me, please don't email me
directly. I will most likely see your post before I read your mail, anyway.

"John Morgan" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:gNChb.55149$vj2.24117@fed1read06:

Quoted message said:

Don't burn yourself out. It's nice to ride as often as you like, but if you try to ride more than
your personal threshold will allow, you'll run out of steam. Just enjoy it and have fun.

Not a problem...I'm too lazy for that to happen. 🙂

Quoted message said:

My fiance has an older trek Y-frame with much better components on it, but he still keeps eyeing
my bike covetously.

Of course the Y-frame is a dreadful design.

Per lowdin.nulowdin.nuOpen ↗

Brett Jaffee said:

"John Morgan" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:gNChb.55149$vj2.24117@fed1read06:

Quoted message said:

Don't burn yourself out. It's nice to ride as often as you like, but if you try to ride more than
your personal threshold will allow, you'll run out of steam. Just enjoy it and have fun.

Not a problem...I'm too lazy for that to happen. 🙂

Well then you'll definitely need a good bike.

--
Perre

You have to be smarter than a robot to reply.

"Monique Y. Herman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Fri, 10 Oct 2003 at 18:33 GMT, Stephen Baker penned:

Quoted message said:

Monique says:

Quoted message said:

My fiance has an older trek Y-frame with much better components on it, but he still keeps eyeing
my bike covetously.

I don't think it's the bike he's eyeing.....

;-)

Maybe a little from column A, a little from column B ...

I think he war referring more to columns T and A...

Matt