Newbie looking for advice/recommendation

Quoted message said:

Pros, cons, other bikes that would be good to check out?

Any particular price range in mind? Want FS or not at that price range?

Quoted message said:

Also - on the tires, will it be ok to be right on tar and chip roads or will that shorten the life
of the tire too much?

What the heck is a 'tar and chip' road? You referring to the fall road maintenance technique of pea
gravel cover over a sprayed down layer of hot tar?

ismlv said:

My husband and I are thinking about getting back into biking. Nothing serious, some country road
riding and light to medium trail riding (we're in Northeast PA). We were looking at the Giant Warp
DS3. My husband really likes the full suspension bikes and these are priced too high. Anyone have
any thoughts? Pros, cons, other bikes that would be good to check out?

bbauer.gomen.orgnewbikeOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

Also - on the tires, will it be ok to be right on tar and chip roads or will that shorten the life
of the tire too much?

They'll still last quite awhile.

--
-BB- To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at least)

Looking in the 400 - 600 range, no higher but if you can recommend something less, that would be
great too.

My husband really like the FS bikes. I personally wonder if it's necessary but I want the bike to be
as comfortable as possible. Does the FS add to comfort?

Yep, that's what tar and chip is but in this part of PA, it's not just fall road maintenance, our
roads are made of that year round. Sans the potholes with the state doesn't charge for 🙂

Destroy said:

Quoted message said:

Pros, cons, other bikes that would
be good to check out?

Any particular price range in mind? Want FS or not at that price range?

Quoted message said:

Also - on the tires, will it be ok to be right on tar and chip roads or will that shorten the
life of the tire too much?

What the heck is a 'tar and chip' road? You referring to the fall road maintenance technique of pea
gravel cover over a sprayed down layer of hot tar?

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

Quoted message said:

My husband and I are thinking about getting back into biking. Nothing serious, some country road
riding and light to medium trail riding (we're in Northeast PA). We were looking at the Giant Warp
DS3. My husband really likes the full suspension bikes and these are priced too high. Anyone have
any thoughts? Pros, cons, other bikes that would be good to check out?

Also - on the tires, will it be ok to be right on tar and chip roads or will that shorten the life
of the tire too much?

Thanks in advance.

You try some of the sales. This is about the time of the year that the 2004 models are being
released so you may get a good deal on an '03 bike if you shop around. We can give you some ideas
but you really need to have a look at a few bike shops and see what they've got.

FWIW, the Warp is an entry level 'downhill' bike. It's styled to look like it's bigger more
expensive brothers but doesn't really have the parts spec. and build quality to handle much use.
It's also a fairly heavy bike and the riding position (or geometry) doesn't encourage you to spend a
lot of time on the road or pushing it uphill. Having said that, some Warp owners can't say enough
good things about the bike. I've got friend that's got one and he's forever pushing and bending bits
back onto the bike but he loves it and has had it for ages. I think that if you are not doing
anything serious, you are better putting the money into a decent hardtail bike. Save on the rear
suspension and get better quality other bits.

The tyres will wear out faster on rough seal. How much faster? How long is a piece of string? If
you're doing that much riding then new tyres will be minor expense. Don't worry about that. One
thing that you will notice is that big soft knobbly mountainbike tyres are harder to push on rough
seal. More friction. You may want smoother tyres run at a higher pressure (50+
psi for example).
--
Westie

That's good advice from westie. I would just add that even on a hardtail your riding position is a bit uncomfortable for some recreational riders. You definately want to get down to a GOOD bike shop and chat to an expert 🙂

Westie said:

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

Quoted message said:

My husband and I are thinking about getting back into biking. Nothing serious, some country road
riding and light to medium trail riding (we're in Northeast PA). We were looking at the Giant
Warp DS3. My husband really likes the full suspension bikes and these are priced too high. Anyone
have any thoughts? Pros, cons, other bikes that would be good to check out?

Also - on the tires, will it be ok to be right on tar and chip roads or will that shorten the
life of the tire too much?

Thanks in advance.

You try some of the sales. This is about the time of the year that the 2004 models are being
released so you may get a good deal on an '03 bike if you shop around. We can give you some ideas
but you really need to have a look at a few bike shops and see what they've got.

FWIW, the Warp is an entry level 'downhill' bike. It's styled to look like it's bigger more
expensive brothers but doesn't really have the parts spec. and build quality to handle much use.
It's also a fairly heavy bike and the riding position (or geometry) doesn't encourage you to spend
a lot of time on the road or pushing it uphill. Having said that, some Warp owners can't say enough
good things about the bike. I've got friend that's got one and he's forever pushing and bending
bits back onto the bike but he loves it and has had it for ages. I think that if you are not doing
anything serious, you are better putting the money into a decent hardtail bike. Save on the rear
suspension and get better quality other bits.

The tyres will wear out faster on rough seal. How much faster? How long is a piece of string? If
you're doing that much riding then new tyres will be minor expense. Don't worry about that. One
thing that you will notice is that big soft knobbly mountainbike tyres are harder to push on rough
seal. More friction. You may want smoother tyres run at a higher pressure (50+
psi for example).

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, we have very few reputable bike shops in this part of PA. In
fact, only two that I know of and they're both owned by the same people. They seem to be good about
not trying to get us to buy the most expensive thing out there and gave us lots of literature and
such to read. Said to try to narrow it down and then come back and they can help us decide what we
need and what we don't and what's a nice to have.

We're not planning to be jumping off large jumps (less than 2 feet I would imagine) nor going
hardcore over any huge rocks and such.

Thinking maybe based on your advice, get a hardtail and then if we needed the extra cushioning,
getting a shock suspension seat post or something like that.

Because I've heard all around good reviews on Giant, I'd like to stick with them. I've narrowed it
down to the Boulder SE, Rincon, Yukon, and Iguana. Don't think we need to have disc bakes but I like
the Iguana because it the disc brake mount is included in case we wanted to do that (is that good
thinking?).

I have all the standard specs in and Excel sheet if someone would like to take a look and let me
know thoughts. I'm not really sure what's good, what should be upgraded etc. Or maybe someone knows
these bikes and would be willing to give me an off the top of their head answer.

Thanks all!

"ismlv" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]... <snip>

Quoted message said:

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, we have very few reputable bike shops in this part of PA. In
fact, only two that I know of and they're both owned by the same people. They seem to be good
about not trying to get us to buy the most expensive thing out there and gave us lots of
literature and such to read. Said to try to narrow it down and then come back and they can help us
decide what we need and what we don't and what's a nice to have.

We're not planning to be jumping off large jumps (less than 2 feet I would imagine) nor going
hardcore over any huge rocks and such.

It's a funny height. Not very high, but not really low either. A cheap bike will fall apart quickly
if you do 2 foot drops and land hard all the time - especially urban riding (landing on cement).

Quoted message said:

Thinking maybe based on your advice, get a hardtail and then if we needed the extra cushioning,
getting a shock suspension seat post or something like that.

Some people like 'em, some hate 'em. But if you need the extra cushioning it's cheaper than going
full suspension. Just be warned that they're not for everyone. Take the bike out the back of the
bikeshop and ride it over some kerbs to get a feel for it.

Quoted message said:

Because I've heard all around good reviews on Giant, I'd like to stick with them. I've narrowed it
down to the Boulder SE, Rincon, Yukon, and Iguana. Don't think we need to have disc bakes but I
like the Iguana because it the disc brake mount is included in case we wanted to do that (is that
good thinking?).

You really get what you pay for with mountainbikes. I'm not sure of Giant's pricing but I'd assume
that the Iguana is the top of the range and top dollar too. I'd avoid the Boulder and Rincon for
what you want to do with them. The Yukon and particularly the Iguana appear to be fine - and you
should get some good use out of them. Just don't go dropping everywhere. Or if you do, just realise
that bits will break and drop off after a while. Something-else to bear in mind is that the wheels
must have disc hubs too - disc mounts are useless without a disc hub to mount a rotor on. Check out
the prices of disc brake add-ons too. You may be surprised at the cost.

Whatever bike that you get, make sure that it feels good underneath you. And remember that it
should be underneath you. Mountainbike frames should feel somewhat smaller than that old ten speed
bike that you used to have. A half decent bike shop will be able to get you set up with the right
size. Have fun.
--
Westie

its_stuart said:

That's good advice from westie. I would just add that even on a hardtail your riding position is a
bit uncomfortable for some recreational riders. You definately want to get down to a GOOD bike shop
and chat to an expert 🙂

Thanks for all the info. We ended up both getting 2004 (spring) Iguanas. Disc brakes are standard on
the new ones so that's a good thing. Both of us liked the way the bikes felt so while we didn't plan
on getting the same bikes, it worked out that way. Though, my husband's getting a 23" frame and I'm
getting a 19. They should be in tomorrow so with any luck, I'll be riding by tomorrow nite.

Anyone have any tips for a first time disc brake rider?

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

Quoted message said:

its_stuart said:

That's good advice from westie. I would just add that even on a hardtail your riding position is
a bit uncomfortable for some recreational riders. You definately want to get down to a GOOD bike
shop and chat to an expert 🙂

Thanks for all the info. We ended up both getting 2004 (spring) Iguanas.

Great bike for the money, from what I've seen. I heard that Hayes disc brakes can squeal a bit; but
not sure if that's been fixed or not.

Quoted message said:

Disc brakes are standard on the new ones so that's a good thing. Both of us liked the way the
bikes felt so while we didn't plan on getting the same bikes, it worked out that way. Though, my
husband's getting a 23" frame and I'm getting a 19. They should be in tomorrow so with any luck,
I'll be riding by tomorrow nite.

Congrats. Hope they meet your expectations and last a long time. I think you chose wisely.

Quoted message said:

Anyone have any tips for a first time disc brake rider?

They take a while to bed-in. You'll probably notice better stopping power after a few weeks or
months of riding.

-=B=-

"B. Sanders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I heard that Hayes disc brakes can squeal a bit; but not sure if that's been fixed or not.

-=B=-

In most cases, the squealing is not a product of the brakes.
--
Slacker

ismlv wrote:

Though, my

Quoted message said:

husband's getting a 23" frame and I'm getting a 19.

Tallest couple in the world?

bomba said:

ismlv wrote:

Though, my

Quoted message said:

husband's getting a 23" frame and I'm getting a 19.

Tallest couple in the world?

I'm 5'10" and my husband is 6'2" but with long legs. He thought about a 21" but it just looked small
on him and to be comfortable he had to put the seat almost all the way up... so with the 23" he has
more room for adjustment if he needs it. Plus, with the 21, he had about 4 incheas of travel when
standing over the top tube and the bike shop thought the 23 was a better fit.