Is this a good deal?

[ScottR]

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/windsor_cliff29team.htm

[superdave]

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/windsor_cliff29team.htm

I had a friend of mine that was looking at buying a bike from these folks. They typically sell nicely spec'd bikes for way less than a comparable name brand bike, but by most accounts are terrible on customer service (ie. frame warranty). Here's what you need to decide: If you pay $1,000 for a bike that lasts two years and the frame breaks w/ no warranty replacement or you pay $2,000 for a bike that lasts two years and the frame breaks, but they replace the frame for free, which is the better deal? Your answer may be different than mine.

Also, be aware of the marketing tactics of some of these brands in regards to components. As far as components go, your fork, cranks, brakes, and wheelset should get more consideration than anything else on the bike. They are, by far, the most performance oriented and most expensive to replace. A lot of companies will put high end “glamorous” components like derailuers, shifters, chain, etc., but the meat and potatoes of the bike are average at best. Drivetrain and shifting components are all parts that you will eventually replace anyway because they wear out the quickest and are pretty inexpensive, comparatively speaking. I'm not necessarily saying that this is the case with this bike, but you will need to do some research. I don't know much about Rock Shox's product line, TruVativ, or those hubs. The brakes are great and should last for many years.

[carl]

i would look at gary fisher for starter 29er bikes. i think for around that price or a couple of hundred more you get a much better bike. i love my gf frame that i got from dustin.

[natepac]

the crankset is the same on my mary. not sure about the bottom bracket though. rims the same but with different hubs. BUTTTTT after ordering a bike of the internt myself, i believe that the singlemost important thing you should is actually ride a bike before you buy it. The geometry on each bike will be different and a 1/4in here and 1/4 there can actually make a big difference. I did not like my bike when i first got it, the feel of my old cheap ass gary fisher was so much better. Also go with a brand that will have some sort of dealer nearby in case something breaks. For example if you by that bike and bust your dereiluer hanger you may by SOL in trying to find a replacement as each bike has a different style of hanger. Continued example, i have a haro and my hanger broke, cycle sport is a dealer but i was too lazy to drive over there that day. took my broken hanger to bikes plus with no luck. then to T Spokin, who said that they could get one. well after a week to ten days the replacements came in and did not work. Victor said take it to cycle sports (a haro dealer) another ten days later cycle sports had the correct hanger. Kinda wordy but just stuff to consider.

[ScottR]

Thanks for the input. I'm itching to buy a new bike but in reality at my current skill and fitness level I cant really justify spending 2 G's on a new one. In addition, my wifes really not a bike person and she really doesn't see the point on spending 2k on something you have to pedal.

I may try and get one more summer out of my Trek 6500. Then again I plan on going to the demo next Sat. so I may be asking for further advice. Theres nothing like a new bike.

[Pilotman28]

I can get a brand new 29er Cannondale frame for $450 FROM cannondale. And build it up how I wish.

[natepac]

there are plenty of peeps in porc that have 29ers that will let you test dirve em, just ask.

[Idoeyes]

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=34097


MUCH better deal in my opinion AND you can get it assembled with warr. and tune up and service etc.

It doesn't matter haw great a deal it is if it rides like crap because it is not put together correctly OR some minor part is flawed. If you have YEARS of bike exp. OR have worked at a shop and have good bike tools then go for it .........if NOT get it at the shop and you will be MUCH happier!!

This bike is a SWEET deal on 29er

MTBR is a great resource also

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/29er/product_132323.shtml

[Endo]

i've been eyeballing that one too...not a bad bike for the price.

[Loggahead]

I purchased an 08 GF Cobia from BikesPlus 2 weeks ago and am loving it. Its the first bike I've bought in 12 years. I've biked a GT for 12 years and its been rode hard and put away wet.

Anyhow, Cyclesports just got in some of the Rockhopper 29ers. You should go see it and try out the fit. I personally am very happy with the GF. GF, from my research, has been the company who has put the most R&D into 29er frames and the first to get big support from fork makers. The new Genesis 2.0 (all GF 08 29ers) has some big improvements to handling for 29ers. That's the main reason I went GF.

So how's the handling? Well, the first couple of rides I was a little discouraged by the performance... better put... MY performance on the 29er. After a few rides, I really got my legs beneath me and felt like I was outperforming myself big time. I find my cornering to be much better than I was on GT. Note: Im starting to think I didn't really fit on my GT as well as I thought I did... doh!?. The Cobia for me feels great. Im very happy with it. By pro standard, the Cobia is considered entry level, but hell, compared to my 12 year old GT, its 5 times the bike I had before.

I'm very happy with the purchase. I am now thinking about converting my 26" GT to single speed...

[Endo]

anyone know anything about the Cannondale Caffeine 4? Good price, made in the good ole USA - but not squat on Google and no MTBR ratings yet.