gparsons

Is that the 2007 Schwinn? The 2008 spec looks more like the Alias except for the fork which is Talon equivalent.

Have looked and test ridden the Alias - nice bike although I prefer the Talon specs, although my budget prefers the Alias

Better options Are you sure about that!

Durban - cyclesphere.

Thanks!

Which one and why.... Giant Anthem 2, XTC 2 or Talon. Newbie thinking about longevity i.e. outlay now, pay it off over the next while and have a bike that I can keep for a loooooooonnnnggg time (with possible small component upgrades along the way). Thoughts, experiences, warnings, excuses all welcome! Thanks !

Sorry to hear that!!!!

Hey. I have been quiet for the last few days contemplating.... My list has come under close scrutiny and has been influenced somewhat by the very nice looking and apparently very well sorted (www.bikeradar.com) GT Avalanche 1.0 2008. Does anyone else visit this site - its based in the UK and has great content and a great forum. Anyways, I still like the Giant Talon 2008 (slightly better components and has the Tora 302 fork compared to the GT with the SR X100) and have yet to test a Kona but I am wondering if I am over analysing this now..... So, does anyone have this GT - is it as good as they say it is???? Thanks and cheers. gparsons2008-01-15 09:02:48

Hey. I ride the RC 6000 and really enjoy it. If you buy it, you won't regret it. I have not ridden the Merida though. Cheers

Colin Parsons..... no, but I think I am thankful for that if I read between the lines correctly!

Hey everyone. Thanks for the replies since I last logged in! Riding is cool and I am already addicted. Looking forward to the new challenge of MTB. I think that a light weight dual susp would most probably be the best way for someone like me to go (thinking about comfort and comfort that is!) - but not at those prices!! So the most feasible options for me (and others wiff this type of budget) is to go for a good value for money hard tail which, like enigma, I can upgrade later when the money allows. Thus my list at the beginning of the post. As far as the weight of bikes go, I quite like the ad you see from USN at the moment. It goes along the lines of loosing body weight kilos for a fraction of the cost of loosing bike grams.... makes sense. So, as long as I am happy with the frame and the fork, then I think I will be happy with just being off road. After sales service; now that is something we need to insist on. I was also impressed by our local Maverick dealer and have heard similar things about them and Kona from others as well (unlike Trek where you can weight for quite a while - sorry to offend if I am uninformed). Enigma, you are obviously happy with your Cinder Cone. How did it feel compared to the Kula? Until later then, thanks again and cheers!

Great advise. Thanks Hog!

Thanks enigma. Why are u biased toward Kona? What Kona do u ride and how much do they sponsor you It took a couple of looks at the Kona to like it, but as I said earlier, it grew on me... Cheers!

Hi Paul. The first bike I tried was the Alias. Must say I like it very much and the question to myself as I get closer to making a decision is: do I really need anything more? On your bike, how have you found the dart 2 fork? Looks a bit flimsy to me?

Hey Hog. My choice is definitely the cruising in the wild on weekends option! Cheers.

Hey! Thanks for the replies Ed and Wi. Yeah, I am glad I stumbled on these forums - seems to be lots of traffic about the sport I love from lots of good 'colourful' folks! Buying the best frame makes sense - what I am generally trying to do is buy the best frame and front fork that I can afford. The Giant frames are really nice and my slight consternation presently is the front fork - whether to go with the RS Tora 302 (Talon)or the Recon SL (Raleigh, Kona). From what I have seen, the Recon has gotten better reviews but am I splitting hairs? Most probably! Admittedly though I have enjoyed visiting bike shops more often.... and the Kona has grown on me... Thanks again! Cheers!

Hi all. Not that old age wise (young and handsome really), but have been cycling a good few years now (have fond memories of my first Tour D'Urban in 1993!). However, until now, I have only had road bikes but the bug has bitten to MTB and it won't go away!! My name is Gary, I am an Environmental Chemist working in Durban, and I entered the MTB fray expecting to be able to choose a MTB quickly and be out riding at Giba with a few mates. Well, road bikes are much easier to choose than MTBs. Geez, the variety out there is truly mind boggling! Anyways, after much searching, reading and thinking, I have narrowed choices down to a few and was wondering if you could help me make a choice??? (please!) Price range is R6k to R12k and in this price range it seems possible only to get a good quality hard tail. Of the hardtails, the ones that I like are: Giant Alias (Cheapest of this bunch but nice frame with reasonable components) Giant Talon (Same frame as Alias but with better components) Giant XTC2 (Giant frames make me drool) Raleigh RM 5.0 (I have a Raleigh RC6000 road bike bought Jan 2006 which I totally enjoy) Kona Kula (Great frame, good components) Felt Q920 (Nice overall package) Felt RXC2 (Nice frame and components) Any opinions or info to help me choose would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.