All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

One more question regarding my last post about the brand new marin mount vision 5

I talked to another shop and that guy can get me a haro shift r9 lt

What would be my best option out of these 2.

 

The haro has better parts for sure.

You really should try to ride a bunch of bikes. Advise from the internet is only really good to find a few different bikes to check out in person.

The guys I ride with here in Michigan all have different bike brands, styles, wheel sizes etc. We all appreciate the quality of each others bikes, but I prefer mine and they theirs. I would recommend not blowing the budget on a bike asap, find some shops that demo and ride. Once you know what you like, and your style of riding, then you can pick and choose.

 

And I say that only because I would rather see someone spend $1-200 or more in rental fees and gas to end up with the bike that actually works for you, vs getting something and making due. Craigslist and pinkbike etc. are full of people who bought the wrong one, and had to cut bait and move on, not just people who moved on.

I was convinced that I not only wanted, but needed a fast carbon hardtail fat bike. After a couple $50 weekend rentals, I now know I hate fat bike hardtails, and full suspension fat bikes are boss. Saved me $3500.

I bought a full carbon fiber road bike years ago that I had to have. I do not like carbon road bikes and love steel, and that was a $2000 lesson I learned.

 

the haro is much nicer, better build, fork, shock, drivetrain.

but yes, i have been through about 6-7 bikes in the last 3-4 years. it takes a while to finally figure out what you want, as @machspeed mentioned.

if you cant ride and had to choose between the two, get the haro.

ride it for a year, then sell it and get something more in line with what you want if you think you need to make a change

 

Cool vid. Congrats on the truck

 

Im going to go look at it friday and also a new 16 transition patrol which im super excited about even though its 600 over my budget but i still think 2600 is not badly priced for the 16 patrol

 

PATROOOOOOOL!!!

Any idea which build - 2, 3 or 4?
I'm rooting for that, I'd love me a patrol... build kits are all good but with a lower level one you can get into it and upgrade over time once you know what you like.

 

I noticed you are in Michigan. One of my main DH buddies lives there and hasnt found anything besides cross country stuff, do you know of any aggressive trails out around there?

 

Its the build 4 so cheapest option. and its the last close out bike they have that fit my needs. Annnd its a large..im dreading going to look at it because if i like the feel ill probably take it home..bye bye up coming group buys for the taco

 

get the patrol. dont look back. i have one. it rips. great all around bike. that bike is above and beyond every other bike you mentioned up til now. worth the extra $600

 

Do it, I'm pre-jealous...

A raceface tailgate pad is the only mod you'll need for a while... keep us posted, excited for ya

 

I live in west / south west michigan, and over the last 5-10 years they have been killing it in making better trails.

For more aggressive trails, there are select sections of several cross country trails I know of. Otherwise I would recommend boyne, they run the lift in the summer on weekends, there is a few trails up in the houghton and marquette areas, and I have heard good things about cannonsburg ski area near me, though I have not checked that out in person. I also do not know about the stuff near traverse city or brighton, but tell you buddy to check mmba forums for info and trail conditions etc.

 

Went and sat on the patrol today. Yes just sat on it. Bike shop didnt care to let me even test ride it around. Also the front fork was not the original rock shox and a few other things like the pedals were not original. Said they installed cheaper components to bring the price down on it. They did say they would sell it for 2350 though. Overall the bike felt nice and looked nice however the components ( other then the frame ) made it feel and look very cheap. Think i will pass on it and continue to look. May have been different if the shop would of allowed for a test ride.

 

THat is really odd they didn't allow you to test ride it. Doesn't seem like they are looking out for your best interest... at all. I mean, that's just so bizarre. I've. Even in shops with no intent of buying a bike and they still encourage me to ride the newer stuff.

What was the build spec on it? What fork?

Sounds like you followed your gut feeling which I support!

 

bummer man, surprising they took the Yari off... and it wouldn't have come with pedals.
Just an FYI, it's $2000 just for the frame (and rear shock)

 

Rock shox yari as dodgeorama stated. Yea i was disappointed. They were located in downtown so no parking lot..i asked is there a way to test ride and said unfortunately not. I asked if they had any test ride bikes or rental bikes i could test that would
Be similar and they said no that they were a new shop. I do understand that just the frame alone is 2000 and im sure its a overall good deal on the bike but it wasnt a enjoyable experience to be at all i feel like when someone has cash in their pocket you atleast let them test ride the bike insted of showing off your personal DH rig and the upgrades i need to purchase for the patrol

 

Wow, why even have it in a shop if that is how they are going to be about it? Sounds like they dont really give much of a shit...I cant think of a time where ANY bike shop wasnt willing to let me take a bike for a ride.

 

Id say thats why they r still sitting on it and it hasnt been sold yet. 2350 is a good deal id say but dang im not going to buy something i cant ride. Atleast in a parking lot. But anyways..im going to just take my time and wait for something...thought about buying a hard tail due the the quality i can get for the price just to get me on something..and maybe buy a frame and build a full suspension over the next year or so. Not sure yet but definitely not going to jump the gun on something and end up regretting it.

 

Nothing wrong with that man, Im sure that bike could sell itself with that price point. What kills me though, is transition is not easily found in stores and these guys probably know that, yet you cant ride the bike. Now if this was a trek, giant, or GT, then I could understand not having as strong of a need to ride a "common" manufacturer.

 

Yea your make some good points for sure.

One question thinking back now i didnt pay that much attention but i remember the 16 version i looked up online was yellow. This bike was the flat black. I thought only the carbon version was flat black? If thats the case and they dont know any better then it would probably be a steal right? Or did they make an aluminum version this color scheme as well?