Conference noted::bicycle

    Hi Paul,
    
    I too am looking to purchase a mountain bike and have investigated
    several stores in the Merrimack Valley Area.  There is a store in
    Amesbury called Skate and Sport who is selling his last year's models
    at very reasonable prices.  By reasonablee I mean, he has a mountain
    bike with 18 gears called the Sterling Super Discovery...marked
    at $459 and he's willing to sell it at $350   According to the
    Bicycling Buyer's Guide, page 182, 1990 edition, this bike is makde
    by a company called Lawee,d Inc from Long Beach California.  Sterling
    is the family/juvenile brand and Univega is the ethusiasti line.
    The Sterling price range is quoates as $380-425 it has a frame of
    TGST and the component group is Shimano 200gs.  The the Sterling
    for sale is the Sport Discoveryy, not the Super Discovery...
    
    This is my first time in the notes filee and I noticed several notes
    about TREK.  This store also has th 1989 models on sale.  Now the
    question is.  Has anyone heard of Sterling and are they a good buy?
    
    I plan to use this bike 90% of the time off-road but I don't know
    what to look for in a frame, etc...
    
    Does anyone have a child's bike for sale....I'm looking for 2 of
    them...14" or 14.5" frame mountain bike..thanks muchly.
    
    Also, are there any bike swaps coming up in the near future..
    
    

    p.s. to -1
    
    Th Discovery model for 1989 comes in 18 gears, the 1990 model comes
    in 21 gears...should this be considred as a major factor in making
    my decision...by that I  mean, should I go for the 21 and forget
    the 18?
    

>    Th Discovery model for 1989 comes in 18 gears, the 1990 model comes
>    in 21 gears...should this be considred as a major factor in making
>    my decision...by that I  mean, should I go for the 21 and forget
>    the 18?

    Only if the price difference is less than $30.

    -Jeff

    	At the beginning of the season, BICYCLING magazine usually
    	has a Buyer's Guide in an issue. I don't know whether you
    	should wait for that, or what.
    
    	So, the issue should be coming out soon, I would think.
    
    	I check out some good bike shops and see what they have to
    	offer.
    
    	Scott

    	Scott, I think he's quoting from the Buyer's Guide issue,
    	which just reached me a couple of days ago.  The "TGST"
    	frame code is one of several they came up with this year.
    	TGST = TIG welded steel.  (What does TIG mean?)
    
    	-john

    re. .5   TIG = Tungsten Inert Gas, a nice welding process as opposed to
    the typical lugs and braze holding most steel bikes together. TIG
    welded frames need to be heat treated after welding to result in a
    frame with durability.  - Chris

    Yes, .2 was quoting from the Buyer's Guide....
    
    So, is Sterling a nice brand? or should he go with Trek?

  I purchased a low end Cannondale last fall and have had good luck with it.
I bought it ($460) at a small shop in Bar Harbor, Maine.  I decided on a 
Cannondale after talking to several hard core Mt bikers that had been following the 
sport for several years.  There advice was:

     "Buy a Fat Chance...if you can't afford a Fat Chance then buy a Cannondale;
at least you'll get one of the best frames on the market (the 3.0) and you can
upgrade the components later"

  I'm happy that I followed their advice.  The model that I bought (the SM450?)
has a low end Suntour drivetrain & wheels but the brakes, tires, seat etc are
all reasonably good.  After seeing some pretty expensive components get trashed
in the woods, I'm convinced that you should spend the money on buying a good
frame and plan on upgrading the parts later (you'll probably end up trashing 
some of them anyway).

    re:.8
    
    Thanks for the advice. I had heard that the cheap Cannondale has the same
    frame as the expensive one. re: FAT CHANCE, "fat chance" I can afford
    a Fat Chance ;-) (although I wish I could).
    
    Right now I think the decision is between the cheaper Cannondale or the 
    Specialized RockHopper. (I do like the components on the RockHopper
    better).
    
    I looked at the Cannondale last week and so on Saturday I went back, he 
    had told me to drop down for a test ride, but he still hadnt finished 
    putting the bike together yet. I then went to Cambridge to see what bikes
    the Bicycle Exchange had, and although I always wanted a Bianchi (always
    was impressed by their sick green color) I think the decision is still
    between the RockHopper or the Cannondale.

    	Just picked up the latest BICYCLING last night. It's
    	the March, 1990, issue. It contains the annual
    	Buyer's Guide, although in a less extensive format
    	than we've seen in previous years.
    
    	Scott
    
    	PS: Conference sure is slow. Is everyone out riding?

    
    "...conference slow.  Is everyone out riding?"
    
    I've noticed that, too.  I for one have had great luck in the last
    week with the weather - good short training rides on the weekdays,
    a fast 202 last Saturday, 153 on Sunday.  Can't complain!
    
    - a grateful john

    	John,
    
    	Stop! You're killin' me! "A fast 202" miles? I can't
    	do a fast 202 miles in my car.
    
    	Scott

    
    Yah I'm similarly wearing my bike out. The weekends are consistantly
    colder than bleeeep fortunately the weekdays are 50 to 70. so last week 
    I logged 9.07 miles. All I've done with my bike lately is plan on 
    trips that I'll do when the weather gets better. 
    
    Hey more to the point, I'm considering one of those not mountian 
    not road bike, bikes. Can anyone give me a good title to look up 
    notes on them. The bike I'm considering is a TREK 750 or 790 they
    call it something like an inbetween bike or something? 
    
    Fred Mudgett

I plan to buy a Cannondale SM2000 (Shimano Deore XT STI) or a Cannondale SM1000
(Shimano Deore DX STI). 
I'll be visiting Montreal, Toronto (Canada) & New York City.
Could you give the name of a shop in these cities where I could buy Cannondale?
By the way, getting  the estimated price of these MTB, in local currency, 
will be appreciated.
Thanx.

RJJ

    
    RE: .11
    
         Hmmm, "a fast 202" for me would take about 10 *days*.
    
                                8^)
    
                                                    Steve

    
    RE: .-1 "It's all relative..."
    
    Well, that's the case here, too.  "Fast" meant fast-for-me: 11:50.
    This was partially influenced by the desire to get back before dark. :-)
    
    Can't count on that luck all the time, I'll have you know.
    
    -john

    re:.0 
    
    Regarding my original note: fyi...I ended up with the Specialized
    Rockhopper. I bought it from Franklin Bicycle. It seems to about the
    type of bike for the bucks I was looking for, and they appear to be 
    a good shop, very helpful and informative personnel there. Thanks to 
    all for your comments. 
    
    Naturally as soon as I picked up the bike, it started snowing and it
    hasn't stopped all weekend! :-(

    Which Rockhopper did you buy?  Did you buy a 1990 model?  There are
    3 models, the Rockhopper, the Rockhopper Sport and the Rockhopper Comp.
    I presently have a Rockhopper Sport in layaway, should have it out
    by the end of March.  Just curious, what was your cost?  The shop
    I bough mine from has the following prices:
    Rockhopper         $419
    Rockhopper Sport   $519
    Rockhopper Comp    $619

    re:-1
    I bought just the regular (1990) Rockhopper and paid about $10 more than the
    price you quoted. The shop seems like a good shop plus they threw in 
    some things such as the waterbottle&holder,etc etc. so I don't feel ripped 
    off for paying a little more.

    Does anyone have any opinions about the MTB's from Giant? I am looking
    at the Track, I guess it has a different name in N. America, it's
    equipped Shimano STI 500.
    
    In particular do bikes from Giant stand up reasonably well to use?
    
    Mike
    

    
    
    Giant is one of the best automated production line bikes you can buy.  They
    make most of the frames for Specialized as well as numerous other companies.
    They are definitely a good value.
    
    						Norm
    
    

    Hi Mike,
    
    I've just bought a Giant Cold Rock in the UK.  It is Cro-Mo
    oversized....  and all those other things the magazines tell you to
    look for.
    
    I'm very impressed with the quality of its manufacture etc.  Sp far
    I've only jumped of a few tree stumps and small drops, but it appears
    to be very solid.
    
    Iain.

    RE: 1425.22
    
    I ended up getting the Giant "Track", I managed to get it nice and
    dirty over the weekend!
    
    Seems well put together and finished, really enjoyed myself.
    
    Mike
    

Being a cycling dummy, I have been having a look around in here for
information. We're moving to Germany (where they have lots of bike paths!) and
felt it would be a shame not to have bikes. Since they are considerably cheaper
here I plan on buying them now. 

Not knowing anything, I went out and had a look around at mountain bikes. The
reason for a mountain bike was the stronger frame, more cushion in the tires,
and a bigger seat (for my soft rearend :^). The two I have been told would suit
us and are in the right price range are a TREK (cannot remember the number but
it was only $300) and a GIANT Rincorn (same price). Both have Chromo (whatever)
frames, 21 speeds (more than I'll know what to do with), and alloy wheels. The
only difference was the GIANT has the rapid shifters that are mounted under the
handle bars.

Any comments on which would be the better buy? The shop with the GIANT will
throw in an extra rack (the child seat we want is a quick release one which
mounts on a and comes with a rack), but the rest of the options (fenders etc)
are the same price.

Thanks.

Larry Carpenter

>only difference was the GIANT has the rapid shifters that are mounted under the
>handle bars.

Take them both for a ride. I'm sure you'll take the bike with the rapid
shifters. They are much easier to shift. GIANT brand is a good brand to pick
from for bikes under $500. They can undercut the prices of other brands with
their volume and give you better components at the same time. TREK's on the
other hand are fine bikes but one without under the bar shifting sounds like a
model from last year. I thought all the MT-bikes had under the bar shifters
this year. 

Do test ride them both and any other bikes you see in your price range. See how
they shift and brake. Shift when going up a hill, thats a real test for
shifting. Most of all get a bike that fits you not one that is too big but *on
sale*.

Tom  

    re .24 & .25
    I second the vote for a Giant.
    
    I recently bought the Giant Innov and I'm very happy with the 
    shifting.  I did upgrade to a Gell seat since I wasn't comfortable
    on the one it came with but the shop only charged $17 for a $30 seat.
    
    

    Hi!
    
    For what it's worth, I bought a Giant Rincon at the beginning of the
    summer and so far I love it.  I tested the Fuji Advantage, a Diamond
    Back, a Bridgestone, and probably others.  I had the shop put slightly
    narrower tires on it instead of the really fat, knobby ones.  So far I
    love it and I don't even find the seat to be a problem! I've only
    ridden it on the pavement - so far!  I found it to be the best
    riding/shifting of the lot!

Thanks everyone. I have taken your advice, tried things out, and decided on the
GIANT for both myself and my wife. Mine is the largest they make and I got him
to throw in what I call a fat a__ seat (big wide seat with srpings) and so far
I am very happy with it. Once I loose some of this weight (and judging from
other notes in here, it I use it, the cycle, I'll loose it, the weight :^) I'll
go back to lighter seat if I feel I need it. We had fenders and racks put on,
so we're all set. 

ttfn and thanks again...Larry

P.S. The under handlebar shifters are GREAT! Even a dummy like me can operate
them.

    I, too, would like some help in buying a mountain bike.
    
    Can anybody think of a bike that comes with Shimano XT parts that would
    cost under $1000?  I am not looking for a custom frame, and don't
    especially care if it's aluminum or Cro-Moly, although I'd prefer the
    latter.  Frame size would be about 16.5".
    
    So far the best buy I've seen is a 1994 Trek 970, for $849.  It has a
    mix of XT and LX components, and I'm wondering if I can do any better
    in my price range.
    
    This is the description:
    
    =========================================================================
    
    Trek 970 SingleTrack Competition - $849
    
    
    From brakes to bar ends, here's gritty, gutsy performance.  Shimano
    Deore XT componentry delivers race-proven precision.  Multi-condition
    brakes securely grip our all-new Big Kahuna tires.  Hot Trek System 2
    bar ends complete a one-of-a-kind SingleTrack package.
    
    Sizes:  14.5, 16.5, 18...
    
    Frame/Fork:  Trek True Temper custom butted & TIG welded Cro-Moly main
    tubes & stays:  Trek System 2 butted Cro-Moly fork.
    
    Drivetrain:  Shimano Deore LX-C crankset, HyperDrive & HyperGlide
    w/Deore XT-C derailleur & 8 speed RapidFire+ dual SIS levers w/OptiGear
    
    Hubset:  Shiman Deore XT Parallax
    
    Rims:  Matrix SingleTrack Pro, 32 hole
    
    Tires:  Trek Big Kahuna, 26x2.1, folding.
    
    Brakeset:  Shimano Deore LX M-System
    
    Color:  Black Chrome w/Purple decals.
    
    Weight:  25.06 lbs, w/o bar ends.
                                                
    =========================================================================
    
    
    Thanks,
    
    Rachael
    

     
    Re: .29    
    
    Nice sounding bike.  I must compliment you on your taste: I shopped, 
    read, and rode bikes for 4 months and ended up buying the 1995 version 
    of this bike.  The only obvious differences I see are that the 1995 
    version has GripShift, has no bar-ends, and weighs about a pound less 
    (hanging on a scale at the bike shop, not according to a catalog).
    
    Plus the 1995 version costs $50 less -- in the greater Seattle area,
    the 1995 Trek 970 goes for $799.  My guess is that you should keep
    looking for Trek dealers...a 1994 ought to be selling for a big 
    discount this time of year, especially if the '95s are selling for 
    less.
    
    You'll find a ton of LX/XT bikes under $1000 without suspension.  I
    opted for buying a rigid fork bike because I wanted to choose my own 
    brand of forks (I don't like RockShox).
    
    See note # 2865 for some recent discussion of bikes in your range, or
    close to it.
    
    Jim
    

    Thanks Jim.  (DCE?)
    
    I'm still wondering, though, is it possible to get a bike with a full
    XT group in that price range?  From the note you pointed me to, it
    doesn't seem like it.  Does anyone know?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Rachael

    Rachel,
    
    I'm sure that shopping long enough will find a bike with XT all around. 
    However, I've got upwards of 4000 miles on an all LX component bike,
    and have few complaints.  The trek you described is using LX for the
    crank and brakesets.  Did I hear gripshift? or rapid-fire?  Either way
    is good, but the gripshift 8 speed is only $69 from performance catalog
    anyway.
    
    Anyhow, I don't suspect you'll notice any substantial difference on the
    crankset or brakes unless you are an extraordinary rider.  I wouldn't
    spend a heckuva lot of money to go all-XT.  I'd save the bucks, and
    maybe pop for the grip shift (which I might do myself here, shortly).
    
    BTW, just for the heck of it, I counted my shifts.  I shifted about 132
    times on the way to work (am I bored, or what?) the other day.  Say 250
    shifts a day, average four days a week.  Only recently have I had some
    stickiness in shifting, probably to do with dirt/cold.  May even be
    dirt in the cable guides...
    
    Two cents,
    		Mike

Its an interesting groupset in that it is almost exactly what I just
built up my Lightspeed OBED with.  It appears that the only LX components
are the crankset and the brakes.

The LX crankset is actually lighter then the XT and is will work the same,
Plus there was a considerable price difference.  They are both hyperdrive-c
no so theres no issue there.  I like the LX crank better.

The brakes I would prefer at XT level, but its not a really big deal and you
could replace the brakes at $30.00 a set if you were really inclined.

For rims Trek uses Matrix on everything and I have had good luck with them.
However they will wear out sometime and you can replace them with something 
you like better when they do.

Shifters: gripshift vs rapidfire+ is a religeous debate, buy the one that you 
like.  I like rapidfire.  Not really that big a price difference at 79.99 for
gripshift and 99.99 for XT rapidfire+.  I have fixed rapidfire shifters before
its not really a big deal just careful work.  None of them will last forever 
and they will all need to be replaced.

Just curious why the desire for an all XT bike?

Scott

    Another option would be a Fischer.  O'neils in Worcester carry's them.
    The Montare can be bought for around $800, same components basically as
    the 970.  Fischer is made by Trek. 
    
    Few companies are going with all Shimano now.  There are a lot of
    smaller companies or oems that are equal or better than Shimano for the
    price.   
    
    Most important, of course it fit and function.  Getting into this
    price range there are more choice in geometry.  Top tubes tend to be
    longer, which means for most women you will need a smaller frame than 
    usual.  Also, stems may tend to be lower.   Also, what saddle will
    you need.  
    
    As long as you are at least at the LX level, you should be doing
    well.
    
    Steve
    (Who used to own an all XT bike, now own mixed LX, XT, Coda Cannondale)

    Thanks for all the comments so far.
    
    re .33
    
    I'm looking for XT on the advice of a friend who worked in a shop when
    he was in high school.  But, he's not fully current, so I am checking
    on the quality of the LX and realistic pricing. 
    
    I'm pretty sure I couldn't tell the difference given my current lack of
    experience.  But, I want to buy one bike and keep it for a long time,
    so I want the best I can find within the given price range.  
    
    Rachael

In general I would not worry about using LX level components as they are
very good.  Considering that its just the cranks and brakes then you really
should have no problems with that setup.

I weigh in at 180lbs and just completed my first year of racing on a Altus 
equipped Wheeler with no failures during the race season.  I really beat that 
bike up and now the components are starting to fail.  The crank, chain and 
shifters are all bad now.  The LX components are far superior to the Altus 
stuff.  So I expect that they should last you a very long time, unless you 
intend to really trash the bike (like I plan to do with my new OBED).

The Trek 970 is a nice bike and should hold up well and the frame, which is
the most important part, is quite decent.

Scott

    Opinions & advice requested from a roady with very limited MTB
    experience (only experience is to rent MTB's, while on travel).  I've 
    enjoyed doing rocks in AZ to bushwacking in NC over the last couple of 
    years and am finally ready to drop some $$$ to own one.
    
    Over the weekend Nault's had a pretty good sale and I put $50 down to
    hold a Gary Fisher Montare (1996 model for $699).
    
    Anyone familiar with it?  Also, the guy at the store suggested a 16"
    frame, which surprised me (I've got a 30" inseam).  Any opinions? 
    
    Couple of spec's...
    
    Rock Shox Quadra - 60mm travel
    Sugino Impel 500 (42/32/20) crankset
    Shimano Deore LX SGS rear & STX front
    Matrix Lobo rims & Tioga Psycho tires
    25.1 lbs (6061 T6 Al frame)
    
    Other spec's can be found at www.fisherbikes.com/montaresp.html
    
    Frankly, my earlier shopping was focused at about the $500 range, with 
    the frame being my major criteria.  This bike seemed to have everything
    I could envision ever wanting in the future except clipless pedals.  With 
    the amount of dabbing that I've done on the rentals, it's just as
    well that I have the cages anyway!
    
    Bill
    

>    Opinions & advice requested from a roady with very limited MTB

[...]

>    Over the weekend Nault's had a pretty good sale and I put $50 down to
>    hold a Gary Fisher Montare (1996 model for $699).

Seems a little late, unless that $50 is refundable...


In case you dont get any response in here, there is an MTB conference
around somewhere...

--roger

    16" sounds about right you...
    Dont know anything about the bike but Naults tends to give very good
    prices for their older stuff if that helps
    -Larry.

    The Montare is a nice bike and 16" does sound about right for a 30"
    inseam.  I know someone that has a 1995 Montare and she loves it
    especially after adding a suspension fork.  The only issue she has had
    with it have been the STX RC rear brakes.  They have not worked well
    from day one.  Hopefully the new V-brakes she got for Christmas will
    clear that up.