best hardtail value?

[stai0033]

I want to get a hard tail bike (primarily set up singlespeed) to ride dirt (jumps), street, and theo, leb, and other fun singletrack when I'm in the mood to ride single speed (I have a FS, geeared bike that I ride at these last places but want to add to the challenge a bit).

What do you think of this one-

Haro thread one-

http://www.harobikes.com/2006/atb/threadone.php (http://http//www.harobikes.com/2006/atb/threadone.php)

compared to a
Specialized cro-mo P2 (probally take off or sell the SRAM gears)
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=12918&bikeTab=features

or a Kona Cowan (again with the gears)
http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_cart/FrontEnd/Products/product_detail.aspx?productid=318&parentid=253

there's many more I'm sure. My take is that singlespeed out of the box seems like a plus, fork is questionable on haro. seems decent value

seems like some like cro-mo for frames, p2 geometry is extreem looking tho, handle trails ok?.

cowan is expensive.

not sure what these weigh like or if I even care much (current bike is close to 40lbs) of course i'll test ride what i can. thanks in advance for any opinions/experiences.

-Eric

[MikeMoneymaker]

I rode one of the cowans down at xtreme bikes. If i were you i would for sure go with that one.

http://xtremebikesonline.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=417

[waitabit]

I second that, plus you'd be buying from a good guy who supports the scene!:crazy2:

[Wolfchimp]

Behind Bars Bike Shop in East Minneapolis carries Kona also. I am pretty sure that Chuck has a Cowan on the floor.

[Kosk]

The Cowan and P that you linked (p2 cromo) both have the same geo: 72 STA and 69 HTA. The slacker the STA angle gets (smaller number) the worse the bike is for pedaling, as when you raise the seat to "trail height" the saddle also moves backwards more, putting your hips further behind the BB. (Careful, depending on model, the geometry on the P bikes changes, some have shallower STAs.) 72 deg is not that bad of a STA for putting the seat up and riding trail. Anything shallower though, and it starts to get worse. HTA isn't as big a deal IMO, its not too hard to adjust your steering habits moving from bike to bike w/ different HTAs. 69 is still pretty steep now a days.

Being that you want a bike to jump/play on, and still ride trails, your biggest problem will be picking a size that is a compromise between the two. Smaller frames are better for jumping/playing on, but suck when you jack up the seat and try to ride a trail. (A mile of seat post is not optimal, or safe either.) Be sure to test ride with the seat slammed, and then also up a little where you think you might have it if you are burning laps at Theo.

I myself own an 18" Instigator. It also has a 72 STA but has a steeper HTA at 71 (although I rake the bike out with an adjustable fork). I find the 18" is great for trail riding, and with the seat slammed, it makes a decent jump/play bike ( I'm just over 6'), although a size smaller frame would be more optimal for jumping and urban, I choose to sacrafice towards the "trail riding" end of the spectrum to get a little longer TT to make things more comfy on the back. (I found that a 23.5 effTT is perfect for me, still upright and agressive enough of a FR position to get the front of the bike up easily, and also be balanced in the air, but not too short that my lower back gets all cramped up when riding.)

The short stays and short wheelbase are what really make these type of bikes fun for trail riding in my opinion.

Don't limit yourself to just sliding or track dropout frames either. A vertical drop out w/ a properly setup Singulator is remarkably realiable and simple. (If setup correctly!!) It makes switching gearing or switching to a geared configuartion trivial, as there is no F'n around with the rear brake alignment.

[ibismojo2001]

You might want to check out the bikes (new and used/consignment) at One on One on Washington next to Sex World. Geno will set you up. They ahve some really nice SS.

Good luck!!

[stai0033]

i will check behind bars and one on one.

Pete- I agree with everything you said and it was nice to here some numbers. I currently ride a coiler which is slacker yet at ST-71.5 and HT-67.5.

Thanks again-

[stai0033]

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.006.asp?model=11276

this one is fairly economical, def going to test ride.

[Tetreves]

I think someone had a used Gimp for sale around here somewhere. Not sure if it's still for sale, but it would probably suit your needs very well.

[manual63]

You know what bike I really like? Check out the DK Two Six. It's at the bottom of this page. It's all flash....click on the Two Six to see specs and bigger pics.

Sweet ride!!

http://www.dkbicycles.com/bikes/bikes.html

[manual63]

Speaking of DK Bikes......who in town sells them? I know Penn had some but they only carry the cheap one called the General Lee.

[stai0033]

i'm a try before i buy type guy...

and so far it looks like there's no haro thread one's in town and I'm guessing it will be the same story with the DK's. But I'll call around. Bill's bicycle in st. paul had one thread one in earlier in the summer. The hunt continues, thanks for the leads-

eric

[MikeMoneymaker]

Speaking of DK Bikes......who in town sells them? I know Penn had some but they only carry the cheap one called the General Lee.


The Sag Wagon in Kasson MN is a DK dealer

[stai0033]

man, can't get the hands on the haro, giant, or dk. Called almost all the dealers. Guess I'm the only one interested in these things. Sheesh-

back to the stand by's- kona, spesh....meh

[wanderingrobots]

look at the cannondale chase 2. i saw one of those available at eriks a couple weeks back, and its exactly what you are looking for. here are the reviews on mtbr http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Freeride_Hardtail/product_124785.shtml

[MikeMoneymaker]

man, can't get the hands on the haro, giant, or dk. Called almost all the dealers. Guess I'm the only one interested in these things. Sheesh-

back to the stand by's- kona, spesh, surly...


Hold on, just found out that Xtreme bikes is gonna start selling them, contact them and talk to josh about it.

[cacocker]

best bike i ever owned was my specialized p2. i raced it downhill in CO with a drop off 2 up front and avid brakes. i did some xc riding on it and played on the trails and now its set up for dj with singlespeed and no fb. most versatile bike ive ever ridden, cant go wrong buying one new or used, worth every penny

[stai0033]

Not a lot of "dj" bike options in the mn area...

Rode a P2 at a well known chain of shops. Either the low end marz dirt jump shock sucks or it was set up horrible. same can be said for the brake. Also that big cheap looking chain guide thing is annoying. Thing felt like a tank even though it weighs way less than my 6" travel bike... but hard to say with the right stuff on it might be fun.

Nothin at the other two shops mentioned. Chuck has a cowan.....but it's his. Like that size though. Leaning towards Cowan, that's a nice bike. Sent a message to Josh. Might have to road trip down there.

Thanks again-

Eric

[Beau]

The Scheels here in Mankato will have about 40 Gary Fisher Bitters in a week for $350 or so. Slightly used by the Minnesota Vikings, but still a bargain with hyd. disk brakes. Do a search for 2005 Bitters, they're Silver.