Jamis Bikes? Hardtail or Dually

[webbey64]

Hey guys,
i am new to the DH, XC bike scene and i am looking to buy a bike atm because some mates at work are into it and i would also like to get into it.

Atm i am a bit confused at what to purchase (have read other thread) because i went into annaconda today and they had some jamis bikes in there and apparentaly one of them won bike of the year they are fairly priced and had a bit of a searh on google and there seems to be no major problems with them. Not like %50 of people not being happy.

Also the dude in there told me that i should go hardtail to start off with for atleast the first year or so to get my "technique" right. My mates have said to go a dually first if i wanted. i want a bike that can do XC and Downhill easy for the moment if i then get a preference i can change to a more XC or downhill orientated bike.

Oh and i havent done hardly any XC or Downhill riding. Looking to spend around $1500 on a bike.

cheers

[Sekt]

XC and DH are on opposite ends of the MTB spectrum, so you're probably going to have to make a little bit of a decision in one direction. For $1,500 you're better off getting a solid hardtail rather than a cheaper duallie. Stuff Anaconda, support your LBS.

[boylehead]

i wouldnt go near the jamis bikes personally, they seem to be way over priced for the spec, there not bad build quality etc but compared to other bikes not as good price to spec ratio.
and if your thinking of DH and XC then get a all mountain bike such as the giant reign, they are a bit exy for your price range, to get a good dually you need to spend more really, but you could get a half decent one for that i suppose, head into a actual bike shop and ask them and tell them the riding you want to do, they have a larger range of bikes and they have a passion for them.
so go from there.
hope this helps.

[boylehead]

OR buy second hand
and just check with your mates if the bike your buying is good for the riding you will be doing
second hand bikes may have been used (loved) but there not to be gone past when your on a budget and want a good quality bike.

[webbey64]

thanks for the replies guys, yeah i probably was not as clear as i should have been before by downhill i meant light down hill not full on downhill, i went into Ray Applebies today and they had an 07 Specialised Stump Jumper in there for $1900 not sure what that kind of price is like but it looked like a nice bike. The bloke in there also said duallies are good beause u dont have to think as much instead of having to think alot more on a hardtail. Anyhow i am definately going to get a second hand bike maybe extend my budget to around 2k.

[boylehead]

yeah good idear, glad i helped
and yeah something like the stump jumper is what you may want to look at to start with something with around 4-6" travel in the rear and how ever much front. and make sure you can lock out the rear for XC, or stiffen it in a way because you dont want all the power out of your pedaling going into the rear end for XC.
still applys for DH but not as much so because most guys have there bikes plush and just pedal shit loads

[webbey64]

yeah i think u can lockout the stumpjumpers to a degree, my mates have said look at a Norco Fluid, Secialized SX Trail or Enduro aswell i just got to be patient and wait for the right thing to pop up i spose.

[boylehead]

yeah, if you can strike a good deal get it
but dont rush into it if your buying 2nd hand because you dont want to get a bike your not happy with along the track.

[webbey64]

well as i am starting out i can only look for bikes that have been suggested to me so if anyone has suggestions of good bikes i can buy please feel free

[knoxy]

the bike shed mortdale has a Norco fluid 4 for $1000, a fluid 3 for $1600, A diamondback sorti 1 for $1500, as well as a few others within your price range. I don't know how good they are but they might be worth a try. http://tbsm.com.au/

[webbey64]

thanks heaps mate and i had nearly talked myself into just getting a demo 9 and doing purely DH

[webbey64]

is there any reason that site has bikes so cheap, i would rather support a LBS but not with savings like that? Anyone got an opinion on that?

[DH4Life]

is there any reason that site has bikes so cheap, i would rather support a LBS but not with savings like that? Anyone got an opinion on that?

I have a bought heaps of stuff off The Bike Shed Mortdale and never had a single issue with the quality of any of the products. So it's not coz they selling dodgy bits! My uncle also lives in Mortdale, so once every year, when i pop up to sydney to visit, I check em out and they are a great store with great staff and extremely helpful. They are also an LBS and not a internet deal-only-stockist-thing so they there stuff and how to deal with people. Plus postage is free! If you have any issues, give em a call and they are more than happy to help!

[webbey64]

sweet might call them tomorrow, tried tonight but must of been a tad to late im not sure whether its their site or not but it seems all the ones i am after are only in a Small fram and being 178cm think i need a medium or 17 - 18inch frame. Anyhow have found the following.

http://tbsm.com.au/index.php?main_page= ... ts_id=1030

http://tbsm.com.au/index.php?main_page= ... cts_id=234

http://tbsm.com.au/index.php?main_page= ... cts_id=259


but they only have a Small Frame size to chose from on their site so :/ thats what i have to ask about and have not heard much about diamondback bikes.

[JojiroKona]

Personally I would go for the Diamondback. But it depends if you want to do more XC than DH.