Help Needed My Good TE Friends!

[CorsairMac]

Ok...heres the issue: I got the Peugeot back last night (oh man sweet ride) so I dropped the Navigator off for her checkup. I rode the Peugeot today but the brakes are just too loosey-goosey for me so I have to take him back in for new brakes. Now my LBS will have Both my bikes and it's gonna be 75 here tomorrow. Soooooooooooooooo - since I'm Seriously looking at MTB'ng and Snowtulip is willing to work with me and my LBS have their MTB's on sale for an awesome price........I'm open to any Really Good reason why I SHOULDN"T buy a MTB tonight when I drop off the Peugeot so I have a bike to ride to work tomorrow AND I have a MTB to start MTB'ng with Snow. Just as a footnote: my friends here that know me well, are all surprised I'm NOT MTB'ng already and wouldn't blink an eyelash if I told them I bought one. One of my friends was surprised I didn't get a MTB first and everything after!

PS: it would be a Bright Yellow Trek entry level MTB - all steel! or a Trek Lime Green Alum entry level - which would be better?? I'm leaning towards the steel coz it's gonna be taking a lot of abuse especially during the learning curve. (plus the steel is a tad cheaper)

[SadieKate]

What is the component mix? Is there a weight difference?

You're going to find yourself shifting and shifting and shifting so you really need the best drivetrain.

[CorsairMac]

The drivetrains are the same for both, my LBS says the alum is lighter but I didn't ask what the weight diff was. They're identical bikes cept for the frame material.

[cyclingnewbie]

I can't think of a single reason why you shouldn't buy a bike. Really; not one! Go for it.

[MomOnBike]

Not to be a wet blanket, but weren't you the one visiting, um, somewhere with your grandfather? Check the budget.

There, I got my Motherliness out of the way. :rolleyes:

Motherliness aside, I'd go for the steel. Why? Because I just would. Some things just don't yield to logic.

[Irulan]

buy what fits best, is what I always say.

[mikki]

If your budget can handle it - go for it. Personally, I love my Trek 820 (it's the yellow one, I'll bet). Handles like a dream. :D

[shewhobikes]

Huh? Huh? :D
Mtn biking is SO different from the road. Can't wait to see what you think.

[mtnbikenmama]

You'll have the best of both worlds. And I second what Irulan said, go for fit, and then weight. But fit is crucial. And take in all the joy of a sweet singletrack.

donna

[CorsairMac]

Well, the Jamis has a no-name crankset and bottom bracket (it's an 03 model) as well as a carbon fork. The Marin has both a carbon fork and carbon seatstays. Other than that, they are extremely similar (tiagra drivetrain but tectro brakes on the Jamis and tiagra brakes on the Marin). I'm probably nitpicking.

ain't nothing wrong with nitpicking........does the LBS know you're looking at the Marin?....do they know what the diffs is that is holding you up?.....they may work with you to have your business. You could just flat out Ask them what they could do to help you with the difference so you can buy from them! I gotta tell ya, my LBS.....so far they've "given" me: handlebars, hand grips, brake levers, a quick release. The guys go and either find them in the back left over from some other bike or they bring them from home. They know I'm gonna A) appreciate what they did for me and B) spend money there on something else as a "thank you" for their service.
(which reminds me: I need to write them a Thank you for the service on Allez)
I also take the time to write a thank you naming them by name everytime they help me on big items like service: it's more lasting then cookies And it's something they can show to the owners and pass around to the other shops! Makes them feel special that I took to time to write them!

[nuthatch]

The LBS does know I'm looking at the Marin and they were most helpful in pointing out the differences in the two bikes, even making the comment, "Wow, how are they selling that frame for that price (alluding to all the carbon in the Marin, I guess). I think they knew they'd impress me more with honesty and sense of helping me find the best bike more than the hard sell. That's why I want to buy from them!! And I really like their mechanic (this is all first impression, mind - I have no real experience with them yet).

I know, I know, I'm answering my own question here. I want to work with this bike store and, even if I wait until they get something else in I like the looks of better than the Jamis, their helpful attitude will overpower the Bargain Betty in me that wants to get the Marin. On the other hand, they haven't wanted to deal at all yet. I think the profit margin on the bike is getting small. After all, they've had it on the floor since 03.

[spazzdog]

Come on Corsair... a yellow bike. Name it Lance. :D

[Bike Goddess]

Well NH- if it helps any- I ride a Jamis (Quest)- steel frame. My LBS also takes care of it for me. It has similar set up- carbon forks, etc. My thoughts are - don't buy something unseen!

You can always upgrade, etc.

You might check the web for reviews on the Jamis. 'nuf said :D

[nuthatch]

Thanks, everyone - all the suggestions are most appreciated!

[snowtulip]

Ok, I've been buried in homework and haven't visited in a few days and low and behold CorsairMac has a mountain bike!!! Welcome to the world of mountain biking! When we go out you will soon be dreaming of single track. Envision this... birds chirping, wildflowers blooming, wonderful singletrack, oh look at the happy squirrels and deer...all of this while on my amazing mountain bike...oh wait, what's that smell, could it be fresh air rather than gas fumes. Now isn't that a beautiful dream you can have on a regular basis?

No offense to the road riders (I know it's not all gas fumes). I'm just creating a vision.

Look forward to riding!!!

[Barb]

Corsaire- Congrats on the bike. I ordered the same one for my son (except in blue and metallic silver).

Nuthatch - If you are an REI member, you will get money back at the end of the year (to spend on more gear of course!) and they give a 10% discount on parts and service in the bike department. I didn't buy from them, only because I could not find a bike I really loved there. I do take my commuter there for all the tune up stuff and buy as much gear as I can. I love getting that member check in early spring. Also, the Return policy is awesome. They take it back no matter what or when. Just be sure you buy the $15.00 membership. :cool:

[nuthatch]

Thanks, Barb! I did actually order the Marin bike from REI outlet and, when it arrives and I can test ride it, I'm planning to take your advice and join up. It seems like it would be worth it for the service on the bike alone. The fellow I spoke to in their bike department at our neighborhood REI was very upfront about everything and that made me feel a little more confident about treating them like my LBS (even though I know they are a big corporation compared to my local BikeLine LBS).