Decisions!

[limewave]

The 2,000 miles was DH's guess, not a fact.

The Superfly is owned by a friend of ours. He buys a lot of bikes. Like more than one a year. He's been racing for a LONG time--he knows how to ride a bike and how to take care of it well. When I looked at the bike today he mentioned replacing some parts with new XTR. I have a feeling this is because he had something higher-end on it that he replaced when it was given to him initially.

He had this bike for 1/2 a season before he got his custom, ultra agressive style new steel frame bike. He let me ride that one around his yard--it was freaky! Way too agressive for me. But the Superfly felt nice.

I'm going to take it for a follow-up ride on some gravel roads next week before the big decision . . . . . . .

[Aggie_Ama]

If you know the person well and their maintenance tendencies that is a different story. loved my Fisher but most of the people I know that have had a carbon one have had it replaced because of warranty. Again we ride super rocky trails but I have known 5 people who had the frame crack. May want to make sure the warranty is transferable. And I would want to have the frame checked by a shop just in case. Again it is what you are comfortable with in a used bike.

[Roadtrip]

AFAIK the frame warranty from Trek is original owner only. May not be a huge deal if you are friends with this person as if anything "did" happen I'm sure your friend would step up and deal with Trek on warranty, so long as he is original owner.

[limewave]

I'm really nervous about buying a carbon frame without a warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I know 2 people that have had the 2009 Superfly and both said that they would not own a carbon frame without a warranty even though they LOVE their bikes.

I've done a lot of looking, shopping around, test-riding. DH is starting to get upset with me, he thinks I'm jerking people and around. I don't mean to! I just want to make the right decision

It's tough when you can't afford the bike you really want. The bikes in my price range just don't feel right. Sigh.

[Becky]

I'm with you about the warranty. I've known too many people who have had carbon frames replaced under warranty.

If money were no object, what would you buy and why?

[limewave]

My dream bike would probably be building up a Gunnar Rock Hound 29er. I like the ride of a steel frame, especially on a HT, but it is still quite responsive.

I honestly don't know a lot about bike components, but I do know that the bikes I've ridden at the shop in my price range don't have an aggressive, racing set up. They "feel" like they are for fitness mountain biking or leisurely riding.

I want a bike with an aggressive geometry. And I want something that has a bit of a custom feel to it and not out-of-the box. But I'm an artist by nature, so I like uniqueness and flare

[Becky]

My dream bike would probably be building up a Gunnar Rock Hound 29er. I like the ride of a steel frame, especially on a HT, but it is still quite responsive.

I honestly don't know a lot about bike components, but I do know that the bikes I've ridden at the shop in my price range don't have an aggressive, racing set up. They "feel" like they are for fitness mountain biking or leisurely riding.

I want a bike with an aggressive geometry. And I want something that has a bit of a custom feel to it and not out-of-the box. But I'm an artist by nature, so I like uniqueness and flare

Ooooo....Rockhound! I like! That would be a bike worth saving for, like Tulip suggested..... You may want to look at Salsa too.

Maybe the thing to do is study the geometry charts of the bikes whose handling you like. From there, you might be able to identify some less expensive options that still have the handling characteristics you prefer.

Is building a frame up an option? Sometimes there's deals to be had on closeout frames, and it allows you to spread the cost out a little.

[tulip]

It's tough when you can't afford the bike you really want. The bikes in my price range just don't feel right. Sigh.

Can you save up for the one you really want, even if it takes a year (or more)? Take the price difference, divide by 12, and then you'll have the bike you want in a year. Why spend on something that isn't right?

[limewave]

Tulip--not a bad idea except that with everything we have going on, I can't justify spending more than a certain amount. We have too many other expenses. Plus we have all of our other bikes and kids bikes that need maintenance as well.

[tulip]

Ah, well, only you know your situation. If you don't spend anything now, and save a little bit every month til next year, then maybe you can get a bike that you enjoy--that's all I was saying. But if you really need the bike now, by all means get the one that suits you best and that is in your budget.

I have no advice on the actual bike since I stopped mountain bike racing in about 1987 or so (right after I had a terrible crash on the dual slalom at the New England mountain bike championships in Putney, Vermont.) Mountain bikes have evolved considerably since then.

Happy single tracking to you!