wsd Trek X-caliber vs Specialized Jett comp/ 29ers

[indysteel]

While I definitely think you should focus on fit when selecting a mountain bike, I tend to think you're overthinking the rest of it. You gotta start somewhere, and the Jett is a perfectly nice bike, as is the X-Cal. It will more than you get you started in the sport. I understand the appeal of higher end bikes, but don't lose sight of the fact that you don't have to buy high end to ride and to ride well. Get the bike and ride it. I'd add that from my own experience as a relatively new mountain biker, I tend to think that taking a clinic or some lessons will help you ride better far more than getting a higher end bike will.

I really urge you to hold off on swapping out anything for now. Would you notice the difference with lighter wheels? Sure, but you'll be in a much better position to figure out what you want if you ride the bike for a time first. Certain things on the bike are wear items, so upgrading from the get-go doesn't make sense. Just let them wear out. As for wheels, I generally think they're a good first upgrade, but I wouldn't put any money into a bike until you're really sure you like it and are sure what kind of riding you do on what kind of trails.

[countrygirl]

Excellent points Indysteel, thanks. Yes I tend to over think EVERYthing, lol. I'm satisfied with my choice this time based on the fit in my test rides. The only advantage to switching out the tires right away is I get a big discount, if I wait I have to pay and extra $150 when the time comes. But you're right, for my purposes I probably will be fine with the tires the Jett comes with. I'm going to be riding with a bunch of people on 26ers and was just thinking that if the lighter tires help you get up the hill faster (the one sticking point of this 29er is supposed sluggish starting up hills), changing the tires out would help me keep up. Anyway, yes I am way over-thinking, maybe time to just drop it for now and figure out things as I ride and get accustomed etc.

[TigerMom]

My wonderful LBS gave me store credit when I swapped out the standard parts right away and upgraded (along with a small store discount for accessories/upgrades the day I bought my bike). So, if you do get store credit by swapping immediately and upgrading, that's what I would do. I'm a new mountain biker, but my LBS said that they highly recommend the tubeless tires for mountain biking due to less weight and less worries about needing to change tubes/tires from thorns/sharp objects.

If you don't get store credit by immediately upgrading, then just wait until you are sure about what you want.
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[countrygirl]

Hey Tigermom,

Urgh, what you say is true, Indysteel may not have realized about the discount factor. Thanks for weighing in, I think I will go for it and get the recommended lightweight tires~ $400 w. discount/ $550 without (expensive but heck, I'm restraining myself from getting a $2900 Fate which would kill me dead financially). I am going to be riding with more experienced people and want to be able to keep up, plus getting a flat sounds easy to happen with tube tires.

I read your post about the Fate and remembered your user name, I guess one way to think about it is that the Fate just came out and give it a couple years and they will really have perfected the technology and maybe offer more lightweight 29er models to consider as well. One of these days we will both have one :-).

[indysteel]

I may not have known specifically about the discount, but I've bought enough bikes over the years to know how this works. I've upgraded parts right out of the gate myself, sometimes with regret, sometimes without. It's easy to get "upgraditis," but there are worse ailments out there, too. In the end, you're the best judge of what you want in a bike and what you can afford.

[countrygirl]

Thanks Indy, very sound words. I don't want to go nuts upgrading a bike I have never even seen in person yet, but did read lots of pro and regular consumer reviews on this model where changing out the wheels for lighter seemed to be the chorus, so I will probably do it right away to get the discount. If there were no discount I would rather just take my sweet time with upgrading. The chain upgrade was so cheap with discount ($25) couldn't resist, since the guy said it really would make the shifting smoother. Smooth shifting, avoiding flats and being able to correct the one thing people complained on about this bike, sluggish start-up on hills, seem to be worthy investments for a thrifty person like me. Thanks again. I can finally turn my mind to other things having made these big decisions, which bike to get etc. 10 days 'til she arrives and then we ride !

[hebe]

The only real upgrades that I need to get my HardRock up hills faster are better leg muscles, and about 10lb less of me sitting on top of it Have fun with your new bike!

[indysteel]

Thanks Indy, very sound words. I don't want to go nuts upgrading a bike I have never even seen in person yet, but did read lots of pro and regular consumer reviews on this model where changing out the wheels for lighter seemed to be the chorus, so I will probably do it right away to get the discount. If there were no discount I would rather just take my sweet time with upgrading. The chain upgrade was so cheap with discount ($25) couldn't resist, since the guy said it really would make the shifting smoother. Smooth shifting, avoiding flats and being able to correct the one thing people complained on about this bike, sluggish start-up on hills, seem to be worthy investments for a thrifty person like me. Thanks again. I can finally turn my mind to other things having made these big decisions, which bike to get etc. 10 days 'til she arrives and then we ride !

I just want to clarify, that while I offered some advice--from my experience--about upgrades, I don't want you to feel like you need to justify or explain your reasoning to me or anybody else. It's your bike, your money, and your call.

I will say that I'm pretty wary when I talk to LBS employees at certain shops though. Some will shamelessly push product regardless of actual need or they'll overstate the improvement you'll gain from the upgrade. As a for instance, expect to hear at least once that you absolutely need to replace your cassette every time you replace your chain. I think that's lousy advice, but you hear it all the time. Remember that with a lot of upgrades, it's not the difference between the bike not working at all and working flawlessly. You're often talking about very modest improvements in performance. Just something to bear in mind going forward....