Giant Boulder SE?

**paigette** · 10-17-2006, 10:57 AM

I fell into road cycling this past May, at the time, I lived in an flat area where mountain biking wasn't really possible. I thoroughly enjoy my road bike:

However, I have since moved to an area where there are some decent mountain biking trails & have become curious

I stepped into a LBS and was recommended:

Now, I'm taking the fact that these bikes match as a cosmic sign that I need to buy this lovely Giant Boulder SE. If you own one, what are your thoughts? Is it a good beginner mountain biker bike?

**TerraNik** · 10-19-2006, 03:42 PM

Now I'm by no means an expert, but I just thought I would post because no one else has replied as yet.

The Boulder is an entry level bike. Now I've seen numerous specs on this bike, depending on whether you're looking at the US model, or other countries. Now the US model (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/030...06&model=11392) has 3 inches of travel, and cantilever brakes!!! Not even V-brakes! But the Aussie model (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/030...sp?model=10103) has 3 inches of travel and v-brakes as well as another model that has disc brakes. If I had the choice I would go for a bike that had at least v-brakes.

Now it really depends on what you want to DO with the bike.

If you're thinking of just riding around fire trails, no jumps and not very 'rocky'/technical terrain or very steep hills (decending) then this bike is probably okay. With only 3 inches of travel in the front forks however, I wouldn't be doing any drops or jumps with it, that's for sure! Again, it just depends on what you want it for.

I guess for me, if I were buying my first mtn bike, I wouldn't just think about the level of skill you have NOW, but a little ahead of yourself. You don't want a bike that you grow out of very quickly... I am of the opinion that, if you're able to, purchase a bike that you can grow into. Now that doesn't mean go buy a $5000 bike! But have a chat to the people at your LBS about where you want to go with your riding in the future, and make sure that this bike can take you there.

**rocknrollgirl** · 10-19-2006, 04:28 PM

I just read this to my DH...my component guru...he just picked every one of the components on my new racer X. He said that he would not even consider and entry level bike without disc brakes. The wheel set and the brakes are the two most important thing on your bike. You should be able to get a bike with mechanical disc brakes that is not too expensive.

Now that being said....

It took me one year to out grow my first "real" mountain bike. You get what you pay for, so plan ahead like TerraNik says. You don't have to go crazy, just spend wisely. Take your time, test drive, consider what your future plans are.....

Ruth

**paigette** · 10-19-2006, 05:42 PM

Thanks ladies!

I'll swing by the LBS tomorrow to see what he has with mechanical disk brakes

**emily_in_nc** · 10-19-2006, 07:07 PM

Okay, I am definitely not an expert, very much a newbie to mountain biking (been a roadie for years), but when I researched mechanical disc brakes vs. v-brakes, I found some sources that said that v-brakes are perfectly adequate if you don't plan on riding under muddy/wet conditions most of the time. Another plus for v-brakes is that they are lighter weight and less complex than discs.

I'm pretty much a fair-weather rider so I bought a used Titus Racer-X with v-brakes and find that they provide fine braking power. It may or may not make a difference that I am a lighter rider.

I also read that the disk brakes on lower-end mountain bikes are just not that good. V-brakes might be a better choice in a lower-end bike for that reason. If you go higher-end, then the disk brakes obviously get a lot better.

Just another data point .... like I said, I am new to the mountain biking world; this is just some info I gleened from my research. So far my v-brakes (Avid) have been fine for me.

Emily

**TerraNik** · 10-20-2006, 05:37 AM

Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

... I found some sources that said that v-brakes are perfectly adequate if you don't plan on riding under muddy/wet conditions most of the time. Another plus for v-brakes is that they are lighter weight and less complex than discs.

I also read that the disk brakes on lower-end mountain bikes are just not that good. V-brakes might be a better choice in a lower-end bike for that reason. If you go higher-end, then the disk brakes obviously get a lot better.

Emily has a valid point. I know a number of riders that share her opinion, that v-brakes are adequate, which is why I mentioned above that they should be the minimum. Quite a few people I have spoken with have expressed the opinion that a good v-brake is a whole lot better than a bad disc brake. But, again Emily is correct regarding mud - v-brakes will not work well in very muddy conditions due to the mud getting on your rims and not allowing the brake to come in contact with your rim at it's optimal pressure. Now this isn't a problem experienced with disc brakes.

So, as long as you're happy to ensure that your rims are nice and clean, and that you aren't going to be riding in muddy areas (at least not before going on a steep descent!!), then v-brakes will probably do... But again, spending that little bit extra on a bike with reasonable quality disc brakes might be the way to go - then it won't matter at all!

**paigette** · 10-20-2006, 07:23 AM

Talked with my boss (she owns a Marrin??) and she said that for the Lake Bryan trails, we really don't need disk's. But she also mentioned she has thought about getting some just cause they are better

**Aggie_Ama** · 10-20-2006, 02:57 PM

Paigette- Which bike shop are you going to? We used to frequent Aggieland Cycling because we had no choice. They did give us a discount since DH was on the team.

I don't Mountain Bike, but DH rode on the A&M team. Have they done some maintenance on the Lake Bryan trail? By the time we left it was really in need of some TLC. It can be very sandy, maybe some of the girls who know there stuff can give you advice on that. DH had to constantly rebuild his fork because of the sandy and muddiness of the trail.

Once you get your bike, definitely make the short trip (maybe an hour) to Warda. My DH loves that trail, it is a ranch that a very nice family runs. I can't remember the name right now. I miss Aggieland.

**paigette** · 10-20-2006, 05:03 PM

From what I'm being told, the Brazos Valley Mountain Bike Association has really improved the trails in Lake Bryan. There is a beginner trail(about 8 miles long) & a more advanced one.

I'm bummed cause I looked into the road cycling groups & from what I can see, they sort've letting communication to newbies go by the wayside.....

I'm eligible to be a part of the A&M team, since I work for the college, but they do practice rides at 3:45pm! A girll has to work to support her bikes! I am hoping that after a month or so, I'll talk with my boss & see if she' let me work let one night a week, so I can at least go once a week.

Aggieland Cycling is pretty much the only game in town. BCS Bicycles was kind of sucky (I went in for 15 minutes & no employee was around!) and I've heard some bad things about Cycles, Etc....so Aggieland Cycling it was!

**Aggie_Ama** · 10-20-2006, 08:23 PM

I worked with someone that was a member of the Brazos Valley Cyclists. They have a Monster PMS (women only) ride on Saturdays. I was never a member since I lived with a riding buddy!

You should join the cycling team strictly for the discount at Aggieland. Seriously- 20% off is worth it! There isn't a lot of choice in BCS and Aggieland is the best bet.

I cracked my tailbone on the beginner loop at Lake Bryan.

I am glad to hear they are supposed to be taking better care of it.

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