Hey,
I have finally decided to fork out for a mountain bike, and am prepared to spend ~$800. I originally decided on a 2004 Giant Iguana for $759, but the XTC3 was tempting me with it's better componentry, shocks, and disc brakes.
After deciding i'm not going to spend another $400 (could spend 'just' a little bit more indefinitely!), i saw that the 2004 Avanti Montari, for $799, has similar componentry to the XTC3 and Barracuda, but with entry level shocks and v-brakes.
http://www.riders.com.au/images/avanti/montari_04.jpg
Here are the specs of the Montari
Frame - 7005 Alloy with 3 Main Tubes DB, Integrated Head Tube
Fork - Rock Shox Judy TT 100mm Travel
Brake Levers - Shimano BL-M420
Brakes - Shimano BR-M420
Shifters - Shimano Deore 27spd
Front Derailleur - Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur - Shimano LX
Crankset - Shimano FC-M440, 22-32-44
Bottom Bracket - Shimano BB-UN25 Cartridge
Chain - Shimano CN-HG53
Pedals - Alloy Cage with Clips and Straps
Headset - Zero Stack 1-1/8"
Stem - Alloy Ahead
Bars - Alloy Riser
Hubs - Shimano M-475 Alloy Disc Front and Rear
Cassette - Shimano CS-HG50 11-32 9spd
Spokes - DT Stainless Steel
Rims/Wheels - Zac 19 Double Wall Black with Brushed Side Walls
Tyres - Specialized Roll X Sport 26 x 2.0
Seat Post - Alloy 30.6mm Micro Adjust
Saddle - Specialized Body Geometry Sport
And the specs for the Iguana ...
Frame - ALUXX 6061 Aluminum, FluidFormed™, integrated head tube, XtC geometry
Fork - Manitou Six Sport 80mm travel
Brakes/levers - Tektro alloy V-brakes
Shifters - Shimano Deore 27 speed
Front Derailleur - Shimano Alivio
Rear Derailleur - Shimano Deore 9 speed
Crankset - Shimano Alivio 22x32x42T splined
Chain - Shimano Deore 9 spd
Headset - 1 1/8th Ahead integrated
Stem - New Giant 1 1/8th ahead
Handlebar - XC Riser
Hubs - Shimano Acera 9speed cassette (rear), formula front 32H
Cassette - SRAM 9 speed 11-34T
Spokes - Stainless
Rims - Alloy black double wall 26x32H
Tyres - Hutchinson Scorpion
What are people's thoughts on the Montari? From what i can tell, it seems to be specced similarly to the XTC3 and Barracuda, with $200 cheaper shocks and $200 saved from not having discs. The Montari Disc model (M475 discs) is available for $949, but to be honest, i hate the colour. The non-disc model does come with the disc hubs however.
Also, how do the Manitou Six Sports compare to the Rockshox Judy TTs, and what can i expect out of a set of shocks at that price level?
My intentions are purely to ride cross country, trails, and limestone outcrops. I do not want to specifically go jumping or serious downhilling.
Any feedback would be great
I have finally decided to fork out for a mountain bike, and am prepared to spend ~$800. I originally decided on a 2004 Giant Iguana for $759, but the XTC3 was tempting me with it's better componentry, shocks, and disc brakes.
After deciding i'm not going to spend another $400 (could spend 'just' a little bit more indefinitely!), i saw that the 2004 Avanti Montari, for $799, has similar componentry to the XTC3 and Barracuda, but with entry level shocks and v-brakes.
http://www.riders.com.au/images/avanti/montari_04.jpg
Here are the specs of the Montari
Frame - 7005 Alloy with 3 Main Tubes DB, Integrated Head Tube
Fork - Rock Shox Judy TT 100mm Travel
Brake Levers - Shimano BL-M420
Brakes - Shimano BR-M420
Shifters - Shimano Deore 27spd
Front Derailleur - Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur - Shimano LX
Crankset - Shimano FC-M440, 22-32-44
Bottom Bracket - Shimano BB-UN25 Cartridge
Chain - Shimano CN-HG53
Pedals - Alloy Cage with Clips and Straps
Headset - Zero Stack 1-1/8"
Stem - Alloy Ahead
Bars - Alloy Riser
Hubs - Shimano M-475 Alloy Disc Front and Rear
Cassette - Shimano CS-HG50 11-32 9spd
Spokes - DT Stainless Steel
Rims/Wheels - Zac 19 Double Wall Black with Brushed Side Walls
Tyres - Specialized Roll X Sport 26 x 2.0
Seat Post - Alloy 30.6mm Micro Adjust
Saddle - Specialized Body Geometry Sport
And the specs for the Iguana ...
Frame - ALUXX 6061 Aluminum, FluidFormed™, integrated head tube, XtC geometry
Fork - Manitou Six Sport 80mm travel
Brakes/levers - Tektro alloy V-brakes
Shifters - Shimano Deore 27 speed
Front Derailleur - Shimano Alivio
Rear Derailleur - Shimano Deore 9 speed
Crankset - Shimano Alivio 22x32x42T splined
Chain - Shimano Deore 9 spd
Headset - 1 1/8th Ahead integrated
Stem - New Giant 1 1/8th ahead
Handlebar - XC Riser
Hubs - Shimano Acera 9speed cassette (rear), formula front 32H
Cassette - SRAM 9 speed 11-34T
Spokes - Stainless
Rims - Alloy black double wall 26x32H
Tyres - Hutchinson Scorpion
What are people's thoughts on the Montari? From what i can tell, it seems to be specced similarly to the XTC3 and Barracuda, with $200 cheaper shocks and $200 saved from not having discs. The Montari Disc model (M475 discs) is available for $949, but to be honest, i hate the colour. The non-disc model does come with the disc hubs however.
Also, how do the Manitou Six Sports compare to the Rockshox Judy TTs, and what can i expect out of a set of shocks at that price level?
My intentions are purely to ride cross country, trails, and limestone outcrops. I do not want to specifically go jumping or serious downhilling.
Any feedback would be great