What Can $1000 Dollars Get You
Posted by FatBob on December 7, 2011
One of the most common questions 29erOnline gets is, “I have a $1,000. What is the best bike I can get?” To be honest, it’s been a while since most folks around 29erOnline rode a $1,000 bike. We tend to test full suspension, which are inherently more expensive and, because we are certifiable bike nuts, we tend to ride and test stuff that is more expensive. We wondered – can a $1,000 bike handle what we throw at bikes every day? What compromises, if any, do you make with a $1,000 bike.
We called around and, so far, we’ve received several bikes that meet the $1,000 budget and are considered trail capable by their manufacturer. Regardless of price-point, so much in choosing a bike depends on terrain, style of rider, and just plain old opinions based on personal likes and dislikes. So, while it is unlikely that we will be able to state definitively that “this bike is the best $1,000 bike”, we can help point out each bike’s strengths and weaknesses and give an opinion based on a perspective informed by time spent riding a wide variety of bikes.
So really, at its core, testing $1,000 bikes is just like testing any other bike for us – we’ll ride them and tell you what we think about how they perform. Obviously, comparing these bikes to more expensive bikes would not be fair. However, we do feel like we can look at similar bikes and draw some conclusions about how well they perform in general and tell you what their relative strengths are.
It would be a mistake to think this is a beginner test. The truth is, for most people, $1,000 is a good amount of money for anything and mountain biking is about having fun not going broke on equipment. Every bike we are testing was designed to be capable of doing the things we will ask of it. We expect a lot out of a bike no matter the price – watch our test videos, we’ll be riding these bikes on the same trails we ride all our test bikes on.
Since we are also testing a category, so to speak, we will have additional things in mind as we test. Our goals in this test are:
1) See if these bikes can withstand the type of riding a beginner and enthusiast rider will subject them to. These bikes will be ridden multiple times a week in all conditions. We want to accelerate the wear cycle that most riders will put these bikes through, with a special eye on how things like components hold up. We will not be trading parts out. These bikes will remain stock unless their is a failure of a part, in which case we will replace it with an equivalent part.
2) See what each bike’s strengths and weaknesses are. Which bikes excel in what conditions? Are there parts that were universally liked or disliked? Did any parts fail? Where is your money best spent – the bike with the best shock, the best shifters, or something else? Do some favor tight terrain, slow speed tech, or wide open speed? Are they balanced between climbing or descending or do they have leanings toward specializing in one area?
3) If you are new to Mountain Biking, is there other gear you should budget in? For example, do clipless pedals or a quality hydration pack make any ride so much better that it is worth sacrificing on a better speced bike in favor of something else.
We have looked at this review process from the eyes of a fairly experienced bunch and I, for one, am excited to see what you can get for your hard earned cash. We have two endurance racers, 2 dedicated enthusiasts who periodically race, a rider transitioning from road riding to the mountains, and two women. This should give a wide array of experience and backgrounds to represent most user groups.
In no way are we trying to be critical or to nit pick a company. These bikes are sweated over just like the high end bikes. The kind of devotion the product managers and employees put into these bikes deserves our respect. Please read these reviews with that concept in mind.
This is the first time we’ve attempted this type of test with lots of similar bikes at once. Phone calls have been made, commitments made, commitments broken, dates quoted and dates absolutely shattered. Our original intent was to receive all the bikes in a close time frame then very methodically rotate through bikes, documenting rider’s feedback at set intervals not giving any advantage to one bike over the other. We had also cooked up a surprise format to really bring out what these companies are capable of putting out at this competitive price range.
In the end, after many hours of phone calls and follow ups, we have half of the bikes that were committed to us – best laid plans and all that. So, as bikes keep trickling in, we will build and report on them, getting them out to testers as fast as possible. We will still collect data and attempt to find out what these bikes can really handle, there will just be a lag in the testing schedule compared to what we had hoped for. Don’t worry, we will get you results in plenty of time to decide what you want before the spring riding season.
As usual please feel free to ask questions. I will ask that you post questions in the Comments section under each individual bike’s write up.
Giant Talon 0
Specialized RockHopper 29 MSRP $960
More Bikes to be added as we receive them
Comments
21 Responses to “What Can $1000 Dollars Get You”Leave a comment, and if you'd like your own picture to show up next to your comments, go get a gravatar!
I am very excited to see how this plays out. With higher end bikes its all to easy to get the beast of all worlds when you pay for it, XT all around, Carbon frames and super-light wheelsets will make every rider feel like a pro, but in the end its not realistic to think you will attract new blood to this sport if there is a $3,000 minimum entry fee. With a $1000, this sport really becomes an attractive proposition, and having reviews of where to spend that $ makes it better for first time buyers who get discouraged that they cant justify the extra $1000 everyone seems to demand. Im really looking forward to the review, and might I suggest the GT Karakoram as a potential contender.
Hello Kevin. I am excited as well. A few of the reasons we are doing this are 1) help new riders out by giving information they can really use getting into this awesome sport. 2) Find out how viable it is for an enthusiast rider, or are they better off spending more.3) and most important to me, this is by far the most common email we get. Seems as though a large portion of readers are only planning on spending $1000 on a bike. We want to answer their questions. When I was asked this question all I could do is reference them to a website or send them to a brand I trusted. That just isn’t good enough. So while it is requiring patience on the part of readers with these questions, it will be an answer I can be confident in.
The goal here is not so much the best bike but telling you the differences and how it translates to ride quality. Ultimately it is a way to arm you with all the tools you need to make a decision. These bikes need to last a few years and also need to be worth upgrading as parts wear out.
i cant give to much information but so far I am very impressed with what is being sent.
Keep watching. This is a big series and will take some time but is actually the number one priority here. the pictures are coming out great and it keeps evolving to better serve not only you but the companies that support us.
Indecently we asked for a GT but the bikes were unavailable till January. Anyone else out there interested ? Looks like my time frame has been pushed forward so i can see if we can arrange for it to happen.
Hey Bob. I just got a Trek Marlin SS and with some upgrades still fell under the 1000 mark. Love this new ride. Great way to get into trying a 29er. Been trying to catch you at the Creek to show it to you.
Awesome Steve, and thanks for the trail work at the creek. Are you doing the C. Storm 40 miler at the end of January ?
Between the RockHopper & the Talon 0, which one do you feel is better? I love the site and this test will be great to follow. Thanks.
I’m currently looking to purchase this week and I have these 2 bikes in mind to purchase. The question is the Specialized Rockhopper (Expert) vs The Giant Talon 0. I am a new rider so I am sure they will both be great, just curious on which will be a better deal and components wise. Thank you for the rad site, and I look forward to this series of articles.
Hi Clint, There is no perfect answer here. If you are not able to change a single part…depends on where you ride. The Giant has fast tires and is a little lighter. the Specialized has more aggressive tires and a little more relaxed geometry by feel, but is heavier. The Giant is more XC in its feel.
Alot depends on where you ride and you as a rider.
It is not the goal of this test to tell you which bike is better. We hope to be able to tell strengths and weaknesses based on our experience and on a variety of trails. I don’t envy your choice as we have both bikes here and are riding them and this would be hard to choose.
If you are more of a beginner rider I would lean you to the RockHopper, more of an advanced rider on a budget, the Giant. See if you can budget in a tire trade and the Giant extends is usefulness.
Light feeling with an emphasis on climbing speed, Giant. More playful and confident, Specialized. With the Specialized loose the grips. they unfortunately spin around. Trade up to a locking set.
I cant get to much more into it. 3 riders have ridden this bike but we have not discussed it at all beyond the basics.
Hey guys, great job. The Google knew what I wanted and sent me here
Finally getting back into MTB and my old Trek steel frame isn’t quite cut out for what I’m riding. Hope to make a purchase this Spring and this series is perfect for what I’m looking for!
Welcome back Matt. Glad we can help !
I am also interested in how the GT nearest $1000.00 stacks up, thanks! Great site.
Hi Gary, we are working on that as we write this. Gt has been interested from the start, we are just waiting for availability. It seems Cannondale is as well. So hang in there, these bikes are high on our list and look to be very competitive.
This test is huge with alot of rider input. We are trying hard to meet our deadlines. It is really encouraging to get all the support we have from companies and readers alike. Thanks !
Just pick up the Specialized 29er that is have pictured. I love it! I have been riding it hard on desert trails here in AZ. It handles the rough stuff like I’m riding on a dirt road and climbs hills that has stopped me in the past. My only complaint is the paint shows the dirt , but then again who the hell cares.
Hello again. Thank you for the great advice. I live in AZ and I’ve tested both bike. I think I am going with the Giant, the wheels were definately fast when intook it for a test spin but the shop is going to do a swap. Thanks again for the feedback…Beer Money will be in your future.
Cheers
thanks Clint. Beer is good !
Are any of the ride reports in yet, I’m looking to buy a bike soon. Really interested in the Giant review and actual test ride data as this is one of the bikes that come in to consideration for me.
Will you also have a Norco in your test line up? Charger or Nitro?
We are 4 riders in so far. The only two things that went wrong are the rear shifter cracked at the lever and the tires are just not up to the task for our local trails.
The hardest part about this review is that everyone needs to ride all the bikes before they can really comment on any one. We need to make sure we are comparing the same birds and not comparing it to the $3000 dual suspension bikes we have been riding. We are getting close though as I am pretty much through the bikes with at least 2 members having ridden all of them. So sorry to make you wait but fairness and making sure we have a real perspective is very important and does take quite a bit of time.
If you have any specific questions please let ask here and I will gladly answer what I can.
This is hands down the most useful set of write ups I’ve seen so far in my hunt for a new bike.
My hitch is being shipped to me, I think I have my rack picked out and should pick that up next week, have my lid, gloves, shoes and camelback… I’ve been putting the bike off till last since I’m having a tough time deciding. My budget was a few hundred dollars more than a grand but these breakdowns are so good that I’m inclined to buy in this category just for sheer confidence.
I can’t wait for all the impressions. I hope I can hold out long enough.
Many, many thanks. You have a new reader and if you printed a mag; I’d sub based on this article and the bike write ups alone. Keep up the great work!
Thanks Jerod. We are working on starting to compile comments. The crew had to get through a couple of them to make sure we were comparing the same style bikes. If you have any questions please leave them here and we will answer them as fast as we can to assist you in your buying decision.
On the $1000 bike topic, Jamie raced the GT Karakoram on today in Sumter SC. We did change the wheels and tires as in the open class he would have seriously diminished his chances of doing well. He will be getting a race report up soon.
I will try to convince him to race another $1000 bike next weekend in Danville, VA with the same wheel set to make sure we are consistent. stay tuned we will be updating this soon.. promise we will.
Argggggghhhhhh……
You’re killing me….narrowed my choice down to the rockhopper and giant and discussed pros and cons with my lbs which stocks both. Can’t wait for your final review, my new steed has been ordered so can’t wait to see what your reviewers conclude….
Don’t feel bad, I’m killing me too. Check us out on FaceBook. We are updating more regularly there with tidbits.
Don’t feel bad, I’m killing me too. Check us out on FaceBook. We are updating more regularly there with tidbits about all the bikes in our stock. We had a couple of mishaps that have slowed us down.