Which bike is better for me?
August 19, 2010 1:05 PM Subscribe
Need help choosing between two bikes.
I am a petite female person who currently owns a 5+ yr old lower/mid-range mountain bike. I want to upgrade to a nicer used bike and have two frontrunners: One is a 2007 Ladies Gary Fisher Marlin GS mountain bike for $380, barely ridden, according to the owner. The other is a (not sure of year) Giant Eddie Bauer hybrid for $195. I want to do trail riding, but right now I mostly only ride my current, crappier mountain bike back and forth to study, run errands, hang with friends, etc. The hybrid would probably be better for this type of use, and I actually find my current mountain bike to be a little heavier and more cumbersome than I would like for these tasks (I live in a quasi-hilly area and it's really hot here, so I'd like to minimize exertion on my commuting trips). However, the Gary Fisher is really nice, and my hope is that if I bought that one, the improved quality (such as the much nicer suspension than what I have) and better geometry for my small size would make it still nicer to ride on the street, and that having a nice mountain bike would encourage me to go out on trails.
Obviously price is an issue. I can afford both, but if I got the cheaper bike, it would save me nearly $200.
I have these questions: To those in the know bike-wise, do these sound like fair prices? If you were in my situation, what might be the better choice? Will a nicer mountain bike make street riding easier than on a crappier one, or will it still be a lot more effort than on a bike made more for roads?
I am a petite female person who currently owns a 5+ yr old lower/mid-range mountain bike. I want to upgrade to a nicer used bike and have two frontrunners: One is a 2007 Ladies Gary Fisher Marlin GS mountain bike for $380, barely ridden, according to the owner. The other is a (not sure of year) Giant Eddie Bauer hybrid for $195. I want to do trail riding, but right now I mostly only ride my current, crappier mountain bike back and forth to study, run errands, hang with friends, etc. The hybrid would probably be better for this type of use, and I actually find my current mountain bike to be a little heavier and more cumbersome than I would like for these tasks (I live in a quasi-hilly area and it's really hot here, so I'd like to minimize exertion on my commuting trips). However, the Gary Fisher is really nice, and my hope is that if I bought that one, the improved quality (such as the much nicer suspension than what I have) and better geometry for my small size would make it still nicer to ride on the street, and that having a nice mountain bike would encourage me to go out on trails.
Obviously price is an issue. I can afford both, but if I got the cheaper bike, it would save me nearly $200.
I have these questions: To those in the know bike-wise, do these sound like fair prices? If you were in my situation, what might be the better choice? Will a nicer mountain bike make street riding easier than on a crappier one, or will it still be a lot more effort than on a bike made more for roads?
Best answer: Will a nicer mountain bike make street riding easier than on a crappier one, or will it still be a lot more effort than on a bike made more for roads?
Two different questions: yes, a better mountain bike will be easier to ride on all surfaces, but either way, it will be much more difficult than a hybrid, commuter, or road bike.
posted by supercres at 1:24 PM on August 19, 2010
Two different questions: yes, a better mountain bike will be easier to ride on all surfaces, but either way, it will be much more difficult than a hybrid, commuter, or road bike.
posted by supercres at 1:24 PM on August 19, 2010
With the caveat that the really cheap Shimano parts, likely on the hybrid, don't have a series name on them, just a part number.
posted by bonehead at 1:24 PM on August 19, 2010
posted by bonehead at 1:24 PM on August 19, 2010
Response by poster: Hybrid: Shimano LX Deore derailleurs. Mountain: Front derailleur: Shimano Alivio; Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore.
I guess the derailleur components are then fairly comparable between the two.
posted by elpea at 1:25 PM on August 19, 2010
I guess the derailleur components are then fairly comparable between the two.
posted by elpea at 1:25 PM on August 19, 2010
Best answer: Which bike FITS you better? As a small woman myself, this is always, always my first concern with any used bike, because at 5'4" I am at the outer limits of stock sizing, and bikes that actually fit me well are rare; used quality bikes that fit correctly are even rarer still. If you do intend to begin trail riding, the fit will play an enormous role in how comfortable and secure you are on the bike.
Will a nicer mountain bike make street riding easier than on a crappier one...
Absolutely, positively, yes. With the possible understanding that suspension is something that needs regular maintenance. You should check that the fork is still in ok shape - this can be as simple as checking that the sliders don't show any wear spots and that there's no oil leaking out.
will it still be a lot more effort than on a bike made more for roads?
Still yes, but here's the thing. I rode my high-end 4" travel, dual-suspension bike 4 miles to work tonight. At the end of the day, I will ride it 6 miles uphill on pavement to the trailhead so that I can go do 2 hours of singletrack insanity with my fiance and my teammates.
I can't do that with my $6000 uber-lightweight carbon roadbike. Or even my still-fancy high end cyclocross bike. I can only do it with my cross-country bike. Which I absolutely love, and don't begrudge it some pavement riding in order that I can go rock bashing.
If you're in the situation where you can only afford one bike, and you have a specific targeted use in mind, whether that's commuting or trail riding or whatever, you need to make sure that that targeted use is something you can handle with that bike.
The reviews here on MTBR.com seem to think that the Marlin GS is a wonderful beginner bike. I think for the price you could certainly do a lot worse.
posted by lonefrontranger at 1:28 PM on August 19, 2010
Will a nicer mountain bike make street riding easier than on a crappier one...
Absolutely, positively, yes. With the possible understanding that suspension is something that needs regular maintenance. You should check that the fork is still in ok shape - this can be as simple as checking that the sliders don't show any wear spots and that there's no oil leaking out.
will it still be a lot more effort than on a bike made more for roads?
Still yes, but here's the thing. I rode my high-end 4" travel, dual-suspension bike 4 miles to work tonight. At the end of the day, I will ride it 6 miles uphill on pavement to the trailhead so that I can go do 2 hours of singletrack insanity with my fiance and my teammates.
I can't do that with my $6000 uber-lightweight carbon roadbike. Or even my still-fancy high end cyclocross bike. I can only do it with my cross-country bike. Which I absolutely love, and don't begrudge it some pavement riding in order that I can go rock bashing.
If you're in the situation where you can only afford one bike, and you have a specific targeted use in mind, whether that's commuting or trail riding or whatever, you need to make sure that that targeted use is something you can handle with that bike.
The reviews here on MTBR.com seem to think that the Marlin GS is a wonderful beginner bike. I think for the price you could certainly do a lot worse.
posted by lonefrontranger at 1:28 PM on August 19, 2010
Best answer: I guess the derailleur components are then fairly comparable between the two.
Pretty much: though the hybrid is a bit older, the MTB has a step lower on the front derailer. The reality though is that these are both good builds and either should last a very long time. I've got a 15-year old Alivio set that still works fine.
posted by bonehead at 1:31 PM on August 19, 2010
Pretty much: though the hybrid is a bit older, the MTB has a step lower on the front derailer. The reality though is that these are both good builds and either should last a very long time. I've got a 15-year old Alivio set that still works fine.
posted by bonehead at 1:31 PM on August 19, 2010
Best answer: From what I can tell, the Giant bike is probably about 10 years old. It looks like the Gary Fisher bike is probably a better deal. A ten-year-old bike is much more likely to need maintenance or to use parts that are now less common. If you want to ride on trails, you want a real mountain bike, not a hybrid.
Riding a mountain bike on the road will be more effort than riding a real road bike (and less fun too!). You can improve the situation by putting on slick tires, but then the bike can't really be used on trails any more (you aren't going to switch your tires every time you want to ride a trail). If you want to ride on trails and on the road and don't want to own more than one bike, then you are correct in sticking with a mountain bike.
posted by ssg at 1:33 PM on August 19, 2010
Riding a mountain bike on the road will be more effort than riding a real road bike (and less fun too!). You can improve the situation by putting on slick tires, but then the bike can't really be used on trails any more (you aren't going to switch your tires every time you want to ride a trail). If you want to ride on trails and on the road and don't want to own more than one bike, then you are correct in sticking with a mountain bike.
posted by ssg at 1:33 PM on August 19, 2010
Response by poster: Should clarify: When I say I can afford both, I mean I can afford either one, not purchasing both of the bikes. I've read that the Gary Fisher's geometry is especially good for smaller riders, but I don't have much to compare it to since right now I ride a teenage boy's bike. Thanks for all the help so far. I'll stop thread-sitting now.
posted by elpea at 1:35 PM on August 19, 2010
posted by elpea at 1:35 PM on August 19, 2010
as an aside to bonehead: I generally assume that components on used bikes are disposable wear items. I usually end up swapping out/replacing them within a few months of purchase. YMMV.
oh also FYI with regard to the component specs: chainrings on dirt bikes can and do wear out rather quickly, and the lower-end ones even quicker still. Worn gears (cogs in back, rings in front) can lead to crappy shifting and, in wet or dusty trail conditions, also "chainsuck". You should check on any used bike that the front rings don't have a "shark-tooth" (worn) profile.
feel free to also memail me if you want further specific used-bike-shopping pointers, particularly from a girl's perspective.
posted by lonefrontranger at 1:36 PM on August 19, 2010
oh also FYI with regard to the component specs: chainrings on dirt bikes can and do wear out rather quickly, and the lower-end ones even quicker still. Worn gears (cogs in back, rings in front) can lead to crappy shifting and, in wet or dusty trail conditions, also "chainsuck". You should check on any used bike that the front rings don't have a "shark-tooth" (worn) profile.
feel free to also memail me if you want further specific used-bike-shopping pointers, particularly from a girl's perspective.
posted by lonefrontranger at 1:36 PM on August 19, 2010
Best answer: 5 foot one woman commuting and riding long distances on a 35 pound mountain bike (no suspension, slick tires) here.
Hills: what's the weight difference between the bikes? A lighter bike will help you get up hills easier, but if the bikes are only 2-3 pounds apart, it's not a big deal.
Speed: changing the MTB to narrower, slick tires instead of knobby tires will give you a bit more speed on the road, but if you ride trails, you'll either have to switch tires, keep a second set of wheels with tubes and tires, or just use your old mountain bike. Suspension will slow you down a bit, too, versus a hardbody mountain bike, hybrid or road bike.
Fit: how well does the hybrid fit? I'd take fit above everything else, especially as it's so hard for women our size to find a suitable bike. Are you more upright than you are on a mountain bike? (Performance hybrids and comfort hybrids typically put you in significantly different riding positions.) I have a hybrid which is just a little too big for me, disguised by the step-through frame, and the more upright position it puts me in makes speed, hills and carrying stuff a nuisance.
posted by maudlin at 1:37 PM on August 19, 2010
Hills: what's the weight difference between the bikes? A lighter bike will help you get up hills easier, but if the bikes are only 2-3 pounds apart, it's not a big deal.
Speed: changing the MTB to narrower, slick tires instead of knobby tires will give you a bit more speed on the road, but if you ride trails, you'll either have to switch tires, keep a second set of wheels with tubes and tires, or just use your old mountain bike. Suspension will slow you down a bit, too, versus a hardbody mountain bike, hybrid or road bike.
Fit: how well does the hybrid fit? I'd take fit above everything else, especially as it's so hard for women our size to find a suitable bike. Are you more upright than you are on a mountain bike? (Performance hybrids and comfort hybrids typically put you in significantly different riding positions.) I have a hybrid which is just a little too big for me, disguised by the step-through frame, and the more upright position it puts me in makes speed, hills and carrying stuff a nuisance.
posted by maudlin at 1:37 PM on August 19, 2010
Actually here's a difference that will amke a difference: does the hybrid use cantilever brakes or v-brakes? While I personally like them, I'd avoid canti's on a newer bike. They are fiddly to adjust and (as ssg says) now harder to get parts for.
posted by bonehead at 1:38 PM on August 19, 2010
posted by bonehead at 1:38 PM on August 19, 2010
Best answer: Like Ironmouth says, mountain bike with slicks. The extra effort of pedaling a good mountain bike is almost all due to knobby tires, in my experience (check out these 26X1.35, 95 PSI Schwalbe Kojaks!)
And if you're lucky, you'll be able to take the wheelset from your current mountain bike and put knobbies on for trail riding on your new bike.
I'd say that's a pretty good price if everything's in good shape, and if the sizing is better for you, as you seem to be saying, I'll go as far as to say it would be a bad mistake to go for the hybrid.
posted by jamjam at 1:52 PM on August 19, 2010
And if you're lucky, you'll be able to take the wheelset from your current mountain bike and put knobbies on for trail riding on your new bike.
I'd say that's a pretty good price if everything's in good shape, and if the sizing is better for you, as you seem to be saying, I'll go as far as to say it would be a bad mistake to go for the hybrid.
posted by jamjam at 1:52 PM on August 19, 2010
Given the group, I'd say the mountain bike. Just put slicks on it. The tires are what makes the hybrid "easier" to ride.
posted by Ironmouth at 2:02 PM on August 19, 2010
posted by Ironmouth at 2:02 PM on August 19, 2010
The MTB might have slightly low gearing for comfortable road use.
And you want the 2" slick Schwalbes. Wide tyres at the right pressure don't have a higher rolling resistance, and are really comfortable.
posted by scruss at 2:54 PM on August 19, 2010
And you want the 2" slick Schwalbes. Wide tyres at the right pressure don't have a higher rolling resistance, and are really comfortable.
posted by scruss at 2:54 PM on August 19, 2010
Response by poster: Well, turns out that the Gary Fisher has something up with the brakes to where they are stuck closed and the bike won't even roll, so I didn't buy it. I assumed it had been at least rolled out of the garage before it went up for sale, but guess not. :-( Thanks for all the great advice, though. Will be very helpful in my continued search!
posted by elpea at 8:17 PM on August 19, 2010
posted by elpea at 8:17 PM on August 19, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
I'm against the hybrid. The Mt. Bike can do everything it can do. It can't do what the Mt. Bike can do. If you get slicks (no tread tires) for use when you're just riding around town, it will be much easier, because you won't have the rolling resistance of the tread.
posted by Ironmouth at 1:15 PM on August 19, 2010 [2 favorites]