any bikers on AT?

[LS20]

firstly, im deciding between a Gary Fisher Marlin, Giant Yukon, and Trek 4500. ive ridden the fisher, but havent tried the others


secondly, what are my options as far as carrying the bikes (as there are no trails within riding-distance). what different setups are there and how much do they cost? i have a coupe, but can get access to the van with the bike bars on its roof (needs some other stuff to mount bikes to, i believe?). is it possible to easily+quickly remove the 2 wheels and carry the bike in my trunk?

 

[NutBucket]

If you have bikes and want to carry them inside I suggest a hatchback. Works great!

 

[Brutuskend]

is it possible to easily+quickly remove the 2 wheels and carry the bike in my trunk?

Yes

But I would still invest in a Yakama or Tule or Saris roof rack.

 

[Rallispec]

is it possible to easily+quickly remove the 2 wheels and carry the bike in my trunk?

i used to do that until i got my roofrack.--- just be careful, put something underneath it or you'll get grease from your chain all over.

 

[Sukhoi]

I have a 1988 Toyota Corolla FX hatchback with an Allen two bike carrier that fits great on the back. Only takes a minute to take on and off too once you get the top straps adjusted. But I don't think it will carry full suspension bikes.

On the bike front I have a several year old Trek Mountain Track 800 and like it.

Edit: The box for the rack is sitting next to me so just give me your car model and year and I'll see if it's listed.

 

[The Stigenator]

i need to get an external trunk based bike rack.. i hate to put it in my focus with teh seats down..

 

[Sukhoi]

Here, I have the two bike carrier.

Oh, make sure you get one with the individual bike tie-downs.

 

[LS20]

Originally posted by: Sukhoi
I have a 1988 Toyota Corolla FX hatchback with an Allen two bike carrier that fits great on the back. Only takes a minute to take on and off too once you get the top straps adjusted. But I don't think it will carry full suspension bikes.

On the bike front I have a several year old Trek Mountain Track 800 and like it.

Edit: The box for the rack is sitting next to me so just give me your car model and year and I'll see if it's listed.

1993 nissan sentra '2 door sedan'


as far as removing the front wheels go, with the skewers its a snap. how do you deal with the chain though, for the rear? ofcourse i dont have a bike infront of me so i cant picture this

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend

is it possible to easily+quickly remove the 2 wheels and carry the bike in my trunk?

Yes

But I would still invest in a Yakama or Tule or Saris roof rack.

Gotta go with the rack if you've got a car. Grease from the chain was already mentioned but also muddy trails = dirty bike which = dirty car.

 

[Sukhoi]

It will fit on all Sentras.

I don't think it is easy to get the rear whell off without getting greasy...that's why I got my rack. Besides, it's great for the 8 hour drive to school with my bike.

 

[FrustratedUser]

For a sedan, get the trunk based rack. Cheap, good, removable.

Can't really say which bike but get the one that fits you the best and have the best parts.
Good crank arms are important. Rear derailleur usually work great whatever level they are. Deore is a good entry level line that holds up for some abuse.

A good fork makes life easier on the trail but usually the forks on cheap bikes are crap. Upgrade to a Maintou Six Deluxe for cheap (<$100). It is basically a rebadged Manitou SX-R (2001 model) with compression and rebound damping adjustment. Oil shock with coil spring, 80 mm travel. Good. light cheap fork to start with.

Check mtbr.com for reviews.

 

[LS20]

the specialized hardrock comp, GF marlin 03' and giant yukon all have Manitou 6's. 2003 gf marlins have judy TTs.

i know that the gf uses 7005 aluminum...and didnt feel particularly light. does anybody know what frame the giant uses? also the trek

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: LS20
the specialized hardrock comp, GF marlin 03' and giant yukon all have Manitou 6's. 2003 gf marlins have judy TTs.

i know that the gf uses 7005 aluminum...and didnt feel particularly light. does anybody know what frame the giant uses? also the trek

I believe the GF Marlin is a low end GF, which = not up to normal GF standards.
Specialized Hardrock is a good bike. Avoid the Jett TT's as the plauge. It has no damping, just a coil in ONE of the legs. The other is empty.

Links to the bikes?

 

[Dingleberries]

Bikes are for pussays.......Real men ride Razor scooters.

 

[sglurker]

u belong in a boat

 

[LS20]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Originally posted by: LS20
the specialized hardrock comp, GF marlin 03' and giant yukon all have Manitou 6's. 2003 gf marlins have judy TTs.

i know that the gf uses 7005 aluminum...and didnt feel particularly light. does anybody know what frame the giant uses? also the trek

I believe the GF Marlin is a low end GF, which = not up to normal GF standards.
Specialized Hardrock is a good bike. Avoid the Jett TT's as the plauge. It has no damping, just a coil in ONE of the legs. The other is empty.

Links to the bikes?

as far as the fisher goes, it actually has the Genesis frame design, and therefore is one of the better entry fisher bikes. on mtbr, it won the award in 2002. the 2003 marlin and the yukon both have equally good ratings (~4.7).

im ignoring the specialized now because its ugly P) and ive been told its a more aggressive setup as far as the riding position goes. probably not consider the Trek either because it has the Judy TT forks and all Shimano Alivio stuff for shift components (the others have deores)

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.006.asp?lYear=2003&bikesection=8817&range=122&model=10631
http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/full_specs.asp?series=genesis&bike=Marlin
http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2003/mountain/4500.jsp