Rugged, Inexpensive, Functional All-Terrain Bikes?

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:21 am Post subject :

Yes, if you read the edited (previous) post you will see that upon further research I am not getting the Titan Bike. There is no parts availability except from the distributor & component quality is suspect.

I am however, still considering buying the bike linked below from Sears if they will price match what is quoted on the site.

http://www.abikestore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=cbs&Product_Code=cadillac-mds24-bike

No disrepect intended, but have you ever COMPLETELY dismantled & re-assemble a 1964 Harley Davidson "Big Twin" motorcycle? I mean completely, right down to individual, hand fit to .0002" (thats 2 1/10,000 inch) roller bearings W/shims & thrust washers, spokes hubs, etc?

The only thing I farmed out was balancing the engine rotating assembly. I learned to lace & true my own wheels when the local (Suzuki) motorcycle shop "professional" told me I had mismatched components (they where wrong) & that the spokes could not be laced as I tried to explain the proceedure to him.

If I can do that, I think I can find, (ain't the internet grand?) interpret & use data to assemble, lube & tune a damned bicycle. Do you think your loacl bike shop proprieteor was born W/some sort of inate bike knowledge? Any knowledge that was/is avilable to them I think I can find.

Frankly I have seldom found ANY of these "professionals" that have as much mechanical aptitude & overall mechanical experience as I do & most of the time I end up re-doing the very things I paid good $$$ to have done professionally.

Again, no disrepect, but unless you are over 30 years old I was building "stroker" Big Twin Harley engines before you where born. And I don't mean from a "S&S factory kit either. I was using modified EL flathead flywheels, doing my own internal piston skirt to skirt as well as flywheel interface & valve to piston clearancing. I have also worked most of my life as a skilled tradesman.

I appreciate your concern, but I think I can handle several hours in the garage W/my tools assembling, lubing & tuning a bicycle. The only thing that I have concern over is adjusting/tuning the shifting mechanism. I expect that I can get the info if needed from people on this or other sites.

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:22 am Post subject :

Counter-intuitively, full suspension does *not* help you ride technical terrain at slow speeds- it's actually more of a detriment. It makes it far more difficult to keep constant tension on the chain which is necessary when traversing difficult terrain slowly.

What does really help though, are big wheels- 29" wheels to be exact. They get pricey, but 29ers are way cool for riding difficult stuff. They have a better angle of attack and a larger tire contact patch.

When it comes to technical stuff, I'd rather have my fully rigid, single speed 29er than anything else.

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:26 am Post subject :

Yep, although if you're comfortable around tools- lots and lots of really great deals on the used market. It's often a crap shoot- but working on bikes is *way* easier than old harleys. And most everything you'll ever need to know can be found here:

http://www.parktool.com/repair/

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:39 am Post subject :

Counter-intuitively, full suspension does *not* help you ride technical terrain at slow speeds- it's actually more of a detriment. It makes it far more difficult to keep constant tension on the chain which is necessary when traversing difficult terrain slowly.

What does really help though, are big wheels- 29" wheels to be exact. They get pricey, but 29ers are way cool for riding difficult stuff. They have a better angle of attack and a larger tire contact patch.

When it comes to technical stuff, I'd rather have my fully rigid, single speed 29er than anything else.

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:35 am Post subject :

Sears price match policy?

They will only match online retail prices if the retailer has a "local store" that will honor the online price.

What's ironic is the fact that Sears DOES NOT sell this bike @ ANY store, it is online sales only!

So in essense, they are not honoring their own rules as THEY do not honor their online price @ their local retail store.

They offered me a 10% discount that = about $116 for 2 bikes while the online price from their competitors is $370 less (than the lst price @ Sears) for 2 bikes!

Now, consider that W/Sears I will have to pay 7% NYS sales tax & 2 of the bikes will cost me a total W/shipping of $1,161.58. I can buy 3 of them from either of 2 online retailers for $1.199.97 W/3 free helmets. Cheap helmets I'm sure, but still, an extra bike & 3 helmets for less than $40.

Looks like I'll wait for my check that GM owes me for excessive vacation deductions to come in. $361 is too much money to throw away.

Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 1:19 pm Post subject :

Great link. Thanks. thumbleft

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 10:05 am Post subject :

Well, I bought the Cadillac MTB from here. http://www.bikes4families.com/cadillac-cadillac-mds-24-dual-suspension-mountain-bike-p-94.html
I got an additional $10 off & 2 spare tubes along W/the free helmet for a total shipped price of $389.99.

Here is a link to my 1st impressions & 1st ride report. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?629341-Full-Suspension-MTB-for-Under-400-1st-Impressions

Overall, I am very pleased so far.