Who knows their mountain bikes?

[sil3nt]

Well they didn't ring like they said they would. No surprise really. Seriously wondering why i should give these guys my money.

[Drunken Monkey]

That's pretty shitty. I know the supplier, they might be interested to hear about retailers that are doing a shitty job moving their gear.

[sil3nt]

Some cunt just stole my bicycle.

[sil3nt]

Hey look another post in this never ending thread

So as mentioned above someone stole my bike the other night. So now i don't just wan't a new one i kinda need one!

Still no word from bike barn so they can go suck cock. Went into cycletime and enquired about the specialized rockhopper and hardrock. Can get a hardrock pro in my price range.

Then thought i would go and check out evolution cycles. Gave me a fantastic price on a GT Avalanche 1.0. It appears to have better specs than the Kona i was going to get and its cheaper.

This story might be coming to an end.

[neels]

Bugger, sucks having your bike stolen.

The GT looks to be not bad, tora fork is one step down the range from the recon and tektro brakes possibly not as good as the avids on the kona, otherwise it's about the same. If it fits and it's cheaper than the kona, and you've found a bike shop you like the idea of doing business with, for xc riding it should do the job fine.

[sil3nt]

Bugger, sucks having your bike stolen.

The GT looks to be not bad, tora fork is one step down the range from the recon and tektro brakes possibly not as good as the avids on the kona, otherwise it's about the same. If it fits and it's cheaper than the kona, and you've found a bike shop you like the idea of doing business with, for xc riding it should do the job fine.

Yep looks like the salesman feed me some bullshit about the fork being a higher spec!

He said brakes are pretty much the same but it has a better rear derailleur and shifters.

This is why i always come home and research the bikes. I am a sucker for what salesman tell me otherwise.

[marty]

Bike Barn Hlz are pretty average, but if you do your research and take the discount then it's all good. My current single speed is a Kona Shonky which I paid $900 for from them. Last of the green wheeled models

[sil3nt]

Just picked up the GT Avalanche 1.0.

The 12 months interest free finance was what sold it. Ended up being the same price as the Kona but hey i got a helmet and 12 months to pay it and Evolution Cycles weren't complete fucktards.

Oh and guess who called while i was away picking up my new bike

[MisterD]

Nice. You need a good LBS.

[steve_t]

Just picked up the GT Avalanche 1.0.

The 12 months interest free finance was what sold it. Ended up being the same price as the Kona but hey i got a helmet and 12 months to pay it and Evolution Cycles weren't complete fucktards.

Oh and guess who called while i was away picking up my new bike

Hahaha... I hope you didn't pull punches with them and told them that their poor communication cost them a sale

[sil3nt]

Hahaha... I hope you didn't pull punches with them and told them that their poor communication cost them a sale

Haven't talked to them. Flatmate answered the phone while i was away. Hopefully im never home to answer the phone!

[ac3_snow]

Nice, the GT's generally have pretty strong frames. Hope you'll be happy with it!

[sil3nt]

Handlebars are too wide! On the pukete track there is a part where you go between two trees when going around a corner. Slightly misjudged it and clipped one of trees. Bike went down and i went off into another tree. Rear wheel came off as well :shocked: Seems whoever put the bike together didn't have the rear wheel on too tight.

Also the pedals are bottoming out quite frequently.

So might need new handlebars (will see if i can get used to it) but will most likely need new cranks and pedals.

Other than that the bike is all good.

[MisterD]

Handlebars are too wide! On the pukete track there is a part where you go between two trees when going around a corner. Slightly misjudged it and clipped one of trees. Bike went down and i went off into another tree. Rear wheel came off as well :shocked: Seems whoever put the bike together didn't have the rear wheel on too tight.

Also the pedals are bottoming out quite frequently.

So might need new handlebars (will see if i can get used to it) but will most likely need new cranks and pedals.

Other than that the bike is all good.

Meh. Pipe cutter if you want to be neat and tidy, hacksaw if you don't.

You don't want shorter cranks, you'll just need to get used to when and how to pedal. You get more clearance once you move to SPuDs, but that means you'll need shoes as well...$$...although it improves the efficiency no end.

[neels]

Meh. Pipe cutter if you want to be neat and tidy, hacksaw if you don't.

You don't want shorter cranks, you'll just need to get used to when and how to pedal. You get more clearance once you move to SPuDs, but that means you'll need shoes as well...$$...although it improves the efficiency no end.

What he said.

As long as you have enough straight bar at the ends, all you need is an allen key and a hacksaw, slide everything in a bit and cut the end off.

New cranks are only likely to be 10mm shorter than what you've got now, so not a lot of help if you're hitting the ground with the pedals, more likely a change of technique is required.