MTB Advice: Cannondale Rush 29 2

maxf

maxf

Member
Hey everyone,

Hoping to get some advice on this setup -- seems like a really solid deal to me:
http://www.rei.com/item/862143/cannondale-rush-29-2-bike-2014

-MSRP of over $2000 on Cannondale's website

-I was completely sold myself, and about to pick it up (tomorrow) until I read a review on it where the writer completely slammed the fork -- saying that it made the bike awful. He/She gave the bike 2 of 5 stars in the review.

It should be noted that I am a beginning rider, and this will be my first mountain bike. I want something I can progress with, and won't outgrow anytime soon. But at the same time, I have to be budget conscious.

I am looking for the sweetest ride in the $1000-1400 range. All alternative suggestions are welcome!

(Final note, if you are in the Washington DC/NoVA area I will be looking for buds to ride with.

Thanks,

Max
 
You can get an exponentially better used bike at that price. Definitely don't buy new and definitely don't buy from a big retailer like rei. Check Craigslist, pinkbike, etc.

Seriously though, don't buy that bike.
 
Don't get that bike. The only good component on it is the x-fusion rear shock. Go to pinkpike.com and check the XC/AM section of the Buy/Sell section and narrow down the search by your price range and region. You can get a very nice AM/XC bike for 1400 that will stay with you a long time and have nicer parts than that bike.
 
Go to a few of your local bike shops (Not large chain stores like REI) and tell the salesmen exactly this:

topic:maxf said:
I am a beginning rider, and this will be my first mountain bike. I want something I can progress with, and won't outgrow anytime soon. But at the same time, I have to be budget conscious.
Click to expand...

There are so many bikes out there these days, it's good to view and ride several to get an idea of how different brands and models will fit you personally. I would keep an open mind and visit at least 3 shops before spending any money. You can always go back if you really like one; but it's easy to be honest and tell a salesman that you are still wanting to see what else is out there before spending that much money and that you may be back. It won't hurt their feelings. They love to talk bikes and to help get more people out there riding.

Bike shops will be discounting bikes now to make room for next year's models, so there should be some good deals out there.
 
So I've been looking all around, and I found this:
http://pinkbike.com/buysell/1639395/

Seems like a solid deal. I've found a good amount of reviews on the setup, and it seems there were some manufacturing flaws with the 2009/10 versions of this bike where the carbon would crack near the head tube.

Considering this is used, and the owner has never had any problems, I think I'm in the clear.

What do you guys think?
 
13138571:maxf said:
So I've been looking all around, and I found this:
http://pinkbike.com/buysell/1639395/

Seems like a solid deal. I've found a good amount of reviews on the setup, and it seems there were some manufacturing flaws with the 2009/10 versions of this bike where the carbon would crack near the head tube.

Considering this is used, and the owner has never had any problems, I think I'm in the clear.

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

i would say don't waste the money on carbon if you're just getting started out. you could get so much more for your money with an aluminum or steel frame.
 
Your going to want more suspension. Get something with ~130-140 mm of travel at least for xc riding especially a young skier who likes to jump...your mtb interests will change quickly
 
13138571:maxf said:
So I've been looking all around, and I found this:
http://pinkbike.com/buysell/1639395/

Seems like a solid deal. I've found a good amount of reviews on the setup, and it seems there were some manufacturing flaws with the 2009/10 versions of this bike where the carbon would crack near the head tube.

Considering this is used, and the owner has never had any problems, I think I'm in the clear.

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

while that's a perfectly fine bike, it's probably not what you'd want as a first bike, honestly. Where are you riding? what type of riding do you like to do? You could find a perfectly good 4" travel full suspension bike with an aluminum frame for around the same price, and probably have more fun than you would on a carbon hard tail.
 
So I've done some more searching guys, and I've found these two:
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1643468/?directtofirstphoto

and
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1542361/

What do you guys think of these? The first one really caught my eye with the 160MM travel on the fork.

I definetly think as I start to progress I will be doing some heavy XC riding. Jumps here and there, definitely high speeds. Don't see myself doing any pure DH just because I don't have good enough mountains here in NoVA.
 
I'm going to add my 2 cents one more time.

It's obvious that you are super excited about getting into mountain biking. Fuck yeah, keep that up! It's an amazing sport that you can continue for the rest of your life.

However, you need to slow down and really consider what you need for your first mountain bike. You've posted a Cannondale FS 29er, a Gary Fisher carbon 29er hardtail, a Giant 26 inch FS, and a Gary Fisher FS 29er. That's quite a range considering you've not been able to sit on the bike and gotten a feel for the reach and fit.

Are you looking for a hardtail or dual suspension?

A hardtail is the best place to start as a mountain biker. It teaches you to use your body as your ultimate form of suspension and to choose the smoothest line on any trail. Pumping rollers at speed on a hardtail is an amazing feeling. Any mountain biker fortunate to have a quiver of bikes will have a snappy hardtail of some sort.

Riding dual suspension/full suspension/FS bikes allows you to rely on the bike to absorb the obstacles and inconsistencies on the trail much easier than a hardtail. However the reliance on the suspension can lead to bad habits and poor form. But with modern technology and overseas manufacturing, dual suspension bikes can be had for extremely good deals.

Do you want a 29er? How tall are you/how much do you weigh? You posted a few 29ers and 1 26 inch bike.

29ers aren't for everyone. It's best to get a feel for one in person before committing a good sum of money on one.

I'm going to reiterate my first post and highly recommend going to several bike shops to ride and check out a bike of bikes in person. The big point of buying your first bike new in a shop is that you know it's a new bike that comes with a factory warranty and that the shop will back you up with any maintenance or warranty issues. A shop will typically give the new owner a first tune/month's/year's worth of maintenance free for purchasing a bike.

Buying used you get no such warranty (depending on manufacturer and their own policies on transferable ownership), you get no free maintenance, and if you are not knowledgeable in what to look for in a used bike, you could totally get screwed. Even if it's as simple as buying a "new" bike on pinkbike that you've never seen or ridden, you have no idea if if will fit properly or meet your own personal requirements and expectations. If you are mechanically inclined and know what to look for, a used bike can most often be a good deal. But there are still risks involved with any online purchase.

Do yourself a favor and go see and ride as many bikes as you can. Ask your shops about rentals and any factory demos in the area, you can easily narrow down your search if you're able to ride a bunch of bikes on the trails you intend on riding. Don't commit to one thing or another, just get a solid feel for what's out there. You have a decent budget for a first bike and there are a shitload of bikes that can fit your needs.
 
p4pb10181822.jpg
Hey NSer's,

Here's the build I went with. Got it for a super good deal. Total pros at North Shore Bike Shop hooked it up. Thanks, Matt!
 
Division.bell, thanks again for your input. Your last post really helped me figure out what made a great fit for me.

Kudos to you bud...
 
Frame: 2013 Chromag Aperture 19"

Fork: 2013 Rock Shox Revelation RLT Ti 2-step Air

Wheels: Shimano XT UST w/ Schwalbe Racing Ralph UST 2.25

Headset: Chris King

Stem/bar: Chromag Ranger 90 mm / Chromag Fubars OSX

Crankset: Sram X9 2x

Drivetrain: Sram X7 2x10

Brakes: Avid Elixir 3

Seat/post: Chromag Trailmaster DT / Thomson Elite

Pedals: hippy killers

Grips: Chromag Basis

We actually swapped out to a raceface crankset, but the sram is what's pictured.
 
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