The access raptor is just a rebadged Fuji... They are great deals IMO, but that might be swayed since I work at Performance Bikes.
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This. Don't buy online. I've worked in the cycling industry as well, for the last 8 years, most of the mail order bikes I see are either poorly manufactured and poorly built. For your budget a big box company like Specialized or Trek will give you better components (because they deal in larger volume), and have an authorized dealer nearby that should give you the support you need to buy & maintain the right bike. They both stand behind their warranty, as well.Originally posted by dnick View PostOriginally posted by DozyproductionsComment
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Specialized warranty blows ass.
I bought 2 new Specialized bike, a 08 HardRock comp and a 08 Sequoia.
The sequoia have wheels coming apart after 300 miles. As in the seams were separating and you'd brake and watch the front wheel twitch every time it rolled by separation. Took it too the dealer "abuse", denied. Called Specialized and emailed them.
A month later they replied offering me a set of wheels that were a "upgrade" for 300 bucks. I had already replaced the wheelset and sold the bike by then.
The hardrock. Everything except for the crank and seat post broke on that bike within the first year. Fork, frame, front wheel, rear wheel, stem, shifter on one side, brake lever on the other, The only original part when I dumped it was the seatpost and saddle. Except for the bottom bracket nothing was covered and I rode is on the bunny trails around here.
I replaced the road bike with a Trek and other than bending the crankset (covered, no questions asked) tires and brakes it has 1500 miles on it with no issues.
I replaced the mtb with a Santa Cruz Blur LT. The only failure in 3 years of beating it has been a rear wheel from it eating something and wrapping the hanger into it. and I broke a stanchion loose in a Marz 55 wiping out on Warrior Creek at some stupid rate of speed.
You get what you pay for but, I'd avoid Secialized like the plague. Go Trek, Giant, Yeti, Santa Cruz (who has the only US made frame left since Titus went under from what I understand) Rocky Mountain, Gary Fisher (trek now) Titus, Ellsworth or Turner.
All of those but Trek Giant or Gary Fisher is gonna cost you but, you get a damn nice bike that will provide years of service with nothing but maintenance.Comment
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^Trek bikes have been nothing but great for me in the past... they seem to be indestructible. Fuji is also really good with warranty from my experience and Performance Bikes also has a policy that you can return any product if you are not satisfied with it. Customers do this all the time with cracked frames and broken rims/spokes and we still take them back.Comment
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Apparently a few have had bad luck with Specialized, but my last two bikes have been an '08 Hardrock Pro Comp and a '10 XC FSR Expert and they have been absolutely fantastic. I've ridden the XC back to back with quite a few other bikes and it just fits me the best. To start with, you're gonna be stuck on craigslist at that price, but try to stick to the big names, as they really are better.
As to the disk brake thing-I've ridden with V-brakes with good pads and such, and they are about the same performance-wise as a smaller diameter mechanical disk. As soon as they get wet, though, you're out of luck. They are terrible in rain, mud or water. Now that I have hydraulic disks, I never want to go back. They are simply amazing, with much better modulation with less applied force. A lot of people find it grabby at first, but they don't fade, they work when wet, and it is a lot easier to modulate the brakes and shift and do everything else when you only need one, maybe two fingers for the brakes.Comment
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