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- Thursday, March 28, 2024

MtB Message Board

 Do brand names matter in MTB?
Hello All,

First off, great site! I was reading some of the posts and everyone seems to be knowledgeable. Anyways, I'm fairly new to MTB'ing.. I am mostly into BMX but I need a good MTB to occasionally ride the trails. I just bought a cheap MTB off of eBay that came with pretty much Generic and No-Name brand parts.. So does upgrading..say.. the stock OE derailleurs with Shimano Deore make a difference? Or what would be the benefit of upgrading the Generic Crankset with a more expensive Shimano or Suntour? Do No-Name Brands usually fail easily?

I would also appreciate it if someone could enumerate IN ORDER of importance the parts that I should upgrade first and why.

Thanks!
Posted by Xtm a 28 year old Weekend Warrior riding a 1983 Hutch Pro Racer (BMX) from Los Angeles, CA on 02/11/04


Responses: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Post Reply

  •  Re: Do brand names matter in MTB?

    No name is a bad idea. You're right in that no name stuff is probably more likely to fail than something by one of the big two. Brakes, shifting, suspension, are all pretty important... especially since a failure on your bike can strand you in the middle of nowhere, or worse...

    You should post what kinda bike you got if you want people to be able to give you accurate advice. If it's really crappy, you'd be better off just buying a new one rather than upgrading. Most everyone here will probably tell you that, except fat cat. He has no idea what he's talking about.

    Good Luck!

    Posted by ZG a 34 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Etc. from Studio City on 02/11/04


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    •  Re: Do brand names matter in MTB?
      Hey Thanks for the reply! Well here's the bike that I bought: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27948&item=3655248841&ssPageName=STRK:MEBWN:IT It's a crappy little Magna but for $50 I can't go wrong. Also, being a BMX person I am I kinda hate the Full Suspension thing.. I hate bouncing around, but that's just me.

      Any advice??
      Thanks in advance!


      Posted by Xtm on 02/12/04


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      •  Re: Do brand names matter in MTB?
        I dont even think that any worth while componentry will even adapt to a magna frame. So youre pretty much stuck with what you got. If youre able to, just buy a new bike.
        Posted by Dookie a 29 year old Cross-Country riding a 03 giant nrs2 on 02/12/04

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        •  Re: Do brand names matter in MTB?
          And one other thing.... If you have a good full suspension bike, you will not bounce around.
          Posted by Dookie a 29 year old Cross-Country riding a 03 giant nrs2 on 02/12/04

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      •  Re: Do brand names matter in MTB?

        That's a good bike for riding to the store or to school, somewhere you'd be worried about someone stealing your bike. That bike is a toy, nothing more. Ride it like a mountain bike and you'll have problems.


        Don't put any money in to it, get a decent bike and work up from there. Full suspension is great, starting off with a hardtail is fine and much more cost effective. You can get a decent one starting at around $400.00.


        Posted by ZG a 34 year old Weekend Warrior riding a XRCFEX from Studio City on 02/12/04


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  •  Re: Do brand names matter in MTB?
    OF COURSE THEY MATTER! ive been racing mountain bikes in almost every place possible. I have an Ellsworth that costed me $2545.99 and that was 3 years ago. ive spent over that again in upgrades and repairs. you shouldnt buy a bike if you dont know how good it is! And you can set up suspension jus right so you dont bounce round.
    email me at buttafly_is_mine@hotmail.com
    Posted by Lord Nykon a 17 year old Downhiller riding a Ellsworth from Kingsville on 02/12/04

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  •  Re: Do brand names matter in MTB?
    About brand names... I think if you're dealing with a reputable bike manufacturer it's mostly a matter of preference, but unfortunately a Magna doesn't fall into that catagory. If you're looking for an affordable good Mountain Bike to begin with, look at Giant, GT, Kona, Specialized, Trek, KHS, etc... something that has good componentry, drivetrain and suspension. Being that you're coming from the BMX ride, I'd recomend starting with a good hardtail, it won't feel as "bounci" but it'll be a great way to start your MTB skills to develop and later move on into a better full suspension rig. Not to mention, it'll be easier on you pocket and you'll be able apply some of your BMX skills and I can guarantee you that a good hardtail will weigh at least 10lbs. less than that Magna you just got. Shop around, look for a good used 2000-2003 model in any of the brands I mentioned and you'll feel the difference. I'd love to own an Ellsworth this year so I'm saving up the $2k for the frame alone and transfer most of my parts over off my present bike.
    Posted by Mtb2x2 a 3some year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a GT XCR iDrive from Whittier on 02/13/04

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  •  Re: Do brand names matter in MTB?
    Are you trying to start a religious war? ;-) Well, IMHO, they do to some extent but after yesterday I'm so damned confused. I was at the Den of Evil on my luch (that means Supergo) and rode one of those bikes of the d4mned... the XP Weyles. D4mn! I liked it. It was quite nice on my old bones. All dressed up in WTB, Avid and XT doodads along with the Manitou Minute fork but with the questionable Supergo spec'd frame festooned with that Weyles logo. So old sages, did I go too far with a cheesy hooker whilst on a drunken sailor's leave or should I throw down the $1500 guantlet? I hate to say, I liked the knock-off SA Bullet-like ride but my heart has it doubts (let alone the shunning of my LBS). I'm Chuq-on-a-budget though and will probably never have the bacon for the real thing and this Weyles beastie is quite the impressive knock-off. I just wana have some fun. What to do... I feel kinda dirty now, must bathe. :-/
    Posted by Chuqster from Riverside on 02/21/04

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    •  Re: Do brand names matter in MTB?
      Youre such a tease with these once a year posts!
      Posted by Dusty Bottoms from Dogtown on 02/23/04

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      •  Re: Do brand names matter in MTB?
        Neener-neener-naaa-naaa!

        Yeh, well, gotta make my semi-fat semi-old arse spend more time on the pedals vs. the KYB. "Da man" takes all of my time these days so I spend that precious hour or two (well, for at least the last few months) I can steal in the morning going for a ride pre-work. Besides, I gotta get some new material before I start posting those "Back in 'Nam" - esque stories if ya know what I mean ;-) Now, time to go out in the garage and caress my precious. Oh, BTW, anybody wana donate to the get Chuq-on-a-budget a Spec Big Hit fund? Dunno if I'll ever give it the floggin' it deserves but damn that test ride yesterday was fun and for once I didn't taste my spine ;-) Mas SUS-PEN-SION=good. No takers? Damn. Time to sell another child to the Gypsies. (Note to readers: None of my own children have ever been sold to the Gypsies for bike parts or beer money, mostly because I can't get them to do like the Gypsy dog in the movie Snatch. My neighbors have an ample supply of children j/k)

        - Golum
        Posted by Chuqster from Riverside on 02/23/04


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