03' Enduro or 04' VT3
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I am looking to get a new rig pretty soon and have narrowed it down to the "base model" 03 Specialized Enduro and the 04' Giant VT3. I have ridden both and they both feel great to me. The price is about the same, within a hundred bucks of each other (i've seen both models discounted). I've heard different opinions on customer service not being the greatest with Specialized and on the other hand, Giants customer service is excellent according to some people. If anyone has any suggestions/opinions of which bike they would go with and why, could you please post them. Thanks.
Posted by Dirt Klaud  on 02/18/04
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- Re: 03' Enduro or 04' VT3
I'm not a big fan of the Specialized brand components, as they're usually pretty crappy, but the Enduro does come with Hayes hydros, right? Not bad at all. The Giant is spec'ed out pretty well for the price, but has mechanical discs. I'd lean toward the Giant myself, and if you can get the bike shop to change out the Avids for hydros, I say take the Giant for sure.
Posted by El Jefe a 34 year old riding a Blinging V10, ghetto Stinky, Azonic P, & a SS Kona Cowan from Trabuco Canyon on 02/18/04
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- Re: 03' Enduro or 04' VT3
I second that... I've ridden a VT before and Enduro, the Giant for sure. I like the geometry on the frame and stabilty. Parts really differ on the VT's depending on which one you choose, I rode a VT1, but they're still well equipped.
Posted by Mtb2x2 a 3some year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a a 4 year old reliable GT XCR iDrive from Whittier on 02/18/04
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- Re: 03' Enduro or 04' VT3
Mud gets stuck on the VT frame shock area...
if you live in So Cal, so what....it rains twice a year.
The reasale seems better on the VT too, I dunno, maybe cuz the Enduro looks dated?
Posted by The real fatcat on 02/18/04
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- Re: 03' Enduro or 04' VT3
Personally, I would save up some money and get a bike equipped with a kickstand. That will give you much more versatility when it comes time for those gnar gnar drops and gap jumps. But that's just me, do what you please.
Posted by RDC a 28 year old riding a '03 Foes FXR, '03 BigHit Expert from Westminster on 02/18/04
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- Re: 03' Enduro or 04' VT3
Get the VT3. Try to deal for the 2 or 1 if you can.
Posted by Burg a 42 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Turner 5 Spot from Valencia on 02/20/04
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- Re: 03' Enduro or 04' VT3
Good call Burg, I was actually thinking of saving a little more snaps and getting the VT2, I can get a great deal on it. I'd rather spend a little more now on a better fork and brakes then have to upgrade them later on if i was to get the VT3.
Posted by Dirt Klaud on 02/21/04
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- Re: 03' Enduro or 04' VT3
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D.K. That would be an excellent way to go. All the VT's use the same frame set. Just speed a bit more and upgrade to a better wheel set and the fork. Those new Minute forks are great. But so are the Zokes and the fox (I have bikes with Zokes, Manitou and Fox forks on them and I like them all). Cheers,
Posted by Burg a 42 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Turner 5 Spot from Valencia on 02/21/04
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- Re: 03' Enduro or 04' VT3
DK-
I was in the exact same position as you last year. The enduro I looked at was discounted @ $1300 and my vt was list @ $1800. Either way, you will be stoked so go with what feels the best for you and your riding style. I wanted a little more travel than the enduro so I went with the VT. So far there have not been any issues besides a broken chain. I would go with the upgrade - if you were to do it later, which you will want to, it will cost a lot more.
Posted by Intenserider a 28 year old riding a Giant VT & an 'ol Intense from San Diego on 02/23/04
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- Re: 03' Enduro or 04' VT3
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Good looking out everyone, I actually went with the 03 Enduro. SG had a great price on them with their Markdown Madness sale, I picked it up for $1099 and I managed to get a free pair of Lizard Skin Lock-On grips and the Specialized Lizard Skin chain stay protector for free (close to $40.00 value) due to two very small chips/knicks in the paint on the down tube in which they did "touch-up" with paint. I did read a lot of positive reviews on MTBR about both bikes. Overall, I just liked the frame and suspension design better on the Enduro. Thanks for your input everyone.
Posted by Dirt Klaud riding a Specialized Enduro from Long beach on 02/23/04
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- Re: 03' Enduro or 04' VT3
Dude, what were you thinking getting new grips and a chainstay protector? You could have gotten a b*itchin kickstand instead....you blew it man...you really blew it.
Posted by RDC a 28 year old Cross-Country riding a '03 Foes FXR, '03 BigHit Expert from Westminster on 02/24/04
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- Re: 03' Enduro or 04' VT3
well, maybe if you didn't push the damn button on the front door, and lock yourself out of you pad, i would have been able to think more clearly and got a kickstand instead of the grips, lizard skin and extra reflectors!!!
Posted by Dirt Klaud on 02/24/04
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- Re: 03' Enduro or 04' VT3
Hey now, I didn't push the button....my wife did. Anyway, just remember this Steven.....kickstands are why I ride.
Posted by RDC a 28 year old Cross-Country riding a '03 Foes FXR, '03 BigHit Expert from Westminster on 02/24/04
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- Re: 03' Enduro or 04' VT3
enduro's represent
Posted by Miznax riding a '02 enduro pro w/ a killer kickstand from back in the Heights on 02/24/04
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- Re: 03' Enduro or 04' VT3
By the way, I got a VT1 Frame (silver) w/original Manitou SPV shock if anyone is interested... $600 firm and it's new. I though of using it myself but... I'm strongly saving up for a Turner or Ellsworth frame this year.
Posted by Mtb2x2 a 3some year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a a 4 year old GT XCR iDrive from work and Whittier on 02/23/04
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- Is it too late to swing you away from those bikes?
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Iron Horse! Iron Horse! Iron Horse! The Hollowpoint Sport can be had for $1200 and it comes with 4f/4.5r travel, a multipivot design that doesn't lean on the rear shock as much for anti-bob, plus decent components. The 2.3" tires that come with it make it a cow on the pavement, but I can carve through singletrack, up and down! Customer service is decent from what I can see on MTBR. They have a forum there where the product manager and suspension designer are reachable if you want to bitch at them for all to read.
Posted by Nuuge a 38 year old Cross-Country riding a Hollowpoint from Naperville, IL on 04/13/04
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