Put some Deore derailleurs on that hardtail and it'd be pefect for him
Nah, the Alivios will be sufficient. Even though they're low end, they'll works suprisingly well until they start to get sloppy from wear and tear. That money's better spent on a good helmet, hydration (bottle or bladder type), and trail tools.
BTW, I'm sooo out of date on the current state of mountain bikes. What's good out there? Also, the travel listed for some forks is crazy. Back when I bought my current fork (Manitou SX-Ti), anything over 3" was long. Now I'm seeing forks with 5". Is that total upward movement or upward movement after it settles from the rider's weight (preloaded)? Seems like a new fork would really throw my bike's balance off.
Chris
There is so much out there it is overwhelming.
Like I said earlier, this week I will be going to some shops in person to check out some bikes.
I appreciate the input you guys have given me. I am still in the research mode. I am not jumping into anything yet.
Hijacking this thread into a general discussion about the bikes is cool with me, the more I read and lurk the more knowledge I pick up.
Get out to some bike shops and browse thier wares. There is alot out there, and personal preference is going to play a part in your decision. Yes, they are going to try to sell you thier bikes, shop, compare, and don't be afraid to keep asking questions.