#!markdown
Just as an example:
<http://www.konaworld.com/blast.cfm>
68 HTA w/ 100mm fork; fork has a hydraulic rebound damper; Shimano hydraulic
disc brakes.
Buy a size up and run a shorter stem/wider bar. Front tire becomes the rear
tire; put a Minion DHF or equivalent up front; Shimano 520/530 pedals; install
a bash guard; ride the bike.
If you want to get really tricky, any competent shop can swap the damper rod
to make the fork 120mm which gets you almost a 67 HTA and a bit more
forgiveness.
The only thing putting that bike over ~$1400/$1450 including tax out the door
is if the purchaser goes higher end then some basic KORE bits for the bar/stem
or if, as you've experienced, the rotors are resin only (doesn't look to be
the case, but photos aren't guaranteed accurate).
If you ride it really hard the only early expense you're going to come across
is a rear hub replacement.
Certainly not what I'm used to, but I'd call that rideable?
Couple hundred more you can get a full Deore bike from Brodie (again requires
front tire + pedals) although it is a big steeper in the HTA assuming a 120mm
fork.
Giants usually the parts:price value leader in this category… but they
apparently still think there's a market for old school 90's hardtail geo…
particularly baffling at this price point.
Sept. 29, 2015, 12:46 a.m. - DrewM
#!markdown Just as an example: <http://www.konaworld.com/blast.cfm> 68 HTA w/ 100mm fork; fork has a hydraulic rebound damper; Shimano hydraulic disc brakes. Buy a size up and run a shorter stem/wider bar. Front tire becomes the rear tire; put a Minion DHF or equivalent up front; Shimano 520/530 pedals; install a bash guard; ride the bike. If you want to get really tricky, any competent shop can swap the damper rod to make the fork 120mm which gets you almost a 67 HTA and a bit more forgiveness. The only thing putting that bike over ~$1400/$1450 including tax out the door is if the purchaser goes higher end then some basic KORE bits for the bar/stem or if, as you've experienced, the rotors are resin only (doesn't look to be the case, but photos aren't guaranteed accurate). If you ride it really hard the only early expense you're going to come across is a rear hub replacement. Certainly not what I'm used to, but I'd call that rideable? Couple hundred more you can get a full Deore bike from Brodie (again requires front tire + pedals) although it is a big steeper in the HTA assuming a 120mm fork. Giants usually the parts:price value leader in this category… but they apparently still think there's a market for old school 90's hardtail geo… particularly baffling at this price point.