first real bike for friend's son

[royta]

[FONT=Verdana]I've got a friend who's son, that will be turning 18 in December, got bit by the mountain bike bug. I told him there's nothing wrong with starting with a hard tail so that he can develop smooth riding skills. You know kids though, he wants full suspension. I don't blame him, but his budget is around $700 to $800. I told him to pick up a [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]Kona Kikapu[/FONT][FONT=Verdana] (plain jane model), but at a $1000 retail, would be out of his price range. What full suspension bikes are worth looking at for that amount of dough?[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]How much do you think the Kikapu could actually be sold for? Of course, that answer should probably be left to PM's.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]Thanks.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana]Roy[/FONT]

[Pain Freak]

To lazy for the PM's. I'd look at the Giants, should be able to get something worthwhile for that kind of coin. I do have a hookup if you need it.

[royta]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

To lazy for the PM's. I'd look at the Giants, should be able to get something worthwhile for that kind of coin. I do have a hookup if you need it.

Oh yeah, I totally forgot about Giant.

OK, I looked at Giant real quick. It appears the only full suspension in his price range, after salesman flogging, would be the Yukon FX.

It's hard to recommend bikes to people. My first bike was a Rockhopper Comp in 1993, and it was $550 and fully rigid.

[bobzrag]

Originally Posted by royta

Oh yeah, I totally forgot about Giant.

OK, I looked at Giant real quick. It appears the only full suspension in his price range, after salesman flogging, would be the Yukon FX.

It's hard to recommend bikes to people. My first bike was a Rockhopper Comp in 1993, and it was $550 and fully rigid.

Sounds like an upgrade waiting to happen. A few years ago I bought a Yukon hard tail, when I got bitten I ended up buying a good bike (and having waaaay more fun)...might want to think about a used bike (ebay, this forum, mtbr.com, etc.), but get something that he'll want to hang onto for a few years. Also may want to borrow a couple different bikes to see what he likes/doesn't like.

[royta]

Originally Posted by bobzrag

Sounds like an upgrade waiting to happen. A few years ago I bought a Yukon hard tail, when I got bitten I ended up buying a good bike (and having waaaay more fun)...might want to think about a used bike (ebay, this forum, mtbr.com, etc.), but get something that he'll want to hang onto for a few years. Also may want to borrow a couple different bikes to see what he likes/doesn't like.

That's why I'm suggesting the Kikapu. It's built around a good frame, and the components can be upgraded as they wear out.

It appears the Yukon FX is not a bike built on a better frame but with lesser components.

[TooManyTacos]

Wheelworld had Kikapus for $599 for a long time. They might still have some!
EDIT: Just looked and they have the 06's for $599 and the 07's for $769.
http://wheelworld.com/itemlist.cfm?c...rchSubmit.y=12

[mtb_prodigy]

Originally Posted by TooManyTacos

Wheelworld had Kikapus for $599 for a long time. They might still have some!
EDIT: Just looked and they have the 06's for $599 and the 07's for $769.
http://wheelworld.com/itemlist.cfm?c...rchSubmit.y=12

there were some REALLY good deals on that page!!!