Trek 3700 or Mongoose Tyax Sport

[vbv]

Hello all,

I am from Pune. This is my first post. I have been going through this forum since last 2 months almost 4 hrs a day. I just entered 'BikesZone' with a requirement for a Bicycle (not bike at that time) mainly for fitness purpose and with a budget of 8K (worked up to 20k by reading post by post). Since then I have learnt a lot of things from you guys (such as why gears are necessary, how to choose a bike size and etc.). I have visited almost all the LBS in Pune.

Sardar Cycles in Pune had offered me a price of 22K(with accessories). After this, I had finalized on Trek 3700 and was about get my bike next week, until I read a post this morning which said Trek 3700 is not a VFM compared to Mongoose Tyax Sport.

Now, I cannot keep myself from I asking you this repeatedly asked question/help: "please help me out in choosing between these two."

Also please put some lights on some other brands as well apart from these two.

Some details if it helps:

Height: 5'5
Weight: 59kgs
Ride: Mostly on roads and occassionally off-roads on weekends
Budget: 20K

Desired bike qualities:

low-maintenence.
good quality components and frame.
V-brakes.
Front-suspension (optional)
good looks (to tempt me to cycle more as I am new to this).

Also help me on where can I get the bike in Pune. Because all the shops I have visited a relatively high-price except for Sardar Cycles.
I hope you guys will help....

[knmurthy]

Hi
To confuse you more or rather give you more options to choose from
Have you checked KHS, Merida, venky who owns wheelsports in bangalore can courier the bike to you
Check his FB page for further information:
http://www.facebook.com/venkatesh.shivarama
Hope this helps
Murthy

[nanopatel]

I believe the Mongoose Tyax Sport has Disc brakes!.. doesnt that violate one of your requirements (V Brake)?

Personally, i prefer Trek 3700 over its rivals in the entry level MTBs. I felt it had a lighter frame and also it felt more sturdier. I had compared it with Merida 20V, and Giant bikes.

[baccilus]

Big brands are seldom VFM. I personally chose the Mongoose Tyax sport over the Trek 3700 because quality and component wise Mongoose was between Trek 3700 and Trek 4300 according to me. It has better shockers and brakes than the non disk version of 3700. If you are going to use your bike on termac, you might need the shocker lock mechanism too which according to me is pretty useful.
BTW, KHS is also a great choice. But take care of the size of the bike too. It would be best if you can try a bike from the same brand to get an idea of the size you would need and then order or buy one.

[stalker]

Suspension Fork != Shockers

Please don't call forks, shockers

[vbv]

Thanks for your replies. I am really glad to be a part of a forum which is so live that you post a question and get so many replies within an hour!!

Coming to my point, I do not have much concern abt brakes, in fact i am more inclined to V brakes as it is very convenient to while quick releasing the wheels. But I am more concerned towards shokers and Shifters in Trek 3700. That's what has put me in dilemma.

Moreover, I have a belt of rocky mountains jus beside my apartment. And I am planning to take good use of it.
In that case I need more sturdy bike. Truely speaking, I have more inclination towards Trek 3700 but it's shocker are wat making me think twice.

@Murty &@ Baccilus,
KHS is not available in pune, so it's out of my list because, i am not going to buy a bike without test-riding it.(lessons learnt from BZ )

[vbv]

@stalker,
I had already posted before reading your reply. So pls consider shokers= Suspension Fork.

[baccilus]

Sorry it is too late for me to change it to suspension fork now.

[stalker]

Sorry it is too late for me to change it to suspension fork now.

No need to apologize
Just a matter of correct terminology.

[knmurthy]

You can always make a trip down to bangalore, try the bikes and buy
there are many options and shops to choose from
The place where I stay has 4 very good bike shops, but I still went to KL (2 hour journey) to buy my road bike
Just my thought.
Murthy

[shankarbn]

Between the two bikes, definitely the mongoose. At that price range (or any other for that matter), you should just blindly go with the most good looking bike . Mongoose bikes look really good imo. Also, searching for used bikes may be a really good idea if budget is a concern.

[alphazed1]

venky from wheelsports can ship KHS or MERIDA to you if you decide to pick one.. so that should not be a problem..
another point to consider is how does the bike feel under you.. you may find trek to be much more responsive as compared to mongoose or vice versa.. (geometry plays a part alongwith how well the bike s been put together and of course the right frame size)..

[MPP]

I find Treks better in riding. they also look sturdier. XCT 100mm are good in that range. and you need front shocks if u plan to ride in nearby mountains.
to add to confusion you can check Ride2026 in Aundh. have a look at Orbea.
Are you sure there are no KHS in Pune? at Lifecycles?

[vbv]

@mpp,

I had been to Life cycle a couple of times, did not see any KHS around. I didn't inquire abt KHS coz it was not among my options earlier.
I will go again this weekend and find out more on KHS.

By the way from your signature its clear that you have/had Trek 3700. What is the overall quality of ride?
My main concerns are: Shifters and Suspensions. What is your say abt these two?

I had been to Ride2026 once and he quoted the price of Orbea Dakar as 28,000+, how much did you pay for your's?

As I had said earlier in this thread, Sardar Cycles is ready to give Trek 3700 for 22,000 [and was even ready for further negotiation].
Is it fine if I buy a bike from this dealer? coz No other dealer in pune is giving such a low price?

[MPP]

I just thought i saw it somewhere. maybe in a shop on Deccan Gym. road. I dont know i am not so well-versed with Pune. you can check with Anoop, pysnide here. they'll guide you better.

Regards Trek 3700, new ones come with XCT100mm which are good. mine had old crappy 2025,63mm. But the ride quality and gear shifting is very good. With the new ones i dont think you should be worried about shifting or suspension. There's a good reason why its the most talked and regularly recommended bike!!

Regards, Orbea I have sent you an PM. Both are good and I enjoy both. Finally you ride both, check the components (i am not sure what configuration you have seen) and choose which you like more!!

[tomanish99]

Hey guys,

I recently bought Mongoose Tyax Comp 2012 (in March). It's awesome trust me

I ride it everday to my office 28-30 kms each day, 5 days a week and long rides on Saturday (approx. 80 to 100 kms).

No problem till now... Really happy that I bought this

Cheers!!

[naujoon]

@ vbv - So did you finally get your bike?