To Y or not to Y?

crimsondynamics

That is the question!

Hi all, this is my first post at bikeradar.com - fantastic site by the way.

I had a crummy hardtail mountain bike that was literally given to me, and I used it daily to go to and back to the ferry pier from my home (which is in Hong Kong). Unfortunately it was stolen, so I decided since I will be spending money this time, I would buy something reasonably decent; I won't be doing hard-core biking, but there are a couple of nice trails around where I live...

I went to a couple of bike shops here but the full suspension frame mountain bikes were a bit too rich for my blood. There is a GT Avalanche well within my price range (I'm willing to pay double what the Avalanche costs) but as you all know, the Avalanche is a hardtail, and I figured I might as well try to find something more along the lines of a full suspension - just so see what it's like, so I'm still inclined towards full suspension provided it's within budget.

Then I found a second-hand "Trek carbon fibre frame comes rear ajustable and lock out shock from Helix" for HKD1500 / USD193 / GBP93 / EUR132 which the owner states is in great condition and will even arrange to show me beforehand.

However, searching online, there seems to be quite the mixed reception that Y-frames have. Bio-pacing, weak design, carbon frame lasts only a year or two, and different build quality depending on the manufacturing date appear quite frequently. Of course, there are also glowing reviews and comments for Trek's Y-frames, including design awards, so the entire Y-frame issue seems to be a hit-and-miss, depending on the individual's personal experience.

So, what do you think about Trek's Y-frame? A good choice, or nothing more than a gimmick? I am really straddling the fence on this one, so any feedback would be more than appreciated!

(PS: I searched the site for any mention of my question but nothing really relevant showed up, so if this has been covered to death before, please accept my apologies!)

simbil1

Good full suspension bikes are generally only a little slower up hill than a hard tail and potentially reasonably faster downhill. I wouldn't get a full suspension bike personally as there are extra moving parts to look after and you have to spend a whole lot more money.
If you ride XC style, it really depends whether you want to be faster downhill or faster overall. Faster overall would be a good hardtail and faster downhill would be a full suspension bike.
I'm not familiar with the Trek Y frame.
I don't think there's anything wrong with a good carbon frame - the same type of crash that would brake it would probably dent an Aluminium frame. An uncrashed carbon frame should last longer than Aluminium as it does not fatigue / creep / age soften like Aluminium.

supersonic

The Trek Y is very old - this was a notoriously bad bike with out date suspension design and old carbon technology.

ddoogie

To be honest, a full suspension bike is not likely to be necessary considering your primary usage is commuting.

dmjb3

My old Y-11 has a number of problems, most notably the inside of the head and seat tube are worn smooth, so the saddle slips down and the headset needs adjusting every few rides.

Having said that, small boys, oblivious to the changes in MTB technology, always go 'wow' when they see it, and their equally oblivious Dads explain they can't have one.

As such, the frame is under my bed unused, its not even any use as a commuter, as its going to get nicked in seconds by pikies.

That's why they are constantly on ebay for £1000 reserve, and no bids!

crimsondynamics

Hi all,

Thanks for your replies. Indeed, it seems the Y-frame has its share of negatives, so I don't think I will get that frame anymore.

However, about full suspension vs hardtail, I am still partially inclined towards full suspension; although my primary use is commuting, I will go every weekend on the trails found in the island I live in - and there are plenty of them!

I'll admit: I do want a full suspension because there *must* be a reason why mountain bikes are increasingly being featured with rear suspension - and I'd like to see what it's all about.

I also ordered two bike alarms - the Ducharme alarm, and a chain alarm that sounds when the cable is cut. Hopefully this will provide some protection against thieves this time around.

Anyway, the Trek Y-frame is definitely off the menu. Thanks for your advice.

supersonic

What is your budget? Budget full sussers are generally underspecced, overly heavy and dont perfrom well.

dmjb3

I note you are based outside the UK, but for any lurkers, especially short or tall lurkers, try Pauls Cycles for last years bargains.

e.g. the link below and loads of Giant Trance models.

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b3s1p452&tbv=TREK_FUEL_80_

crimsondynamics

supersonic wrote:

What is your budget? Budget full sussers are generally underspecced, overly heavy and dont perfrom well.

Well, my budget nets me anything from a hardtail Cannondale (on the high end of things - http://video.cannondale.com/images/08/b ... S1_wht.jpg ) to a GT (low end - http://www.gtbicycles.com/int/GTFiles/P ... medium.jpg ). Basically, I'm willing to spend up to GBP 1000.

I read the review about the Decathlon Rockrider on this very website and it sounds like the kind of bike I would have bought: Easy on the wallet, nice on the eyes, good-quality. It's rare to find that combination in any consumer product, but unfortunately Decathlon do not accept mail orders and being in Hong Kong, welll, it's out of the question!

There are a total of five decent pro bike shops here, and I visited all of them this week. So far, the Avalanche and Aggressor look like decent bikes, and I'm partially inclined towards them now. From reviews GT bikes seem like a solid, if unspectacular choice but easy on the wallet as well (they cost about GBP150 here, which seems very cheap but I'm not complaining )

One bike shop told me if I wanted to fit a child seat that full suspensions were out of the question anyway. :roll:

How does the GT fare? Would any of you have any qualms recommending GT, or are there better options for the price? GBP150 for a GT is very cheap (here at least), and while I could blow the entire GBP1000 on a hardtail, I am now thinking maybe I can save that 850GBP and buy two bikes: A GT hardtail for riding with my 3-year-old son, and a full-suspension bike for my off-road excursions. Best of both worlds!

Oh, if only that Decathlon bike could be bought online somehow...

supersonic

Depends which GT, they vary quite a lot!

CitizenLee

Do you have a any friends or relatives in the UK who you could get a Decathlon sent to, who could then arrange to ship it to you in HK?

petestew

i would recomend going 4 a hardtail for overall commuting and offroad , i own a gt agrressor and a carrera banshee x, and have just as much fun on my hardtail, sometimes even more, i find that hardtails are more exciting, as they are sometimes less forgiving, and u have 2 consider ur choice of path more. full sus bikes are more work maintaining them, and for commuting, arent the best, if you have 1000 2 spend, id recomend gts triangle frames, they are strong and light, and as they use the same frame on theyre high end as theyre low end, u could get a cheap frame, then spend the rest on good components