Hello Guys,

I've been a long time lurker but this is my first post so I hope it's ok

I've been doing some research on entry level mountain bikes for the past 2 weeks. There are so many brands and models but so far those that stand out in terms of "bang-for-buck" are the ones from XDS, Exitway, Raleigh and Volcano. If you are planning to buy a mountain bike with a limited budget (RM1K to RM2K) I suggest you check these models out first before you go with the big name brands (Trek, Giant, Cannondale, Specialized etc).

My budget was only RM 1.5K max, but I was able to get the following bike:


Exitway Team 512 (or Team SL2)
Frame: 6066 Alloy Hydroforming Tubing
Fork: Suntour XCT V2 120mm Travel(Lockout,preload)
Cranks: Suntour XCP PPF 44/32/22T
Front Derailleur: Shimano Alivio
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Alivio 9 Speed
Shifters: Shimano Alivio
Chain: KMC
Rims: Mavic 117X Double Wall
Hub :KT Seal Bearing 32H
Tyre : Kenda Kobra 26 x 2.0
Brake: Tektro Draco Hydraulic Disc
Handlebar: Exitway Alloy Riser Bar
Stem: Alloy
Saddle: WTB Pure V
Seat Post: Alloy
Seat Clamp: Aluminium QR

For the parts alone this bike is a very good deal. If you have the shop build a bike with the same parts it will probably cost you more than RM 2K. What most people do is buy these bikes for the parts then later on upgrade the frame and fork to something lighter.

If you are looking for "bang-for-buck" bikes with very good components do check out the following models:

XDS MX 8.5 (Hydraulic Discs and Shimano Alivio 27 speed drivetrain)
XDS Team 512 (Hydraulic Discs and Shimano Alivio 27 speed drivetrain)
XDS 29477 "CROSSRIDE" (New 29-inch model from XDS)
Volcano Cyclone (Hydraulic Discs and Shimano Alivio 27 speed drivetrain)
EXITWAY KSX (Hydraulic Discs, Shimano 2012 Deore 30 speed drivetrain, Rockshox Fork)
EXITWAY S9 SL V00 (Hydraulic Discs, SRAM X9 30 speed drivetrain, Suntour Epicon Fork)

Buy these bikes for the parts then when you have more budget later on, you can change the fork or the frame to improve the bike's weight and handling.

Hope this Helps
sleepygeepy

This post has been edited by sleepygeepy: Jul 14 2011, 06:32 PM

Hi pooh88,

Sure bro no problem. Here are the quoted prices I got from the bike shops I went to:

Note that these are the quoted prices of the bikes if paid in cash, and are subject to change...

EXITWAY X9 SL V00 = RM 2500
EXITWAY KSX = RM 1750
XDS Team 512 = RM 1300 ~ RM 1450 (lowest quote I got was RM 1300)
XDS 29477 CROSSRIDE = RM 2300
Volcano Cyclone = RM 1300

Other models that might interest you...
XDS MX 9.0 = RM 2300 (Hydraulic Discs, Shimano SLX 30 speed drivetrain, Rockshox Fork)
XDS Zero38 = RM 1300 (Hydraulic Discs, Shimano Altus/Acera 24 speed drive train)

I'm sure if you are a local and have good haggling skills you can get a much lower price. I will not mention the names of the shops (to be fair to them), but this will give you a good idea of how much the bikes will cost when paid in cash.

I highly suggest that you visit the bike shops first and make sure the bike you want is in stock. Then go there and check the size of the frame if it is the correct one for you. Note that for these "available-only-in-Malaysia" brand bikes (XDS, Exitway, Nexus, RBS etc.) they are only produced in limited numbers, so stocks are usually very very limited. If you can't find the model you want, sometimes it is better to wait for the next batch or shipment of new models to arrive in the bike shops.

You might also want to check the HASA brand of bikes. These have frames made in Taiwan and are (supposedly) of better quality. Unfortunately I was not able to do much research on the HASA brand of mountain bikes.

sleepygeepy

Bro pooh88

At more than RM 3K I would say that is already a high-end mountain bike! From the parts alone I'm sure it will be expensive...

- Rock Shox Dart2
- Frame with Carbon Fiber?
- Shimano SLX groupset

With a budget of RM 3K there are so many choices already including the well known brands. You can also purchase a full suspension bike with that budget.

Try also looking at this website for XDS brand bikes:

Evanda-RMB
www.evanda-rmb.com

Here are some mountain bike models from EXITWAY that came out this year...

Information courtesy of Pusat Basikal Lim shop
basikal-pbl.blogspot.com


EXITWAY KSX
Frame: 6066 Alloy Hydroformed Bar Tubing
Fork: Suntour XCT 120mm Travel(Lockout,preload)
Cranks: Shimano Deore 3x10 22/32/44T
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore 10 Speed
Shifters: Shimano Deore
Cassette : Shimano Deore 10 speeds
Chain: Shimano Deore
Rims: Alex DP20 Double Wall
Tyre : Kenda Short Tracker DTC 26 x 2.1
Brake: Tektro Draco Hydraulic Disc
Handlebar: Exitway Alloy Riser Bar
Stem: Alloy
Saddle: WTB Speed V Pro Gel
Seat Post: Alloy
Seat Clamp: Aluminium QR



EXITWAY X9 SL V00
Frame: 6066 Alloy Hydroformed Bar Tubing
Fork: Suntour Epicon 120mm(Lockout, Air Suspension)
Cranks: SRAM X9 (2x10)42/28T
Front Derailleur: SRAM X9 (2x10)
Rear Derailleur: SRAM X9
Shifters: SRAM X9 Trigger
Chain: SRAM PC1031
Cassette : SRAM 1070 (10 spd)
Rims: Mavic 117X Double Wall with sealed bearing hub
Tyre : Kenda Slant Six 26 x 2.1
Brake: Tektro Draco Hydraulic Disc
Handlebar: Exitway Alloy Riser Bar
Stem: Alloy
Saddle: WTB Pure V
Seat Post: Alloy
Seat Clamp: Aluminium QR



EXITWAY XC Elite Carbon
Frame : 12K Carbon
Size :18"
Colour : Green/white
Speeds : 30
Fork : RockShox TORA 289 120mm
Shifter : Shimano SLX
Brake : Shimano BR-445 Hydro Disc Brake
Chainwheel : Shimano SLX M660 42/32/24T
FD : Shimano
RD : Shimano XT M773
Saddle : WTB Sliverado CR-Caill
Seat Post : Alloy
Handlebar : Alloy
Stem : Alloy
Wheelset : Mavic 117X Disc 32H Doublewall Rim
Tire : KENDA Short Tracker DTC 26X2.1
Weight :12kg



EXITWAY Grams
Frame : 12K Carbon
Size :16"
Colour : Black/white
Speeds : 27
Fork : RockShox TORA 289 120mm
Shifter : Shimano Deore
Brake : Shimano BR-445 Hydro Disc Brake
Chainwheel : Shimano Deore 44/32/22T
FD : Shimano Deore
RD : Shimano Deore
Saddle : WTB
Seat Post : Alloy
Handlebar : Alloy
Stem : Alloy
Wheelset : Mavic 117X Disc 32H Doublewall Rim
Tire : KENDA Short Tracker DTC 26X2.1
Weight :12.5kg

You're welcome bro, I just wanted to share the information to anyone who might be looking at an entry level mountain bike. I'm based in Cyberjaya and I plan to ride around my place first then hopefully be able to go to Putrajaya. I hear there are many good bike trails / paths in Putrajaya. To be honest I am very much a beginner but I try to do a lot of research before I go into this new hobby hehe!

Ok here are the quoted prices I got from some bike shops:

EXITWAY X9 SL V00 = RM 2500
EXITWAY KSX = RM 1750
sorry I didn't bother asking the carbon frame models because I know they are way beyond my budget hehehe...

The Exitway KSX looks like a good deal because it uses Shimano Deore components. I'm not so sure about Exitway X9 KSX because I'm not familiar with the price of SRAM groupset but the Suntour Epicon fork is very good.

One of the shop owners I spoke to said that the frames of Raleigh, Exitway, XDS, and other bikes are made by the same factory in China. When compared to frames made by known brands (Specialized, Trek, Giant, etc.) the China made frames tend to be heavier for the same amount of stiffness or tubing used. Since the frames in China cannot really compete in weight, they focus more on making the frames stronger and more rigid. Also since the frames are made in China they are sold much cheaper so bike assemblers can offer a complete bike with better components like Hydraulic brakes and upgraded groupsets for a lower price.

However the shop owner said that if you want to take up serious mountain biking on rough terrain it is much better (and safer) to get a reliable frame from a well known brand because your safety will depend on it. For biking on simple trails and on tarmac the china made frames are more than capable.

Another thing the shop owner told me that, is that is sometimes better to buy these bikes for the parts then upgrade the fork, the frame, and the rims for a good overall reduction of weight. Changing the fork alone can sometimes save you as much as 900 grams or almost 1kg of weight savings.

sleepygeepy

This post has been edited by sleepygeepy: Jul 14 2011, 07:35 PM

Hi Bro,

To be honest I'm not close to the shop owner, I just sent an email to the address posted in their website. You can try sending an email to Pusat Basikal Lim (sling_pbl@live.com) and ask for a quotation on the 2 mountain bike models. The person that responded to me is Irene Teo, who I think is one of the shop owners or managers.

Irene sent me a very quick email response so I'm sure you will be able to get the price from them.

sleepygeepy

If you are looking for an entry level mountain bike, you might want to check the XDS or Exitway brands. The one I got is Exitway Team 512 / SL2 model and is equipped with the following:

- Aluminum 6065 Hydroformed Frame
- Alivio Groupset 27-Speed
- Suntour XCT Crank
- Suntour XCT Version 3 Fork with Manual Lockout and Preload
- Tektro Draco Hydraulic Disk Brakes and with 160mm disks
- Mavic wheels and Kenda tires

The price I paid for the mountain bike is RM 1450

Usually with Exitway or XDS bikes you get a quality china manufactured aluminum alloy frame or carbon steel frame but with better components compared to bikes offered by big name brands for the same price. Most of the time if you go with a well known brand like Giant, Trek, Canondale, Specialized etc. your budget will get you a better frame but with lesser spec components like 24-speed Acera groupset and mechanical disk brakes and a lower end fork. Going with Exitway or XDS or even the HASA bike brands is sometimes worth it because in the future you can replace the frame if you are not satisifed with it and keep almost all the components intact.

Another model you might want to look at with similar components and price is the Volcano Cyclone Mountain Bike which comes with Alivio groupset and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes.

For a Hybrid Bike I suggest you look at the XDS Cross 400m, the Exitway Mr. Sub, and the Raleigh Oakland. Of the 3 models the XDS Cross 400m seems to have the best components and it fits your budget at RM 1499.

Check out the Hybrid Models I mentioned here:
USJ Cycles - Hybrid Models
http://www.usjcycles.com/category/bicycles/hybrid

Check out the XDS Mountain Bikes here:
Evanda Sdn. Bhd.
http://www.evanda-rmb.com/rmb-products.asp...andid=&keyword=

Check out some of the Exitway Mountain Bikes here (including Team SL2 model):
Pusat Basikal Lim
http://basikal-pbl.blogspot.com/search/lab...20Bike%28MTB%29

Hope this helps!

Like what the others said, you do not need an expensive US branded frame set. Even one made from China or Taiwan will do well especially if you are cycling on roads or bike paths or simple trails. Also it's better to start with an inexpensive bike first. When you have gained a lot of cycling experience with it, you will be able to identify and appreciate which parts you would like to upgrade to give you a better ride.

For dismantling the bike and placing it in your car, most bikes now have quick release wheels that allow you to do this easily. You may also want to consider a folding bike if you plan on doing casual cycling only, plus it is small enough to fit in the trunk of your car. Just remember that road bikes and hybrid bikes have bigger diameter wheels compared to mountain bikes so it's something to think about if you plan on putting the bike inside your car.

If you plan to do any off-road cycling with a mountain bike and getting the bike all muddy and dirty, consider investing in a good bike rack for your car. This way you can mount the bike outside your car preventing the interior from getting soiled by the wheels and frame. Also a bike rack will allow you to bring another bike for your buddy or significant other hehe!

Really nice looking mountain bike bro! congrats on your purchase

Do you mind sharing with us how much the bike cost?