Mountain Bike advice

scooter5002
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scooter5002
Edited Date/Time 6/20/2015 11:33pm
Just like the title says. I'm 6' 6", with a fucked up back, so suspension is a must. Probably ride more road than trail, but I can't ride a rigid frame. Have seen some pretty cool places to go off road, now that I'm running Cali, but that's not always an option. Truth be told, I'm not really a bike rider, more of a jogger, but I can't drag a treadmill around in my rig. What do I want to buy, make, wheel size, etc:? I'm completely out of the loop on this. I also weigh 240 at my minimum, so I'm assuming I'll need heavier springs? Not looking to spend 5 Grand on a bike, either. Best recommendations for bang for the buck. Thanks in advance.
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IWreckALot
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IWreckALot 6/18/2015 1:41pm
6/18/2015 1:41pm Edited Date/Time 6/18/2015 1:42pm
For your size and if you're going to be riding on the road regularly, a 29er is the only way to go. Fully suspended 29ers start around $2,000 for a more reliable brand. The 29er maintains its speed and momentum much better which is what you want on road riding for sure and it helps on the trails. Supposedly you forfeit cornering ability and acceleration with a bigger wheel size, but I never had the problem.
DownSouth
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DownSouth 6/18/2015 2:31pm
6/18/2015 2:31pm Edited Date/Time 6/18/2015 2:34pm
Check out a Giant Trance 29 with the large or XL frame.

My brother just bought a Trance 27.5" with the medium frame. I am 5-11 and the medium frame is quite a bit larger than my 26" Trek. They run air suspension so no need for heavy springs just pump it up. With the bad back you may want to look into a higher bar riser so you do not have to be as hunched over while riding.

Chad198
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Chad198 6/18/2015 3:03pm
6/18/2015 3:03pm
For sure, the Giant Trance if you are looking for the best bang for the buck.
Sandberm
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Sandberm 6/18/2015 3:10pm
6/18/2015 3:10pm
Do you guys choose the Giant Trance because its just a good all around bike or specifically for larger riders like Scooter?

Someday....Id like to get a new bike and I really cant see myself spending more then $2000

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Brad460
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Brad460 6/18/2015 5:57pm
6/18/2015 5:57pm
DownSouth wrote:
Check out a [url=http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/trance.x.29er.2/14835/66298/#specifications]Giant Trance 29[/url] with the large or XL frame. My brother just bought a Trance 27.5" with the medium frame. I am 5-11...
Check out a Giant Trance 29 with the large or XL frame.

My brother just bought a Trance 27.5" with the medium frame. I am 5-11 and the medium frame is quite a bit larger than my 26" Trek. They run air suspension so no need for heavy springs just pump it up. With the bad back you may want to look into a higher bar riser so you do not have to be as hunched over while riding.

+1. This is a great bike at an unbelievable price. It is a 2015 model and in short supply already, but the 2016 models will be out soon. Last checked the model one up from this one (neon yellow I think) has a lot of better components and are being discounted.
IWreckALot
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IWreckALot 6/18/2015 6:33pm
6/18/2015 6:33pm
Sandberm wrote:
Do you guys choose the Giant Trance because its just a good all around bike or specifically for larger riders like Scooter? Someday....Id like to get...
Do you guys choose the Giant Trance because its just a good all around bike or specifically for larger riders like Scooter?

Someday....Id like to get a new bike and I really cant see myself spending more then $2000
The short answer is no they're not says by it based on size. Each bike company has different sized bikes. You get slightly different angles between manufacturers so when you see guys saying to go sit on bikes to see which one you fee most comfortable on its because there are subtle differences between each brand. They're likely saying giant because at each price point, they're just a bit cheaper in price.
IWreckALot
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IWreckALot 6/18/2015 6:37pm
6/18/2015 6:37pm
Each brand also has different model lines. Usually they start at entry level components and as the price goes up, the components get better. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for. Some brands upgrade the fork whereas another company will upgrade the shifters and derailleurs at any given Price point. . Personally I value the better derailleurs over better suspension. I've had a couple of bicycles that shifted when I didn't touch the shifter and wouldn't shift when I wanted it to. That's not fun in any circumstances and definitely not good off road.

At $2,000, any bike you get will have double walled rims but if you start getting below $1,000, some don't. So my suggestion is to make triple sure you get nothing less than double walled rims.
scooter5002
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scooter5002 6/19/2015 11:18am
6/19/2015 11:18am
Thanks for the info, I'll start checking out that line. Taller bars are a must, it's one reason I don't like the bike I have now. Bought it for $500 in 93, and I'm hunched over like a monkey fuckin a football on it. Bought it to rehab my knee after ACL reconstruction, but it's never going to cut it now.
IWreckALot
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IWreckALot 6/19/2015 11:44am
6/19/2015 11:44am
scooter5002 wrote:
Thanks for the info, I'll start checking out that line. Taller bars are a must, it's one reason I don't like the bike I have now...
Thanks for the info, I'll start checking out that line. Taller bars are a must, it's one reason I don't like the bike I have now. Bought it for $500 in 93, and I'm hunched over like a monkey fuckin a football on it. Bought it to rehab my knee after ACL reconstruction, but it's never going to cut it now.
If you're worried about being hunched over, you might also pay attention to the stem. I'm 6' and got a large. The bike beneath me fits right but the reach from the seat to the handlebars was a bit far. I've replaced the stem with one that is 1.5" shorter than the stock one and it helped quite a bit.
TailSoHard
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TailSoHard 6/19/2015 12:00pm
6/19/2015 12:00pm
Keep in mind, all of these "bike" companies make bicycle frames. Then they take a bunch of aftermarket parts and put them on their frames to build a complete bike to sell. This means that you can upgrade any bike pretty easily and that there are a ton of parts available at different price points. So, a lot of people make the mistake of saying "well the Giant didn't shift as nice as the Cannondale did, so I like the Cannondale more...". This is most likely due to something being out of adjustment rather than a fault of Giant itself. It's a little different than motorbikes in that regard. So, I always recommend looking for a nice frame, fork, and wheels over having nicer drivetrain parts. Wheels and suspension are the most expensive to upgrade, and you'll get a better deal on those if you buy them already on the bike. Then you can run your cheaper drivetrain components until they blow up after a couple years and replace them with nicer stuff. Even cheap shifters and derailleurs these days are reeeeally nice compared to the junk from a few years ago and will last long enough for you to decide if you want to spend more money or not...

What you SHOULD spend your money on is making sure it fits you properly. That will do wonders for your back and knee problems. You can have an expert set your saddle height and tilt for you, figure out your proper stem length, and bar width. Bikes are infinitely adjustable, so if you're not comfortable, something's wrong and could probably be fixed relatively easily (and cheaply).

Get the proper tools to fix it yourself also, it's pretty easy once you get the hang of it. A lot of the mechanical skills transfer from moto to mtb's. Adjusting derailleurs and wheels are the hardest things to master, but you can get pretty good at it in a short amount of time. I'd suggest also having some tools, patches, and a pump with you when you ride too (speaking from experience obviously). Sit in your living room one night and practice taking your wheels on and off the bike, and then practice taking the tires on and off the wheels. This will save you all kinds of headaches while you're on the side of the road with no shade...

If you ever need someone to walk you through how to fix something, give me a holler, I used to be a mechanic a couple years back
peelout
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peelout 6/19/2015 1:34pm
6/19/2015 1:34pm
good info in here

my Specialized Stumpjumper 29" Large is awesome for bigger riders, highly recommended bike and model
FIREfish148
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FIREfish148 6/19/2015 3:58pm
6/19/2015 3:58pm Edited Date/Time 6/19/2015 3:59pm
Yeti sb 95 is the most plush bike I've ever rode as far as suspension. Those bikes are amazing. I test rode a trance after riding a sb 95 and sb66 and was surprised by how much more comfortable the yeti's were. I'm 6'4" btw. Another good bike to look at would be a Transition- Scout, or a Trek- Scratch.
TX24
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TX24 6/20/2015 6:30am
6/20/2015 6:30am
Only thing I can add is you won't need heavier springs. On mtb you just add more air to the suspension and it won't hurt the quality of the ride like a dirt bike.
TailSoHard
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TailSoHard 6/20/2015 9:23am
6/20/2015 9:23am
h&m_cycle wrote:
I've seen taller riders with this on MB http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Alloy-Bicycle-Raiser-8-Inch/dp/B000FGYKWS/ref=sr_1_40?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1428789554&sr=1-40 [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/06/20/95213/s1200_419V9A04F7L.jpg[/img]
I've seen taller riders with this on MB

http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Alloy-Bicycle-Raiser-8-Inch/dp/B000FGYKWS/r…





That would do ok for just road riding, but I've seen those snap in half before from people riding offroad with them... I'd be really careful with one
h&m_cycle
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h&m_cycle 6/20/2015 10:40am
6/20/2015 10:40am
h&m_cycle wrote:
I've seen taller riders with this on MB http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Alloy-Bicycle-Raiser-8-Inch/dp/B000FGYKWS/ref=sr_1_40?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1428789554&sr=1-40 [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/06/20/95213/s1200_419V9A04F7L.jpg[/img]
I've seen taller riders with this on MB

http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Alloy-Bicycle-Raiser-8-Inch/dp/B000FGYKWS/r…





TailSoHard wrote:
That would do ok for just road riding, but I've seen those snap in half before from people riding offroad with them... I'd be really careful...
That would do ok for just road riding, but I've seen those snap in half before from people riding offroad with them... I'd be really careful with one
I would have to agree with you for anything rough, ok for a few laps around the truck stop I'd say...
Crash82
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Crash82 6/20/2015 10:50pm
6/20/2015 10:50pm
h&m_cycle wrote:
I've seen taller riders with this on MB http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Alloy-Bicycle-Raiser-8-Inch/dp/B000FGYKWS/ref=sr_1_40?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1428789554&sr=1-40 [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/06/20/95213/s1200_419V9A04F7L.jpg[/img]
I've seen taller riders with this on MB

http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Alloy-Bicycle-Raiser-8-Inch/dp/B000FGYKWS/r…





Dang. haha.
FIREfish148
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FIREfish148 6/20/2015 11:33pm
6/20/2015 11:33pm
Seems like a bad idea. Might want to try one of these.

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