Posts
2737
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Valley, AL
US
Edited Date/Time
3/7/2015 6:48am
I know this is a motorcycle site but lots of you guys ride bikes. I'm looking to get something to ride and don't have a clue. Other than buying my boys a couple bmx bikes everything I have ever owned came from Walmart of the like.
I don't know want to spend a fortune but if I sink in more money I'll be inclined to take better care of it. I want be leaving an expensive bike out in the rain (like a Walmart bike). I'm thinking more along the lines of a mountain bike (I can still ride it on the street if I want. Not so much vice-versa). I'm looking to spend as little as possible but still have a quality bike. I am looking for something between $500-$1000 if possible. I'm fine with used bikes also.
I've had two moto wrecks since aug and have been out of work all of that but three weeks. I'm not saying I wont ride again but I can't put my home in this type of strain again. Financially, I just can't take the chance with moto for awhile (i'm still not sure if I'll even fully recover from this wreck now). Bicycle's should be safer and I've found that there are a few MTB trails in my area. I never would have though it.
Also, how about a decent female bike. My wife would probably ride with me some.
Thanks guys,
I don't know want to spend a fortune but if I sink in more money I'll be inclined to take better care of it. I want be leaving an expensive bike out in the rain (like a Walmart bike). I'm thinking more along the lines of a mountain bike (I can still ride it on the street if I want. Not so much vice-versa). I'm looking to spend as little as possible but still have a quality bike. I am looking for something between $500-$1000 if possible. I'm fine with used bikes also.
I've had two moto wrecks since aug and have been out of work all of that but three weeks. I'm not saying I wont ride again but I can't put my home in this type of strain again. Financially, I just can't take the chance with moto for awhile (i'm still not sure if I'll even fully recover from this wreck now). Bicycle's should be safer and I've found that there are a few MTB trails in my area. I never would have though it.
Also, how about a decent female bike. My wife would probably ride with me some.
Thanks guys,
I wouldn't consider anything with a single wall rim. They taco too easily. Coming from MOTO, you won't know how to take it easy enough to keep from folding a single wall wheel in half. Double wall is great and feasible in your price range.
On most bikes, be prepared to replace the pedals and probably the seat almost immediately.
Most importantly of all, get a bike that fits you.
The great debate is 26" or 29". You'll find guys that argue non stop about what is better like 2 stroke vs. 4 stroke. I rode a 26" for awhile and switched to a 29" and I wouldn't go back to 26" at this point. The 29" will carry momentum better, roll over obstacles without slowing you down as much as a 26" and I love doing drops on my 29". 26" are supposed to corner better and accelerate faster. The components on my 29" are better than they were on my 26" so I didn't notice a complication with cornering or accelerating. If you plan on riding on paved roads as well as off road, the 29" is my personal opinion.
GT makes good entry level bikes for rather cheap. I have a 29" Cannondale Trail SL3. I like it a lot but I'm also not racing and don't have a lot to compare it to. It ran me $1,100 I believe. You can get the Trail SL4 and 5 for less than $1,000 I believe. Some guys don't like Cannondale because they do a few things differently and it makes it difficult to upgrade components down the road. All of the bigger names like Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, and Giant will have good options.
Here is a great place to get some reviews. http://www.mtbr.com/reviewscrx.aspx
Edited to remove some redundant stuff from HVaughn. Shop support is a big deal like he mentioned. I have an AWESOME local shop. Anyone in the Fort Worth area, I highly recommend Fort Worth Cycling and Fitness on Cherry lane. Those guys know how to take care of their customers.
At the end of the day, there are countless options in the mtb world. Just make sure you are properly fitted to the right sized bike (very important) and its built to do the type of riding you plan to do.
The Shop
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Free shipping: VITALMX
But if you must have gears, find a decent used bike with Shimano XT components or SRAM x7/x9 shifters and derailleurs. Plan on spending closer to that $1000 mark though for decent stuff. You'll be happier in the long run with a nicer bike and you'll be able to recoup some of the money spent when you go to sell it a couple years down the road.
Like Vaughn said, it's just like dirt bikes. The more you pay, the better the bike.
Check with your local bike shop also, and see if they do any weekly group rides where you could demo a bike with them. Bike shops are usually pretty laid back and they should have a lot of good info for you.
Also I will say I have seen a lot of riders buy low end starter bikes, get hooked, and then start upgrading components like crazy, usually starting with the fork. 18 months later they have a bike that cost twice what it would have cost if they just spent a little more on the front end. Just food for thought.
Oh and I really like the Shimano hydraulic brakes that came on my bike. Coming from mechanical disc brakes, they're night and day difference. But the mechanical disc brakes aren't terrible if you don't know any better.
Use this site,www.pinkbike.com (all mtn/bmx/xc) riders selling there stuff and its all legit
i just bought my 2013 DJBMX bike which retails for 1200$ for 300$ because the dude wanted to put new brakes on his downhill mtn bike. (He races them)
anyway the componets are what really matter, when it comes to technical stuff.
Here is the link. www.pinkbike.com if you have any questions let me know
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/sport/marlin/marlin_7/#
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/cross_country/x_caliber/x…
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/rockhopper/rockhopper-s…
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/rockhopper/rockhopper-c…
http://www.cannondale.com/nam_en/2015/bikes/mountain/trail-hardtails/tr…
http://www.cannondale.com/nam_en/2015/bikes/mountain/trail-hardtails/tr…
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/revel.29er/18815/76229/
I wanted something full suspension under $1000 to do some all-mountain type riding. It has entry level components, but they're good enough for what I do and the bike is actually pretty capable from my experience. Good for xc training, but still capable on rocky single track and I've even done some decent downhill runs on it (I can't bomb down like you would on a DH rig or even an all-mountain bike with better components, but I can still pick my way through and tackle all the sections).
You can probably pick one up used in great shape for $500-$600. I got mine new from the shop for $700 or $800.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/yukon.fx/7326/44104/
Pit Row
P.K. Rippers are great starter bikes and are very trick to boot.
www.sebikes.com
That's just one set of close trails I read about. I know there is a place called flat rock park so I assume that its rocky by the name but who know. The good thing is I didn't realize that they could be had for as cheap as some of these are.
Damn I have been wanting a bike but finding year old stuff is a tough bet around my parts.
This is like a damn gold mine for mountain bikes.
Thanks again.
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