woolybear Posted February 25, 2010 Report Share Posted February 25, 2010 For you guys that take to the trails on 2 wheels- I'm looking for something pretty rugged that has a smooth gear change(road ride & trail), reliable parts but easy to find if needed to replace, durable construction for some demanding trail riding and blazing new trails, and lightweight for walking and carrying up un-rideable hills. Not too sure what's out there these days that fit that criteria so any input would be great as far as models, must have accesories, and anything to avoid or replace with aftermaket parts? If you know a price, that would be helpfull too. Not sure yet how much I'm willing to spend. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamond Archer 01 Posted February 25, 2010 Report Share Posted February 25, 2010 I am not sure about it Matt where you live, but I have a few bike shops around where I live that sell a lot of mountain bikes and know a lot about them. I would try to find one around your area maybe and take a look around and see which one you like the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted February 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2010 I am not sure about it Matt where you live, but I have a few bike shops around where I live that sell a lot of mountain bikes and know a lot about them. I would try to find one around your area maybe and take a look around and see which one you like the best. Yup- plan on it. Figured I'd check here first where nobodies trying to sell me anything. Kinda going into this blind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamond Archer 01 Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 O, ok. My neighbor has a Giant mountain bike and giant is the brand name. I have rode the bike around town and stuff and it seems like a nice mountain bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HUNTINGMAN Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 You can spend as much as you want on a mountain bike these days. I would most definetly go for a full suspension bike,the ride off and on road is so much better than any hardtail. You can't go wrong with Trek or Kona but if you realy want to drop some money go for a canondale. There are so many options on bikes these days that they are hard to list,best advise is to go to a bike shop and get an idea of what uses and price range you are looking for and get the propped fit. I had a 1500$ Kona and it was a better bike to me than my 2500$ carbonfiber Trek Y frame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidd Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 i have a hardrock and really like it....the model is one about the entry level and i have really enjoyed it....JMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rem308 Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 Personally, I recommend a hard tail. First off, I have found them to be more durable. I've ridden for years, always chose a hard tail. My good friend returned his Specialized StumpJumper FSR (full suspension) last year because it kept breaking down...moved to hard tail and he went right back to the same style of riding and it hasn't stopped yet. I have found hard tails are lighter weight and seem to run a little less expensive. My first MTN bike was around $350 dollars from Dicks Sporting Goods. It was what I could afford at the time and was a Diamondback Response, which was a great bike for me. I road it hard for years and fell in love with the sport. This past year I upgraded to a Trek 6500 Disc and absolutely love it. Great bike for me and so far has stood up to everything I've given it. Just my $.02 though, there's a LOT of durable, good bikes out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisssteeven Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 I am a cyclist as well as a walker. Personally, I'd be extremely unlikely to attempt to cycle to the top of a mountain but I don't have any objection to other people doing so as long as they don't pose a risk to walkers or do undue damage to the ground. Re walking/cycling combined routes in general - e.g. the Kennet and Avon canal towpath - my view is that when I'm walking the cyclists are a nuisance and when I'm cycling the walkers are a nuisance !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teflonron Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 I have a hard tail Gary Fisher and Diamondback full suspension with disc brakes, ride the crap out of both bikes and love the sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 You can spend as much as you want on a mountain bike these days. I would most definetly go for a full suspension bike,the ride off and on road is so much better than any hardtail. You can't go wrong with Trek or Kona but if you realy want to drop some money go for a canondale. There are so many options on bikes these days that they are hard to list,best advise is to go to a bike shop and get an idea of what uses and price range you are looking for and get the propped fit. I had a 1500$ Kona and it was a better bike to me than my 2500$ carbonfiber Trek Y frame. Right there. I have a buddy who is big into mountain biking, so I've learned a thing or two from him. I can't believe the money he spends on bikes. One year he was lucky enough to have his sponsor (Kenda tires) buy him a bike. It was over 13K I believe. Sounds like what you want will cost you at least 1K. My mountain bike has held up pretty good, but I don't really take it off road. Mine is the low end Trek model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted February 26, 2010 Report Share Posted February 26, 2010 Get at least a 175cc Matt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phredator Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 Specialized is pretty hard to beat. Check out a Rockhopper for a great low end bike. If you are young and not going to ride too rough of terrain a hardtail will be fine. I like my Spesh Stumpjumper Expert FSR. The Monarch Crest trail will make you wish you were riding full squish after 37 miles topping out at 12,700 feet and spending the last two hours in a thunderstorm. The 'trail' sure felt like a streambed the last few miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phredator Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 In all seriousness don't get too hung up on brand name for an entry level bike. If you go with one of the good companies you will like your bike. Those would include, Trek, Gary Fisher, Specialized, Santa Cruz to name a few. There are a few to avoid as well. Any bike shop worth a hoot will let you Demo a bike and apply that fee to a purchase. Shop around an learn before you buy. Once you learn a few things you might find a good used bike, they are out there. Technology has advanced a lot in the last few years, something older than five years will be like a very old computer. Disc brakes are the way to go, just don't touch the rotor after a long downhill or you will get branded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted February 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 Thanks for the help guys. Good pics too. Time to do some homework. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 Gee Matt....so that's how ya gonna do your shed hunting this year? hee hee,lol:-p Let us know what you end up with! I don't do much biking...ok not really any,lol. That's what my horse is for:-p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted February 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 Gee Matt....so that's how ya gonna do your shed hunting this year? hee hee,lol:-p Let us know what you end up with! I don't do much biking...ok not really any,lol. That's what my horse is for:-p You're actually right Ruth. Something with a motor sure would be a lot nicer but I couldn't use it on half the propperties I shed hunt. Gotta go with pedal power to cover ground quicker between hotspots. Only rode a horse twice. 1'st one bruised me up pretty good on a short bareback trot...left me walking funny for a week,lol. 2'nd one gave me a sore back on a long trail ride. All those darn things want to do is stop and eat anything they can get their chompers on.:pacman: Probably slow me down too much and I don't know where I'd park it at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.