Looking to buy a beginner Mountain bike

acmf74

This weekend I want to buy a mountain bike for myself. 75% street and 25% easy trail. The local shop has Trek, GT and Giant. My budget is around 500 dollars. Can anyone recommend me a brand/model?

Thanks,

Zeros

I have always liked Specialized bikes. I have an older Rockhopper that has been bulletproof through the years.

You should check out Craigslist for used bikes too. You can usually get an older model with better equipment on CL than buying new, unless you absolutely want a new bike.

Here is a nice Specialized Rockhopper in Long island for $575:

http://longisland.craigslist.org/bik/1952804316.html

You could shoot over an offer and see what happens.

TNRabbit

There's already a great thread on this:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105129&highlight=mountain+bike

Are you looking for unsuspended, hardtail, or full suspension?

thuffman03

There is also a good forum to get advice on what to buy:

http://www.bikeforums.net/

TomB

My son just bought a Giant Rebel 2, to replace a Giant Boulder SE that was stolen. (The Rebel replaced the Boulder model.)

That bike will be in your budget - a little under, in fact.

He mainly rides on streets at college, but he prefers a mountain-type bike, with bigger tires.

I ride a Giant Cypress, that's several years old. It's the "hybrid/comfort" version of pretty much the same bike, with 700C tires, instead of the 26x2 (or whatever) tires on the mountain version.

Trek is a great bike, but Giant probably gives you a little more bang for your buck.

Willow

To bad you are not close to us, my wife wants to sell her Boulder, it's mint! in the last 2 yrs it's been used maybe a douzen times on paved roads.
I ride a Giant as well, think it's the Rincon. It is a good bike. Not the best but good.

mantis

At the 500 dollar price range a hard tail is to be had. GT makes a Avalanche 2.0 which falls right into your price range. I have been riding one since 2004 and it's a great solid bike.

Go check it out , when you go to the bike store , get sized so you buy the right one.
http://www.gtbicycles.com/ind/bikes/mountain/endurance/avalanche-2-0-disc

messiah

I agree with the hardtail comment. Any full suspension bike that's 500 bucks new is just going to be junk. Look on your local CL, and save yourself a bundle, probably get some upgraded components at a huge discount. If you want a good review website check out www.MTBR.com

dorokusai

Buy whatever fits your budget.

This isn't a difficult category to make a decision in....front shocks or full suspension is about all you need to decide on. I'd suggest going hardtail, like a real man and aluminum. Easy.

messiah

http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/bik/2018105254.html

http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/bik/2020217990.html

http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/bik/2014623206.html
(yeah it's FS, but a good value)

Just a few examples, Saturday is the best day for shopping on CL, I'm sure there will be even more options then.

Zeros

I really like that last one. $300 huh...

messiah

He had it listed at 400 last week

comfortablycurt

I'll be following this thread...I've been getting into mountain biking a bit lately myself, but want to get into it on a slightly higher level. I've got a decent all aluminum Mongoose with full suspension that works fairly well for light trail riding, but I want to try and get something a bit nicer for next year. The Mongoose I've got was probably around $450 new...but I managed to snag it for $45 at a garage sale earlier in the year.

Polk addict

Just like doro was aluding to, I would also like to steer you clear of a steel frame. The steering is a lot harder to control, and the bike ends up being heavier...

Other than that, you should be in good shape with any on of the three brands...

If you go Trek, you'll even get discs...

ViperZ

I've been riding my Trek 4300 Alpha since 2003. Awesome bike. All-aluminum (very light) with a good adjustable front suspension. The only thing I regret not getting is the disc brakes, but those were out of my price range at that time.

Checked their website, and the price is still $549 MSRP, although the frame style has changed (or I never looked at my bike from the side?? )

acmf74

Thanks everyone. I have been scouring CL but these sellers don't call/email me back. I did go to a shop and found a Specialized Hard Rock that's on sale from 419 to 369. I felt that the specialized had better components and it felt better to me than the Trek. The dealer only had it in a 17.5 inch frame in stock. He asked me to ride around on it and said the 19 would fit me better. he also said that he didn't want to sell me a bike that wasn't for me. he ordered the 19" for next week and if I like it I could buy it.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52708&scid=1000&scname=Mountain

I like the one in blue/white

messiah

acmf74 wrote: »

Thanks everyone. I have been scouring CL but these sellers don't call/email me back. I did go to a shop and found a Specialized Hard Rock that's on sale from 419 to 369. I felt that the specialized had better components and it felt better to me than the Trek. The dealer only had it in a 17.5 inch frame in stock. He asked me to ride around on it and said the 19 would fit me better. he also said that he didn't want to sell me a bike that wasn't for me. he ordered the 19" for next week and if I like it I could buy it.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52708&scid=1000&scname=Mountain

I like the one in blue/white

Good for the dealer to not just make the sale, and get you the one that fits. Very important IMO. Keep in mind that if you get a frame that feels good to you, you can always upgrade components as desired, just like this hobby

dorokusai

That's a great starter bike. Have fun catching up to the rest of us newbie.

TNRabbit

Cool; my first real bike was a Specialized HardRock. Enjoy!

ohskigod

I don't shy away from the Chromoly steel frames like some of the rest of the gang here, but it has to be the right bike to do it. getting an Aluminum for a good price this day and age shouldnt be too difficult.

I have a Trek 850 from the mid 90's, chromeoly steel.......little heavier than aluminum yes but i am 290 or so lbs, so i am not too worried about a couple pounds of extra frame.....and it is frikkin indestructible. I upgraded the rear derailleur many moons ago but the rear shifter is starting to get dodgy.

it's a fun hobby, getting up to speed and comfortable on a bike is a tough hurdle, but when you do it's an addiction. I can do Cardio in the gy, but it is so much more fun getting the cardio in and having fun at the same time.
I lament the winter now that i am riding again......but that is what skiing is for i guess.

rayslifecycle

The Hardrock is a solid choice for the budget you are in and I agree that it rides better then the Trek - unfortunately because I work for a Trek dealer......ha