Mountain Bike

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Shizelbs
Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
edited February 29 in Clubhouse Archives
Thinking about getting a mountain bike. I need more to do outside. Any suggestions. I really have no idea who makes a good bike. I am guessing you can't really go wrong if you buy a reputable name, but, maybe there is a Bose of bikes. Anyways, I am looking to spend less than $800 or so. Any suggestions would be great.
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  • Mike682
    Mike682 Posts: 2,074
    edited June 2004
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    I know Trek makes really good bikes...You could pick up a nice Trek w/a nice & light aluminum frame for around $400-600. Not sure of the current model lineup...check their website..trek.com

    Good luck..

    Mike
    Receiver: harmankardon AVR235
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited June 2004
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    I have a Trek bike and I love it. I've also looked at Specialized and Cannondale . Cannondale makes some REALLY nice stuff, but they usually ask a REALLY nice price for it, too. Gary Fisher also makes some good bikes. That's about all I know about bikes. :D Hope it helps.
    George Grand wrote: »
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited June 2004
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    Thanks so far. I have been looking at Cannondale, Trek, and Specialized. I have some distant experience with Specialized and I remember really liking them. Keep the suggestions coming!
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  • phoneisbusy
    phoneisbusy Posts: 867
    edited June 2004
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    Shizelbs,

    What sort of riding are you planning to do? Light recreational? trail? suicide downhills? road riding?

    I've always like trek and specialized. Kinda wary of Cannondale and their really oversized Al tubing though.

    Good luck with the search.

    Dave
    Time is the best teacher. Unfortunately it kills all its students.
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  • spyderman
    spyderman Posts: 678
    edited June 2004
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    Shizelbs,

    I highly recommend Specialized. I ride the Rockhopper.

    Considering that you'll be on it for at least a few hours, get the one that feels the best.

    BTW, get used to falling down a lot..

    Enjoy!
    RTi70 Fronts
    CSi40 Center
    RTi38 Rear
    PSW650 Sub
    Str-de1075 Receiver

    Hope is on the way!

    ABB

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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited June 2004
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    Originally posted by phoneisbusy
    What sort of riding are you planning to do? Light recreational? trail? suicide downhills? road riding?

    I would imagine 50:50 road:trails. I guess I want to be able to ride roads when need be, but without sacrificing any trail/downhill functionality. Its hard to say since I am really going to be totally new to this. All my past history is just riding my bike around from ages 5-15.
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited June 2004
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    Originally posted by spyderman

    I highly recommend Specialized. I ride the Rockhopper.

    I have been looking at the rockhopper. Just what do you like about it?
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  • superbrett
    superbrett Posts: 106
    edited June 2004
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    Uhmm...I hold Trek on the same level as Bose...overpriced...very cheap build quality...mass-produced.
    Depending on your needs...I'd check out a higher end Giant, Cannondale, Specialized, or even K2.

    My personal preference....Rocky Mountain or Ellsworth!
    I ride a RM Carve.
    "Looks good from far, but far from good!"
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited June 2004
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    How high end are you talking there Brett?
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited June 2004
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    I can't stand Giant...
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
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  • superbrett
    superbrett Posts: 106
    edited June 2004
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    For around the $800 range...check out the NRS line from Giant, if you can, try and find last years model...it will save you some $$$ and the only thing changed was the color scheme.

    Also check out MTBR.com, Bikemag.com. They have reviews and TONS of info on bikes, frame, components...blah,blah.

    Another good choice...Gary Fisher...It's the sister company of Trek. But they make some decent stuff.

    Ebay has some steals....but REALLY check out what you're getting into..(bent frames, crappy components... ect.)
    "Looks good from far, but far from good!"
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited June 2004
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    I am going to avoid ebay for bikes. Too much to go wrong during shipping and I have so little idea of what I am buying in the first place.
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  • superbrett
    superbrett Posts: 106
    edited June 2004
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    smart boy...
    "Looks good from far, but far from good!"
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited June 2004
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    Are there any good review sites for bikes out there?
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  • superbrett
    superbrett Posts: 106
    edited June 2004
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    www.mtbr.com
    "Looks good from far, but far from good!"
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited June 2004
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    Well why didn't you mention that earlier? :)
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  • spyderman
    spyderman Posts: 678
    edited June 2004
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    Sorry, that was a brain ****. I ride the Stumpjumper. My friend rides the Rockhopper. I didn't like the feel of the Rockhopper. I found the Rockhopper to be too light, and loose, but it may be a good entry-level bike in your price range.

    Pick three models, get fitted and do a test ride on each.

    Pick the one that feels the best.

    The Stumpjumper feels like an extention of my legs.

    Superbrett is right about mtbr, it's another great site/forum.
    RTi70 Fronts
    CSi40 Center
    RTi38 Rear
    PSW650 Sub
    Str-de1075 Receiver

    Hope is on the way!

    ABB

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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited June 2004
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    Unlike speaker retailers, I am going to guess there is no trade-up policy with bikes is there? I have no problem spending more if I know I will really get into biking, but, as a student, its hard to take too much of a gamble. Also, do bike shops ever offer deals on helmets/gloves/accessories if you buy them with the bike? I guess I could use a helmet recommendation. They all look the same to me.
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited June 2004
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    I have a 13-year old Giant (Iguana). I've put it through hell, and the crank has suffered, forcing me to have it tightened once a year. Seems to be a pretty good bike, I just don't ride it enough anymore to justify actually fixing it.

    Regards,
    PolkThug
    Never Forget
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited June 2004
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    Been checking out mtbr.com for a while now. Thanks for the link. Its got a pretty good forum going on. Keep the advice rolling in.
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  • superbrett
    superbrett Posts: 106
    edited June 2004
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    I agree w/spidie on the fitting....make your local bike shop fit you for a bike, regardless of make, but be carefull....one manufactures 19.5 is the others 18.5...or large vs med....vice versa.

    My local bike shop did a trade up for me....but I had got a fairly decent bike to start with, and It wasn't very old when I traded....so that may vary form loc. to loc.

    All in all....it's a great hobbie...adn be warned...the "upgrade bug" is just as alive in bikes as it is in audio equipment....tends to get expensive fast.

    just for the Drool factor alone....check out a Litespeed bike....www.litespeed.com...all I can say is wow!
    (cant see dropping $6000 on a hardtail MTB...but they're hell of alot of fun to look at!)
    "Looks good from far, but far from good!"
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited June 2004
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    Originally posted by superbrett
    All in all....it's a great hobbie...adn be warned...the "upgrade bug" is just as alive in bikes as it is in audio equipment....tends to get expensive fast.

    F*CK! Thats not what I need! :D
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  • tonyv1
    tonyv1 Posts: 365
    edited June 2004
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    Bikes are my other vice! I've got 5 bikes, 3 road bikes, a touring bike and full suspension MTB. Just like in audio go to the specialist, your local bike shop. They'll fit you to a bike and make sure you properly setup (get bike shoes, running shoes DON'T count). They should work so kind of package deal for you.
    If you go for the MTB just get slick tires for road riding and change back to knobbies for the trail. Also check for used bikes in your area. Lots of people try bikes and then quit.
    My newest ride is a Leader LD 785R w/ Campy Chorus 2003 weighing in at 17 lbs. Yes, this hobby can get very expensive, but it's a healthy lifestyle.
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited June 2004
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    I have a Giant Yukon SE and I love it. Had it for several years and put about 1500 miles on it by now. Not too many, but I haven't been riding much lately. It has the RockShox front fork on it, which is nice. I don't like the feel of full suspension bikes. They seem too soft when you're trying to climb and stuff.
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited June 2004
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    Originally posted by tonyv1
    Yes, this hobby can get very expensive, but it's a healthy lifestyle.

    Thats my only justification for spending what could otherwise buy an SVS.
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited June 2004
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    Anyone familiar with Kona bikes?
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  • wlrandall
    wlrandall Posts: 440
    edited June 2004
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    Cannondale is my preferred choice.

    Have you considered buying used? The better shops that do take trades usually have some really nice used ones for sale as well. Might be the way to go and if you stick with it, upgrade in about a year
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  • superbrett
    superbrett Posts: 106
    edited June 2004
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    Kona makes nice stuff....kinda have the BC Freeride market cornered....Made in canada I belive.
    Very respectiable bike!
    "Looks good from far, but far from good!"
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited June 2004
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    I have run my Trek 7000, 15 years old, and simply upgraded parts over the years. I have tried to kill this bike, but it will not die. I'll build a new one, when the frame breaks, until then it's Trek for me.

    Trek is the Bose of bicycles? That's one of the more ridiculous statements I have read lately, but whatever.

    All the brands mentioned are fine bikes, just find one at a good price for your wallet. I think the $600 bracket will get you fitted very nicely.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,621
    edited June 2004
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    I have a Trek Fuel 80 and would TOTALLY disagree that trek bikes are cheaply made.

    The biggest cost difference between the bikes that I was looking at was when I decided to choose the Full Suspension over the Front Suspension only.

    When I got a bike, I spent another $300-400 on accessories. That's where ya don't even think about things.

    DEFINITELY get a Camelpak and padded gloves!!! Those things are a godsend!!! I have an odometer, clip in pedals/shoes, gel cushioned seat, and then the handlebar extentions, helmet, and padded riding shorts. I also got that nerdy spotlight that you attach to your helmet. Last thing I wanna do is be in some remote area with no light......
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
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