Who Knows Mountain Bikes???

[paulk68]

i am looking to get a little more exercise by purchasing a mountain bike. the trouble is i know nothing about them. i am looking for something that is good on the road and maybe a little off road nothing to serious. my budget is 300 dollars , is that realistic?? what is a good bike for that price.
thanks for the help

[2Bad4Ya]

You could go with a Gary Fisher brand bike and be happy for your 1st mtb. However are you wanting a trail bike or really an urban bike? Mountain Bike covers a large range of bikes and without knowing what you really want out of the bike its hard to give a real suggestion.

I will say that Gary Fisher bikes a re solid name and they have their share of hi end bikes but they also have some entry models around your price range. I suggest visiting their website and or call them for input. They have solid customer service and solid bikes!

[twosaturns]

I worked in bicycle shops for 15 years as a tech, I've got some good ideas about this.
1. STAY AWAY FROM WAL MART. those aren't bicycles, they are chrap.
2. go to a bike shop and get something w/ few features. most bike companies have an entry level bike around $269-$329 that will get you started. at this price, they are all about the same, but avoid flashy chrap; if it has a suspension fork at this price, it's garbage, and they had to compromise somewhere else to get it on the bike at that price. if you can, get something w/ a traditional rigid fork at that price, it'll be lighter and feel better. cheap suspension forks cannot be repaired, they bottom out easily and ride horribly.
2. TEST RIDE IT. that is the only way to see if you'll like it. no matter what kind of 'deal' you get, if you don't like it, you won't ride it. try a bike the next level up as well, so you can 'feel' the difference. a $500 IS at least $200 better than a $300 bike, really.
3. try out a hybrid or city bike as well. they are faster and lighter, and may be all you need.

[SaturnVUEguy]

I have a Royce Union Isolator DS that I bought from a sporting goods store back around '99 - '00. Full suspension. Got a heck of a deal on it because of a sale and raincheck. Some things I'd like to upgrade on it though. I love that bike

[2Bad4Ya]

No offense to anyone, but stay away from Royce Union, Huffy, Fuji, etc... these are your typical sears/walmart bikes. There are some solid names that have entry lvl bikes available Trek, Giant, Gary Fisher, Specialized, and various others. I picke on Royce Union, because they have a history of recalls with their bikes, and I pick on huffy simply because they are huffy!

[sik68]

+1 Twosaturns

At $300, I don't think you're going to get very far in a bicycle shop. Perhaps you can find someone who is selling one on craigslist. It also needs to fit, so you could spend some time in a bike shop having them fit to you. Also determine if you want no/front/full suspension based on the type of riding you plan to do...adjust pricing accordingly.

[SaturnVUEguy]

No offense to anyone, but stay away from Royce Union, Huffy, Fuji, etc... these are your typical sears/walmart bikes. There are some solid names that have entry lvl bikes available Trek, Giant, Gary Fisher, Specialized, and various others. I picke on Royce Union, because they have a history of recalls with their bikes, and I pick on huffy simply because they are huffy!

I haven't had any problems with mine! Other than the usual wear and tear from years of abuse.

I do agree with you though. I do have a Trek (don't remember which model) with no suspension, and it has been very reliable. I just prefer my Royce Union over my Trek, because of the suspension

[greencactus3]

i bought a $60 one at target to get me through the school year, and not cry about it if it gets stolen (happens often on campus)

i upgraded the unusable brake levers (plastic) before ever riding it
aand within a couple months i had bent both axles, got a BIG play in my front forks, both shifters broke.
and i dont even ride it all that hard.
i just spent $90 earlier this week to replace the shifters and while i was at it i upgraded to v brakes.
hopefully this will last me another year lol

oh, and i do regular maintenance and after i bought it i took it all apart and rebuilt it correctly (target doesnt know how to assemble bikes no wonder its free lol)

and yea... its just a damn cheap bike lol

[Damn True]

At that pricepoint you can find very basic hardtail Mtb from a place like a Performance or similar shop.

[70 Chevelle]

I 'm not an expert but I have a Specialized and LOVE it. Several of freinds also have them and have never had any problems. They are smooth as silk and can be had reasonably for the lower models.

[twosaturns]

http://genesisbicycles.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=4751

trek 3700 on sale, slightly over budget.

[LMDGUY]

do you have to get a heavy duty bike if your a bigger guy? 5,11 and 270lbs??

[dropit69]

why not check craigslist for a decent used one ..i have a giant brand ..yukon model ..i had for sale locally ..450 bike new ill take 100 bucks for it..

[mongoose]

yeah.. try and find a good used bike.. on pinkbike... or the like.. theres some good deals on there most of the time.. should be able to pick up a decent hard tail for 400...

[2Bad4Ya]

do you have to get a heavy duty bike if your a bigger guy? 5,11 and 270lbs??

Yeah over 200lbs you may want to look at something more solid. Kono makes the best +200lb bike, the kona hoss. My brother bought a used hoss 2 yrs ago and has recently been retired, it seen some hard use but held strong during his drop from 297lbs to 199lbs.

They call bikers over 200lbs clydesdales & Athenas

[paulk68]

thanks guys this gives me a very good idea of where to start i have a couple bike shops in my area that i will check out i just did not want to sound like a idiot when i went there. i want something that is good on country roads and some well groomed dirt paths. thanks guys

[mongoose]

i ride my sasquatch like no tomorrow.. and i'm a fat ass... hasen't broken yet...

but yeah.... getting a stronger bike is better.... getting a stronger wheelset is a must....

[mongoose]

thanks guys this gives me a very good idea of where to start i have a couple bike shops in my area that i will check out i just did not want to sound like a idiot when i went there. i want something that is good on country roads and some well groomed dirt paths. thanks guys

don't worry about sounding like an idiot.. if it is even a decent bike shop they'll pick out the right bike for you based on what kinda riding you do.. size.. price, etc.

[wills55]

I have a Specialized "Hardrock" its a hardtail and I love it. Bought it on craigslist for $150 and it had onl been ridden a few times. Buddies have Specialized "Epic Pro" and A Trek "69er", They are all awesome. Try to look for a brand like Specialized, Trek, Giant, Santa Cruz, Jamis. They are the big brand bikes, and they all have great quality. You are going to pay for what you get with a bike. Cheaper=less quality. Really try Craigslist, thats where you are going to find the best deals. As said above, test ride the bike! If you dont like the way it feels, and you arent comfortable you will not ride it and it makes riding less enjoyable. Good luck in you search.

[jerome]

Specialized hardrock is your best bet. The thing is a tank. Works well on-road, and won't break if you don't ride it hard offroad. The front fork on mine sucks, but I think they may have gotten slightly better, the new ones.

gripes: heavy (what do you expect out of a entry-level mtn bike, bad fork (good forks are expensive)