Bicycle Experts! It's time for Skoorb to buy a bike.

[StageLeft]

I'm spending only $300-400 on this mountain bike (actually a week ago I thought that was a lot. damn store guys!). I don't plan on racing or anything like that. 2/3 of my riding will be on the road and another 1/3 on trails. For the most part these trails will not have anything more than rocks and tree roots in the way - the sort you can ride up with a bit of effort but nothing crazy. However, sometimes I will like to charge down a trail covered in rocks bumping and getting it on crazy style.

The store I was at at lunch has a Schwinn Frontier FS AL for about $300. It has a front suspension - but damned if I know the name. It was nonadjustable.

More attractive for $409 was the Giant Yukon. It had adjustable rock shox on the front. The handle bars also had a threadless connection to the frame. For the most part threadless bars cannot have the height changed (so I'm told) which leads me on to another question: my lower back hurts a bit when I ride a bike and I'm wondering if higher than average handlebars would help in some sense? Most of my low back pain is from pisspoor sitting in a chair all day though.

I'm basically looking for advice cause I know nothing. My brother is into mountain biking but he said I need at least $600 otherwise I'd "sully the family name" and I don't know if he could lend any advice on these lower-end models.

 

[pyonir]

i would get a Huffy or a Schwinn Predator.....RAR!

 

[StageLeft]

<< i would get a Huffy or a Schwinn Predator.....RAR! >>

And they cost how much? I'm guessing by the '' at the end of your post more than I'm spending

 

[Amused]

Have you looked at Trek? They've always been my favorite.

 

[pyonir]

nope. actually you can probably get a Huffy at target or walmart for under $100. and IF they even still make predators you can get one for maybe $200, but you'll probably have to find a used one. you are really flying blind here aren't ya Skoorb? sorry about that.....

 

[Amused]

<<

<< i would get a Huffy or a Schwinn Predator.....RAR! >>

And they cost how much? I'm guessing by the '' at the end of your post more than I'm spending >>



I believe he's talking about Walmart quality bikes sole at Walmart, Kmart and other quality stores

 

[Amused]

BTW, if you're getting old like me, you'll REALLY appreciate full suspension.

 

[PsychoAndy]

dosent brutuskend (sp?) work in a bike shop? you might have some luck picking his brain

EDIT: and what do you need a mountain bike for in alabama?

 

[JohnnyReb]

Do yourself a BIG favor and go to a bicycle dealership. Schwinn is a great brand. As is Raleigh, Trek, and specialized. Giant used to be a real good cheaper bike, made in an ex-Schwinn factory in Tiawan.

Your local dealer will have a good selection, professionally assembled. If you don't get a good bike you won't ride much. My first adult bike was a Schwinn High Plains. Very good hybrid.

I would recommend a hybrid (a cross between a pure mountain bike and a street bike). People who tour tend to use hybrids these days.

 

[StageLeft]

I am not going double suspension yet because although walmart will sell you a dbl sup bike for $120 it's useless. I think you'd want to spend in the range of about a grand to get a bike with quality double right?

Thanks for the walmart jokes. All in good fun..., but seriously now.

Last week I've been using mrs. skoorb's bike we bought last summer for about $225. I actually like it because I've never ridden anything better, but I want a real keeper this time for myself.

jonnyreb I went to bicycleworks.com a local bike shop. They don't sell much in the way of cheap stuff at all. I asked about road bikes and he said you can't buy one for less than $550 - that is what they start at. It was as if he was mentally blocking out the fact that you can spend less because it never occured to him

 

[Fausto]

Some general info off the top of my head:

In the price range you're looking at, front suspension is reasonable, but don't bother with anything dual-suspension. The extra cost of incorporating rear susp into a bike at that price point has to be compensated for somewhere, meaning you'll get crappy components in exchange for rear susp.

You will be getting Shimano components whether you like it or not as they're really the only player in the mountain bike component gig. There are smaller companies that make stuff like shifters, brakes and other odds and ends but the majority of your drivetrain is gonna be Shimano. Thus, you need to do some research over at Shimano.com and learn what the heirarchy of component groups is and try to get the best stuff you can on your bike for a given price.

Addendum to components: more expensive components means a few things. Better materials, lighter weight and longer life. They may all work pretty much the same right off the floor, but its worth the money to stay away from the really low-end stuff as you'll be breaking it all the time. Good stuff lasts forever: I have 10 year-old XT (second to top of the line grouppo) setup on my MTB and I've only had to replace brake pads, chain, and cassette in all that time.

Do some research before you buy. Pick up a few copies of bicycling mags and read reviews. Check out Mountain Bike Review.com and read up on bikes and components.

Lastly, you may really want to consider a used bike. In the price range you mentioned, you could easily get a bike that was $700+ new which would net you a worthwhile upgrade in components and frame. The difference between a $400 bike and a $7-800 bike is pretty big relative to an $800 bike vs. a $1000+ bike.

Other questions? Fire away....ATOT's resident bike geek would be happy to help.

Fausto

 

[StageLeft]

Thanks - I was considering used bikes but I don't feel I know enough to really know where to start with buying one or finding the right deal. My brother used to always buy used and would get good buys. Like you said a person can save a whack of cash buying used!

 

[bizmark]

Trek 4300. It's their cheapest with front suspension. around $300. It's got a great frame. If you want to spend more, buy this bike and then upgrade the fork, shifters, seat, etc....

 

[Fausto]

It's really more about getting maximum bang for your buck. The $400 range is kinda the lower end of bikes you can actually take off road like a real mountain bike (think Ford Focus: nice, but basic). A one year old used bike for the same price would get you much nicer stuff that you'd really appreciate down the road once you get more into riding (think Maxima: nicer, faster, but not over the top). Honestly, any of the big brands are gonna be fine for you (ie- Trek, Specialized, Diamond Back, Fisher, Cannondale, Giant, etc). There are some variations in fit with all of these so make sure you head by a shop to get properly fitted.

GT bikes oficially went kablooey a while back and there were some wicked deals on left over stock. You may want to fish around and see what you can find as they are nice bikes.

Fausto

 

[JohnnyReb]

jonnyreb I went to bicycleworks.com a local bike shop. They don't sell much in the way of cheap stuff at all. I asked about road bikes and he said you can't buy one for less than $550 - that is what they start at. It was as if he was mentally blocking out the fact that you can spend less because it never occured to him

The Schwinn Frontier will be in the under $300 range. I have seen a bunch of people make the mistake of getting a store bike. Without exception they have given up on riding.

Get the Schwinn Frontier, you won't regret it.

 

[StageLeft]

IF I go with a new bike instead of a used is the Giant Yukon worth the $100 over the Frontier? I have absolutely no intention of getting anything less than that price (so don't worry jonny!). I also like wbwither's idea. Although I can't really see myself upgrading the components it would be nice to know I have a sturdy frame with which to do that later if I need to - how do the frames compare between the giant and schwinn? I think probably the same since the components are just better on the giant?

Lastly does a non-adjustable fork on the front matter? I weigh around 190 so i'm wondering if perhaps it would be a bit soft...

 

[geekender]

Fausto, I didn't know you excercised

 

[Fausto]

Yukon is worth the extra loot IMO. Slightly nicer component kit and you will appreciate the adjustable fork given your weight....bouncy too-soft forks are annoying.

Minimal diff between the two frames...both Aluminum. You won't see much variation at that price point. Further up the food chain you'll get into specially shaped tubing and butted (varying internal wall thickness) tubes. Everything you'll find around $400 will be basic straight-gage Alu...nice for MTB's since they tend to get wet/muddy and Aluminum doesn't rust.

Cheaper in the long run to just get a bike intially with nice components than to do the upgrade thing later. More expensive to buy parts individually that to just get the whole thing.

Fausto

 

[StageLeft]

OK well as long as nobody can recommend a different bike over these at the same price point I'll pick between one of these and looking at the used scene.

Question: is there a drink holder you can get that holds two drinks but still requires only the two drilled holes in the frame? I need to water bottles and I don't want the big pouch that goes on my back - but I don't want to have to drill extra holes in the bike either.

 

[Fausto]

<< Question: is there a drink holder you can get that holds two drinks but still requires only the two drilled holes in the frame? I need to water bottles and I don't want the big pouch that goes on my back - but I don't want to have to drill extra holes in the bike either. >>


I don't think so....there are extra-big water bottles tho. For god's sake don't drill holes in your frame...will likely break exactly where you drilled the hole thanks to the nice little stress riser the hole creates.

I personally really like having a CamelBak....you can drink from it without taking your hands off the bars (and crashing) and you can pack it with ice to where it will stay cold for hours. Very handy down here in the Southeast.

Fausto

 

[Electric Amish]

I wish I could blow $400 on a bike.

I scraped together $120 and got a cheapo from Kmart. It works fine for a few miles every morning.

amish

 

[FrustratedUser]

<< Now before you insult me yes I know it's sad but I'm spending only $300-400 on this mountain bike (actually a week ago I thought that was a lot. damn store guys!). I don't plan on racing or anything like that. 2/3 of my riding will be on the road and another 1/3 on trails. For the most part these trails will not have anything more than rocks and tree roots in the way - the sort you can ride up with a bit of effort but nothing crazy. However, sometimes I will like to charge down a trail covered in rocks bumping and getting it on crazy style.

The store I was at at lunch has a Schwinn Frontier FS AL for about $300. It has a front suspension - but damned if I know the name. It was nonadjustable.

More attractive for $409 was the Giant Yukon. It had adjustable rock shox on the front. The handle bars also had a threadless connection to the frame. For the most part threadless bars cannot have the height changed (so I'm told) which leads me on to another question: my lower back hurts a bit when I ride a bike and I'm wondering if higher than average handlebars would help in some sense? Most of my low back pain is from pisspoor sitting in a chair all day though.

I'm basically looking for advice cause I know nothing. My brother is into mountain biking but he said I need at least $600 otherwise I'd "sully the family name" and I don't know if he could lend any advice on these lower-end models. >>



OK, some advice.
For between $400-$500 you should be able to pick up a Specialized Hardrock. It's a great beginner/alround bike with a solid frame that can take some serious beating. I got one myself about 18months ago and it's been great. I have upgraded it with better components along the way and it's a fun bike for a decent price.
All new mountainbikes come with a threadless bar connection for the fork to the frame. It can be adjusted if the morons at the factory didn't cut the tube too short to begin with. Anyway. What you need to adjust the height of the handlebar is spacers that you put under the stem (stem is where the handlebar connects to the steerer tube of the fork). Add or remove those and you got your adjustment. they can be had for ~$1 each at your local bike shop (unless you buy the carbon fiber model for ~$10 each!). The other thing to do is to change the angle of the stem. Usually they are not adjustable, they come with different angles from 0-30 deg. There are adjustable stems to buy. Make sure it's a 1"1/8 diameter, it's the most common size.

Back pains. Yes, I suffer from that too. The best way to get rid of it is to excersize your back muscles. Sit-up and so on. That's the only way.
Have fun with the bike when you get it.

 

[geekender]

Are you going to be doing mostly off road riding? I noticed all this jabber is focused on mountain bikes and not really hybrids for the road. IMHO if you are going to do mostly on-road riding you could consider a hybrid.

 

[Aquaman]

Get a Big Wheel

But in all seriousness......... now is a good time to buy......... shops are trying to get rid of thier 2001's to make room for 2002's......... I'd get the Giant

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Fausto's advice is, not surprisingly, dead on IMO (I may be the only other person here who knows where his handle comes from, the legendary campionissimo Fausto Coppi).

Definitely take some test rides - different makers will have slight variations in geometry that will make a significant difference in terms of your overall comfort level. There are some truly killer deals on GTs and Schwinns right now due to their newfound insolvency; otherwise I like Trek the best of the mega-builders. Trek, Specialized, Bianchi, Kona, and many others are out there vying for your dollar, and it's you who will ride the bike, so test-ride as many as possible before choosing. Do NOT settle for a poor fit in order to get a "good deal," because a proper fit is paramount to enjoying your cycling experience.