entry level MTN Bike Reccomendation

jhayx7

Platinum Member
Oct 1, 2005
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Take a visit to your local MTB shop and ride a couple. The best deals are going to be on last years models. I would stick with Trek, GF, or Specialized. Might try craigslist as well.
 

IceBergSLiM

Lifer
Jul 11, 2000
29,932
3
81
Originally posted by: jhayx7
Take a visit to your local MTB shop and ride a couple. The best deals are going to be on last years models. I would stick with Trek, GF, or Specialized. Might try craigslist as well.


how big should i be looking for. I'm 6' 3" 200+
 

DaShen

Lifer
Dec 1, 2000
10,710
1
0
Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
Originally posted by: jhayx7
Take a visit to your local MTB shop and ride a couple. The best deals are going to be on last years models. I would stick with Trek, GF, or Specialized. Might try craigslist as well.


how big should i be looking for. I'm 6' 3" 200+

If you test ride at a local bike shop, they will fit you. I would say 57-58 cm on a road bike, but a mountain bike can be slightly smaller.

**EDIT**
BTW - Get a Trek Fuel. ;) It is a good "starter" bike ;) :p
 

jhayx7

Platinum Member
Oct 1, 2005
2,226
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Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
Originally posted by: jhayx7
Take a visit to your local MTB shop and ride a couple. The best deals are going to be on last years models. I would stick with Trek, GF, or Specialized. Might try craigslist as well.


how big should i be looking for. I'm 6' 3" 200+

Depends, I would say you would fit better on an XL frame BUT it is a good bit heavier than a large frame. I am 6' 2-3" as well and had an XL frame on my GF but switched to a large frame later on and found it to be better. It was lighter, had a snappier response and did I mention lighter?
 

DaShen

Lifer
Dec 1, 2000
10,710
1
0
Originally posted by: jhayx7
Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
Originally posted by: jhayx7
Take a visit to your local MTB shop and ride a couple. The best deals are going to be on last years models. I would stick with Trek, GF, or Specialized. Might try craigslist as well.


how big should i be looking for. I'm 6' 3" 200+

Depends, I would say you would fit better on an XL frame BUT it is a good bit heavier than a large frame. I am 6' 2-3" as well and had an XL frame on my GF but switched to a large frame later on and found it to be better. It was lighter, had a snappier response and did I mention lighter?

Unless you ride only Giants and Specialized, other mountain bieks may use actual measurements instead of a S, M, L, XL designation.
 

mrchan

Diamond Member
May 18, 2000
3,123
0
0
I would guess a 19" frame, maybe 20" or 21". Buy used, get more for your money.
 

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
4
0
Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
I wont really be using it on mountains per se. ......

Then why the hell get a mountaim bike?

Saying "I want a mountain bike to dride on the street" is like saying "I want a 4wd truck to drive to work and back."

Can you do it? Sure, but you're going to have worse mileage and a less comfortable ride with no benefit.
 

SarcasticDwarf

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2001
9,574
2
76
I recently purchased one, a Trek 820 which is the lowest end real quality mountain bike. I looked at a few others that were close to 400, but didn't see anything that was really worth paying significantly more for.

Note that I only ride it on county trails, which are (mosrly) flat gravel. While a road bike might be better, I will take a MTB over a road bike any day of the week simply because of potholes.

http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike.php?bikeid=1010600&f=20
 

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
4
0
Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf
Note that I only ride it on county trails, which are (mosrly) flat gravel. While a road bike might be better, I will take a MTB over a road bike any day of the week simply because of potholes.

Most people don't seem to realize this, but it's pretty easy to maneuver a 1" wide tire around a pothole at 15-20mph. Potholes are easy to avoid on a road bike. Regardless, you're better off with knobby tires for riding on gravel.