Scarpozzi
Lifer
Here's my advice. Mountain Bikes are often split into multiple categories...you got full suspension and hard tails... The problem with suspension bikes is that they actually absorb YOUR energy when pedalling. So if you're climbing a hill and start pedalling, all that downward force will go to your shocks instead of cranking. Hard tails are my preference...so you'd have a front shock, but not rear shock. These make it more fun when going down trail switch-backs too because you can lock your back tire and slide around corners faster.
Newer bikes have locking front shocks. This might be nice for city riding if you're climbing hills.
Equipment breakdown....most manufacturers have entry-level / mid-level / racing parts. When you buy a bike, it's typically going to be one of the three setups. Look for mid-level to get bang for your buck. Shimano used to have LX-series stuff....their racing /performances parts were all XT or XTR.
Most importantly tires. If you buy a $400-500 bike, you'll have $300 left over....buy a $120 set of wheels with a matching cassette (rear gear sprokets) so you can easily change out wheels on your bike. Then buy a set of road tires 1.5"~2" to go with your knobby offroad ones. You can get road tires for cheap and if the wheels cost too much, just change the tires out (20 minutes). It just depends on how often you expect to be offroading.
Newer bikes have locking front shocks. This might be nice for city riding if you're climbing hills.
Equipment breakdown....most manufacturers have entry-level / mid-level / racing parts. When you buy a bike, it's typically going to be one of the three setups. Look for mid-level to get bang for your buck. Shimano used to have LX-series stuff....their racing /performances parts were all XT or XTR.
Most importantly tires. If you buy a $400-500 bike, you'll have $300 left over....buy a $120 set of wheels with a matching cassette (rear gear sprokets) so you can easily change out wheels on your bike. Then buy a set of road tires 1.5"~2" to go with your knobby offroad ones. You can get road tires for cheap and if the wheels cost too much, just change the tires out (20 minutes). It just depends on how often you expect to be offroading.
