Mountain Bike Suggestions

[ZOOYUKA]

I am looking for a new mountain bike to go ride some trails. Do you guys have any suggestions? I would like an affordable hard tail that I can ride for awhile.

 

[kalrith]

I've owned my mtb bike for years, so I'm completely out of the new-bike realm. That being said, if I were looking for a new bike, I'd try to snag a deal on last year's model or a used bike on craigslist. The most important thing is that it fits you. It could be the greatest deal in the world, but if it's not the right fit for your body, then it's not a good deal at all.

I know I'm being vague here, but you could always go to a nice local mtb shop that would have you sit on a bike, take your measurements, and then make recommendations for a bike that's likely to fit you well.

 

[highland145]

Had a trek 920 for 12 years and around 16K miles(a lot of road). Broke the frame in 12/09. Had a lifetime warranty. The bike shop gave me $250 off a new Gary Fisher wahoo and they took the old frame.

Agree on the fit. Go to a shop that will spend the time on that. Yes, it is important.

Check out the "new" 29" wheel bikes. A guy I know loves his and he says they are here to stay.

 

[alkemyst]

Budget? This is the key factor to what's affordable or not.

Personally I'd target $500+ for a decent bike (or used) and even better around $1300+ to get a bike you won't outgrow really for most things (assuming you are really looking for trails and not just road biking).

I am torn between the Rockhopper Comp Disc at about $750, some of the bikesdirect bikes in Titanium at around $1000+ or going all out on a Rockhopper SL Pro/Expert.

 

[Ksyder]

Budget? This is the key factor to what's affordable or not.

Personally I'd target $500+ for a decent bike (or used) and even better around $1300+ to get a bike you won't outgrow really for most things (assuming you are really looking for trails and not just road biking).

I am torn between the Rockhopper Comp Disc at about $750, some of the bikesdirect bikes in Titanium at around $1000+ or going all out on a Rockhopper SL Pro/Expert.

I agree with this guy, at less than even $600 you are making too many compromises if you want a good bike. At less than $600 new the problems are mainly cheap suspension fork, disc brakes, drive train, and wheelset. There isn't usually too much difference in the frames between entry level and mid-range, the cost is added through the other parts.

You may be happy with cheaper bike and not notice the difference but its less costly in the long run to buy a bike with better components than to have to upgrade later after you realized you made a mistake.

Right now I am looking at a 2007 Specialized Hard Rock Comp that I got in trade for a computer + network setup, and its a pretty good bike for what it was originally ($510 new) but it is sorely lacking with the BB5 brakes and the RST fork. It also needs to get new cables with full housing in order to make it a good off-road bike. The Shimano drive train is low-end as well.

As a comparison, if you go on Jenson USA website, you can't really even find a good fork alone for less than $200, so it makes sense. You have to spend close to a grand to get a bike that is really spec'd well.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Haro, Trek, and Cannondale are my favorite MTB makers.

 

[Ksyder]

I got a Cannondale with a head shok, those are nice if you want a bike that is good both on and off the road because you can lock out, or 'turn off' the front suspension.

 

[ZOOYUKA]

Budget would be right at $600. How are the basic Rockhoppers? How big a deal is disc vs. rim brakes?

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Budget would be right at $600. How are the basic Rockhoppers? How big a deal is disc vs. rim brakes?

I have never rode a RH, so cannot comment.

The only times I have not been OK with V-brakes was down hill in the mountains when there is rain or water crossings. For anything else they have performed well enough.

 

[Ksyder]

If you are mechanically inclined you can save $$$ by starting off with that Rockhopper and then if you do want disc, you can use anything you want, such as Avid BB7 mechanicals with your existing levers or you could move up to a hydraulic setup.

Otherwise, you will get bent over on labor if you pay a shop to upgrade it for you.

The disc brakes are really nice in wet conditions and you aren't grinding into your rims with abrasive mud like you might when using v-brakes.

 

[alkemyst]

VBrakes are an ok compromise...I rode on them for years. Get good pads though, I don't know if Cool Stops are still made.

Also most front and rear suspensions now have lock outs....

The thing you really have to know is will you be upgrading or not. For some a $50 beach cruiser is all the bike they need.

 

[alkemyst]

I'd also check out and post on forums.mtbr.com under General, Beginner's Corner, Bike and Frame discussion or in one of the manufacturers sections....personally I think the BikesDirect bikes offer a ton of value. The 700HT is hard bike to beat and the Fantom HT Comp for 3 hundred more offers a lot of bang for buck (but at 50% higher that's a major cost difference).

I'd love to ride a Fly 9357 or Fantom Pro Ti.

 

[theeedude]

Get a used one, but go test drive some new ones at store just so you know what size to get.

 

[bobsmith1492]

I've been on a Trek 6500 for a season now; before that it was an older Trek 750? or so that I borrowed from a friend. Both worked well, but the air shocks on the 6500 are amazing. It makes a big difference on your wrists after a rough trail. Also, I rode it 200 miles in 2 days on a half-paved, half-gravel rail trail and was much better off than on my hybrid (no shocks) on all pavement.

You will be grateful for discs if you have any kind of curvy trails; the sprint/brake/sprint routine wears on your hands if you have to mash on the brakes. Also there is much more control with discs. V-brakes tend to have 2 options: go and skid. Control on cornering is tough when you start skidding.