I am now leaning toward the Specialized Hardrock Sport. Going into a shop tomorrow to check it out.
NutBucket
Lifer
- Aug 30, 2000
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Tell me about it. Lucky for me there's a guy on ebay with tons of NIB 7-speed Deore XT shifters/levers
Hence, I recommended him not getting anything 7 speed.That said, all me to paraphrase Brutuskend's response to this thread: Haro V1
Oh, and anything 21-speed is a 7 speed rear. Basically, you want more then 7 chain rings on the back wheel. You're interested in bikes with at least 24 speeds.
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Originally posted by: notfred
Heh, my bike only has 16 speeds, but an 8 speed cassette
You've got a freak bike then
I guess I could put a third chainring on it if I wanted to, but then I'd have to worry about smashing it on rocks and things.
NutBucket
Lifer
- Aug 30, 2000
- 27,154
- 635
- 126
Originally posted by: notfred
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Originally posted by: notfred
Heh, my bike only has 16 speeds, but an 8 speed cassette
You've got a freak bike then
I guess I could put a third chainring on it if I wanted to, but then I'd have to worry about smashing it on rocks and things.
Eh, for most people and most situations even 16 speeds is more then enough. Personally, I've never seen a MTB with only 2 front rings tho.
I agree with many of the previous posts.
The ride quality of your bike, and how you will like riding around on it will be increased substantially if you spend at least a couple hundred dollars (for a new bike) or even a decent used bike. It will also help keep you from developing a "bicycling sucks" attitude just because your bike is a clunker.
All Walmart bikes that I've seen are quite heavy, poorly built, and have unnecessary "junk" suspension.
If you want a bike to take off road, I would recommend something with at least front suspension to keep your hands/wrists feeling OK after a bumpy ride.
If you know what you're looking for, a place like www.craigslist.org is a good place to find local sellers of bikes.
In terms of how many speeds you'll need, high end bikes all have 9 speed cassettes in the rear and 3 rings up front (or 2 if you're a monster on the trails). 7 (21 speeds) will probably suit your needs though.
Anyhow, if you can, major brands and some lesser known ones all make decent "SUV type" bikes that don't see offroad use too often:
Trek
Specialized (I have a Stumpjumper Comp)
GT (my campus bike is some sort of GT)
Iron Horse (my other campus bike is an Iron Horse)
Marin
Schwinn, Mongoose, ....
Hope this is helpful in some manner.
Ken
The ride quality of your bike, and how you will like riding around on it will be increased substantially if you spend at least a couple hundred dollars (for a new bike) or even a decent used bike. It will also help keep you from developing a "bicycling sucks" attitude just because your bike is a clunker.
All Walmart bikes that I've seen are quite heavy, poorly built, and have unnecessary "junk" suspension.
If you want a bike to take off road, I would recommend something with at least front suspension to keep your hands/wrists feeling OK after a bumpy ride.
If you know what you're looking for, a place like www.craigslist.org is a good place to find local sellers of bikes.
In terms of how many speeds you'll need, high end bikes all have 9 speed cassettes in the rear and 3 rings up front (or 2 if you're a monster on the trails). 7 (21 speeds) will probably suit your needs though.
Anyhow, if you can, major brands and some lesser known ones all make decent "SUV type" bikes that don't see offroad use too often:
Trek
Specialized (I have a Stumpjumper Comp)
GT (my campus bike is some sort of GT)
Iron Horse (my other campus bike is an Iron Horse)
Marin
Schwinn, Mongoose, ....
Hope this is helpful in some manner.
Ken
I think I'm gonna get a touring bike maybe a raleigh or somethin nice...I actually use my bike. So I'm looking to spend like 300,but right now I'm broke so that's being put off
Look around for a good used bike if you're on a low budget.
I work (and HAVE worked) in the Bike industry for a LONG time.
DO NOT GET A DEPARTMENT STORE BIKE!
That is all.
Okay, I went into the shop and got me a Specialized Hardrock Sport in dream color. It is 24 speed with 8 speed in the rear wheel. I also got a trunk mount bike rack. MSRP for the bike is 330 usd on Specialized site. It is raining today, and I won't get a chance to take a ride on it until tomorrow afternoon around the block. Still have to go get a helmet.
3chordcharlie
Diamond Member
- Mar 30, 2004
- 9,859
- 1
- 81
You definitely don't have to spend much more than the walmart price to get something that will work better and last longer...
If you have friends that who are hardcore, they probably have favorite shops and can hook you up with a good bike for a fair price; when I bought my second bike from the same shop, it was a two-year-old model that hadn't sold mostly due to the colour; the owner liked me well enough from years of repairs/tubes/tires/etc to cut two-thirds off the price to sell the bike and as a favour to me. If your friends know people, the shop owners will help you pick a good basic bike at a good price.
I didn't even know they made 7-speed anymore.. .
If you have friends that who are hardcore, they probably have favorite shops and can hook you up with a good bike for a fair price; when I bought my second bike from the same shop, it was a two-year-old model that hadn't sold mostly due to the colour; the owner liked me well enough from years of repairs/tubes/tires/etc to cut two-thirds off the price to sell the bike and as a favour to me. If your friends know people, the shop owners will help you pick a good basic bike at a good price.
I didn't even know they made 7-speed anymore.. .
Does anyone know how to care for the leather seat of the Specialized Hardrock sport? It got soaked in the rain and is still fine. Now that the seat is completely dry, should I apply some leather care lotion?
Its leather?
It should be fine, I got my Hard Rock Comp stock seat weat numerous times thru rides, and cleaning my bike. It just dries up and its fine.
Actually I just assumed it's leather. I don't know anymore. It could be rubber. By the way, can this bike get wet in the rain? Thanks.
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Originally posted by: notfred
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Originally posted by: notfred
Heh, my bike only has 16 speeds, but an 8 speed cassette
You've got a freak bike then
I guess I could put a third chainring on it if I wanted to, but then I'd have to worry about smashing it on rocks and things.
Eh, for most people and most situations even 16 speeds is more then enough. Personally, I've never seen a MTB with only 2 front rings tho.
Well, it's just got a bashring in place of where the big chainring would normally go.
UnatcoAgent
Diamond Member
- Oct 25, 1999
- 5,462
- 1
- 0
the only thing bad about riding in the rain is :
1. you have a steel frame -- if water stays in the tubes it could rust
2. rain = muddy stuff eats away rim if you dont have disc brakes
3. muddy stuff isnt too good for derailleurs and stuff... but not that big of a problem
1. you have a steel frame -- if water stays in the tubes it could rust
2. rain = muddy stuff eats away rim if you dont have disc brakes
3. muddy stuff isnt too good for derailleurs and stuff... but not that big of a problem
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