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Mountaing Biking... Bike... suggestions

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Cuda1447

Cuda1447

Lifer
I'm a novice to mountain biking. My wife and I are looking to get into it a little bit. I'd prefer not to get a junk bike though. I took a look at Dicks/Target and most of the bikes were either trash looking bikes or super expensive, but not sure if they were worth the money.

I decided to check craigslist for a decent bike without blowing the budget. I saw a few there were in the 150-200 range, but retailed for 500+. The problem is I don't really know what I'm looking for. I imagine a mountain bike is designed to take some wear and tear, but is 2 years on a bike significant? Are there any specific brands I should look for/avoid? Or should I just hit up Dick's and buy the best looking bike I can find for $150?

Any suggestions on specific bikes would be awesome. I'm not looking for anything serious hardcore, just something that will hold up to some fun off road biking and a little more if I get into it.
 
2 years is nothing. I have some mountain bikes that are almost 10 years old and still going strong on trails. Only parts I have ever had to replace were tires and grips. They even still have the original brake pads lol.

As far as a specific bike, maybe try for a used Specialized Hardrock. It's a nice entry bike that wouldn't cost much used and will keep you happy for a while if you get into it.
 
So I'm 5'10" is a 19" frame to big for me in a specialized bike? Not that familiar with the sizing, but what I'm reading is it might be a little to big for me?
 
Get a well used MTB off craigslist. Focus on big brand names like Trek, Specialized etc. An old bike in decent shape will be a great value and shouldn't be too hard to resell for about what you pay.

Then, enjoy the bike and decide whether or not saving up for something better is worthwhile...

As for new, take a look at the Airborne Guardian. Probably more than your current budget, ($599) but its a good bike for the money.
 
I'm not a good person to ask as I spend way too much on mtn bike stuff. I would go with what GasX said. Look for a bike ~5 years old from Specialized, Trek, Giant, Gary Fisher (now also Trek), etc. just go for a hard tail (suspension only up front) as they require less maintenance and are likely to be in better operating condition. REI sold a Ponderosa 29er about 3 years ago that had decent components for the price range (~1000$). You might be able to find one of those used for ~400$.
 
I picked up a Trek 820 off Craigslist for $115 last month. They originally were asking for $150 but I offered $115 and they accepted. The seller said they only rode it a couple of times and it looked to be in great condition. I had to replace the front tube but everything else works great.

I believe it's a 2008 model but is definitely good enough for me since I'm only a casual rider.
 
GasX said:
I know the feeling... I am building up a single speed cyclocross bike from scratch and it is shocking what I will have spent by the end.
Click to expand...

It gets hard to justify...but then I'm on a trail in pure bliss and realize it is all worth it.
 
Good entry level mountain bikes cost $500 news. They won't have problems liek a Wal-Mart POS. They'll have good components and a good fork.

2 years on a bike is nothing. Chances are, the sellers barely used them. I rid the crap out of a $500 bike for a year (4 rides per week on average and thisi s real mountain biking). The guy at the bike shop laughed at me when I brought it in for my free 1 year tune up. He laughed that I rid the crap out of it. Thing is, nothing broke. He just adjusted things.

I then bought a full suspension bike. It's a nice bike that I still have. All $2000 of it. Probably worth $400 now. Just had it fixed up for $380 a year ago so I could ride it again. It needed alot of work.

If you ever go high end, get a hard tail (no rear suspension, has front suspension). They are easier to control and lighter weight than a full suspension bike.

now married I haven't been on a real trail in years. I switched to semi-slicks for road riding.

OUtdated info, but avoid cannondale if they even exist anymore. The frames used thinner aluminum and dented easy ... in 2002 or so.
 
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