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suggestions on a new Mountain Bike

C

CanisEstInVia

Senior member
Im lookin to buy a 400 dollar moutainbike. Ive never been on a trail before, but I plan on doing plenty of riding since there are lots around campus. Also, are there any good places to buy a bike online?
 
I swear by Trek. I suggest not buying a bike online (if you could even find a shop that does online sales, most don't). Go to a dealership, and enjoy a good service relationship with them.
 
thanks rossman, didnt know this was such a popular topic 🙂. I figured online would have some deals or something though, guess I'll head to the shop tomorrow.
 
I tend to prefer GT. Get one with shocks. You're body will thank you.

Get a CamelBack while you're at it. Those things are great for mountain biking and hiking.
 
Go for something that seems comfortable and light, GT's are nice bikes, my bro's got 2. The Cannondales look a little OTT, I heard a few years back that the construction of the Cannons were not top notch despite sturdy looks, one actually snapped and the frame impaled the rider and killed him.
 


<< I heard a few years back that the construction of the Cannons were not top notch despite sturdy looks, one actually snapped and the frame impaled the rider and killed him. >>



Amazing how &quot;I heard&quot; becomes fact.......that story is complete cow dung. People just seem to have this obsession in slamming the biggest companies out there, whether it's Cannondale, GM, whoever. I assure you you'll never impale yourself on any bike's frame......unless you insist on riding a Huffy, Murray, Mongoose, Roadmaster, Pacific, or anyof those other &quot;toy&quot; bikes.
 
I knew this was coming😀

I 'heard' it on the news.

<I assure you you'll never impale yourself on any bike's frame>

And why isn't it possible to impale yourself? If you're mountain biking, isn't it possible to have an accident where the frame is broken and the rider falls onto the broken part? Happened to my bro, he had a serious injury to his arm caused while riding downhill and the handlebar was broken upon impact on a rock. I'm just glad that it was only his arm.
 
I suppose if you are motionless when the frame &quot;snaps&quot; and you fall straight down onto the collapsing and broken tubing.....it's possible. The scenario you present tho....a crash or part failure during riding makes it all but impossible to impale yourself. A suddenly broken crank arm may do that to your leg......I've seen that happen, but frame? Naaaa.....your momentum would carry you over the bike's front faceplanting or headplanting you.

I've seen broken frames....have yet to see one that could come close to impaing anyone. Almost without exception the frame either bent or cracked....not broke in half then chased down the rider and skewered him. Sorry about your bro.... but


<< caused while riding downhill and the handlebar was broken upon impact on a rock >>

how did the rock hit the handlebar while he was riding unless he was crashing? If the rock just flew up and hit his handlebar, then he has a point......but it sounds like the crash began and the bar broke when he and it hit the ground. That's the chances you take with extreme stuff like downhill racing.
 
Good point, I didn't make it clear that the bike was already in a potential accident situation, heading towards a rock.

And I don't think I could really argue about the Cannondale incident as I can't remember exact details, it was around 10 years ago.
 
I recently bought a Trek 4500, got it for $359.99. So far I like it alot, even though I haven't ridden it more than 10 miles (just picked it up saturday)

Standard price for these is $409.99, right at your pricepoint

Just go to your local bike shop and tell them you're looking for a mountainbike for $400, they'll show you what they have. Don't get it over the internet, cause you'll want it adjusted in a month or maybe longer once the cables stretch or whatever (most bike shops do this for free).
 
Choose a bike with at least 2 wheels

Actually, I think a bike with one wheel would be quite fun. Imagine yourself mountain biking with one of those. 😀
 
I had a Trek 4500 which I really liked, even though it has no suspension. Nice fat alu frame but still light and a comfy saddle.

Some git stole it from my shed six months ago though. I got a Marin Hawk-Hill with the insurance money. Nice alu frame (polished metal finish 😎 ), smaller x-sec than the trek. Better chainset but the saddle is like sitting on a brick. Suspension is cool though. More poser points with the Marin.. but more chance of it getting pinched.

I now have a 4 foot iron steak in the ground in my shed with a welded chain and D-lock. The bike is also e-tagged. I'm sure it could still be stolen but hopefully the will think it too much hassle 🙂

 
I had a Trek 4500 which I really liked, even though it has no suspension. Nice fat alu frame but still light and a comfy saddle.

Some git stole it from my shed six months ago though. I got a Marin Hawk-Hill with the insurance money. Nice alu frame (polished metal finish 😎 ), smaller x-sec than the trek. Better chainset but the saddle is like sitting on a brick. Suspension is cool though. More poser points with the Marin.. but more chance of it getting pinched.

I now have a 4 foot iron steak in the ground in my shed with a welded chain and D-lock. The bike is also e-tagged. I'm sure it could still be stolen but hopefully the will think it too much hassle 🙂

 
My last 2 bikes have been Gary Fishers'... mind you my most recent is a Supercaliber, I had a Marlin before that, it was a cheap 400 buck (Canadian) bike and it stood up well considering what i put it through..

a bike is a bike... look at components and color schemes.. name is the last of the worries I think..
 
i think yield hit the nail on the head with advice here: don't go for name, any of the larger companies are going to build a great bike that will easily handle all that you want it to do. take a ride on every bike you're considering, you'll be amazed at the differences b/w them. and make sure you get the best components offered at that price range - you'll thank yourself later, i'm afraid i haven't kept up too well in the past 2 years, but i'm sure someone could tell u what components are around that price range. good luck!
 


<< a bike is a bike... look at components and color schemes.. name is the last of the worries I think >>


Uummm... Look at color schemes?

Yeah. 😕

It's true that at this point most of the major companies make decent products. Still, that's no reason to buy a bike because of pretty colors.

I would try to find the bike that is the best fit and feel. Meaning, find one that you like the frame on. $400 isn't a lot of money for a bike, but you can get something decent. Different companies build frames with different geometries and &quot;ride philosophies.&quot; Ride a bunch of bikes and get the one that rides best. You can always upgrade components as you go.

Looking for bikes with the best components is what companies expect you to do. That's why you'll see a bike that has a high end rear derailleur and crap everywhere else. They know you'll look for that. Sounds silly, but it's true. Go spec any bike and you'll see it. Look around for a well balanced component set - not one or two hugh profile components.

Look for a hardtail (front suspension only) for the best quality in that price range. (Or a fully-rigid bike...) A full suspension bike in that price range will be pretty weak.

I like Schwinn bikes, but I haven't researched a lower-end bike in a while, so I am not sure what's best in that range. Check out Mountain Bike Review for some reviews.

Hope this helps. 🙂
 
I went to the shop today. The guy there suggested a Raleigh M30 for me. Its a $270 beginner bike. I read some reviews on mtbr.com and most said it held up pretty well especially for the price you pay. I rode it around, and it felt pretty comfortable. How are Raleighs btw? I'm thinkin I should go for something higher though, cuz I dont wanna have to maintain the bike so much...

oh, and it came in yellow. cant go wrong with yellow 🙂 hahaha.
 
yoshitoshi, you must've had an old trek or something, the 4500 now comes with a rox shox or however that's spelled on the front fork.
 
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