Gator Bait Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 I'm trying to get a mountain Bike (know very little about them) from talking to a few guys at bike shops I've learned that Specialized is the best bang for your buck, and Trek is over priced. I'm looking for a bike to hit the trails. I don't feel I need a "super bike," but I want something that I wont feel I need to upgrade after a season or two. Are disc brakes a must have? What should I look for in terms of gears? The guy at the bike shop recommended a Specialized Rockhopper. It was a really nice bike with disc brakes, but is $700 necessary for my first mountain bike? Please suggest a brand, model, and good place to buy a bike. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stophovr6 Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 http://www.mtbr.com/ This is a decent resource. I have a Gary Fischer but it's 10 years old. If I were to get a new MTB now I'd be spending more than 700$, so no 700 is not crazy and it's probably necessary to get a decent bike. Don't get a Novara from REI, they are junk. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Bait Posted May 4, 2009 Author Share Posted May 4, 2009 http://www.mtbr.com/ no 700 is not crazy and it's probably necessary to get a decent bike damn...that sucks....very expensive hobby! then you have to buy a helmet and gloves and all kinds of other ****. I guess I'm looking at around $800 to get started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stophovr6 Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 damn...that sucks....very expensive hobby!then you have to buy a helmet and gloves and all kinds of other ****. I guess I'm looking at around $800 to get started. Bikes aren't cheap that's for sure. Good luck. Try as many bikes as you can and don't settle just because one sales person told you it was the best choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoSkins561 Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 I shopped around and got a Trek 4300 for around $400 and some change , its a decent bike for the money. It has the upgraded shimano derailer and front suspension for up to moderate trail riding. The Trek 4500 has the disc brakes and is only slightly more expensive. The 4300 seemed to be the best bang for the buck, works fine for going on rides with my family, but I don't have stay home if my buddies want to ride moderate terrain. I think it's biggest downside is it's weight and it wouldn't be good if you are a hard core mountain biker. The Specialized guy is only saying that about Trek because he doesn't have Trek to sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Bait Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 I shopped around and got a Trek 4300 for around $400 and some change , its a decent bike for the money. It has the upgraded shimano derailer and front suspension for up to moderate trail riding. The Trek 4500 has the disc brakes and is only slightly more expensive. The 4300 seemed to be the best bang for the buck, works fine for going on rides with my family, but I don't have stay home if my buddies want to ride moderate terrain. I think it's biggest downside is it's weight and it wouldn't be good if you are a hard core mountain biker. The Specialized guy is only saying that about Trek because he doesn't have Trek to sell. The Trek 4300 was my favorite looking bike....my favorite color is orange, and it came in a pretty sweet orange color.....but I'm not buying a bike for the color. The 4300 didn't have the disc brakes, I wasn't sure how important those were, but I heard it is expensive to upgrade, so I just assume get them in the begining. The bike shop I spoke of actually had Trek and Specialized. Both salesman I spoke with said Specialized was better (lighter) but I don't know much about bikes. I've always wanted a Trek (since seeing pacific blue on USA) but like I said before, I'm trying to get the best bang for my buck. Thanks for the input Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoSkins561 Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Check out the 4500 it comes with disc breaks, might even come in orange. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predicto Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Craig's List. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Washington Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 i've never paid more than 100 for a bike. what's so special about these expensive-at least to me--bikes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stophovr6 Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 i've never paid more than 100 for a bike. what's so special about these expensive-at least to me--bikes? Some of them are quite adept at handling very harsh terrain at high speeds. Some use air suspension, some use gas, springs etc. Some have hydraulic disk brakes, some are made of titanium, others carbon fiber. You can take your 100 dollar bike on some of those trails but I don't think it would last very long. Some of the bikes are just overpriced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee55055 Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 If you plan on getting into mountain biking I would suggest spending at least 700 dollars on a hard tail. Otherwise you will spend a hell lot more upgrading a crappy bike over the course of a few years. I did a lot of research and picked up a Novara Ponderosa 29'er at REI. It was originally 950 but with the 20% off member sale, I got it for $760. As Stoph mentioned above REI Novara bikes are generally crap. However, I did a lot of research and talked with several avid bikers and the general consensus was that it was a great deal for the components on the bike. I've been riding Wakefield and Accotink a lot lately and I'm really happy with it. Good luck man, you have no idea how addicting this sport is. I get really antsy if i'm not out on the trails when we have good weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee55055 Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 On another note, check out: www.more-mtb.org, Mid Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts Extremely active mountain biking group that sponsors all sorts of group rides, lessons, trail workdays, advice etc.. It will also give you all of the good trails to ride in DC/MD/VA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Bait Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 I think I'm going to go with the Specialized Rockhopper with disc brakes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stophovr6 Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 I did a lot of research and picked up a Novara Ponderosa 29'er at REI. It was originally 950 but with the 20% off member sale, I got it for $760. As Stoph mentioned above REI Novara bikes are generally crap. However, I did a lot of research and talked with several avid bikers and the general consensus was that it was a great deal for the components on the bike. It may have just been this guys bike. He got a brand new Novara and brought it for his first group ride. In the first 100 feet of riding his seat broke off and his chain broke. Defeated, he went home. After seeing that I thought to myself I'd never get one, but it would seem the components are a big factor and his bike clearly had inferior components. How do you like the 29er? I think I may be too small for one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stophovr6 Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 I think I'm going to go with the Specialized Rockhopper with disc brakes Looks like a good bike. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PleaseBlitz Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 The Specialized guy is only saying that about Trek because he doesn't have Trek to sell. Ding! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrapeApe Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 It really depends on the types of trails you plan on riding as to how much you should spend. If you are going to be riding pretty flat, non-technical trails and not be competitive, a cheap bike ($500) will suffice. If you plan on tackling some more technical trails (steep ascents and descents, lots of obsticles, switchbacks, etc ...) and will be competitive (even with just friends) I'd spend more. With a more expensive bike, you get much better components. I'm still riding my 10 year old trek and never had a component fail even riding some very technical trails in SW Virginia. And the bikes are lighter. My mistake was buying a cheap mountain bike for my first bike. I quickly replaced it with a better bike. If you are riding trails, don't forget a set of tire irons, spare inner tubes, pump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tone_dubbz Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 I'm trying to get a mountain Bike (know very little about them) from talking to a few guys at bike shops I've learned that Specialized is the best bang for your buck, and Trek is over priced. I'm looking for a bike to hit the trails. I don't feel I need a "super bike," but I want something that I wont feel I need to upgrade after a season or two.Are disc brakes a must have? What should I look for in terms of gears? The guy at the bike shop recommended a Specialized Rockhopper. It was a really nice bike with disc brakes, but is $700 necessary for my first mountain bike? Please suggest a brand, model, and good place to buy a bike. Thanks. I just started MTB the past month, so I'm pretty green like you. But I bought Magna from a lady off craigslist. Its only 200 at Target, but it has full suspension. It was mainly to get around on site at work. But a couple of my co-workers go MTB during lunch, and 3 of them have Specialized, 1 has a Gary Fisher, and 1 has a Giant. They're all souped up with disk brakes, and shimano gear shifter, and carbon fiber parts....but they've been going hard for 3 years. I went out on the trail twice already, and I think I'm ready to get a better bike. I'd look on craigslist for something nice, but affordable. I found some really nice Treks and Cannondale online. A used one for around 300 is way better than dropping a 1000 for a brand new one. But thats just me, because I'm still a novice at MTB. But try craigslist like I said, you'll be surprised on what you can find. What kind of MTB are you trying to get? HardTail or Full Suspension? I'm looking at getting a Giant MTB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Bait Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 Ding! As previously stated, this shop had Trek and Specialized Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Bait Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 But try craigslist like I said, you'll be surprised on what you can find. What kind of MTB are you trying to get? HardTail or Full Suspension? I'm looking at getting a Giant MTB I'm going to get a HardTail, the Full Suspension bikes are way more than I want to spend. The problem I have with buying from Craigslist is that I don't know enough about bikes to know if I'm buying someone else's problem. Something could be messed up on the bike, and I wouldn't even know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PleaseBlitz Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 As previously stated, this shop had Trek and Specialized Yea, but the people dont make the same profit on them in each shop. My recommendation would be to go to at least 3 different shops, and go in with the same "i dont know wtf im doing" approach, and see what they say. Im in the market for a road bike right now, ive been to Revolution Cycles in Arlington, Spokes in Vienna, and another one who's name escapes me right now. All had differing opinions, but im pretty much sold on getting a Trek. Prices were vastly different in each shop. This is for road bikes though, mountain bikes might be totally different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoSkins561 Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Having grown up racing BMX(TNT/CW) I do hate cheap bikes so you are doing the right thing by ding good research and buying the bike that fits your future needs best. For what its worth, I went to school in Frostburg and had a old school MTB Specialized w/o front suspension, and chopped down handle bars. I basically used it to get to and from class. We use to bomb the downhill trails out there (really fun / challenging) at least once a week and I survived on a piece of crap without a helmet (stupid). Depending on what you are trying to do any decent bike with good components will d the trick. Once I rode a bike with suspension it was tough to go back, there is a huge difference enjoy your new bike dude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoSkins561 Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 I'm going to get a HardTail, the Full Suspension bikes are way more than I want to spend.The problem I have with buying from Craigslist is that I don't know enough about bikes to know if I'm buying someone else's problem. Something could be messed up on the bike, and I wouldn't even know. The way I see it, you better be a bad ass down hiller if you have a full suspension bike. I have heard they waste your energy when climbing hills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tone_dubbz Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 I'm going to get a HardTail, the Full Suspension bikes are way more than I want to spend.The problem I have with buying from Craigslist is that I don't know enough about bikes to know if I'm buying someone else's problem. Something could be messed up on the bike, and I wouldn't even know. Thats true. Well if you're going to go brand new, which is actually better, then the Hardtail would be cheaper.....or less inexpensive. I think the front suspension if more critical anyways. Depends on what you like. I have a full suspension, and it feels awkward trying to go off dirt jumps and doing bunny hops. Actually, yesterday at work I tried to bunny hop off a cement foundation that houses a big ass transformer with a water reservation surrounding it. I couldn't get enough lift off my back tire and I busted my ass all over pavement. I damm near broke my left hand, and my legs were tangled up in the bike. I had to hide my injuries from my supervisor so I wouldn't get in trouble for being a jackass. I ended up going to medical servcices and they bandaged up my hand and gave me a tetnis shot. They didn't report the injury, so I don't have to take a piss test :doh: I don't think this would have happened if I had a hardtail though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoSkins561 Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Yea, but the people dont make the same profit on them in each shop.My recommendation would be to go to at least 3 different shops, and go in with the same "i dont know wtf im doing" approach, and see what they say. Im in the market for a road bike right now, ive been to Revolution Cycles in Arlington, Spokes in Vienna, and another one who's name escapes me right now. All had differing opinions, but im pretty much sold on getting a Trek. Prices were vastly different in each shop. This is for road bikes though, mountain bikes might be totally different. Talk about pricey, a nice road bike can be spendy. I actually looked into the cycle cross bikes (mtb/road cross) the Treks I looked at seemed really nice. If I didn't have a kid riding on the back i might have considered buying one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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