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Need a New Bike Help

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arandomname
Posts: 1989 - Karma: 18

So I've just recently been getting into biking, and I've been using this shitty 200 dollar bike that hasnt been used in 2 years so it's pretty bad.  Anyways that 200 dollar bike just broke, and I'm looking to get a better one for beginner use for under $700.  I know most bikes aren't good until they go over 1,000, but I'm sure there has to be something.  I'm 5'10" and 135 pounds.  I'm not even sure if that does much for bikes but whatever.  Rider ability is beginner, but it's not like I can't do anything.  I bike on the east coast and there arent real big mountains but they're decent around me.  Anyways, I've been looking at some hardtails that I heard are good for beginners, but I wanna hear what other people think.

+k for any help

Jun 16 2010 7:03PM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,889
what are you riding for the most part? what do you want out of this bike?
Jun 16 2010 7:08PM
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arandomname
Posts: 1989 - Karma: 18
I forgot about that part.  I will be riding on street and dirt paths.  So a little bit of everything.  And I really just want a bike that would be good for someone to learn and progress on.  And durability.  That's always good too
Jun 16 2010 7:58PM
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PurpleDino
Posts: 1513 - Karma: 483
From your description it seems as though you'd be leaning towards a cross-country bike. especially if your going to do lots of riding on roads.  do you want to be able to progress with mountain biking? or road biking?

If it is mountain biking, this bike will do good for dirt path rides.  Nothing extreme though.  http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BI272B15-Jamis+Dakar+Xc+Bike+09.aspx


Jun 16 2010 8:40PM
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arandomname
Posts: 1989 - Karma: 18
Mainly mountain.  I've been looking at a lot of hardtails since I heard you can actually get a decent one for under 1000.  Like the rockhopper or hardrock
Jun 16 2010 8:50PM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,889
If you want to get into XC, Trek is coming out with a 29er (29inch wheels instead of 26) called the Marlin 29er. It should be around $700 and a great "do it all" mountain bike.

Unless you want to get into freeride/dirt jumping. In which case I recomend you either save up another $500 or get a BMX.
Jun 16 2010 8:56PM
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arandomname
Posts: 1989 - Karma: 18
The Jamis Dakar looks good but is it durable?  I heard full suspension bikes that are under 1,000 are usually crap.  And the Trek Marlin looks nice but it's not for sale yet and I'm getting my bike within the next 2 weeks.
Jun 16 2010 9:26PM
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PeterWojnar
Posts: 3937 - Karma: 678
Get a Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc for the $550 that it costs. It's an excellent frame that will last you a long time, has decent (great for the money) part spec that should last you quite some time. Eventually you'll want to replace the fork, or sell the bike and get something with a better part spec, but this will hold you over for a long time.
Jun 16 2010 9:26PM
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arandomname
Posts: 1989 - Karma: 18

Yeah I like the look of the Hardrock and I've heard a lot of good things about it.  What size should I get?  I was thinking the 19 or 21 but I'm not really sure.

Jun 16 2010 9:29PM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,889
19, no question
Jun 16 2010 10:35PM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,889
make sure you test ride it.
Jun 16 2010 10:37PM
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PeterWojnar
Posts: 3937 - Karma: 678
19 for sure. Maybe even 17 depending on your riding style, but probably 19. I'm 6'0" and ride a 19 inch frame, it's so much more nimble and easy to flick around. If most of your riding will be seated pedal-pushing, aka almost road, you'll just raise up your seat to a good height and pedal, but if your riding is mostly standing and working the bike like a sex slave, you'll want the ability to drop your seat a bit and flick it around.
Jun 16 2010 10:55PM
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HeartBeatFaster
Posts: 723 - Karma: 26
I have done pretty well on craigslist... but you have to know what you're looking for and at. The best bikes under $700 would probably be the Motobecane's on bikesdirect.com. Not very well known but they test well and get good reviews. The components alone cost more than the bikes complete. The Fantom HT in the 18inch would be a good buy. http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mountain_bikes.htm

Otherwise it is still peak season for bikes but usually in July the local bike shops should start clearing out bikes. Might be worth stopping by one and just asking what they have and can do for you.
Jun 17 2010 12:00PM
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arandomname
Posts: 1989 - Karma: 18

So Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc or Jamis Dakar XC Bike? The Dakar is $640 and the Rockhopper is $550.

Jun 17 2010 3:56PM
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JsNeagle
Posts: 1405 - Karma: 1,577
Giant Talon 29er or Rincon would be worth considering as well.  PM me if you want, I work at a bike shop, we could talk prices.
Jun 17 2010 4:27PM
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s-hand
Posts: 1334 - Karma: 1,800
Try PerformanceBike.com.  They have a pretty wide range of prices on a lot of different bikes.
Jun 17 2010 5:10PM
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ngates_EC
Posts: 1464 - Karma: 807
I've been trail riding the east coast (MA) for a couple of years now. My Specialized Rockhopper works fine for most XC. The Fork has a lockout feature for riding on the road so that you are getting more direct power from pedaling. I would def recommend the bike. Make sure you get a model with disc brakes, and maybe think about upgrading to a pair of clipless pedals for $100.
Jun 17 2010 5:53PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
zipp 2001. don't ask questions, just buy one.
Jun 17 2010 6:16PM
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XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
you could look at geared dirt jumpers. ive got an STP that i use for all my mountain biking and i love it. its the best performing mountain bike ive had. all my bikes have been under 1000, most xc, and one dual suspension.

its still pretty good for commuting, i bike 10-20 miles across town on it all the time, its no road bike but its not bad.

only thing is that its not so great for climbing hills because of the gearing, but i still get up just as fast as my friends, i just have to hop off and push it up for some of the really super slow steep stuff. but going down, its awesome, if its like fast XC trails its amazing too. its just super tossable and extremely easy to control.
Jun 17 2010 6:41PM
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manny.ester
Posts: 708 - Karma: 141
look on pinkbike.com man, tons of good bikes and way cheaper than buying new, you can actually get a really nice bike for 700-800ish there
Jun 17 2010 8:08PM
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J.DUKE
Posts: 1233 - Karma: 38
giant has a sick 29er out now for around $650. cant think of the model name at the moment
Jun 18 2010 3:15AM
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arandomname
Posts: 1989 - Karma: 18

Thanks to everybody for the help.  So far it's between Specialized Hardrock Comp Disc and something from Giant.  Maybe the Yucon FX, Rincon (I think that's what it's called), or the Yucon regular.  Any other ideas?

Jun 18 2010 4:08PM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14535 - Karma: 11,049
Giant makes a nice bike.

I have a motobecane fantom pro 29'r that I got off bikesdirect and I love it. So much fun and it dominates the trails. I've taken it through some gnarly stuff.
Jun 18 2010 7:14PM
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arandomname
Posts: 1989 - Karma: 18
I looked at the Motobecanes on BikesDirect and then looked at reviews of the bikes and some people loved them and some people hated them.  More love than hate though.  They do seem like pretty decent bikes though.
Jun 20 2010 4:56PM
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ngates_EC
Posts: 1464 - Karma: 807
you should make sure you go out and ride any bike before you buy it. A lot of shops have demo bikes that you can ride for the day so you can get a feel of how it rides on your trails.
Jun 20 2010 5:26PM
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bt@509
Posts: 327 - Karma: 30
check out kona. they should have some sick offerings out there. as well as simple bikes if you are willing to throw down 1800 for a bad ass hand made bike. super sick. i would recommend starting to save tho cuz you'll be into racing before you know it. good luck man. keep in mind that bikes at 1000 are going to wear faster, weigh more, and not function as well in some areas as higher end bikes. but seeing as though you are just starting the giant would prolly be a good option for you. it's got a decent parts build that should hold up well. good luck.
Jun 20 2010 8:22PM
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Backyard.Skier
Posts: 5397 - Karma: 1,498
my first hardtail was a jamis komodo and i have nothing to complain about. they are super well made and last forever and the only thing wrong with mine is that the headtube pant is wearing off because of the cables but other then that everything is fine. i think it might be a bit over 700$ but well worth it in my opinion and you will love it for riding light trails and street.
Jun 21 2010 1:27AM
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Mex_LineJib^a
Posts: 3928 - Karma: 65

check out the buy/sell section at www.pinkbike.com, lot's of great deals on all sorts of bikes.

out of personal experience, if you are going to do any type of decent, i'd keep away from hardtails... they'll work at first, but once you progress you'll be kicking yourself for not getting a full suspension bike. There are great bikes out there that'll climb like a champ and would be hella fun on the way down, all at affordable prices... anywhere from 4 to 6 inches of rear and front travel should do you good. i'm sure you'll find something at pinkbike.

Jun 21 2010 4:37PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
i don't know a ton about bikes, but if you are considering the rockhopper, and some 29'ers, check out the rockhopper 29'er http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=45801&menuItemId=0
my brother got one, for about $700 i believe, and he really like it
Jun 21 2010 5:27PM
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TheBigD
Posts: 250 - Karma: 10
no, i'd go with a cannondale pong, but a zipp 2001 would be a close second.
Jun 21 2010 8:03PM
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arandomname
Posts: 1989 - Karma: 18
What about Canondale? Does Canondale make nice bikes? My local bike shop caries only Canondale, Giant, and Specialized.
Jun 22 2010 11:49AM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
cannondale road bikes are the tits. I have several messenger / racer friends who ride vintage cannondale exclusively. their non-cross country mountain bikes leave a lot to be desired though.

Jun 22 2010 1:00PM
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arandomname
Posts: 1989 - Karma: 18
So their cross country mountain bikes are the only good thing? Because that's what I'm looking for. Is the Canondale F7 CO2 hardtail any good?  My local shop has the some Giant stuff, the Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc which I tried out and really liked, and a bunch of Canondale.  I plan on going this weekend to try out stuff from Giant and Canondale but I just want to know what to try before I get there.
Jun 22 2010 3:07PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
their xc bikes are solid.
Jun 22 2010 4:16PM
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arandomname
Posts: 1989 - Karma: 18

Thanks man, It's now between the Canondale F7, Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc, and the Giant Yucon maybe.  Mainly between the F7 and Hardrock though.

Jun 23 2010 12:42PM
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ngates_EC
Posts: 1464 - Karma: 807
go with the hardrock. it will hold up to a good beating and its just a solid entry level bike
Jun 23 2010 4:30PM
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arandomname
Posts: 1989 - Karma: 18
Alright thanks for the help man.  I'll be going to pick it up from my local bike shop tomorrow.
Jun 23 2010 5:17PM
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TheRealEvan.
Posts: 311 - Karma: 9
any rocky mountian hardtail that you can get is a good choice
Jun 23 2010 10:19PM
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arandomname
Posts: 1989 - Karma: 18

I would look at Rocky Mountain, but my local bike shop carries mainly just Specialized, Giant, and Canondale.  So it's really only between those 3 manufacturers.

Jun 24 2010 4:31PM
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introvert
Posts: 4718 - Karma: 1,482
Get a bmx bike. Eastern Traildigger. $350, great bike, nuff said.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibmXc44kj-0
Jun 24 2010 4:53PM
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bt@509
Posts: 327 - Karma: 30
if you buy a cannondale do not buy a lefty. they are crap. and a joke. cannondale makes some nice stuff tho. my first hardtail was an 05 kona kula. spent 1100 i think and it was a seriously ba bike. i just sold it after 5 years of hard riding. stout component build and a nice frame too.
Jun 24 2010 11:25PM
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Flozz
Posts: 144 - Karma: 13
Agreed.

Everyone starts on a entry level bike, and the hardrock is a solid option. If you get hooked on mtb'ing you can always upgrade later.
Seeing its your first bike and you prolly don't have a relationship with your local bike store yet, if they're decent buy it from them. Don't know the prices, but at that price level I can't imagine that buying over the 'net would save you massive amounts of $. If it's the same as here, then buying it from a decent local store has advantages like repair jobs are generally cheaper and you might get it serviced free.

If you do get right into mountain biking a good relationship with your local bike store is invaluable!
Happy riding!
Jun 25 2010 1:04AM
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ngates_EC
Posts: 1464 - Karma: 807
yeah, I was going to mention that. unlike skis, you will prob need to be replacing parts of your bike like rims and chains and what not. you want to make sure you like the guys at your shop and that they are helpful because you are gona have to rely on them a lot for the performance of your bike and you want the best job and not to get ripped off. Make sure you choose the right people.

I pancaked the original front rim on my rockhopper a couple of years ago right after i bought it. I brought it to the shop I bought the bike and they said that the rim wasn't made anymore. I brought it to a different place (that I have been using since) they ordered the rim for me and put it on for free. So its nice to have a shop that does the best job even if you have to drive a little farther.
Jun 25 2010 4:59PM
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arandomname
Posts: 1989 - Karma: 18
I got the Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc today.  Thanks to everybody for the help and I love the bike so far.
Jun 26 2010 9:06PM
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