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Bike trails in Michigan?

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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
Hey guys, I really want to try to get into mountain biking this summer, but living in SE Michigan pretty much sucks for that. Does anyone know of some trails in the area that I could check out?
Mar 4 2011 3:48PM
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teamdummy
Posts: 1188 - Karma: 2,604
idk how south you are, but exit 101 off of I75 has some  sweet single tracks. there is like an 11 mile loop. its just north of where pine knob ski area.
Mar 4 2011 4:01PM
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BestDamnSkier
Posts: 275 - Karma: 14
http://www.mmba.org/trail-guide
Mar 4 2011 5:30PM
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[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
this. I recommend stony creek, pontiac lake
Mar 4 2011 5:34PM
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gpitcher
Posts: 2626 - Karma: 1,691
boyne highlands upnorth has some
Mar 4 2011 6:43PM
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bsmith01
Posts: 1639 - Karma: 43
http://mmba.org/index.php?option=com_trailguide&task=trail&cid[]=18

I've only ridden this one in SE MI. I kind of stopped riding XC but what I remember it was pretty good. Im from northwest ohio and got to say, the area sucks for biking and skiing. I hope you are somewhat north, it probably opens up a lot of options
Mar 4 2011 7:58PM
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soulskier
Posts: 17806 - Karma: 3,841
and some badass disc golf courses!
Mar 4 2011 10:07PM
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Turnup_swiperigh
Posts: 990 - Karma: 108
cannonsburgs got a pretty good trial, i ride it quite a bit in the summer
Mar 5 2011 1:27PM
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Crehm
Posts: 951 - Karma: 842
Highland recreation area has some INTENSE single track, extened rock fields and brutal climbs, with awesome swooping downhills. Far and away the best trail system i have ever ridden, and i have ridden almost all the trails in the area, one of the climbs is probly pushing 250 feet vertical it is amazing!!!
Mar 7 2011 8:53PM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
Thanks for the help, guys. Now...on to bikes. I've been to two different local bike shops, and they both told me totally different things, so I'm not sure what I really want. I pretty much think that I'm gonna go with a hardtail XC bike. One shop told me definitely go with a 29'er if I'm a beginner MTBer because it will be easier to climb and get over obstacles and be more fun, but the other shop said stay away from 29'ers and go 26 full suspension (I'm not going to be able to afford a fs bike) because it's way more fun and easier to maneuver, quicker, lighter, etc, especially coming from a BMX background. I've been looking at the Giant XTC 2 and XTC 29er 2, but I'm kinda torn on which size wheel to go with. I was also looking a few bikes from Kona, Trek, and Specialized, Any input?
Mar 7 2011 9:19PM
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bsmith01
Posts: 1639 - Karma: 43
Whats your budget? You should consider buying used as well, check out pinkbike and ridemonkey.
Mar 7 2011 10:13PM
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bsmith01
Posts: 1639 - Karma: 43
Sorry for dub post but I forgot to say craigslist too. Here are a few in the Detroit area but I don't know your size:

Mar 7 2011 10:21PM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
I was thinking a max of $1500 for a budget, and the dude at the shop said I'd probably be a 19" because I'm 6'1"

That Rockhopper is temping, though. Do you think 21" would be too big?
Mar 7 2011 11:08PM
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bsmith01
Posts: 1639 - Karma: 43
This sounds like it would fit good: http://www.evanscycles.com/product_document/file/2b5/7f5/2b1/45/specialized-rockhopper-sizing-chart.pdf

You could probably even low ball a bit and get to $300. Its definitely not the greatest bike but it will work for XC riding and you can always sell it and upgrade in the future. I think the most important thing is to get some saddle time right now.
Mar 7 2011 11:27PM
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Crehm
Posts: 951 - Karma: 842
Im 5'9 and i ride a 26 inch whell gary fisher wahoo disk, its a really nice bike and is pretty cheap, definatley go for the hardtail, as the extra suspension adds weight and lots of price to the bike. I personally prefer a 26 inch rim just because they are lighter and all you have to do is pick the front wheel up a lilbit to have the same performance as 29ers.
Mar 8 2011 3:22PM
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BestDamnSkier
Posts: 275 - Karma: 14
Go with a used bike. I ride an old Specialized Hardrock (with Rim Brakes and an RST Fork. :-O ), but I still have fun. I would like to upgrade the fork, but it would triple how much I bought the bike for. ($100)
Mar 8 2011 5:57PM
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