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MTB what to get?

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jcc03skis
Posts: 1002 - Karma: 1,020
I wan't to do some "real" MTB but have no idea on what bikes are good, brands etc...

Fill me on everything off-road, also it there any good up kept forums?
Oct 2 2011 5:35PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
what's your price range and what kind of trails do you have access to? that'll determine your bike. i recommend starting out with a good xc hardtail and upgrading to fs if you feel the need but you may not, i ride only hardtails now and i use to love fs

pinkbike is the biggest bike forum
Oct 2 2011 5:37PM
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lands11
Posts: 1818 - Karma: 1,677
Pinkbike.com is to biking what NS is to freestyle skiing
Oct 2 2011 5:42PM
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jcc03skis
Posts: 1002 - Karma: 1,020
I don't have a price range yet, so I wan't to know what I can get from all different price ranges, 300-400, 500-600, 700+, I will go all over for trails so I need a all around bike.
Oct 2 2011 5:44PM
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SkiJay.
Posts: 1550 - Karma: 653
This..  check out pinkbike. they should have everything you need. i used to freeride/downhill and its alot of fun, but what type of riding you do definatley determines what type of bike to get.
Oct 2 2011 5:45PM
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Flying~Squirrel
Posts: 6494 - Karma: 192
when i started riding i got an '09 cannondale f5 for 800 bucks. i still love taking it out sometimes because its just a really great bike, lots of power and super good cornering. but if you become more serious riding it then youre probably gonna want to upgrade the derailleurs so something better. i still love thta bike to death.
Oct 2 2011 6:09PM
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stupendous-man
Posts: 8637 - Karma: 13,293
.
Oct 2 2011 6:11PM
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J.M
Posts: 2854 - Karma: 254

yeah go to pinkbike.com

good brands are jamis, trek, cannondale, kona, i think khs, rocky mountain, specialized, i think scott is good, and a few others

Oct 2 2011 6:19PM
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vandersteeze
Posts: 2650 - Karma: 1,511
Santa Cruz v10 is what you need
Oct 2 2011 6:20PM
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J..H
Posts: 646 - Karma: 73
Definitely look into a Trek Fuel 8. A great mix between a pretty heavy suspension bike but also great for cross country bike.
Oct 2 2011 6:22PM
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gotti
Posts: 4269 - Karma: 4,550
Dude the least a mountain bike costs at end of season is 1200 for the cheapest. If you want a quality mountain bike your minimum should be about 2000 at end of season. At peak season, mountain bikes can run into the 5000s so you have to have a pretty high budget. Banshee makes quality bikes.
Oct 2 2011 6:26PM
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nagelthebagel
Posts: 205 - Karma: 36
just get a trek session 9.9 carbon
Oct 2 2011 6:32PM
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jcc03skis
Posts: 1002 - Karma: 1,020
See, thats why I don't know shit, I am perpared to spend when do you think the best time to buy is?
Oct 2 2011 6:32PM
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gotti
Posts: 4269 - Karma: 4,550
Actually, the best time to buy is now, the mtb season is over. I would take a trek (no pun intended) up to your local mtb mountain, or ski mountain that has a mtb program and talk to the shop owner about buying one of their used bikes. If this is your first time buying, I wouldn't suggest buying a new bike, because you don't need one, those bikes are built crazy tough. You can negotiate with the shop owner too usually such as saying, "I will take this for [whatever price he says] if you put new tires on it." However, if you really have no budget and got the money, I would buy the bike of the year I think it was a specialized but I'm not sure. Look it up.
Oct 2 2011 6:41PM
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b.utters
Posts: 321 - Karma: 99
Getting a second hand bike is the best option for you atm. If you are looking for something under $1000 you will probably be able to find a well sepc'd hardtail that will get you by for most of the riding you will be doing.

If you really get into trail riding then you might want to save up, sell your hardtail and get something like a Specialized Camber. Great geometry and reasonably well spec'd for the price and also a ton of fun just about anywhere you take it.
Oct 2 2011 9:13PM
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.Emerson.
Posts: 1548 - Karma: 16
Ya a V10 is a good bike for you OP
Oct 2 2011 9:18PM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
my 2012 operator rips shit:

http://www.konaworld.com/gravity_dual_suspension.cfm?content=operator
Oct 2 2011 9:24PM
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ShredAZ
Posts: 1054 - Karma: 641
As others have mention:
Assuming you'll be riding your own mountain and not using a resort chair lift, purchase a hardtail for your first bike with XC frame geometry.
Better power transfer to the rear wheel (no peddle bob), lighter frame, and they typically run cheaper with better components.

First example, my first bike was a Motobecane Fantom FS Comp. Great bike with awesome components, but for the same price, I could have purchased a much better hardtail with much better components.

Get a bike with a really good frame, front fork, and derailleurs. Always a good place start.
I wouldn't settle for anything under a Shimano XT rear derailleur or SRAM X.6.
Also, don't buy a bike with a cheap ass RockShox Dart fork. Blahh. Like a pogo stick. TERRIBLE fork.

Usually the quality/level of fork they throw on a bike will have to say A LOT about the rest of the bike's components.
I'm a huge advocate of RockShox's forks. The Tora, Recon, Reba are a few good entry level/middle of the road forks that offer good travel, options, and dampening.

The list goes on and on forever. I'm barely touching the tip of the iceberg. This is just a nutshell.
Definitely dig around pinkbike.com or mtbr.com. Read some write-ups and ghost the forums to get a quality understanding.
Oct 2 2011 9:26PM
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Jakx~
Posts: 653 - Karma: 503

Definantly go for a hard tail, best to just learn on. i just got into it this summer and I got a novara ponderosa, with a couple of upgraded parts like the cranks and handle bars for $350, which was a steal looking back at it. But things I've found that i would focus on when buying a bike for a first time, is rear derailleur, and brakes. after that or i would look at forks, wish mine was a little softer than it is. But when you purchase a bike get a comfy seat (saddle) for you. In my opinion its like boots when skiing, your but will be hurting on a long ride. But that thing has taken me everywhere with little complaint. hardest ride i've done with it is a 22 mile climb up 3,500 in elevation.

so look around and look for a good deal. But the components are way more important than the frame shape and look, but still make sure its your size. And definantly do alot of research on derailleurs and the pyramid of it so you know what your looking at.

Oct 2 2011 10:43PM
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SPskier543
Posts: 2413 - Karma: 324
I used to have big DH bikes and some full suspension all mtn bikes, but I sold most of them and bought a really light weight rigid single speed 29er and it's the most fun bike ever. I will never buy another suspension bike I don't think, simplicity is the way to go, I don't even notice the fact that there is no suspension either. You feel connected with trail and the 29inch tires make a big difference
Oct 2 2011 10:47PM
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jcc03skis
Posts: 1002 - Karma: 1,020
Hmm... I may just have to look into some 29er, or a dj bike will a dirt jump bike still be able to handle trail.
Oct 2 2011 11:03PM
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SPskier543
Posts: 2413 - Karma: 324
Some should be able to, but usually dj frames are pretty heavy
Oct 2 2011 11:05PM
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stupendous-man
Posts: 8637 - Karma: 13,293
if hes looking in to a hardtail, at the end of the season, 1200 is pretty high. I got my dirt jumper/light freeride bike built up with a fully custom setup for about 900, new. i guess it all really depends on where you go and if you buy a complete or not, but if you want FS then about 2000 is the lowest your gonna find a relatively nice one for at end of season.(unless you buy it used, then that drops to maby 1200)
Oct 2 2011 11:06PM
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chuck_testa
Posts: 1469 - Karma: 52
fuck ya 9,000 dollar dh bikes. lol seriously though specialized makes good bikes, and santa cruz makes good bikes, Yeti and rocky mountain bikes are the ones to buy used. They seem to last longer and don't need as many repairs. Check pinkbike everyday for new deals in your area.
my source is my uncle and cousin in the mtb industry.
Oct 2 2011 11:13PM
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jcc03skis
Posts: 1002 - Karma: 1,020
I think I wan't a FR Hardtail so I can hit some jump but also ride the trails, recommendations ?
Oct 2 2011 11:18PM
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chuck_testa
Posts: 1469 - Karma: 52
dirt jumping? I see... check here this company makes the best dj bikes
Oct 2 2011 11:21PM
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jcc03skis
Posts: 1002 - Karma: 1,020
There not dj specific?
Oct 2 2011 11:23PM
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chuck_testa
Posts: 1469 - Karma: 52
the cove 2 is "freeride" their really nice bikes overral. My friend has one. He mainly does dj but like once a week he rides the trails with me on his bike by them. I mean you kinda have to favor one side or another. If you do more dj get a dj bike because they will work on trails, but an enduro/cross country race bike will not work for dirt jumping
Oct 2 2011 11:26PM
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SkiJay.
Posts: 1550 - Karma: 653
I think jamis makes some nice FR hard tails.. if your getting into freeride though, i would highly reccomend an Iron Horse 7 point 7 or a 7 point 5. you can pick them up pretty cheap and they are super fun to ride. Or kona makes som sick freeride bikes too
Oct 3 2011 2:31AM
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stupendous-man
Posts: 8637 - Karma: 13,293
yeah Iron Horse went bankrupt, so you can occasionally find some 7 point 5s for super cheap. also check out cove bikes and banshee, they are both pretty solid brands with nice freeeride hartails.
Oct 3 2011 10:23PM
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Jakx~
Posts: 653 - Karma: 503
the problem you'll run into with getting a cross country/dj bike is if you get a "XC" the chain will flop around on the chains on the jumps and will suck riding out on. And if you get a dj you'll have a) no gears or b) a very small choice of gears, no where near enough to competently take on a trail. so keep that in mind. Honestly i wouldnt try and mix the two of those bikes into one, cause the frame sizes are also different and i would hate using either of the frames for the opposite use.
Oct 5 2011 5:24PM
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jcc03skis
Posts: 1002 - Karma: 1,020
I've decided to get look for a AM Hardtail, instead of a dj hybrid.

What do you guys think is the best for the price?
Oct 5 2011 5:32PM
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ShredAZ
Posts: 1054 - Karma: 641
You can still hit mad jumps with a XC frame.
You don't need a DJ frame for jumping. DJ frames are just better for performing tricks and tossing around the in the air. Also have a lower seat for harder landings.

You'll be fine with a XC frame. You'll enjoy it more too.
IMO DJ is not mountain biking - it's dirt jumping - usually on a track.
Oct 5 2011 6:43PM
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SkiJay.
Posts: 1550 - Karma: 653
Just go to your local sporting goods store to sit on bikes and get a feel for what you want. see what frame sizes you like and options you want.  You can get a good AM hardtail for around 600-900 bucks with decent forks, a good shift system, and hydraulic disc brakes.
Oct 5 2011 10:40PM
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H8CH
Posts: 2709 - Karma: 218
Check out Fezzari's..... a helluva lot of bike for the money... great service too.. based in utah.
Oct 5 2011 10:52PM
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