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Good mountain bikes?

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t.dough
Posts: 413 - Karma: 1,090
I'm a highschooler looking for something to do when there's no snow, and I'd really like to get into mountain biking. I bike almost every day on a functioning mountain bike, but I've only taken it on roads and I get the feeling it's the bike equivalent of a Walmart skateboard.

I'm planning to go to a local shop that sells slightly used bikes, and I want to know what to look for in a good bike/bike parts so they won't convince me to buy a piece of shit.

Apr 20 2012 9:16PM
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,169
Well how much are you looking to spend? That will help get this thread off to a good start.
Apr 20 2012 9:18PM
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84891jnf92048
Posts: 11552 - Karma: 2,550
what kind of mountain biking are you looking to do? cross country, all mountain, downhill, freeride, dirt jumping...
Apr 20 2012 9:20PM
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midwestpowhunter
Posts: 2198 - Karma: 189
Craigslist or mtbr.com it all depends on what ur trying to get into. Also the size is pretty important and going the used route is cost affective but by going to a used shop u might get pushed into a bike that has the wrong size frame. Mtbr is dope it's like ns for mountain biking go there and explain what ur trying to get into then go to a store and act like ur gonna buy a new bike then get measured for a frame. Take that info and start searching for bikes. I think a budget would be a solid piece of info before you start asking people what u should buy. What u should buy is a loaded ? Full suspension hard tail then budget. It will determine components like derailors types of brakes forks shocks shit gets expensive quick
Apr 20 2012 9:24PM
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t.dough
Posts: 413 - Karma: 1,090
Money isn't a problem, but I don't want to spend a ridiculous amount. And again, I'm not looking to buy new, I just want to know what to look out for.

As for the kind of bike, I wouldn't be doing any cross country. I'd like something that could handle well downhill in narrow trails (there are a lot of those where I live) but I also want something that I could try new things with (like dirt jumping). All mountain or freeride sounds about right, but I know nothing about bikes.
Apr 20 2012 9:27PM
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Jibbin_Ur_Face
Posts: 2536 - Karma: 763
Also check pinkbike.com. Kinda like Newschoolers and you can find some killer deals!
Apr 20 2012 9:27PM
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t.dough
Posts: 413 - Karma: 1,090
If I wanted a decent (not great) bike how much should I be looking to spend?

Thanks for the other info man, I'll check those sites out.
Apr 20 2012 9:31PM
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84891jnf92048
Posts: 11552 - Karma: 2,550
Scott makes some pretty decent bikes with decent builds for just barely sub-$2000.

it goes up quick, though. (just as a point of reference, not trying to brag) the bike I'm currently building is probably going to end up being $6000+ retail value, and that's not even going for highest-end everything.
Apr 20 2012 9:33PM
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DANETRON
Posts: 6671 - Karma: 137
Personally I hate pink bike. Seems like every time I told some one I wanted what ever they were selling and I had paypal ready to go now I got into a bidding war with someone else and the price sky rocketed. Happened a bunch of times.
Apr 20 2012 9:33PM
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clive_bixby
Posts: 1834 - Karma: 499
Mongoose. Has double shocks
Apr 20 2012 9:39PM
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midwestpowhunter
Posts: 2198 - Karma: 189
I bet u could get a dec used downhill bike for 1000-1500
Apr 20 2012 9:40PM
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t.dough
Posts: 413 - Karma: 1,090
Shiiiiiiitttttttt, $6000?

$2000 is the amount I was thinking I would spend. Should I look into a Scott bike?
Apr 20 2012 9:41PM
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84891jnf92048
Posts: 11552 - Karma: 2,550
Yes, I would recommend it. Scott makes some really fun bikes that ride really well with decent parts and builds, for a good price. I think one of the greatest things about buying a less top-of-the-line bike is that you get the same frame, and everything works the same way as the top of the line these days, so as you break stuff, you might have more money over time than you would all in one go and you can upgrade parts, and eventually end up with a pretty nice bike.
Apr 20 2012 9:44PM
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chuck_testa
Posts: 1469 - Karma: 52
alright heres my list based on what you said your kinda interested in:
Specialized SX: more of a freeride bike, still light though, only weighs about 31 pounds considering the travel the bike has(which is about 6-7 inches) its about $4000 retail new

yeti sb-66. its more of an all mountain bike with 6 inches of travel. its lighter than the SX and is ment for tough climbs and even tougher descents. it retails $3000 to probably as low as $1500 depending on the components you put on it.

I also recommend a yeti asr 7. this bike is like your power house do it all bike. climbs like a machine, goes downhill smoothly and has 7 inches of travel. retails like $2500 new.
Personally i think yeti makes the best bikes hands down. they're still hand made for the most part and haven had as many reports of breaking like kona, knolly, rocky mountain, and scott has had. dont get me wrong those companies are great but they overprice the hell out of them for what they put into making sure the bike works right and how well their built.

Apr 20 2012 10:11PM
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cultrara
Posts: 5147 - Karma: 46,849
i just got a specialized hardrock sport for 580, you can easily stay under 1000 and get a great bike
Apr 20 2012 11:40PM
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Krokodile
Posts: 350 - Karma: 40
I'm looking to get into mountain biking as well, a mix of downhill at my local resorts with probably building some trails near my house, so I guess I'm looking at something that has the ability to climb, but still more DH oriented.

I rode a lot of BMX back in the day, but that was mainly street.  I've ridden some mountain bikes, though, but mainly cheaper ones like Diamondbacks.

Would I be able to pick up a decent used freeride bike for like $800?

Saw a couple 2005ish models on pinkbike that looked pretty nice in the 750-900 range.
Apr 20 2012 11:42PM
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84891jnf92048
Posts: 11552 - Karma: 2,550
yeah, you could. by these days, 2005 is pretty outdated, but it will get it done.
Apr 20 2012 11:44PM
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Yeezy
Posts: 1652 - Karma: 206
or not, because generally specialized's are overpriced pieces of shit+Hardrocks should be worth maybe 300, they can handle as much off road as a fish can.
Apr 21 2012 12:01AM
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word.is.bond.
Posts: 164 - Karma: 14
Specialized Epic or S-Works
Apr 21 2012 12:01AM
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AKilness
Posts: 364 - Karma: 246
i just got a specialized carve, shimano erathing and so much fun. rockhopper if you want somthin cheaper
Apr 21 2012 12:55AM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,684
If there is a decent bike community in your AO, craigslist is your friend. I have picked up several $1500-$3000 bikes for sub $1000.

Apr 21 2012 1:01AM
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klayer_9
Posts: 2037 - Karma: 188
These are some brands I would look into. Older hard tail models are cheaper and better for someone who is just getting into mountain biking.

Specialized
Diamond Back
Raleigh
Kona

Apr 21 2012 1:15AM
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Krokodile
Posts: 350 - Karma: 40
Why do most people recommend starting on a hardtail?  Can they handle most DH applications?  Finally, what are some good bikes to look at in regards to DH-capable hardtails?

It's cool that they're cheaper, for sure, but I don't want to buy a bike that I'll have to replace in a year or two because I've progressed too much for it and need something with full suspension.
Apr 21 2012 2:17AM
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Skiing.Nz
Posts: 279 - Karma: 49
Not a kona trust me they are pieces of shit IMO. I would try something like a scott they make reasonable bike for not outrageous prices. Even a older Giant glory would go well, I loved mine. But if you go down that route for sure buy used.
Apr 21 2012 2:36AM
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bermbuster49
Posts: 7445 - Karma: 90
i got my specialized camber 29er full suspension for 1800 last year, it was 2,200 mrsp but you can deff get a really nice bike for $2000 bucks.


but you should probably just get a $500 hard tail and make sure you really like it before dropping that kind of change
Apr 21 2012 9:50AM
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t-roy
Posts: 4041 - Karma: 52
agreed, especially for someone just getting into mountain biking.
Apr 21 2012 9:57AM
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OssargYormada
Posts: 671 - Karma: 186

I'll sell you my giant nrs

Click for larger image

Apr 21 2012 9:58AM
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*N_Wist*
Posts: 422 - Karma: 79
Getting a hard tail for just getting into mountain biking is a good idea. It teaches you how to handle the bike a lot better and it develops your skills on the bike.
Apr 21 2012 10:05AM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,411
This. I'm riding a stock katmandu on some flat, and slightly downhill, very tight and technical trails. Good bike to learn stuff on. I've dj'ed the thing on smaller jumps to.
Apr 21 2012 10:56AM
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Swagzilla
Posts: 195 - Karma: 85
also look into the specialised status the have a version for about 2300 also the Scott bikes are sick
Apr 21 2012 11:24AM
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clive_bixby
Posts: 1834 - Karma: 499
Transition!
Apr 21 2012 12:18PM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
if you can afford a nice full suspension bike go for it. Full suspension is so much better than hardtail. so much more comfortable ride. Plus you wont kill yourself on trails with lots of roots, drops, etc.

Unless your going to be doing a lot of downhill. Get a nice all mountain trail bike like 6 inches of suspension would be plenty. Coil rear suspensino if you want to step your downhill game up.
Apr 21 2012 12:39PM
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montanan
Posts: 1787 - Karma: 1,346
coil rear for life
Apr 21 2012 3:30PM
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D3NZ3L
Posts: 556 - Karma: 37
If you want a great all around full suspension bike that will work for everything get an ns soda.

http://www.nsbikes.com/2012/frames-and-forks/soda.html

NS makes amazing bikes, i have an NS suburban and its is amazing. It is a hardtail Dirt Jumper but i ride it on downhill and freeride trails all the time, i prefer hardtail over full suspension.
Apr 21 2012 3:42PM
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Spic-N-SpaN
Posts: 2002 - Karma: 1,465
This. I have a vagrant that I built and that thing is a beast. I dont get to ride it much though and need to sell it.
Apr 21 2012 3:49PM
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t.dough
Posts: 413 - Karma: 1,090
I have a hard tail (I think it's some brand called iron horse, not a very nice bike) I just thought I might want to treat myself to something a little more high-end.
Apr 21 2012 3:57PM
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m-tang
Posts: 340 - Karma: 97

Transition Blindside! Or bottlerocket.

Also see if you could pick up used Iron Horse 7-series bike. Those bikes are awesome and can do it all.

Apr 21 2012 5:06PM
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stupendous-man
Posts: 8637 - Karma: 13,293
I'd highly recommend companies such as Transition, NS, and Banshee. If you look around on pinkbike you can find some mad deals on these bikes.
Apr 21 2012 5:46PM
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*N_Wist*
Posts: 422 - Karma: 79
I wasn't saying don't go full suspension they do ride a hell of a lot better then hardtail. just if you are getting into the sport you can pick up a great hardtail bike for sub $1000 to get you started and learn the basic skills before you step up to a full suspension bike where you might try something the bikes capable of but your not. Just from experience not having a rear shock (when I ride Dj) the rear end bucks around a lot on trails with a ton of roots because theres no rear shock this makes you learn to bend your knees and absorb the bumps also teaches you how to keep your feet on the pedals. so when you go to full suspension you won't feel any of that and you will be able to handle the bike much better.
Apr 21 2012 6:01PM
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