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First Mountain Bike?

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doot
Posts: 187 - Karma: 665
I'm looking for a solid, beginner-oriented hardtail bike under $1,000.

I've borrowed or rented bikes before, including full suspension bikes, but I want to buy a good one that will last me awhile. Obviously, at this price point, I won't get the most durable bike, but I'll settle for a solid couple years of light riding.

I'll be biking trails (not a lot of downhill) at my local state park, and am fairly sure a hardtail will be fine, at least until I get more serious.

That's about it, any recommendations?
Jul 5 2016 10:25PM
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doot
Posts: 187 - Karma: 665
(One more thing)

I'm currently considering the Fuji Nevada 29er 1.5 or 1.1 and the Specialized rockhopper
Jul 5 2016 10:26PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
Buy a used stumpjumper off of Pinkbike.com


Get a used "real" mtn bike, for the same price as a new hybrid bike and thank me later.
Jul 5 2016 11:54PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,183
californiagrownBuy a used stumpjumper off of Pinkbike.com


Get a used "real" mtn bike, for the same price as a new hybrid bike and thank me later.


this. You can get a really good hardtail and a pretty good Full suspension bike under $1k if you look. Like said above, pink bike is great, kinda like the newschoolers of biking.
Jul 5 2016 11:58PM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
for a couple hundred more you can get a brand new hard tail with an air fork and decent components.

but if you are looking for a used bike I would look for a bike from one of the major brands like trek, specialized, giant, cannondale, santa cruz, norco, kona, or salsa. something that is capable of building a real trail bike. an air fork from either fox or rockshox. shimano, deore or higher/ nothing from their A lines, or sram components, x5 or higher.
Jul 6 2016 12:55AM
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NEPTR
Posts: 766 - Karma: 1,936
Honestly get the trek 3700 or something similar, they van be found for around 400 new and although I would consider it a very shitty bike as a beginner its probably the best thing for you, I started with this bike and after 3 years of riding it, it gave me little troubles to the point where i named it my trusty trek. After a year or so you'll out grow it and then buy something good until then buy a shit bike!
Jul 6 2016 2:20AM
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daannnnieel
Posts: 5163 - Karma: 4,293
trek ticket, i have a bias towards transition tops because i own one and have a tr250 as well.

get a full out dirt jumper, riding trails on them is sketchy as fuck and you get really good at picking lines and everything else is fine.
Jul 6 2016 8:43PM
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CB4TSB
Posts: 428 - Karma: 1,221
If your going to ride park don't get a 29'r

Check out the Raleigh Tokul 2 its cross between a dirt jumper and cross country bike. You can slam the seat and have a DJ or raise it up for a XC bike. It is a very under rated bike

http://www.raleighusa.com/tokul-2
Jul 6 2016 9:08PM
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,014
1000 dollars will get you a pretty solid hardtail. go to a local bike shop and let the guys there know what you're looking for, and try out a few bikes. every major company is going to have a comparable bike in the $1000 price point, you just gotta try them out and see what fits you best.
Jul 6 2016 11:00PM
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freewillie
Posts: 429 - Karma: 3,321
dootI'm looking for a solid, beginner-oriented hardtail bike under $1,000.

I've borrowed or rented bikes before, including full suspension bikes, but I want to buy a good one that will last me awhile. Obviously, at this price point, I won't get the most durable bike, but I'll settle for a solid couple years of light riding.

I'll be biking trails (not a lot of downhill) at my local state park, and am fairly sure a hardtail will be fine, at least until I get more serious.

That's about it, any recommendations?


Diamondback hook, line, and sync'r line up.
Really great bikes, prolly wanna not get the hook, that way you don't out learn the bike. They have a little more aggressive geometry. I rec the sync'r bc it has a tapered head tube and that way if you want to upgrade your fork, you have a lot more options.
Jul 7 2016 12:44AM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
TSBIf your going to ride park don't get a 29'r

Check out the Raleigh Tokul 2 its cross between a dirt jumper and cross country bike. You can slam the seat and have a DJ or raise it up for a XC bike. It is a very under rated bike

http://www.raleighusa.com/tokul-2


Hmm, I ride a 29er at whistler 10-20 days a year and race DH on it as well.

As a 1 bike quiver, I'd be hard-pressed to find a better bike... gotta remember that 29" wheels effectively add travel, and also add traction ;). Certainly depends on your size and budget though.
Jul 7 2016 1:03AM
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freewillie
Posts: 429 - Karma: 3,321
californiagrownHmm, I ride a 29er at whistler 10-20 days a year and race DH on it as well.

As a 1 bike quiver, I'd be hard-pressed to find a better bike... gotta remember that 29" wheels effectively add travel, and also add traction ;). Certainly depends on your size and budget though.


how do you keep them true?
Jul 7 2016 2:44AM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
freewilliehow do you keep them true?


I don't need to true the wheels any more often than my buddy needs to true the wheels on his DH bike.
Jul 7 2016 9:33AM
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