Member of the Month

hi_vis360
November, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Beginner biker

profile picture
smh
Posts: 410 - Karma: 2,144
Hey guys, before I go make a pinkbike account and ask questions there I was curious if anyone here was into all mountain biking and could offer some advice! Looking for that summer sport that'll give the a workout for ski season and a similar rush. Don't have a bike or any real trail experience, was curious what tech is outdated or I should avoid and also what a good price/year/setup would be for an entry level guy like myself!
May 17 2019 10:31AM
2 0
profile picture
skierman
Posts: 8369 - Karma: 7,584
"Hey guys, before I create an account on a biking-specific website where everyone can easily answer my bike questions, I've decided to ask a ski-specific website instead!"
May 17 2019 12:50PM
9 15
profile picture
Bdoobz
Posts: 838 - Karma: 4,893
What do your local trails look like? Fairly flat and flowy with a little bit of tech or more janky and downhill?

If flatter, I'd say go for a hardtail 27.5+ bike. Will be a bit rougher that a full suspension but the high volume tires will dampen a lot of the trail. It will will also be the most economical option.

If the trails are rough and aggressive, go for a full suspension. The travel the bike has will depend on what kind of trails you ride. These bikes will be more expensive but may be necessary in your location.

If buying used:
Be sure the bike is legit. A lot of shitty people will try to sell you a cracked frame or a bike with a seized fork. Just be aware.

Things to avoid:
26 inch wheels. Unless you're buying a dirt jumper don't go for a 26 inch wheeled bike. The industry has long gone past this former standard and they are fully outclassed by a 27.5 inch or 29 inch wheel.

If you can, go for a 1x drivetrain. Not only does it look cleaner, it's also more mechanically simple.

Hopefully this helps and good luck
May 17 2019 1:05PM
6 0
profile picture
smh
Posts: 410 - Karma: 2,144
skierman"Hey guys, before I create an account on a biking-specific website where everyone can easily answer my bike questions, I've decided to ask a ski-specific website instead!"

Thought some people here may offer good advice and want to talk bikes that are like-minded in the realm of my main hobby
May 17 2019 1:15PM
5 0
profile picture
smh
Posts: 410 - Karma: 2,144
BdoobzWhat do your local trails look like? Fairly flat and flowy with a little bit of tech or more janky and downhill?

If flatter, I'd say go for a hardtail 27.5+ bike. Will be a bit rougher that a full suspension but the high volume tires will dampen a lot of the trail. It will will also be the most economical option.

If the trails are rough and aggressive, go for a full suspension. The travel the bike has will depend on what kind of trails you ride. These bikes will be more expensive but may be necessary in your location.

If buying used:
Be sure the bike is legit. A lot of shitty people will try to sell you a cracked frame or a bike with a seized fork. Just be aware.

Things to avoid:
26 inch wheels. Unless you're buying a dirt jumper don't go for a 26 inch wheeled bike. The industry has long gone past this former standard and they are fully outclassed by a 27.5 inch or 29 inch wheel.

If you can, go for a 1x drivetrain. Not only does it look cleaner, it's also more mechanically simple.

Hopefully this helps and good luck


Tha is for the advice! Looking at an '08 Santa Cruz nomad with a new fork or a '16 ns surge evo hardtail...both under $1000 and local, very undecided haha
May 17 2019 1:17PM
2 0
profile picture
Non_State_Actor
Posts: 4874 - Karma: 17,328
If you didn't know already Blister has bike reviews and also "Bike 101" articles on the basics of geometry and other factors that go into choosing a specific bike for your needs.
May 17 2019 2:23PM
2 0
profile picture
skierman
Posts: 8369 - Karma: 7,584
tyler1719Thought some people here may offer good advice and want to talk bikes that are like-minded in the realm of my main hobby


That makes zero sense.
May 17 2019 3:30PM
2 12
profile picture
Dddsz
Posts: 3042 - Karma: 7,326
skierman"Hey guys, before I create an account on a biking-specific website where everyone can easily answer my bike questions, I've decided to ask a ski-specific website instead!"

Slit my throat please just make me bleed all over and lick it up
May 17 2019 4:23PM
4 0
profile picture
OregonDead
Posts: 6924 - Karma: 24,794
Greg LeMond's introduction to cycling came in 1975 thanks to freestyle skiing pioneer Wayne Wong, who recommended the bike as an ideal off-season training aid.
Freestyle skiers are the go to if you need advice on this topic or pretty much anything else.
May 17 2019 4:45PM
4 0
profile picture
WoFIowz
Posts: 9791 - Karma: 72,406
skierman"Hey guys, before I create an account on a biking-specific website where everyone can easily answer my bike questions, I've decided to ask a ski-specific website instead!"


Funny thing is a lot of people on here bike, and the one who probably knows a lot is a huge dick and posts immature responses. Op was fine to start here
May 17 2019 5:02PM
9 0
profile picture
smh
Posts: 410 - Karma: 2,144
Any thoughts on a 2011 GT Force 2.0....found one in great shape for only $450 and was curious if this is something I should jump on as a good beginner bike...
May 18 2019 2:18PM
2 0
profile picture
Grom
Posts: 311 - Karma: 2,105
tyler1719Any thoughts on a 2011 GT Force 2.0....found one in great shape for only $450 and was curious if this is something I should jump on as a good beginner bike...


Seems like a really good deal, just make sure it's in good condition. If it is possible for you to try to check it out in person before you buy.
May 18 2019 7:48PM
1 0
profile picture
Evantheshredster
Posts: 429 - Karma: 935
tyler1719Tha is for the advice! Looking at an '08 Santa Cruz nomad with a new fork or a '16 ns surge evo hardtail...both under $1000 and local, very undecided haha


go for the surge if your trails are less gnarly and more flow
May 20 2019 2:51PM
0 0
profile picture
skierman
Posts: 8369 - Karma: 7,584
The referenced post has been removed.


Another piece of horrible advice given by some jackass on a ski website.

Great idea creating this thread on here instead of Pinkbike.
May 20 2019 5:00PM
0 6
profile picture
TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12519 - Karma: 116,330
Young children wanting to buy a tricycle gets brutally murdered with words by a dylan manley lookalike
May 20 2019 5:23PM
6 0
profile picture
CLQ
Posts: 2709 - Karma: 11,261
skiermanAnother piece of horrible advice given by some jackass on a ski website.

Great idea creating this thread on here instead of Pinkbike.

What’s the reasoning behind buying a FS off the get go? I’d say a hardtail is a great beginner bike
May 20 2019 5:29PM
5 0
profile picture
JmckR
Posts: 1283 - Karma: 5,911
Funny thing is that the Pinkbike forum is a full on ghost town so you'll easily get better answers on here as strange as it is.
May 20 2019 7:56PM
9 0
profile picture
Grom
Posts: 311 - Karma: 2,105
skiermanAnother piece of horrible advice given by some jackass on a ski website.

Great idea creating this thread on here instead of Pinkbike.


started out on a hardtail, then moved to a full suspension, made me a lot better of a rider. Do you even mtb? doesn't seem like it
May 20 2019 7:57PM
7 0
profile picture
smh
Posts: 410 - Karma: 2,144
Update, got the GT force a couple days ago...my buddy took me out on a trail wayyyy beyond my ability and had the time of my life beating the shit out of myself!!Oh and @skierman, tried this thread on pinkbike too and got a fraction of the advice I received here if that says anything
May 20 2019 10:08PM
6 0
profile picture
CalumSKI
Posts: 4163 - Karma: 23,601
tyler1719Update, got the GT force a couple days ago...my buddy took me out on a trail wayyyy beyond my ability and had the time of my life beating the shit out of myself!!Oh and @skierman, tried this thread on pinkbike too and got a fraction of the advice I received here if that says anything


good stuff
can u post a photo of the bike cause i really wanna see it
also skierman is one of the most useless people on this site
May 21 2019 8:46AM
5 0
profile picture
Evantheshredster
Posts: 429 - Karma: 935
tastybarrelsstarted out on a hardtail, then moved to a full suspension, made me a lot better of a rider. Do you even mtb? doesn't seem like it


facts
May 21 2019 2:24PM
0 0
profile picture
Evantheshredster
Posts: 429 - Karma: 935
tastybarrelsstarted out on a hardtail, then moved to a full suspension, made me a lot better of a rider. Do you even mtb? doesn't seem like it


facts
May 21 2019 2:25PM
0 0
profile picture
tsingtaofanatic
Posts: 3344 - Karma: 4,586
that's gangsta
May 21 2019 4:02PM
1 5
profile picture
Non_State_Actor
Posts: 4874 - Karma: 17,328
satanworshipperthat's gangsta


That is, indeed, gangster.
May 21 2019 4:23PM
2 0
profile picture
smh
Posts: 410 - Karma: 2,144
Here it is! I actually was primarily looking at hardtails but couldn't pass up the deal on this one. Need wider handlebars and maybe a dropper but she'll do for now!

**This post was edited on May 21st 2019 at 5:00:11pm
May 21 2019 4:59PM
3 0
profile picture
skierman
Posts: 8369 - Karma: 7,584
tastybarrelsstarted out on a hardtail, then moved to a full suspension, made me a lot better of a rider. Do you even mtb? doesn't seem like it


"Full suspension off the bat will just make you a lazy rider with bad habits"

Again, baseless and horrible advice. Let me guess, you only started riding in the past 5 years and mainly ride lift-serviced bike parks? Yeah, I thought so.
May 22 2019 12:21PM
0 5
profile picture
CalumSKI
Posts: 4163 - Karma: 23,601
skierman"Full suspension off the bat will just make you a lazy rider with bad habits"

Again, baseless and horrible advice. Let me guess, you only started riding in the past 5 years and mainly ride lift-serviced bike parks? Yeah, I thought so.


wOw SkIeRmAn U aRe SuCh A pRo MoUnTaIn BiKeR
May 22 2019 1:43PM
6 0
profile picture
Lonely
Posts: 6764 - Karma: 62,108
skierman"Hey guys, before I create an account on a biking-specific website where everyone can easily answer my bike questions, I've decided to ask a ski-specific website instead!"


Skierman is just worried you'll find his skiing videos on pinkbike. Shreds tho
May 22 2019 2:27PM
5 0
profile picture
Sharkie14
Posts: 95 - Karma: 325
FS was definitely the way to go if you got a good deal on it, especially if that’s the kind of terrain you want to be riding. Pinkbike can be dope but I’ve had much better luck interacting with people in the DH scene just by local Facebook groups!
May 22 2019 4:35PM
0 0
profile picture
bait
Posts: 1226 - Karma: 3,580
skierman"Full suspension off the bat will just make you a lazy rider with bad habits"

Again, baseless and horrible advice. Let me guess, you only started riding in the past 5 years and mainly ride lift-serviced bike parks? Yeah, I thought so.


Haha yah man OP is a newb and everyone except you in this thread sucks.
May 22 2019 6:03PM
3 0
profile picture
skierman
Posts: 8369 - Karma: 7,584
baitHaha yah man OP is a newb and everyone except you in this thread sucks.


Haha yah man cuz like that's totz like wat my post waz abut.
Jul 15 2019 5:35PM
0 4
All times are Eastern (-5)