[Feelundseenna]

I believe I posted a thread about buying a new Mountain Bike last spring. Well I didn't, so I'm here again to discuss it.

A larger bike is what I was shopping for, and found this 22.5" frame with 26" wheels. It is much lighter than my old cast iron-like 18 speed and has a front fork shock.

http://www.trekbikes.com/int/en/bike...3_series/3700/





This bike I can get for $300.00. That seems like a reasonable price, but the thing is, I don't know anything about bikes.

The bike store told me they can put the 2.4" wide tires on it and it would fit fine.

Does anyone have any suggestions about this bike?
________
CHRYSLER IMPERIAL PARADE PHAETON SPECIFICATIONS

[FsQGF1Mp]

its not much cop for a mountain bike,

if you can call it a mountain bike at all I wouldn't trust it down a gnarly technical trail.

if ur gonna use it for riding around ur town with no off roading it will be fine but for 150 quids dont expect some hill eating beast.

mind you one of my mates had an Apollo creed and he whooped my ass with it and have a pretty funky mountain bike that cost 3 times his so looks can be deceiving,

[Feelundseenna]

What I want is to buy a bike that will be good as my skill progresses. I used to go mountain biking on some tough trails, but since it's been a while, I'll likely start softer. I'll also be riding some paved areas, but off road is much more fun.

The $2000.00 bike was awesome, but I am not spending that much on a bicycle. The $500.00 range was what I was thinking before finding the Trek.

Any recommendations on other bikes can be useful. I really also like the larger frame and so many bikes don't come that big.
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LovelyWendie99

[lungumnentibe]

If youre going to go cheap on a bike, you might as well ditch suspension altogether. The front shock on that is a piece of crap, and therefore you might as well not have one at all. It's not really going to give you any benefit over a rigid frame (and it'll probably blow out after a couple uses, forcing you to spend more to replace it).

[HottBrorb]

For pavement the shock only adds weight and maintenance issues, with zero benefit. And it actually saps your energy if you're climbing out of the saddle. And honestly i doubt you'll really need it on softer trails. But it would be hard to find a mountain bike without shocks these days.

[Feelundseenna]

If youre going to go cheap on a bike, you might as well ditch suspension altogether. The front shock on that is a piece of crap, and therefore you might as well not have one at all. It's not really going to give you any benefit over a rigid frame (and it'll probably blow out after a couple uses, forcing you to spend more to replace it).

What would you recommend for about $500.00?
________
Babe oiled

[intifatry]

What would you recommend for about $500.00?

I have an old Trek Mountain Track and a SingleTrack. Both were really nice bikes when I got them, and they're still really nice bikes today. I have no idea what Trek's bikes are like now, but from my experience, I'd have no problem going with another one.

[lungumnentibe]

What would you recommend for about $500.00?

This site is an awesome resource for bike reviews, info, etc:

http://www.mtbr.com

Here's their hardtail bike reviews sorted by price:

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/xc_hardt..._byprice.shtml

Here's a well-reviewed bike from that list (for $500):

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/XC_Hardt...t_125489.shtml

[xmascandle]

[wrefrinny]

A couple years ago I was looking for a mountain bike around the $500 range. I read a lot of reviews and test rode a number of bikes. I ended up going with a new Giant Yukon for $430. Definitely check out some of Giant's bikes. They're pretty nice for the price.

[lungumnentibe]

A couple years ago I was looking for a mountain bike around the $500 range. I read a lot of reviews and test rode a number of bikes. I ended up going with a new Giant Yukon for $430. Definitely check out some of Giant's bikes. They're pretty nice for the price.

Giants are good, too.[thumbup]

[intifatry]

Giants are good, too.[thumbup]

My mom got a Giant at least 7 years ago and it was a pretty nice bike...a complete waste of money because she hasn't touched it in years, but a nice bike nonetheless.

Of course, I'm not much better. I haven't touched my bike in at least a year, but I do hope to change that this spring and summer.

Out of curiosity, what types of bike frames are popular now and what's good? When my bikes were new, chromoly and aluminum were popular, but I do believe that the chromoly frames in the sub $600 range were better than the aluminum ones. (Both of my bikes have chromoly frames.) Speaking of bikes, I should probably put my old Mountain Track on Craigslist. There's no way I need two bikes, with that one being too small for me to ride.

[jimmy28]

I have a Giant mountain bike - which I am very happy with - except for one thing:

If you get a mid-range Giant (400-800 euro) that comes with hydraulic disc brakes - they are a piece of crap. I've had nothing but problems with mine - to the point I swapped them out for some Shimano cable disc brakes.

[Maypeevophy]

Like people have pointed out already that bike is fairly poor and the forks SUCK.

The Mongoose Tyax Super is what most people on mountain biking forums reccomend to people spending less than $500. I havent tried it myself but everyone says its pretty damn good.

[jagxj12]

i spent not much more than that on a mountain bike several years ago and its still going strong despite not really being looked after. i had RST front forks that i thought were pretty good despite being fairly low-end.

imo for a good mountain bike you dont need much fancy ****. some decent shimano v-brakes and gears and some kind of front suspension and your good to go.

[Ebjjrxrd]

I'm still using an old '93 M-Trax 600 (Raleigh DynaTech) cromoly/titanium construction, slightly modded...titanium bar+ends, different brakes/shifters, spd pedals, Continental sport contact road tyres. (yes road use only now)

Nice training bike

[adultcomicssitedessaa]

Giants are good, too.[thumbup]

Definitely good bikes! My roommate used to have a giant faith1 which is a 3500 dollar downhill bike. That thing was crazy. He worked at a bike shop at the time so he got it for 1800 bucks and then sold it the next year for 2700.

[Feelundseenna]

The dude at the bike shop recommended the Specialized Rockhopper. The price is about the same as the Trek 4500.

Unfortunately, I think all the Rockhopper colors are too cheesy. I hate to make a purchase based on paint, though.
________
ECKANKAR FORUMS

[jPNy2BP5]

I bought the Specialized Hardrock last year. It has been a great bike. I paid about $450 for it. Unfortunately, with moving twice, getting married, and the honeymoon, I didn't put the kind of miles on it I had hoped. Never actually even hit a trail, just the road. Like most bikes in this price range, the front shocks are just alright. I figured for the price I will just use them until they break then I'll buy a better fork. As far as the frame goes, it's pretty light for the size and very well made. It will definitely last for years to come. This summer I plan to really put the miles on. Just need to wait for the snow to melt then get myself into riding shape again and hit some trails. I couldn't see myself spending $1500+ on a bike at the time, so that is what I went with.

I assume the Rockhopper is probably very close to the same thing. The frames looks almost identical.

[Feelundseenna]

Right now I'm leaning towards the Specialized Rockhopper disc 29. It has the disc brakes and 29" wheels. I assume it is otherwise the same as the regular Rockhopper.

The bigger wheels and disk brakes add to the price, but I think it would be a responsible way to spend my economic stimulus cash when it arrives.

Also, the Disc 29 comes in a color I like more than the regular Rockhoppers; orange.
________
JEAN TODT

[lungumnentibe]

Right now I'm leaning towards the Specialized Rockhopper disc 29. It has the disc brakes and 29" wheels. I assume it is otherwise the same as the regular Rockhopper.

The bigger wheels and disk brakes add to the price, but I think it would be a responsible way to spend my economic stimulus cash when it arrives.

Also, the Disc 29 comes in a color I like more than the regular Rockhoppers; orange.

I have Avid mechanical discs on my bike...they work brilliantly.[thumbup]