Oldschool
New Member
Anyone here into mountain bikes? Getting ready to purchase one and add a little “cycling” into my routine. Just looking for advice on good starter bikes. Thanks in advance.
MESO-Rx
Anabolic Steroids
Mountain Biking
- Thread starter Oldschool
- Start date
Yeah been doing a ton on Zwift lately using an indoor smart trainer, and haven’t hit any single tracks in a while. I’d recommend at least having front suspension if you plan on riding single tracks/trails.
If you’re ballpark budget is like 500$-1000$ you can get a pretty sweet specialized rock hopper. Great bike.
If you’re looking for full suspension be prepared to spend at least 2000$. I think the specialized stump jumper starts around there.
If you’re ballpark budget is like 500$-1000$ you can get a pretty sweet specialized rock hopper. Great bike.
If you’re looking for full suspension be prepared to spend at least 2000$. I think the specialized stump jumper starts around there.
TideGear
Member
I've been thinking about this too. You can get sweet deals on fb marketplace for used bikes.
Oldschool
New Member
Had no idea how much money you could spend on a bicycle. Lol.
Did you get one yet? I'm curious on this..there are a ton of trails near me and mountain biking seems real popular
My instructor at CDL school had a $10k bike he rode to the school sometimes. Can't remember the brand, but it was crazy how light it was.
Oldschool
New Member
No. Still shopping. The rockhopper looks like an awesome bike but all out of stock. Diamondback has another nice starter bike but again all out of stock. I was looking to spend around 500 $. Haven’t tried the Facebook thing yet.
Oldschool
New Member
Yea a good starter bike is around 30 pounds. There were some that weighed 15 I believe that cost about the same. A grand a pound. Lol.
All graphite frames and wheels if I remember correct.
Out of my league unless I steal it.
Oldschool
New Member
I haven’t researched too much but from what little I’ve seen they have some bad ass brakes, really cool suspension, crazy gears,etc. Been quite some time since I was shopping for a bicycle. Looking at some of the prices I think fuck this shit. I just buy a used Harley.
Been into mountain biking a long time myself. I can tell you that the first thing you need to ask yourself is if you're looking to use it just as a form of cardio that's different or if you truly want to get into it for the sport of it. This largely dictates what kind of bike you'll want to buy.
One thing I knew I wanted out of a bike was hydraulic disc brakes and an air shock on the front because I weigh 230 lbs. The cable disc brakes don't stop as well when you are heavier and the dampening of an air shock such as a rock shock judy is much better than a shock like a suntour. On most 500$ bikes you won't get either unless you buy used.
Also, the newer bikes are simply larger. I'm 5'9 and ride a medium frame cannondale, I would probably be a medium in a specialized or Trek also. Don't let someone sell you a frame that is too large because it's hard to overpower the bike and whip it around on trails. It's more challenging enough as it is now that everyone is going to 29'ers, but a frame too large just makes for an uncomfortable ride and more back pain from a bad rider geometry with the bike.
Also, something you may not know yet is exactly how often you will use the bike. There are a lot of guys who shell out $1000+ on a bike only to use it once every 6 weeks, and in that case it' money wasted. Maybe see how into it you're going to get on the 500$ bike, then when bikes become more available, upgrade next year if it's something you are really into.
Go to a reputable bike shop or buy used. My first suggestion would be a used bike equipped with at least a front adjustable air dampened shock and hydraulic disc brakes.
One thing I knew I wanted out of a bike was hydraulic disc brakes and an air shock on the front because I weigh 230 lbs. The cable disc brakes don't stop as well when you are heavier and the dampening of an air shock such as a rock shock judy is much better than a shock like a suntour. On most 500$ bikes you won't get either unless you buy used.
Also, the newer bikes are simply larger. I'm 5'9 and ride a medium frame cannondale, I would probably be a medium in a specialized or Trek also. Don't let someone sell you a frame that is too large because it's hard to overpower the bike and whip it around on trails. It's more challenging enough as it is now that everyone is going to 29'ers, but a frame too large just makes for an uncomfortable ride and more back pain from a bad rider geometry with the bike.
Also, something you may not know yet is exactly how often you will use the bike. There are a lot of guys who shell out $1000+ on a bike only to use it once every 6 weeks, and in that case it' money wasted. Maybe see how into it you're going to get on the 500$ bike, then when bikes become more available, upgrade next year if it's something you are really into.
Go to a reputable bike shop or buy used. My first suggestion would be a used bike equipped with at least a front adjustable air dampened shock and hydraulic disc brakes.
Oldschool
New Member
Thanks for that knowledge Demon. Mountain Bike Buyers Guide Sticky
PescaPump
New Member
New whip 
Giant Talon 3
Brand new May 2020. Got it a couple days ago from a boy's summer camp that was shut down due to C19, barely a speck of dirt on it!
By far the nicest, smoothest riding bike ive personally owned. As demondosage said, the the disc brakes stop on a dime and the front hydraulic shock make it easy on the body.
It's beefy enough to tackle some decently rocky trails but comfy for cruising around also. For sub-$500 I highly recommend.
Giant Talon 3
Brand new May 2020. Got it a couple days ago from a boy's summer camp that was shut down due to C19, barely a speck of dirt on it!
By far the nicest, smoothest riding bike ive personally owned. As demondosage said, the the disc brakes stop on a dime and the front hydraulic shock make it easy on the body.
It's beefy enough to tackle some decently rocky trails but comfy for cruising around also. For sub-$500 I highly recommend.
Attachments
Oldschool
New Member
Man that’s a nice looking ride!! Thanks for sharing. I’m going to try and find one.New whip
Giant Talon 3
View attachment 134810
Brand new May 2020. Got it a couple days ago from a boy's summer camp that was shut down due to C19, barely a speck of dirt on it!
By far the nicest, smoothest riding bike ive personally owned. As demondosage said, the the disc brakes stop on a dime and the front hydraulic shock make it easy on the body.
It's beefy enough to tackle some decently rocky trails but comfy for cruising around also. For sub-$500 I highly recommend.
PescaPump
New Member
You'll love it!
I camped out in the bike section of Craigslist every day for about 3 weeks before I found the right combo of price, low mileage, and frame/wheel size.
Also for reference it is a medium size frame with 27.5 inch wheels.
At 5 foot 9ish I would NOT go any bigger. Honestly I may still cut an inch or two off the bottom of the seat post tube for a bit better ergo stance.
Definitely get the right size for your height!
Oldschool
New Member
We are the same height so thanks for that spoon feed man. I’m actually 5’10 so that size should be perfect!
PescaPump
New Member
Glad to help, happy hunting!
CrispyRockClimber
New Member
get a drop post makes all the difference.
PescaPump
New Member
CrispyRockClimber
New Member
Definitely one of my biggest passions second to bodybuilding. I grew up mountain biking and I was fortunate to have trails filled with jumps in the wood behind my school. I’d spend every hour I had back there until I could drive to local Mountains and bike parks.
After awhile I got distracted by other things and gave away my bike to a friend. A decade later, he works as a rep for Scott Bikes and anytime I want to ride he hooks me up with a bike. The bike market is pretty sparse right now so no freebies recently
After awhile I got distracted by other things and gave away my bike to a friend. A decade later, he works as a rep for Scott Bikes and anytime I want to ride he hooks me up with a bike. The bike market is pretty sparse right now so no freebies recently
Senorman
Member
Keep in mind not all bike companies use the same measurement standards. You may be a large in some brands. Pull the specs off their website to verify your fit prior to buying. More importantly, take the bike for a spin to make sure you are comfortable on the size/geometry.
