General Cycling Discussion - Kinds of Biking

What kinds of biking are their to choose from? i live in the woods what would be best for me?

Rob,

Can we assume? you have no cycle at all!

If that is the case, then man! there is a whole new World out there just waiting to be discovered.

If as you state you live in a wooded surround possibly they are threaded with tracks/paths that would be ideal for a Mtb bike as a good first purchase.

I am sure there are many others ready to advize you on other oppstions just wait of them coming in ;)

what bike would you suggest?

i have no cycle at all

It's all about the flow ... what is your budget?

For off-road cycling you're looking at either an MTB, a cyclo-cross bike, a tough hybrid, or a tough tourer - and there are sub-types beyond these...

What sort of riding do you want to do? Gentle paths or rough trails? Jumps? Racing? Pottering around?

What's your budget?

Richard

Ok i would like to do jumps and such, and stunts, and my budget is around 300 dollars

For the kind of riding you're talking about you'd better add about a grand to what you've budgeted. The only thing you'll get for 3 bills is an entry level bike from last year at a real bike shop. STAY AWAY FROM K-MART AND WALMART if you want a good bike.

Raiyn is right ... if you want a standard mountain bike that can handle the abuse of a new rider learning what you are interested in. I would suggest a Redline Monocog (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/redline-monocog.html). You can find them in your price range, plus, they are tough and versatile.

Jenson USA (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.asp?number=18020&sc=bbbsearch&x=y) has the frame for $115.00. I'm sure you could find a shop in St Louis that could get the bike built for $200.00.

ok cool. just for kicks, what kind of bike would you recommend for vert

Originally posted by Rob Begley
Ok i would like to do jumps and such, and stunts, and my budget is around 300 dollars

How old are you? You could start with a bmx. Learn to control and play on that and then you may know what discipline of cycling you want to get into.

1 - cross country = xc
2 - Road
3 - downhill =dh / dualslolom =ds(sp) (I lump these together as they are gravity assisted)
4 - freeriding (a combo of xc, dh with a little extra thrown in)
5 - dirtjumping = dj
6 - urban / street (esentially freeriding in the city on concrete)
7 - Trials

Those are the main ones that can be very distinguished between each other. From what you have said a bmx may be a good place to start and hone your skills as a rider.

Vert riders generally ride something like this (http://www.bicycle-source.com/hoffmanbikes.html). They have a "900" for $300.00.

Well there are really only 2 types of riding - Road and Mtb. I have excluded BMX as that is mostly tricks and such. Nothing wrong with it, I just don't know much about it so won't comment.

HOWEVER, there are MANY catagories of bicycles for road and mtb.

I won't get into it but based on your budget of $300 you won't get much worth riding and also based on that I assume you don't have much money to dish out. IF that is the case, then you might want to stay away from MTBing. It sure is fun, BUT MTBing is more maintenance therefore more $$$$.

Example - I bought a road bike 5 years ago and it has the original brake pads. I have to replace brake pads every year on my mtb bike. You go through more tubes, tires, patches, chain oil, chains, etc.

With road biking it is less maintenance but you can be restricted if you are a fair weather cyclist and don't want to get your road bike wet and dirty. PLUS it is a pavement only bike (there is cyclocross BUT most people get an older road bike for that).

My point after all that is, if money is your biggest driving factor you might want to stay away from the rough stuff and get something for the road.

Digger

I have excluded BMX as that is mostly tricks and such.
Being a solid BMX rider requires phenomenal fitness. These guys do multiple heats at top speed, it's also a breeding ground for top mountain bike pros. Also, you can get a perfectly functional mountain bike for $300.00. However, it won't stand up to jumping and such. Not trying to slam you Digger, just don't want Robbie confused here. :)

If you reread my post more carefully I said that it is "mostly tricks and stuff" and I also said that I don't know much about it so i won't comment. I DID NOT say anything about lack of fitness, difficulty, stamina, etc. I HAVE watched these guys on TV and (fogive my lack of knowledge) they ride fast, in a short amount of time jumping, spinning, whatever - I.e. tricks and stuff.

I am sure it is a great sport, lots of fun, more difficult than I could imagine, requires fast thinking all those good things.

I did not offer it up as a choice as I have never done it, never even swung my leg over a BMX bike.

Instead of being incredibly sensitive why don't you offer us some description and advice on what one would need or do to become involved in BMXing (or whatever you call it)?

Digger

While we are bashing the BMX crowd........

Back when I was in high school, nobody would dare ride a bike the size of a BMX bike for fear that people would think that they borrowed their little brother's bike. How times have changed.

Well there are really only 2 types of riding - Road and Mtb. I have excluded BMX as that is mostly tricks and such.
I don't ride BMX, never have - simply responding to your statement. Sorry, I love and respect cycling in every form; my hackles go up when people make disparaging statements. Further, if you read the fellows posts more carefully, you'll notice that "tricks and stuff" are exactly what he is interested in.

Cheers :beer:

While we are on the subject of BMX's, I have a question. Do they make a BMX bike large enough for a 6'6" rider? I miss the lightness and nimbleness that I used to ride when I was a kid. Be kinda fun.

I'd take a look at the Redline Monocog (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/redline-monocog.html) I linked to earlier. I also had a friend your size who had a bmx "cruiser". Again, I don't know much about BMX so you may want to post in the BMX area. Have a nice weekend, I must ride now.

Originally posted by Trigger1
While we are on the subject of BMX's, I have a question. Do they make a BMX bike large enough for a 6'6" rider? I miss the lightness and nimbleness that I used to ride when I was a kid. Be kinda fun.

Go for a cruiser. 24" djers seem to do well for me. Bmx being light...my cousins bmx outweighs my bike :D...

Anyways I am 6'5 and play on a 20" once and a while. There is a pro riding bmx who is 6'6. But if you do want something better go for a 24". Le Toy for example. Sweet bike with bmx fun.

Originally posted by Rob Begley
What kinds of biking are their to choose from? i live in the woods what would be best for me?

If you only have 300 dollars, then you're limited. However, you can get a mountain bike at Wal-Mart for that price.

Any bike at Wal-Mart is a pile of junk. For that amount of money, you can get a much better used bike.

Hey if you are from the Lou area then you might find something decent for your $300 budget if you check out the university classifieds. I don't know if there will be much in the way of BMX listings (bet more MTB's and road bikes do the commute to SLU and Washington and the others than would stunt bikes ) but anything's possible in a big school town. If you have rent to pay and books to buy sometimes you will even sell your bike.

(heresy!!!)


come to think of it, I got my first Trek 930 brand new for 250.00 from the original owner. She had picked it up on a whim, never rode it and then fell on hard times and needed the cash.