Mountain Biking - Looking for sickest looking mtn bike around $500

I'm looking for the most awesome looking bike i can get for $500. I went to a couple bike shops and road around the $200 bikes and the $2000 bikes and found that i couldn't really tell the difference between all the expensive derailers, shifters, shocks ect. In fact i like cheapo shimano c shifters over SRAM x9s. I just want something that looks awesome/unique. I don't really care about disc breaks or rear suspension, but they generally make the bike look a lot better. I'll mostly be riding on walking paths and maybe some paved but rocky trails.

You only care about looks?

http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/pr/proforce-funky-14-girls-bike.jpg

I guarantee you you'll be the only playa on the trail sportin this fine piece of work.

You only care about looks?

http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/pr/proforce-funky-14-girls-bike.jpg

I guarantee you you'll be the only playa on the trail sportin this fine piece of work.


lets be a lil more productive

How can I be productive when the guys wants to buy a bike for looks and not quality. Really most entry level mtbs at 500 range look similar, and have similar componentry. So I guess the question is, what color?

Why do you care about looks? Don't you care about fit, comfort, durability, frame materials, safety, performance, abillity-to-use, purpose, quality and weight?


(Wow, I learned something on BF afterall! :D )


A lot of people who know about bikes will "look" for this. And you've come to the right place to learn all about these things. Welcome aboard! :)

Looks dont matter. You should see my bike. Its just for performance. Riding it is almost punishment.

Go for performance dude.

ok, I think the Giant Yukon loox pretty cool (disc brakes) I have a $400 giant upland 03 and that looks pretty cool (ish)

I'm looking for the most awesome looking bike i can get for $500. I went to a couple bike shops and road around the $200 bikes and the $2000 bikes and found that i couldn't really tell the difference between all the expensive derailers, shifters, shocks ect. In fact i like cheapo shimano c shifters over SRAM x9s. I just want something that looks awesome/unique. I don't really care about disc breaks or rear suspension, but they generally make the bike look a lot better. I'll mostly be riding on walking paths and maybe some paved but rocky trails.
If you want a 500 dollar FS with disc brakes then buy an Ibex Ignition. www.ibexbikes.com

what the hell is Ibex? never heard of...

i agree with pink ninja, yukon looks nice, is reasonably good in performance compared to others around the price range and has disc brakes.

btw, what currency are you talking about when you say 500?

I went to a couple bike shops and road around the $200 bikes and the $2000 bikes and found that i couldn't really tell the difference between all the expensive derailers, shifters, shocks ect. .


I can guarentee there is a differnece between a good deraillure and a cheaper Shimano Alvivo or whatever. A very big differnece, and you might not notice it within 3min of riding the bikes on a footpath, but you will notice it when it comes to wear and tear after a few months, adjustment, and performence when you need it most.

You dont buy a bike for how it looks...I mean the front shocks, rear shocks, brakes are really important for when you are riding! Don't Pick how it looks and if i had $500 i would go with a Specialized Rockhopper for $520 dollars it looks really nice with all the components and looks pretty cool.

If you want a 500 dollar FS with disc brakes then buy an Ibex Ignition. www.ibexbikes.com

That site screams cheap crap.

That site screams cheap crap.


X2

I actually own a Ibex road bike (main roadie) and just bought the Ignition frame. From the looks of it, it is very solid. For the price they have great bikes. Their road bikes are always considered the best bang for the buck bikes you can get at the entry level. when I get the MTB frame built up this weekend, I'll give a better review.

That site screams cheap crap. It actually screams rebadged Diamondback XTS methinks. Probably the same overseas factory made the frame.

what the hell is Ibex? never heard of...

i agree with pink ninja, yukon looks nice, is reasonably good in performance compared to others around the price range and has disc brakes.

btw, what currency are you talking about when you say 500?

WOW!!! I totally forgot about Ibex! Ibex was my FIRST EVER mountain bike when I was like 13 years old, replacing my Huffy with a automatic-transmission looking 5speed shifter in the center of the headset. I beat the **** out of that bike, it was prob. a $210 bike that weighed 34 pounds. I looooved getting my proflex two years later :)

BTW, that was probably in 1993 or 1994 or so. Hehe.

It actually screams rebadged Diamondback XTS methinks. Probably the same overseas factory made the frame.

I was talking about the lay out of the site and general looks of it.

buy a used bike

It actually screams rebadged Diamondback XTS methinks. Probably the same overseas factory made the frame.

There bikes are actually made in Taiwan, but there not re branded or anything. BTW. I am in no way affiliated with them, I just like there products.

There bikes are actually made in Taiwan
Yes, I know this. If you were to get your hands on a client list for the two or three largest OEM factories in Taiwan & China, I think we'd all be be quite surprised at the names we would see.

but they're not rebranded or anything.I think you'd be surprised. Frames made over there get rebadged and exported all the time.

how about the Diamondback Response Sport. Rust orange color, 120mm front suspension. freeride looking frame. decent geometry. and disk brakes. you can upgrade the disk brake for a better one later on. for looks, this bike looks pretty good. I also like the looks of the Rockhopper, base model (around $500). and quality wise thats a better bike. but, the disk brake in Diamondback Response makes it look better.

'06 Giant Yukon looks interesting too, but I did not like the way it rides. pretty flexy and inefficient. but thats just me.

You can also check out the Jamis durango, if I am not totally wrong durango is around $500. strong frame, nice bike.

I am a $500 range guy myself. looks are important to me, but not before function/performance. When I was in the market I was considering the Rockhopper and the Response. but, I got a great deal on a Kona Cinder Cone '05 for $550.

I can guarentee there is a differnece between a good deraillure and a cheaper Shimano Alvivo or whatever. A very big differnece, and you might not notice it within 3min of riding the bikes on a footpath, but you will notice it when it comes to wear and tear after a few months, adjustment, and performence when you need it most.

Whats wrong with Alivio? "a big difference" - what exactly is the big difference? specially for a new rider. its cool to sound kind of a gear snob to a new rider, but probably Alivio is all that person may need. and, "when do you need it most"- whats the meaning of that? Personally, I ride a Altus and a Deore XT in two of my bikes. both performs its function. when I do light XC, trail riding, and commuting the Altus works perfectly. I know that they may not perform as well in advanced level of riding - like extreme up hill rides etc., but it may be all a new/biginner rider would need. so, please dont push people to spend more and more money on parts (that may be fine for their level), before they get their technically.

Whats wrong with Alivio? "a big difference" - what exactly is the big difference? specially for a new rider. its cool to sound kind of a gear snob to a new rider, but probably Alivio is all that person may need. and, "when do you need it most"- whats the meaning of that? Personally, I ride a Altus and a Deore XT in two of my bikes. both performs its function. when I do light XC, trail riding, and commuting the Altus works perfectly. I know that they may not perform as well in advanced level of riding - like extreme up hill rides etc., but it may be all a new/biginner rider would need. so, please dont push people to spend more and more money on parts (that may be fine for their level), before they get their technically.

When you need it the most is when you are 12 miles away from home, in the middle of the woods and it will be dark in 1 hour. Been there with a broken xt rear der. Twice!

I mean the front shocks
:roflmao: :lol:

What a ******. Most badass lookin bike for $500: Redline Monocog.

Edit: But I highly doubt you can handle it.