Mountain Biking - Choices, Choices

Hello, new member here, looking to buying a good mountain bike. First off, most of my friends ride hardtails and some even race so I'm around mbs alot and it's time for me to invest in one. My budget is about $1000.00 and it doesn't really matter if it's full suspension or hardtail to me. One pretty important thing for me is size, I'm 6'2'' and 155lbs. so I need something I can be comfortable on but also I like lighter bikes so out of the choices I'd probably go for one of the lightest. I was thinking of going with Ibex since most of my bmx bikes are mail order but then I thought I might want to go with specialized so I can go to an actual bike shop to get fitted and test ride different bikes. Bascially what I'm asking here is for you to tell me what bike you think could live to all or most of my standards. Oh, and for insurance, I'm not sure if alot of flaming goes on here but please if you're going to flame don't post, if my thread is a problem I apoligize and will do what is nessecary to get rid of it.

-Alex

What type of riding do you envision you'll be doing?

Are you going to race this bike?

Are you going to jump this bike?

If you plan on racing, have you considered a 29er? Since you're pretty tall, a 29" mountain bike might be more comfortable for you.

What type of riding do you envision you'll be doing? I will be doing alot of trail riding not too too hard core stuff yet because I am a noob at this but yeah alot of trails like woods and light to medium mountain trails

Are you going to race this bike?

Are you going to jump this bike?

If you plan on racing, have you considered a 29er? Since you're pretty tall, a 29" mountain bike might be more comfortable for you.
I will be doing alot of trail riding not too too hard core stuff yet because I am a noob at this but yeah alot of trails like woods and light to medium mountain trails.

No, just for fun for now.

Probably, not too big jumps though we have a bmx track here and the highest jump is like an 8 ft. high 6
ft. long tabletop or something like that.



Not too sure about the size, I am big but I don't want to be the only person there riding with a huge bike.
By the way, thanks for the fast reply!

-Alex

Most everyone will point you in the direction of your local shop since they can help you with sizing and repairs. I'm guessing you've got the repair part down since you ride BMX.

There are a lot of bikes available at the $1,000 price point. I mean A LOT!

I'd still stick with a hardtail (front suspension only). Specialized makes the Hardrock (entry level), the Rockhopper (midlevel) and the Stumpjumper (upper end). The Rockhopper is a great deal and would be a good bike for what you've described.

I'd still go check out the other brands as well. I like Kona Bikes.

With the Rockhopper, differences between the all mountain and regular?

rockhopper is recommanded by specialized to keep the travel to 100mm which is more like xc style. all mountain you need like 5inch (130mm) travel with a rear suspension too. regular is... i have no idea what you mean

Straight from there're website:
2006 Rockhopper Models
MSRP (javascript:specPopup('msrp'))
http://www.specialized.com/sp.gif http://www.specialized.com/bc/_img/global/selectindicator.gif Rockhopper Pro Disc
$1100
Rockhopper Pro Disc All Mountain (http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=12618)
$1100 (http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=12618)What's the difference between the two?

-Alex

nevermind, the all mountain comes with a longer fork. will probably go with that unless someone has anymore suggestions.

-Alex

And what about the P.2, would that be a good bike to get also? And any comments on the Ibex bikes or fs bikes?

-Alex

P.2 is more Urban and DirtJump oriented. It's built stronger, and thus heavier. You could ride it on XC trails (change the tires), but the geometry doesn't lend itself to comfort on longer distance rides.

It would work better for jumping, but if you plan on doing more trail riding, I'd stick with a bike like the Rockhopper.

I also like Iron Horse bikes.

Haro has been impressive the last couple years as well.

Never been a fan of Trek/Gary Fisher bikes, but that's just a personal bias due to their geometry.

I'd buy a Kona without too much hesitation.

Cannondales are nice, but generally 10% to 15% more money for a similar component spec.

I'm probably going to go with the rockhopper, Haro doesn't show anything I like too much and Kona site is too cofusing for me to understand what kind of bike it is. Thanks guys.

-Alex

The rockhopper would be a good choice.

Ask yourself this question though. Are you really going to ride all mountain stuff that warrents 130mm of travel? If the answer is no, stick with 100mm.

a 29" mountain bike might be more comfortable for you.[/QUOTE]
:eek:
im about that tall and i ride a 20'' so you probly wouldnt need more than 22''

a 29" mountain bike might be more comfortable for you.
:eek:
im about that tall and i ride a 20'' so you probly wouldnt need more than 22''

He means a 29" wheel bike rather than a 26" wheel bike.

Ask yourself this question though. Are you really going to ride all mountain stuff that warrents 130mm of travel? If the answer is no, stick with 100mm.

For just regular trail riding and having fun, I'd never turn down extra travel.

For just regular trail riding and having fun, I'd never turn down extra travel.

True that. This whole XC ,All Mtn thing is just marketing by bike companys. If your trail riding then your trail riding no matter if your on a 6" dually or a 4" hardtail.

He means a 29" wheel bike rather than a 26" wheel bike.
ok i was thinking good god man 6'2'' isnt that tall

I just had this discussion yesterday with one of my riding buddies who is about 5'6" tall and wants a 29er SS.

The 29er makes sense "to me" if you're over 6'0" tall and have long legs. It makes sense proportionally.

If you're short, stick with a 26".

If you're really short, consider a 24".