Mountain Biking - New to biking need some help

Hello , I am considering purchasing a mountain bike but have no idea what is a quality brand these days and what is not. I want something that will take some minor punishment but I do not need a 1,000.00 bike.I am considering shopping for a used one so I can afford a better quality bike. Any help on names to look for or any other tips would help me out a lot. Thanks in advance!!

Lots of good options in the ~$500 price range from most major manufacturers. Look at Trek, Specialized, Iron Horse, Kona just for starters.

Is diamondback a brand worth looking at? Also saw a montague for sale.

I'm also confused as to what type I should be looking at. My friend I will be riding with will not be riding through any extreme terrain , but eventually I might get into something other than moderate dirt roads/trails. Will I need a "full suspension" bike or something less?

mountain bile


My only experience with mountain bile is when riding after a night of heavy drinking. It is never a good experience.

My only experience with mountain bile is when riding after a night of heavy drinking. It is never a good experience.

Thats sick......really.

It sounds like a good Hardtail will fit the bill for the OP.

oops!

Is diamondback a brand worth looking at? Also saw a montague for sale.
Diamondback is a no-no. They used to be reputable way back when, now they are owned by Raleigh, a department store type bike. Montague is not good for a mountain bike. It folds! Can you rely on the hinge popping or coming loose on a drop?

Specialized Hardrock or Rockhopper would be nice. Save a bit by not getting discs if you don't need, or get a lower end one (old season sale), then upgrade the fork. Forks from 2006 are on sale in prep for the 2008.

Ironhorse Warrior is a good frame, check it out.

Trek as well, very good. My top would be the Specialized.

I'm also confused as to what type I should be looking at. My friend I will be riding with will not be riding through any extreme terrain , but eventually I might get into something other than moderate dirt roads/trails. Will I need a "full suspension" bike or something less?

It is always nicer to get full suspension, way cushier ride, but not needed. It will save you from blowing your budget getting a nicer hardtail.

Getting a crappy full suspension is not nearly as nice as getting a great hardtail.
You may want to check out bikedirect.com or something like that, they have strong 7005 Aluminum full suspensions, and will save you over purchasing from your LBS.

Motobecanes are fairly on par with Ironhorse.

I always rec. a Specialized Hardrock to the Noobs.

Good bike for the $$$.

I did find a couple of ads in the paper for used specialized , how do these this look?

MENS MOUNTAIN BIKE ROCK HOPPER,
Specialized FS, $350

SPECIALIZED MOUNTAIN BIKE,
15", small frame, w/shocks, $350.

It's impossible to tell anything from just a price and a name. They don't even say which model it is, ie. sport, comp, whatever. They could be 10 years old, or totally trashed. There's no spec list, pictures etc. If you do go used, get someone that knows about bikes to go with you to look at them. And not just one of those friends that claims they know everything to cover up how little they know. We all have those friends. You may find a good deal on a year end closeout of 06/07s at a shop.

And not just one of those friends that claims they know everything to cover up how little they know. We all have those friends.

I am that friend.

Diamondback is a no-no.
I disagree.
Do you own a newer diamondback?
I do.
It rocks.
But for the OP, i too would suggest a Hardrock.

Raliegh makes some good bikes around that range. Check out the Mojave 8.0 or 5.0.

I am going to look at a used specialized rock hopper today , and a specialized stump jumper. What should I be looking for when I look the bikes over? How would I know if it's been beaten to death? Also , can a rock hopper take moderate punishment? What is the difference between the two?

Ended up buying a used specialized stumpjumper last night. It is in excellent shape and the previous owner upgraded a few parts. It is a 2001 but I'm not sure what model. It says "M4" on the side. Is that the model? He did something to the front end to raise it , he was trying to explain to me but I'm in the dark with all this stuff. I think the stem was replaced , it says "titec' on it. I would like to find out all the specs on this bike , including list price when it was new but not sure how to go about that. I do have the serial number. I have so many questions like what maintanance should I be doing { do I lubricate the chain and with what?** , are the shocks adjustable? {travel ** , what is all the negativaty with the front judy shocks and the mavic wheels? If I ever need to replace the rims , what is a quality brand? What is a quality tire? Sorry for all the questions this is all new to me.