Mountain Biking - Help me pick out a bike....

I am looking to purchase my first mountain bike that I also plan to ride on the street. I will only keep the bike for about a year so resale value is also somewhat important.

Ok so I have a dicks gift card for $200. So despite the fact that they are overpriced and dont sell the greatest bikes I am going to purchase one from there.

The bikes in my price range:

Diamondback Sorrento - $269
Diamondback Response 07 - $329
Diamondback Response Sport 06 - $349
Diamondback Response Sport 07 - $399
Diamondback Response Sport 08 – $399

Can someone help me make a decision?......

I don't have experience with those bikes, but I know buying bikes at a sporting goods store like Dick's isn't the best idea.

When the bikes arrive, they are packaged in boxes. At an LBS (local bike specific shop) they are carefully put together by mechanics and tested to see that the frame and components are in good working order. At Dick's they are just slapped together as fast as possible at some ungodly time in the morning before the store opens.

When you buy a bike at an LBS, the shop will (and if not, request this) size you for a good frame and make sure the bike you want meets your needs. At Dick's they'll help you pick out a cool color...

Finally, your LBS probably rewards you for patronage by giving you discounts on accessories and often allows you to get discounted (or in some cases (as in mine! woo) free) routine service on the bike. Mind you Dick's probably doesn't even offer service.

Also, if you're like me, you'll find that once you get addicted to bikes, you start becoming friends of the people who work at your LBS. It is a great place to hang out sometimes!

However, if you do choose to purchase one of the bikes listed, you'll need to specify what you want to use the bike for. The Sorento isn't going to take much abuse on trails (even if you're just starting out). The Response Sport 08 is really the only "entry level" mountain bike there (and it isn't all that great itself for MTBing). If you're looking to get into the sport and start doing trails, you'll save yourself money in the long run by buying a good bike that'll last you a long time and won't limit what you can do once you get better at riding.

If they have the Response COMP '07 or '08, you're going to probably want to look into that. Components are starting to look much better on the Comp editions.

Still, try an LBS :)

If you're only keeping the bike for a year, maybe buying used makes more sense. Consider it.

What kind of bike are you really looking for?

From the road bike forum:

08-26-07, 11:23 AM #1
KanBike
Newbie

Join Date: Aug 2007

I plan to purchase an entry level road bike. I have a $200 gift card to dicks sporting goods so I would like to get some info on their bikes.

They sell the diamondback podium 1 and 2. Would be an adequate entry level road bike?

Podium 1 http://www.diamondback.com/items.asp...d=4&itemid=264
Podium 2 http://www.diamondback.com/items.asp...d=4&itemid=263

I will only be keeping this bike for a year so resale value is also an issue.

Thanks for any help,

Thanks for all the replies. I have decided to go the road bike route.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q82/probable556/comicbookguy.gif

This was the worst thread EVER!

hahaha :)