Mountain Biking - Going to buy a mountain bike.

Its going to be a TREK with at least front suspension. $1,000 is what I'm planning on spending for one. What TREK model do you recommend for that amount of money, what will that get me?

I'm interested in the TREK 4900 with disc brakes.

Will $1,000 get me a full suspension bike? I don't know if I need a full suspension mtn bike or not. I do know front suspension is needed though on the single track in my area.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

1000 will buy you a pretty nice dam hardtail from any of the major manufacturers, also at that price point you could get an allright f/s

Originally posted by Cdude
1000 will buy you a pretty nice dam hardtail from any of the major manufacturers, also at that price point you could get an allright f/s

I agree - you're best of with a hardtail at that price point but you'll get an okay f/s. There's nothing particularly wrong with TREK, but I wouldn't say their bikes are always better than other brands - I'd look at all the options if I was you.

Richard

You can get a great hardtail for $1000. Check around and ridea few different brands to see what you like best.I like the trek and g. fisher but different bikes fit people different.So ride as many as you can before making a decision

Theres alot to consider here:

1) Your style of riding
2) The area you live in
3) The type of riding youre going to be doing
4) How often youre going to ride

My first real mtb was (still is) a hardtail. Most people will attest to the fact that you will increase your skill as a better hardtail than a full squishy. People with squishies tend to go "over" things instead of around them. While it may be fun, it may not always be the smartest thing to do.

Id say, get a hardtail first. At a grand, you can buy a damn good bike. Here are a few of my suggestions: (feel free to drool over the last one)

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2003/bikes/sj_blk_l.jpg

http://www.konaworld.com/2k3/bikes_med/2k3_roast_300x4in.jpg

http://www.konaworld.com/2k3/bikes_med/2k3_stuff_300x4in.jpg

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/images/_upload_us/bikes/models/zooms/2003/Iguana-Disc-MA.jpg

http://www.ironhorsebikes.com/images/bikes/bikes_large/sinister.jpg

:beer:

This is what I ride and I love it:

If you are convinced you want a Trek, check out the 8000

I was told the same thing as troie mentioned. So I went with a lower priced mtn bike and got a 03 Specialized Hardrock Pro...very happy with it, and it is a killer ride when you are flying down the trails....I wanted to get a Stumpjumer, but I figured this was my first bike in 10 years, so I stayed basic. Don't know if I will go with a full squishy down the road..i Guess time will tell.

Thanks for the advice. I'll certainly take it to heart. I'm partial to TREK cause that was the brand of road I had before I bought my vision Recumbent. And Schwinn left us all swinging in the wind because of their buy out by Pacific. In fact my LBS wil not carry even the high end Schwinns anymore because of it.

I will look at other brands though. Plan on putting one on layaway at LBS after I come back from vacation next week.

Thanks again.

I just got a Trek 8000 and love it. I was between that and a stumpy but found a great deal on the Trek. You will love either one.

For $1k, Trek 8000.

I reccomend tht you ride everything you can in your price range. Then look hard at the bikes that fit you and your riding style the best. Then look at the area in which you ride in. Then look at the pluses and minuses to all rigs you look at.
You have already stated that you have singletrack in your area is it twisty and windy, and flat? Is it real bumpy, rocky, loose etc.? Or is it really hilly amd twisty or bumpy etc.
Like mentioned $1000 will get you are real nice hardtail or a semi descent full squish. So you decide after all it is you that will ride it.

Personally i'd get the stumpjumper (what me... biased? Noooooo). Those Kona's are excellent bikes too. I'd recommend those 3 over the Trek, but the 8000 is DEFINATELY a nice bike, you really can't go wrong with any of those bikes, find what you like the best. I definately recommend HT over FS unless you're gunna spend $2,000+ (imo at this point). Good luck finding a bike and let us know what you turn up!

yeah you should definetly get a hardtail. With $1000 you get get a top of the line hard tail.

Originally posted by troie
My first real mtb was (still is) a hardtail. Most people will attest to the fact that you will increase your skill as a better hardtail than a full squishy. People with squishies tend to go "over" things instead of around them. While it may be fun, it may not always be the smartest thing to do.

Dude, I dunno about that.

While I fully agree that starting on a FS bike is a terrible idea, a well ridden full suspension will be faster than a hardtail.

Buy a Stumpjumper HT, save some dough and get an Epic at some point if you want an XC bike. You will be SO much faster on a FS bike if you ride it correctly.

Over is faster than around. You won't have to root your way through a rock garden, you can go over and concentrate on the next turn.

Definately start on a hard tail. It's most definately the best way to learn bike control. If you start on an FS, you will not progress as fast as a HT convert. IMO anyway.

you will bottom out a full suspension bike from the moment you get on...go with front suspension. All these people will give you advice, and you will do the exact opposite anyways.

Go to a bike shop and ask for a test ride.

We are all wasting our time trying to help you. Some have figured it out sooner rather than later. Others have tried to help you the last time you had this urge to splurge, but you kicked us all to the curb didn't you?

How do you have money to go on a vacation, and then buy a $1000 bike? Maybe I should do as you did, and maybe I could go on a vacation and buy a $1000 bike too?


Yes, you are right, none of my business. Going back under the rock now.

What about a Trek Fuel 80? They can be found for under $1000 if you pick up last year's model.