Mountain Biking - Buying a bike for around $500!

This question is asked so often, I thought I'd make a thread specifically for this as Copper RS requested. Throw you input here!

L8R

You can get a quality hardtail for your budget. I would stick with a hardtail for you for a couple of reasons. The first is that a good "quality" full suspension isn't available for anything under $1,000.00. Secondly, a hardtail(HT) will have better components for the same $$ as a full suspension (FS). A HT will be lighter. A HT will require less maintenance. A HT will allow you to hone your skills as a beginner and you'll be a better rider because of it!

Good Luck, test ride as many different bikes as you can. Buy the one that you feel most comfortable one regardless of what fork/components are on it versus another "good Deal" that doesn't feel as comfy!

I'd stick to buying from a LBS (local Bike Shop) versus online for a beginner. The LBS will help you with fit (frames come in different sizes) and any repairs/maintenance you might need. Also, most shops include a free 30 day tune-up that is necessary for ANY bike. Cables stretch and the bike "breaks-in", and it needs to be tuned up after about a month of riding.

Plus, I highly recommend a helmet. Save my life numerous times. I wear one EVERY time I go riding.

YES!!!!!! :beer:

HT on this price margin always. Choose carefully for the frame of your specifications....dont get anything lightweight xc if you intend to rail trails hard. The most expensive frame is not the best for your needs always. RACING labels should be avoided by gravity merchands and tough riders as they imply superlightweight construction and racing geometry.
Another point to focus is to think carefully what do you want. Something that fullfills you now or something that you intend to upgrade.
Stick to major manufacturers for better value for money TREK, Specialized, Kona, Cdale, Giant ... avoid smaller companies such as Rockymountain because "made in UK/Canada/Italy/USA" labels cost loads. Taiwan is nowadays the best place to make frames as all universities and RD centers for engineering are focused on materials and bike frames , so made in taiwan no longer means cheapo stuff...on the contrary i should say.

Yannis

STAY AWAY FROM DEPARTMENT STORES!!!!

Originally posted by math2p14
avoid smaller companies such as Rockymountain because "made in UK/Canada/Italy/USA" labels cost loads.

You aren't gettin a Rocky for $500! ;) Figure about $750 USD to start.

Also for 500, check out what an LBS has for used bikes. I'd rather have a 1 year old 1K bike used than a new 500 bike. If you buy used from a reputable shop you should be trouble free, although perhaps a new chain, freewheel, and rings would be a good idea.

A bike worth considering will be the 2004 Iron Horse Warrrior Comp. This is a 6061 alu. frame zero stack head tube, Manitou Six comp, Deore gruppo, Hayes mech. discs, Tru Vativ Iso Flow crank, WTB saddle, rims, and tires.

True but it said below 1000

Stick with the trek's, kona's and specialized!

Originally posted by math2p14
True but it said below 1000

It is below $500 actually.

Mindbogger,
There are other brands out there besides the big names that are equal if not a better value. Most price point bikes and even entry level bikes are going to be made by the same frame builder.

Originally posted by Hunter
Mindbogger,
There are other brands out there besides the big names that are equal if not a better value. Most price point bikes and even entry level bikes are going to be made by the same frame builder. [/B]

You should stick wiht the bigger brands for the warranty if your a beginner. Might come in handy

Most warranties these days on alu. frames are identical as well as the component warranty. It has virtually been the same industry wide for many years.

Every thread I have seen asking this same question has said "get the Specialized Hard Rock" yet no one has mentioned it yet. Weird.

Get The specialized HardRock. :D:D:D:D:D

I would only add (to the confusion) by saying wait for the end of year close outs if at all possible. You could get a $600 bike for $500.

I've never ridden an aluminum mountain bike but I have abused a CroMoly hardtail for about 12 years now and the frame is still intact. Nothing fancy .... 1991 Fuji Suncrest I bought in 92 for $325. I'm talking about bombing down rocky hills for thrills. I've lost several teeth from chainrings, blown a chain and cogset, and needed the headset rebuilt. I converted it into a commuter this year because my bones are getting too old for thrill riding.

You have plenty of options in the $500 price range. Suspension? We don't need no stinkin' suspension.

I was looking within the same price range and this is what I bought:
http://www.motobecane.com/20036ht.html

$499.95 at Cycle Spectrum - I'm in Texas but I believe their
headquarters is in Frorida. It also comes with free lifetime service.

Shimano LX 24 Speed, (Front derailer is Deore, back is LX) 7005 Aluminum TrailTuned frame, RST Gila TL fork 89mm, FR/RR Promax Disc Brakes, Black Anodized Aluminum Double Wall rims with Machined Sidewalls, Stainless Spokes 36fr/36r, M-Wings Disc hubs, TruVativ FireX Crankset, M-Wings Aluminum Bar, Threadless Stem and Micro-adjust Seatpost,Kenda ATB Blackwall tires.

Listen to zBrain ...... that's alot of bike for $500!

that motobecane is a good deal, disks included! Too bad the fork is garbage, but that can be swapped out down the road. If its your first fork you wont know the difference anyway

Originally posted by troie
STAY AWAY FROM DEPARTMENT STORES!!!!

I am going to hafta agree with taht. Stay as far away as you can and spend the extra 100 or 200 for a quality bike at your lbs

Originally posted by copper RS
that motobecane is a good deal, disks included! Too bad the fork is garbage, but that can be swapped out down the road. If its your first fork you wont know the difference anyway The brakes suck too.

I sold a Raleigh M80 to a customer last night for just over $500. For that, he gets an aluminum frame, Shimano mechanical disc brakes, Rock Shox Judy fork, Deore shifters, XT rear dr, Deore front dr, Shimano crank, and WTB saddle.

I am shopping around for my friend. he has 4-600 dollars to spend. He really doesnt know anything about bikes and I am trying to get him into the sport. I looked at the 2004 blast and that looked good but It doesnt have discs. Anyone reccomend something with a good fork like a marzocchi and discs for that price? also he wont be buying until next spring so it will either be a closeout or a 2004

Wiht only 600 to spend you are limited to what you can get. Ask your friend to save a bit more so he can get the higher end components if he really wants them. also with 600 disc might not be a good idea cuz if you get disc, this usually means that the rest of the components would be lower end/quality sorta like a trade off.

At one time I was in the bike buisness so I know 'how it works.' In March of '03 I purchased an '01 Trek 6700 for $599. Retail was around $850. Thats 30% off retail which is about the maximum discount you'll get.

Buy a leftover model on sale!!!!!

sometimes Ebay works too, but make sure the seller has very good feedback.
I got me an IBEX Trophy 770 for 440 shipped
Retail is 850, right now the website has it on sale for 650.
I heard a lot of good things from this company, i'll let you guys know if it's all true ;)

I just got a '04 rockhopper... WHOOOOHOOOO.... sorry, just excited...

It cost me $440 + tax. The LBS said they could give it with Deore LX front and rear derailleurs for just $490. So I guess that falls under the $500 price mark....

But I hear the Manitou Six fork it comes with is a real scare.... got 100mm of travel, but 9 out of 10 reviews I have read about it complain about it cracking/breaking from not-so-big jumps...

Im sure you will enjoy it but thats what scared me away from getting it when I was looking. sounds like a good deal though :beer: :D enjoy

Just took it out for a first ride today.... still gotta get used to it... feels weird to be riding a new bike...

I just purchased a new bike for this exact budhet. actually, it was my first real mountain bike. I am very excited. I had narrowed it down to 2003 models of the Jamis Durango (549 in my area) and the Gary Fisher tassajara (569 in my area).

I rode both and really could not distinguish any differences that would cause me to go one way or the other. I certainly have heard much more about the gary fisher because it is a very popular and well known choice. But I settled with the jamis because the bike shop that carried it said they would give me free tune ups and inspections for as long as I owned the bike... the other place only offered this service for one year. The dealer with the jamis also knocked off the 49 dollars and sold it to me for 500 in the end. anyway keep it goin on.

unambiguously hardtail with alu. frame

You may have seen this posted in another thread, but I'm bored and want to show off my new goodies.

New:
Marzocchi Z1 FR QR20 - with X Tra heavy springs
Sun Rhino Lite Wheels with Marzocchi 20 mm front hub, and Shimano XT rear
Race Face Bash Ring

Old:
Intense Uzzi SL frame: Medium
Chris King Headset
Race Face Diabolous Stem: 50 mm
Easton Monkey Lites - low rise
Hayes Hydraulic discs - 6" front and rear. (probably upgrading to 8" soon!)
Shimano XTR Shifters
ODI lock-on grips
Thomson Elite seat post
WTB Speed V saddle
Profile Racing Tubular Chromoly cranks - 175mm
Race Face chain rings - 34, 22
Shimano 545 platform/clipless pedals
Shimano XTR front and rear derailleurs
Shimano XTR chain
Shimano XTR Cassette
WTB Velociraptor 2.1 tires (upgrading soon!)

Buying a bike for 500? a2psyklnut, I'll gladly buy your bike for 500!!! ;)

Oops wrong thread, was supposed to post it in "Post your rigs".

I did that before lunch, and I didn't eat dinner last night, so I was somewhat delirious!

L8R

And BTW KrisA ---- NO! :D

Do you have Pawn Shops in your area? There are some GREAT deals to be had in the pawn shops around here. I would suggest if you go this route, you can get more bang for your buck, but be careful to inspect the bike carefully (including riding it) and do your home work to make sure your not gonna pay to much. Also, never pay the sticker price~!~

Good luck! Bob

Last year I started riding around late september. I was able to get a good deal on a Specilized RockHopper, $550.00 It was on close out from my LBS. After one season of riding it, I craked the head tude. Specilized did warenty the frame for me. My LBS is switching all my all my stuff tot the new frame. It was a great starter bike. I just bought a Jamis 2003 dakota XC on close out $900.000 from my LBS.