Mountain Biking - Bike Buying Advice

I'm looking to bike for exercise. I'm 23 and lift weights. Running seems to just be burning muscle along with fat. I heard biking burns strictly fat. I have about 300 dollars I'm willing to spend. Ill be biking local trails and streets. I don't know what I'm suppossed to be looking for. I went to local store and they recommended the raleigh m50 and offered a price break. They were pushing it pretty hard so I don't know if it's a good bike or good profit. I know the Mongoose name so I enquired about a Mongoose Rockadile SX20L. It's a little cheaper but they're telling me I'd be so much better off with the Raleigh. Truthfully, the Mongoose just looks a lot cooler but thats just me. Can anyone give me some advice?
Thanks for reading!
-Jeff :beer:

Specification- and component-wise, the Raleigh would be the way to go out of those two options. IMO, a much better brand than the Mongoose.

Giant make some good value bikes too - I think the Rincon and Boulder models are around that price category.

Value-wise in the $300 range, I don't think you can beat the Specialized Hardrock. My LBS sells it for about $290, though with the 2004 models about to come out you might even get a better price.

The best bike is, however, the one that is most comfortable for you to ride. Take them for a test ride around the parking lot or test track if they have one. Buy the one that fits you best - if it ain't comfortable for you to ride, you won't want to get on it. Even the best looking bike is capable of sitting in the garage gathering dust!

Just a warning since you seem to want a purely cardio burning exercise. Biking, especially trail riding, builds lots of muscle. I have packed on some signifigant size onto my shoulders and back biking even though I come from a bodybuilding background. Keep in mind any exercise will build muscle until your body is fully adapted to it.

That's fine. I don't mind building a little more muscle. As long as I'm burning fat during the act. My main concern is that I don't get ripped off. I don't want to buy a bike that I'm going to hate because I didn't know I was going to hate an aspect of it.

-Jeff :beer:

Originally posted by Thciskey
That's fine. I don't mind building a little more muscle. As long as I'm burning fat during the act. My main concern is that I don't get ripped off. I don't want to buy a bike that I'm going to hate because I didn't know I was going to hate an aspect of it.

-Jeff :beer:

How hard are you intending to ride? What proportion of road and sealed trails, and what proportion of off-road trails? If you're not going off road much at all, it is probably worth asking the bike shop to you a credit on the all-terrain tires and buy a set of slicks or semi-slicks.

In my opinion, it's worth saving up an extra $200. $500 seems to be tha magic number where you transform from a 'recreational' bike with so-so components to a more substantial bike (E.g. Giant Iguana, Specialized Rockhopper etc). Once you've settled on a price point, frame geometry and fit should be your focus.

Mostly as of now, going to be road. Ill probly be biking about 5-10 miles to my gym and a state park near me that is a cement trail. Eventually I would like to find trails near me and even people from sites like this who meet up and ride. So I don't want to be limited to anything. I want to be able to ride anywhere. 500 beans is wayyy over my range. I got an insurance bill right around the corner. As for frame geometry, what exactly should I be looking for? Normally before I buy anything, I do a ton of research on it so I don't get suckered by a persistent salesman. But I can't seem to find squat on the subject except for helpful people such as yourself.
Thanks much!

-Jeff :beer:

Have you checked out the Gt Palomar. They are good bikes and do not cost that much... $300 I think

i think that the specialed hardrock 2003 version is probably the best bike for u... its known as the "jack of all trades mountain bike for anyone"

www.specialized.com

I wonder how many of us have a Specialized HardRock :)

Originally posted by Thciskey
That's fine. I don't mind building a little more muscle. As long as I'm burning fat during the act. My main concern is that I don't get ripped off. I don't want to buy a bike that I'm going to hate because I didn't know I was going to hate an aspect of it.

-Jeff :beer:

Then definately consider saving another 200$. 500$ is a pretty good range to get a good bike that will be fun to ride.

Oh and on trails you will burn much body fat, biking is incredible :)

Yea. It seems this specialized hard rock is the way to go. Let me just tell you that my local bike shop salesman is going to upset. That guy was pushing that raleigh m50 on me like it was the bike of midas. So many people keep telling me about a specialized hard rock though so I don't think I can just pass it up. What is a specialized hard rock? Who makes it? Is the company actually called specialized?
I really appreciate all the replies folks.

-Jeff :beer:

Specialized Hardrock aluminum frame (http://www.specializedbikes.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?orig=us&minisite=10020&minisite=10020&san=03Hardrock&bl=mountain&JServSessionIdroot=3zfwmrd5l2.j27001)

Specialized Hardrock steel frame (http://www.specializedbikes.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?orig=us&minisite=10020&minisite=10020&san=03HardrockCroMo&ti_sprd_ses=jdn%24j%3DIBE%3A1009%3AIBEGUEST%3AUS%3A%3AUSD%3ADD-MON-RRRR%3AJTFUCSS.CSS%3Ajtfpfalse%3Ajtfpi-1%3A671%3A22372%3A0%3A17684749%7Ezv%3D17684749%7Ezs%3Df%7Ezp%3D1025%7Ezo%3D-%201%7Ezm%3D10020%7Ezj%3DGuest%7Ezi%3D1025%7Eze%3D22372%7Eza%3D1023%7Eti_sprd%3D13AFCB1054456FC52CEC 43A<br%20/>2DDD73F48%7Ejsm%3DJTF_FULLSESSION%7Eorig%3Dus&bl=mountain)

The company is Specialized, bike model is Hardrock.

Ride it first - don't buy it if it doesn't feel comfortable.

:beer:

Go for a santa Cruz Blur!

Originally posted by troie
I wonder how many of us have a Specialized HardRock :)

I think a lot of us have it. Well at least i do :D

most people start looking in the $300 range, but for $200 more you get a whole lot more bike. two of my friends were looking to spend around $300 but once they tested bikes one step up, they were hesitant to drop the $300 now, and decide to save up and get a better bike later. it might also be a good idea to look for used bikes.

Okay. I went out and bought the Specialized Hardrock. They let me test it around the block and it was pretty comfortable. I'm probly going to spring for a new cushioned seat though. I hate the seats that come on the bikes. I tested a Giant as well, don't remember which one but it was comperable to the Specialized. Pretty much same comfort level. So I went the specialized cause so many people are telling me they're great. Spent 300 and since they have to order it, I told the guy to check tomorrow to make sure the 2004 models arent coming out like wednesday. I would be pissed. Thanks for all of your help!! I probably wouldve bought a piece of junk without help.
Thanks again!

-Jeff :beer:

I would suggest you keep that saddle for a few weeks first. If you have not ridden a bike in a while it will feel uncomfortable at first. And a more cushioned seat just will have more padding which will bunch up and put pressure on the soft spots of your bottom which will hurt. You want your sit bones to support your weight snice they will not hurt under constant pressure.

The 2004's won't be available until Mid-September. There might be a problem even finding any 2003's this time of year. I know the warehouses are generally sold out.

Good Luck, and I second the notion that you keep the saddle. You've got to build up your butt calouses. Actually, your gluteous maxiums muscles need to get used to supporting your weight "down there". It usually takes a couple of weeks. I suggest more frequent shorter rides the first two weeks. IOW, a lot of 20-30 min rides, vs. a long 1.5 hour ride the first weekend.

L8R