Mountain Biking - What should I replace?

Hi, new here. Anyway, I got an older Gary Fisher "Marlin" from my brother inlaw. Not sure of the year..I want to get into biking again, I used to do alot of bmx stuff but I quit and went to skateboarding..now i'm back to biking :) As far as I know it completely stock. I was playing around on it in the street today and bent a rim pretty bad, looked like a car hit the thing, guess its not made for 180's lol. Replaced that rim but now i'm thinking maybe I should upgrade it a bit. What do you guys think? I know it needs a new crank (any suggestions?)

If you're gonna beat(180s,urban,DJ) on it I would say find a new bike.

I wont be doing anymore 180s lol..It should be able to handle a normal jump right? Nothing big just like a 1ft hill or something.

the Marlin is more of an xc bike, not built for bmx stuff.

the Marlin is more of an xc bike, not built for bmx stuff.

xc? Yea I just wanna ride some trails with it.

xc? Yea I just wanna ride some trails with it.

Should be fine.

xc? Yea I just wanna ride some trails with it.

I would say get some rides in first before you get all excited about upgrading anything. Figure out the more important items first: You may want a different saddle after a sore butt from a couple of rides (arguably the most important upgrade!). You may find that you need a longer or shorter stem depending on how you feel on the bike. You may want any number of things but before you decide on any of it you should get some rides in first. It's way too easy to get excited about buying new parts when you should be focusing on problem areas first.

Why do you say you might need new cranks?

Thanks for the replys, a few teeth on the cranks are chipped. I did notice after a ride today that the chain did lock up and pop off when changing to 1st gear. I was thinking the crank may be the problem.

You're going to get tired of polishing this turd and wish you got a new bike. Even today's trail bikes are better than ever...and worth the dough.

Welcome back to biking!

You're going to get tired of polishing this turd and wish you got a new bike. Even today's trail bikes are better than ever...and worth the dough.

Welcome back to biking!

Yea, I was looking at the specialized hard rock bike if I really get into this. For now I'll stick with the gary fisher.

If you're unfamiliar with bikes have a bike shop look it over. They may find some stuff in need of repair so you can replace it before it breaks on the trail.

I think if you replace the reflectors that should due. Safety First!

Yea, I was looking at the specialized hard rock bike if I really get into this. For now I'll stick with the gary fisher.

A very good choice. No use in dropping cash for something you may, or may not, loose interest in. The hardrock is a good entry level bike; I've got an '05 that I am extremely happy with. Also, with the cranks you may just be able to replace a single chainring instead of the whole crankset. Or it may be a misaligned derailleur, or you may have a worn out cassette. The above suggestion of taking it to a bike shop is a sound choice if you don't have the background. Welcome back.

I will try and play around on the bike this weekend..only thing is I live in Florida so I gotta find some good spots that are not flat lol..

Well, after work I took it down to a field next to my house..its a long hill so I had fun riding down that. I remembered of a little patch of woods that I see kids playing paintball in every now and again, its pretty sweet out there, nice little hills and jumps. The rain ruined my fun. I don't think I'm gonna replace anything mechanical. I want to get a new saddle and a shorter pole that the saddle is mounted to(I think its called a stem?)

EDIT: Heres a pic of the bike, excuse the toilet paper roll lol.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/scottkat/garyfishermarlin.jpg

actually, the seat post IS adjustable. Loosen up that little collar around the seatpost where it hits the frame, and you can adjust your seat height. You can also adjust how the saddle sits on the seatpost - yours looks like it's slanting way up in front.

This may help you learn some terminology (and fixes):

http://parktool.com/repair/

actually, the seat post IS adjustable. Loosen up that little collar around the seatpost where it hits the frame, and you can adjust your seat height. You can also adjust how the saddle sits on the seatpost - yours looks like it's slanting way up in front.
EDIT: I adjusted the seat, moved it back a little. Its easier to get on now. Thanks for the tip.

This may help you learn some terminology (and fixes):

http://parktool.com/repair/

Thanks I'll take a look at it.

Ok...well I'm ready to buy a new bike. I can't seem to get the shifting correct on this one. Also the rock shox fork bottoms out easy. I was looking at either a Specialized HardRock or Rockhopper. I did see a really cheap Motobecane bike on ebay but I don't know about the quality. What do you guys think?

Ok...well I'm ready to buy a new bike. I can't seem to get the shifting correct on this one. Also the rock shox fork bottoms out easy. I was looking at either a Specialized HardRock or Rockhopper. I did see a really cheap Motobecane bike on ebay but I don't know about the quality. What do you guys think?

I think Motobecanes are fine, I own one. But I think you should buy from a local shop so you get fitted right and can test ride different ones and know what you like. Or you could take the Marlin with you and have a shop get it working correctly.

I think Motobecanes are fine, I own one. But I think you should buy from a local shop so you get fitted right and can test ride different ones and know what you like. Or you could take the Marlin with you and have a shop get it working correctly.

Well the marlin isn't really mine..my brother inlaw said I could use it. I thought he would let me have it since he never rides it..but he keeps asking if I'm bringing it in at night and is all worried about it..I don't feel like dealing with that crap, I want my own bike now. What kind of Motobecane do you have? Also the shop near my house seems like they only carry Gary Fishers and Treks.

I am looking either
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ALUMINUM-FULL-SUSPENSION-MOUNTAIN-BIKE-ROCK-SHOX_W0QQitemZ150219031984QQihZ005QQcategoryZ98083QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohos ting
or
http://cgi.ebay.com/2008-ALUMINUM-MOUNTAIN-BIKE-ROCK-SHOX-SHIMANO-XT-DEORE_W0QQitemZ130200957204QQihZ003QQcategoryZ98083QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
For motobecane

Check this out (http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/mountain_hardtail/jack/jack1/)
or this (http://www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/opie-24)

Well after I got home from work I checked craigslist.org for bikes. I found one! It's a perfect starter bike for me. Its a Specialized Hardrock Comp, has an after market fork, seat post and clipless pedals. Payed $250, not a bad deal I think.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/scottkat/hardrock.jpg

Good find. Congrats. You planning on keeping that seatpost?

I guess, why is there something wrong with it?

I guess, why is there something wrong with it?

It's friggin' wack!

;)

It's friggin' wack!

;)

why?

It's friggin' wack!

;)

It's a suspension seat post.

Whats wrong with a suspension seat post? You guys are confusing lol..sarcasm is hard to detect on the interwebs :)

Whats wrong with a suspension seat post? You guys are confusing lol..sarcasm is hard to detect on the interwebs :)

It's strange.

We (me) bike weenies don't like strange things. :rolleyes:

Also, I didn't realize it was a suspension seatpost. It just looked weird.

Whats wrong with a suspension seat post? You guys are confusing lol..sarcasm is hard to detect on the interwebs :)

I'm not a fan. That's all. To each their own. Enjoy the ride.

Lol, ok well I'll see how it feels on the trail. The gary fisher I was riding has a suspension seat post and I didn't mind it. Also does anyone know what year hardrock comps came in white?

Double Post. Ignore.

Dude, the tool sticker makes the bike you can tell everyone Maynard rode it before you, but he wouldn't have suspension post.

Lol, ok well I'll see how it feels on the trail. The gary fisher I was riding has a suspension seat post and I didn't mind it. Also does anyone know what year hardrock comps came in white?

keep it if it works for you. those other folks aren't the ones riding your bike.

Nice bike and good price. Enjoy. Wish I was in FL, up here I rode the trails and kept falling due to the snirt and ice. Incindently, saltines are far and away my favorite cracker, either on their own or crumbled up in soup.

Nice bike and good price. Enjoy. Wish I was in FL, up here I rode the trails and kept falling due to the snirt and ice. Incindently, saltines are far and away my favorite cracker, either on their own or crumbled up in soup.

Haha yea florida is year around riding, but not many hills or worthy trails. Anyway, saltines and hot sauce is so good you should try it lol.

Anybody up for the saltine challenge? $20 says it can't be done.

Or how about the milk challenge?

Lol, ok well I'll see how it feels on the trail. The gary fisher I was riding has a suspension seat post and I didn't mind it. Also does anyone know what year hardrock comps came in white?

I think thats an 03. A nice litte do it all kinda bike.

I think thats an 03. A nice litte do it all kinda bike.

Thanks, not to old I guess. For my first real bike besides the gary fisher its a nice upgrade with the disc brakes and all.

Thanks, not to old I guess. For my first real bike besides the gary fisher its a nice upgrade with the disc brakes and all.

Look on the fork decals. It may have a year on it.

Congratulations - enjoy your new bike!


Dude, the tool sticker makes the bike you can tell everyone Maynard rode it before you, but he wouldn't have suspension post.

He probably would've swapped it to a rigid fixie and guinea pigged all the lines for the new Red Bull Rampage thats rumoured to happen. He would've cleared everything on a blind run.

Great find! Enjoy it.

Excellent find. Now, ride the heck out of it and enjoy it.

Just went back to a little area next to my house, my cousin and I built a balance beam type thing with logs and two 2x4's we found. I'll get pic tomorrow. This bike handles well.