Mountain Biking - buying a used mountain bike, and could use some pointers

I m going to be going to a few thrift stores to find an old used mountain bike. i am trying to keep the price under 100$. If anything needs work i can do it myself, so there is no need to worry about shop work costs. I was wondering what brands to look for in this range, what to look for, and what parts that need replacing would make the bike not worth buying. I can do any necessary geartrain and brake work and replacement, and with my bike manual i can fix anything if i have the right tools. i do not need front suspension as that would drive up the cost, and i will not buy rear suspension, because my current bike is a 41 lbs, 21 speed magna excitor with dual suspension, and any bike in my range with rear suspension is crap. I plan to use it on rougher country roads, dirt roads, and some xc and singletrack possibly. I want a mountain bike for road use because i ride in the winter sometimes. i have a pair of studded tires that cost more than my current bike i use them on lol. i can keep a bike in good shape when being ridden in slushy weather because heck, i rode a crap bike daily in the winter and it survived without damage. My current bike is too heavy, the rear suspension saps power, and when using my smallest freewheel cog the chain skips, and the bike is not worth the repair cost. some advice would be appreciated.

I m going to be going to a few thrift stores to find an old used mountain bike. i am trying to keep the price under 100$. If anything needs work i can do it myself, so there is no need to worry about shop work costs. I was wondering what brands to look for in this range, what to look for, and what parts that need replacing would make the bike not worth buying. I can do any necessary geartrain and brake work and replacement, and with my bike manual i can fix anything if i have the right tools. i do not need front suspension as that would drive up the cost, and i will not buy rear suspension, because my current bike is a 41 lbs, 21 speed magna excitor with dual suspension, and any bike in my range with rear suspension is crap. I plan to use it on rougher country roads, dirt roads, and some xc and singletrack possibly. I want a mountain bike for road use because i ride in the winter sometimes. i have a pair of studded tires that cost more than my current bike i use them on lol. i can keep a bike in good shape when being ridden in slushy weather because heck, i rode a crap bike daily in the winter and it survived without damage. My current bike is too heavy, the rear suspension saps power, and when using my smallest freewheel cog the chain skips, and the bike is not worth the repair cost. some advice would be appreciated.


Capitalization costs less than $100;)

This is way too random to address. I mean...buying a $100 bike with crap wheels could end up costing you $350 in the long run or $150...depending on how crappy of replacement parts you're looking to attach to said 'heap'. Cranksets could be anywhere from crap to gold. All components can be this way.

I raced with a guy last weekend that got a $2k Trek Fuel at a Garage sale for $150, but that'll never happen again:D

Is there a such thing as a bad shimano derailler? I have seen shimano rear deraillers for 15$ new. I do not need anything really fancy as i am not going on huge rides, or racing. I am mainly biking for exercise, and possibly commuting 20 miles round trip through the countryside. I plan to get a new, higher quality mountain bike sometime between now and next spring. I am just tired of pedaling a 41 lb bike that i can't use my top gear in. I could probably get it fixed for less than a new bike, but i am sick and tired of the weight of the bike, and rear suspension sucking up power. I have read that mongoose and GT bikes without rear suspension can be decent bikes for the casual rider. Are they really any better than the magna and next crap they are sold alongside in department and sporting goods stores, or are they just overhiped and overpriced? Sorry about the lack of caps before. Most people don't care.

Walmart bikes have "Shimano" derailures on them sometimes, but that doesn't mean quality. Watch out.

i have decided against buying a used bike, and have decided to make a recumbent in welding class from plans. i can do it for a decent price, and have a good bike.

i have decided against buying a used bike, and have decided to make a recumbent in welding class from plans. i can do it for a decent price, and have a good bike.

XC recumbent? I haven't seen any on the trail here, could be a riot or deadly......:lol: