Mountain Biking - Help me get started, 29er.

So when it come to mountain bikes I don't know much. I would realyl like to get a mountain bike to start riding trails & getting in to that stuff.

I'm looking at the Motobecane Outcast 29 (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/outcast29_08.htm). I don't know if it would be a good bike to start with. I don't know if it would be good to just jump in to a 29", & ss/fg. I personally think I might like it. I do realize the componets might not be the nicest, but those can always be replaced over time. I don't really like the feel of suspension that's why I would think I like this 29er.

So do you think it would be a good starter bike or not?

I do trust bikesdirect.com(I think) I have already bought a bike from them, & have had no real problem.

Any other Ideas would be nice.

Are the trails relatively flat where you live? Starting with a 29er is no problem (and would be fun, I think), but I'm not so sure about the single-speed part.

I do trust bikesdirect.com(I think) I have already bought a bike from them, & have had no real problem.



If you bought from them, had a good experience than why the parenthetical "I think"

If you bought from them, had a good experience than why the parenthetical "I think"

Because 1-1 could be good but trying a second one could just make it 1-2. You never know when the odds get bigger.

The Surly Karate Monkey (http://www.surlybikes.com/karatemonkey.html) also looks like an amazing choose, but that's looking more of a expensive route. With that I could up grade to good parts. But to start I would be paying alot more to even build it up.

I actually don't know if the trails are flat around here. I don't think I would ever be doing anything to big though. I live in central IL, everything is flat.

i would say try the outcast 29er .... i haven't heard any bad reports about it ... as for the 29er and SS ... have fun, i just did my first ride on one this morning .. was a blast