Mountain Biking - NEW to forum...looking for bike advice

Hi...I was reading a bunch of posts from your forum into the wee hours last night! Great info! I go by "xta" online...

I am looking to get into mtn biking but don't want to spend a lot before I am sure I will stick with it (got a bad knee). Also I am looking to get 2 bikes (one for me and my husband, plus all the other gear-- helmets, locks, water bottles, etc.) and that should all add up quite nicely.

Anyway, I am looking at bikes under $400 and so far just started looking....I will take my time (it has been fun so far). Yesterday I test rode a Trek 4500 and a Fuji Nevada. I want to test drive the Gary Fisher Wahoo as well as some others. There are some good sales on all of these (except the Trek 4500 was the highest price so far).

I have been researching opinions online and trying to weigh out how the bike rides too. I wanted your opinions on brands in my price range... the ones I've tried and ones I should look for.

Out of the 2 I test drove, the Fuji fit me better, although the tires were low on air and the seat was horrible at the time I rode it. The Trek had a better seat but I realize this can be changed out. Both of these are aluminum bikes as opposed to the Gary Fisher witch is Steel (shouldn't I get a lighter bike?....but I've heard good things about Gary Fisher bikes) Also, I am 5'2" and my weight ping pongs between 107-115 (let's hope I can get it back down some after the holidays...hee hee) My husband is 6 foot and weighs over 200 I think. All suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance! :)

-xta

I'm not familiar with either bike, but I think fit is probably the most important feature. Saddles, tyres etc. can easily be upgraded (often for next to nothing when you buy the bike). Steel and Aluminium both have strengths and weaknesses, I don't think one is necessairily 'better' than the other, and weight differences are often down to design as much as material.

Do you know what sort of riding you're likely to be doing?

Richard

I'll be riding on trails....some will be paved and some will be dirt, rocks, roots, grass etc. Even the paved trails can be a little precarious (rr trax, curbs, pot holes etc). Basically I'll use it for whatever...so I want it tough enough, but here in FL there aren't mountains or huge hills or big boulders, although depending on where you ride there are some hilly areas I've seen.

I haven't found many opinions on the Fuji Nevada which makes me a bit nervous about that bike, although it is supposedly made a bit smaller which is better for women. Other bikes made specifically for women are out of our price range. Any bike brand suggestions will be appreciated-- for men, women or both!

Thanx!

-xta

Hi xta, welcome to the forums.

I've got a Trek 4500 and it has served me well. I'm not familiar with the other bikes you mentioned, but the Trek is certainly a good entry type MTB, and I've enjoyed riding mine.

You'll get lots of other opinions here, though, on all the other bikes available!

At that price range, most bikes from major manufacturers [and I think Fuji fits in that category] will be of pretty much equal quality. They'll generally be good all-aorounf utility bikes that won't beat you up on country trails and fire roads. Higher price will get you an lighter bike with more durable components and a 9-speed cassette, but if you're just getting into the sport, your price range will serve you well.

I didn't find any comments on the 2001 Fuji Nevada, but the 2000 model [essentially the same bike] seems well-thought-of. Go here [http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Bike_hardtail/product_24779.shtml] for a few reviews.

Hey thanks for the link... I was on that site but didn't find that thread on the Fuji. I have to say that my butt was killing me on that bike... something that is hard for me to judge how much is the seat (some of it is) or also the architecture of the frame.
This bike is $100 cheaper than the others I've been testing. The opinions online seem to point to weak rims and a terrible seat, but a good starter bike.

Hubbie and I test drove some Giant yukon's today. They were similar to the Treks (guess made by the same people) and are the same price...only the Trek makes the frames smaller which fit me better, but I liked the Giants better for some reason (can't put my finger on it) With the Gaint, the shifting did seem better and the seat felt nice, but I only have 1 inch of clearance on the xsmall. The opinions online regarding the Trek is favorable except they have crappy tires. I haven't read up on Giant yet.

Keep the opinions coming.

-xta

Like Velocipedio said, pretty much everything in the 400 and under price range will be of equal quality. So fit should be your major concern. When you go look at bikes, talk to the people at the bike shop about the fit, and get them to help you get fit right. Fit is a lot more than buying a 15 inch frame, or a 21 inch frame. Any bike, even a 4000 dollar king of the hill bike, will feel like crap if it doesn't fit. One more thing, Giant owns most of the frame manufacturers in Taiwan, where most of the lower end bike frames are made, so Giant can pack more bang for the buck. So if the Yukon fits, that is the bike I would get.

Hey Fubar... isn't it funny the way a dirtbag like you was posting about bike lust in the roadie section and a roadie like me is posting in the dirtbag section? I guess dirtbags and roadies are all basically the same under the skine, eh?




































NOT! :D

:lol:

xta, welcome to the forums! Heres a great page over at the Wombat site on fitting a bicycle: http://www.wombats.org/s95fit.html

I find it hard to fit a bike in a parking lot, most people dont know if there bike fits or not for the first 500 miles! Ride as many bikes as you can, for as long as you can. Whatever you do, dont be in a rush to purchase a bike, take your time.

Originally posted by velocipedio
Hey Fubar... isn't it funny the way a dirtbag like you was posting about bike lust in the roadie section and a roadie like me is posting in the dirtbag section? I guess dirtbags and roadies are all basically the same under the skine, eh?

NOT! :D

Hey velocipedio, look in my profile and you will se my real dream :D

Like people say, at that price the make and manufacturer make little difference. The shop tuning makes a whole lot more difference, so buy from a respected place.

Your husband, at 6" will have little trouble finding a bike which fits, but at 5'2", there are some things you should be aware of.
Most naive fitting guides simple look at the height of the top tube, and give you safe clearance.

You should chose a bike size based on the length from saddle to bars, in a comfortable riding position. You wont want to ride stretched out as a beginner, so pick a size which alows a more relaxed upright position.

The pedal cranks should be smaller than average for smaller riders. 165mm is about the smallest you can find in the shops, if you are very lucky. 170mm is for average male riders, and 175 is for larger riders.

The bottom bracket (in which the pedal cranks turn) is a certain distance from the ground, to give clearance over rocks. For small riders this should be lower than for taller riders. Check the geometry chart of the frame and note this distance. It makes a big difference to the controlability of the bike.

Check out the designs and specs of bikes from Giant, Trek, Jamis, Fuji and any other large manufacturer you can find. The catalogs or web sites usually contain the information. Good fit is more important than any other factor. Good bike shops often have a fitting machine to help you pick the geometry of the bike.

Hey XTA, welcome to the Forums. Where in FL are you from? I'm down in Sarasota and ride all over the place. Usually up in Ocala, I love Tallahassee Trails and lately I've been riding a new Trail just southeast of Tampa called Alafia River State Park. It's not on any maps yet, so e-mail me for directions.

As far as a bike goes, have you considered buying used until you know your going to become serious? I've been riding bikes my whole life and when my wife got interested, we took a huge financial plunge and bought two bikes, accessories, gear, rack....etc. Fortunately we hung with it and now have 8 bikes between us. But as a newbie to the sport, I know 2 new bikes can be a lot a CHA CHING!

The used market may be limited in X-Small sizes, but you can usually get a great deal on the smaller bikes. Not to sound like a Chauvanist (sp?) but you see on eBay all the time stuff like, "Bought bike for the wife and used only twice!" those deals are out there! A used bike for your hubby will be much easier to find.

BTW, if you decide on a Gary Fisher, let me know before you buy. I work at a shop that sells GF, and Cannondale too! I may be able to get you a better price, or at least get some goodies thrown in!

If you're in the Tampa Area or West Coast and are interested in some rides, check out www.clubmtb.com it's a ride scheduling website and I usually post our club rides there! Also a good opportunity to hook up with more riders. Our club is S.O.R.C.E. and we usually do a monthly club ride with a couple of demo bikes from the shop!

Good Luck
L8R

I'm from the Orlando area-- there are a few trails around here (a lot of people from work bike). Eventually I'd like to go out of town to new places of course. I'd love maps to any places ya know about...it just might be awhile b4 I get there.

I thought about used, but I haven't had a lot of luck with my size bike... and then to make sure it fits, I'm not comfortable buying online. I buy a lot of stuff online, but the bike I'd like to get locally. My husband could find something used I'm sure but I feel mean making him get used, and me new!!!

As far as sticking with it::: I know I'll ride it even if it is on local lame trails close to my house. I work out at the gym, walk, and roller blade sometimes, but basically just look for a variety of stuff to do...get bored if I only do one! I've got a knee injury so I do have to switch out my activities so as not to always be straining it too much. Now, my better half is going to borrow a friend's bike to see if he has a reoccuring injury pop up again (which would be a problem.....groin area....ugggh) Anyway, he won't get a bike if it hurts him where it counts. That will suck because we want to do more stuff together. Sheesh we sound old with all these injuries!

So what kind of deal could I get on a Gary Fisher? I did test ride one, but it was one just out of my price range-- a step above the wahoo (can't remember what now) What else did you mention, Cannondale...hmmm I think those are more than I can afford (trying to stay $400 or under).

Thanks everyone for your advice... I'm still testing bikes. I welcome all ideas. Anyone built any cool bike racks for their truck bed? I have the Nissan Frontier 2001 (shortbed). We were thinking of maybe building one if we are feeling clever and cheap.

Peace...
-xta