Mountain Biking - An inexpensive bike...

What is the best mb for under $500? I am going to be riding it to school a lot, also in the bluffs, going off compacted dirt jumps and landing on compact dirt. It is kinda bumpy too. I was at my LBS today checking out mountain bikes, and I saw the Diamondback Response Sport (http://bicyclewarehouse.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=8708). Is that a good mb for what I will be applying it to? How does that compare to the Komodo 2.0 (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BI294T02-Jamis+Komodo+20+Bike+07.aspx?sc=FRGL)? Thanks in advance.

Okay...I am thinking that I made the question too complicated. So here is a revision:

Which one is better for riding long distance on street/sidewalk and dirt jumps?

>Diamondback Response-Sport (http://bicyclewarehouse.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=8708)

>Jamis Komodo 2.0 (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BI294T02-Jamis+Komodo+20+Bike+07.aspx?sc=FRGL)

get the komodo

What makes it better than the DBRs?

honestly, I have no idea...sorry for the whimsical suggestion

My LBS is selling a 2007 Jamis Komodo 2.0 for >$800! I am going to see if they will match this online price. They were selling the Diamondback for ~$450-$480.

The Jamis has a better drive train Deore over Altus. And a better fork with slightly more travel. I don't know much about the frame quality. You're asking for a bike that will do two very different things drops vs road so whatever you get will get torn up, good road bike doing a lot of drops or will be uncomfortable, good drop bike doing a lot of road. Makes it a tough call.

No bike will do both of those well.

Want a cheap bike? I'll sell you my '07 Yukon for $350 plus shipping to CA.

No bike will do both of those well.

+1

if you're riding distance, get a bike meant for the road. the bike i use to ride to school i picked up off the end of someone's drive + refurbed. Cost me 5$ to get it functional (brake pads). Cost me an additional 210$ to make it "better" (cheap wheelset, handlebar tape, new chain, clipless pedals).

get discipline-specific bikes, or a SC Chameleon + second wheelset.

I would rather have a dirt jumping bike than a distance road bike. I can always ride my bmx to school, and save the komodo for afterschool bashing in the bluffs. :D

Perhaps I'm wrong, but I don't believe that the Jamis or Diamondback models you are considering are made for dirt jumping. You need something more burly. Let someone who is familiar with DJ bikes make some suggestions for you................

I would rather have a dirt jumping bike than a distance road bike. I can always ride my bmx to school, and save the komodo for afterschool bashing in the bluffs. :D

then do it.

Is $550 + $40 S/H a good deal for a Jamis Komodo? They build it before they ship it, or so they claim.

Perhaps I'm wrong, but I don't believe that the Jamis or Diamondback models you are considering are made for dirt jumping. You need something more burly. Let someone who is familiar with DJ bikes make some suggestions for you................

The Komodo is supposed to be a freeride hardtail, so It should be able to withstand abuse. It would probably be just fine for DJ.

The Komodo is supposed to be a freeride hardtail, so It should be able to withstand abuse. It would probably be just fine for DJ.
The frame should be okay, but it's only a matter of time before the fork goes.

Oh, I didn't even look at that. I thought it has a Drop Off or Dirt jumper.

Is $550 + $40 S/H a good deal for a Jamis Komodo? They build it before they ship it, or so they claim.

Will it fit you?

I am 6'1", how do I find my size?

I am 6'1", how do I find my size?

You go to a respected bike shop and ask them to fit you. If you don't know what size is good for you, don't buy online.

forget the LBS .. just buy a large or a 19 inch. well you are jumping .. maybe a medium.... wait maybe do go to the LBS

I'll just tell you what I know, the komodo is only available in a 14.5 and 16.5 (they make a 18.5, but jenson doesnt have it).

The frame should be okay, but it's only a matter of time before the fork goes.


You mean to say that the fork will self destruct after a certain amount of jumps?:crash: Which fork would be better?

i had a diamond back response. I used it for commuting and mountain riding. the altius components are not the best, but will perform well enough if given a little attention now and then. you might even learn a little bike maintenance while you are at it. my biggest complaint about the response was the single wall rims it came with. mountain riding made it clear why double wall is the only way to go. if you are not riding technical trails, this should not be a real problem.
overall, i was happy with my response. i eventually sold it to a buddy for a screaming deal and he still rides it as a commuter. i like the response. i know nothing about the komodo.

Thanks to this (http://www.grouptrails.com/bike_size.htm), I figured out that I have a bike size of 16-17 inches. So I guess I am getting the 16.5" Komodo. So now all I need is a better fork than what comes with the Komodo. Which one is best for dirt jumping?

http://www.marzocchi.com/Template/detailSPAForksMTB.asp?IDFolder=208&IDOggetto=56487&LN=UK&Sito=usa-mtb

Keep in mind, with a dirt jumper, sometimes it's nicer to have a slightly smaller bike. More flickable that way.

Thanks to this (http://www.grouptrails.com/bike_size.htm), I figured out that I have a bike size of 16-17 inches. So I guess I am getting the 16.5" Komodo. So now all I need is a better fork than what comes with the Komodo. Which one is best for dirt jumping?

Oh, that's good. Who knew it was so simple?

http://www.marzocchi.com/Template/detailSPAForksMTB.asp?IDFolder=208&IDOggetto=56487&LN=UK&Sito=usa-mtb

Keep in mind, with a dirt jumper, sometimes it's nicer to have a slightly smaller bike. More flickable that way.

Something with a 20mm TA will only complicate things. New wheel, allen key, and so on. Something like a DJ3 or so would probably be better. Lower end, but cheaper and standard drop outs.