Mountain Biking - First "real" MTNB. need help

Im lookin to spend $1,000. on a MTNB. maybee a little more!?

I dont know where to really start here, so i will tell you a little about myself.

Im 225lb, 6'5'', athleticly built and 28 yrs old. Ive just recovered from a medial torn miniscus knee surgery and im very excited to get into the sport of biking.

Ive rode before my injury, but nothing serious. I owned a mongoose "FS" I bought from wallmart 8yrs ago and sold it when i got injured 2 yrs ago, dont laugh.!

Ive been looking around town here in las vegas for a bike. So far im lookin at the DB Recoil 09 COMP 20" and the DB Response COMP 09 22", both $699.

First off im not sure weather to go with hardtail or FS (advantages/disadvantages)..?

My height and weight are an issue and i need some guidance in frame size and quality..?

Are the DB's im lookin at good for me, or good at all..?

Im very mechanicly inclined so i have no problem building a bike if thats the better option and get more for the $.

If it matters i like to ride on the St, mostly because im spontanious (construction sites ,jump curbs and any city obstacles, there are lots of St here that are Hilly), and somtimes i like to do trails. So im into both really.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks guys/girls
Luke

Not to be rude, but try a search. Their have been tons of threads on this topic. Some popping up every two or three days even.

Other than that, again not trying to be rude, but since your a bigger fellow, don't cheap out on components, it will only lead to failure. My one ridding buddy is a big guy, and he had issues with things braking once he got more comfortable and started ridding more aggressively. I'd say stay away from DB. Are you shopping at Dicks? You may want to find a LBS in your area. For that price range, you could get a very very decent used HT.

If I were in your spot, and knew what I do today, I'd look for a used upper/mid level bike. Something like a 2-3 yo trek, specialized, etc. At least XT/XTR or S9/S0 level drivetrain bits, and a 21 or 22 inch frame. Find a solid ride and then look at the reviews on mtbr.com or epinions.com for that model/year. You want some pretty bomb-proof wheels and frame.

For $1000 or less you can get that, but with lower level components. At the very least this will frustrate you as you struggle to get into the right gear while other riders shift with a nearly silent 'click'. It will also be heavy.

I did as much research as I could stand last fall and came to the conclusion that the starting price of a full suspension bike with decent components and which weighed less than 30# was about $1800 new. My answer? a 27 lb full suspension 1999 Schwinn Homegrown for $350 off of craigslist.

Let us know what you do. This question does get asked quite a bit, and many people do buy 500-800 bike store bikes and are happy with them. Many more people buy expensive bikes and then never use them. These last folks make low-use, high-end bikes available to those of us with a more frugal mindset, for about half the new price.

Best of luck.

If you're looking at new, $1000 will get you a good hardtail with solid components.

JOETRONIC: Sry but i really dont know where to start with the search. Yeah the DB's im looking at are at Dicks, i thought it was a good deal. Are DB's not good, and HT is what your suggesting.?

FASTBOY143: 22' in frame is optimal for my height, and what is XT and XTR stand for? I dont mind upgrading any bike i get weather new or used.

Where can i find some good used bikes or new bikes online, ive been checking craigslist and everything on there is low end garbage.? I Called around to my LBS and they only sell new, for full MSRP! like that recoil i was lookin at they want $1,000 at LBS and its only $699 at dicks.!!

Its very hard to find somthing used in my size, believe me ive been looking.

Im really thinkin to just build it myself, frame up.! What are some good frames out there in my size if i go this route?

I really just need some good advice on what to buy. so i need help spending this money in the right way! show me some bikes.!

Thanks guys
luke

At the $1000 price point, stick to hardtails if you are buying new. Shop the local LBS's. Look at Specialized, Cannondale, Kona, Trek, Gary Fisher. All will have solid choices.

Not to be rude, but try a search. Their have been tons of threads on this topic. Some popping up every two or three days even.

Other than that, again not trying to be rude, but since your a bigger fellow, don't cheap out on components, it will only lead to failure. My one ridding buddy is a big guy, and he had issues with things braking once he got more comfortable and started ridding more aggressively. I'd say stay away from DB. Are you shopping at Dicks? You may want to find a LBS in your area. For that price range, you could get a very very decent used HT.

Yeah, I saw those at Dick's over the weekend. Looks like whomever is responsible for buying, over there has upped the spec on the bikes they carry. For the first time I saw the DBs they carry w/ 9 speed, BB5s, and Tora, upfront.

If you have the budget for the DB, you could feasibly get something solid from your LBS.

Some may shun them but www.bikesdirect.com has some nice deals

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fly_xc.htm

Just thought I would throw it out, a few of my friends own some motobecane bikes and they are rather nice, especially for the price (I personally only own a road bike from them, but it's quality is higher than expected also).