Mountain Biking - Decent bike for a starter

Hello,

A little info on me. I'm 25, 6 ft 1 in, and weigh around 215 lbs. I'm looking for a bike that will be a decent starter to be used on mostly trails, with some off trail, and some road in the mix. Im setting my budget at around $450 max for a bike. Don't have the money now but shouldn't take long to set aside.

Yesterday I went to our local bike shop, and explained what I was looking for out of a bike, and the guy pointed me in the direction of Trek and Cannondale. The Trek model he suggested for a starter was the 2010 3500. I dont know what model the Cannondale was because the Trek was being sold for $350, and the Cannondale was Higher, so I hardly paid any attention to that.

I'm just curious what people here would recommend for my use, age, size, and budget. And also curious to see what some thoughts are on the model bike that was recommended to me.

I first looked at walmart, more out of curiosity than seriousness, and from what I've seen and read and compared I shouldn't look there again.

Thanks in advance for any help.

I would try to get atleast a 4 series trek. I ride a 3900 and with the lack of disk tabs, and lower components, it was a bit of a hold back, or anchor if you will.

Save up another 100 dolars and get a trek 4300disc or atleast a 3700. 350 is to high for a 3500 i paid 310 for my sons 3700. If you feel you cant save the extra 100 bucks the 3500 is an ok starter bike for the type of riding you described above but will leave you wanting more.

Why is $350 to high? It's listed between $329 and $360 on most web sites? Also, I'm pretty limited with shops in this area, unless I go out of town it's basically this or Walmart, at least as far as well known shops that I know about.

I'm pretty sure he had 4 series bikes, not sure what model exactly. But I remember the blue and white coloring from the pictures I saw, and think he was talking around $450 for those.

Why is $350 to high? It's listed between $329 and $360 on most web sites? Also, I'm pretty limited with shops in this area, unless I go out of town it's basically this or Walmart, at least as far as well known shops that I know about.

I'm pretty sure he had 4 series bikes, not sure what model exactly. But I remember the blue and white coloring from the pictures I saw, and think he was talking around $450 for those.




http://trekdg.com/itemdetails.cfm?libid=57248

That what it is at my local shop now and thats not on sale and its a 2010

http://trekdg.com/itemdetails.cfm?libid=57864

http://trekdg.com/itemdetails.cfm?libid=57865

http://trekdg.com/itemdetails.cfm?libid=57873

http://trekdg.com/itemdetails.cfm?libid=57863

these are all 2010 bikes if you can find em ,the 2009's would be 50-75 off what these bikes are selling for and there isint much diferance in them cept for the paint jobs.

He had one 2009 that he was selling for $300, but I don't know what the model was and said that was all he had everything else was new, and once that was gone it's gone, no more getting that model.

Those Treks mentioned above, would be good , or look at Giant bikes. Good bikes, but also GOOD local shop means a lot !

Thanks for the comments so far.

What about used bikes? Found these in my area, made no contact so don't know if they're available, just wanted to see some thoughts on them.

http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/bik/1290940697.html

http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/bik/1287262788.html

Some more:

http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/bik/1266835460.html

http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/bik/1249137684.html

http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/bik/825809916.html

I got a reply from the person selling the Trek 3700 for $300 (may be negotiable but no lower than $250). It is a 2007 model, and is a 19.5" frame. How is the price and is it to small for me?

More info on the first bike from the list, from the seller:


The bike is in good working order. The frame has several scratches which is expected, but not dents or damage. The bike has never been in a crash and my wife is the original owner. It is 21-speed I believe and has Deore Mountain and LX components. All equipment aside from the saddle is original. Wheels are true. It now has slick, 1.5 inch tires for commuting.

I think the bike is a 1991 or 1992. The frame measures 18.5 inches and standover height is 28 inches.

I got a reply from the person selling the Trek 3700 for $300 (may be negotiable but no lower than $250). It is a 2007 model, and is a 19.5" frame. How is the price and is it to small for me?

Sounds really high to me.

You can look at MSRP's by year in Bikepedia. Most bike shops discount from MSRP at least a little.

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?ItemID=95864&Type=bike

Size would be fine for you.

Thats cool, thanks. Sounds like the 950 at this point, from what I've researched and at that price would be better. The guy said he'll accept other reasonable offers but would like $150.

From what I saw on that year 3700 sounds like a lightly used one should go for around $150-$200.

More info on the first bike from the list, from the seller:


The bike is in good working order. The frame has several scratches which is expected, but not dents or damage. The bike has never been in a crash and my wife is the original owner. It is 21-speed I believe and has Deore Mountain and LX components. All equipment aside from the saddle is original. Wheels are true. It now has slick, 1.5 inch tires for commuting.

I think the bike is a 1991 or 1992. The frame measures 18.5 inches and standover height is 28 inches.

This is probably small for you. If it wasn't, and you could negotiate a bit it would be a fun bike to have for smooth trail riding, commuting, bike path riding. If you want to ride any singletrack in the east, you really do want a decent front suspension fork though -- to soak up roots and rocks and small drops.

Add to that -- you CAN ride some pretty bumpy stuff with a rigid bike. I did for years. You just have to learn to soak up the bumps with your arms. If the 950 fits, offer him $125 for it.

does the LBS carry any other brands, like Giant or Specialized? Both have entry lvl mtn bikes starting around $350 (giant boulder and specialized hardrock).

The seller of the 950 even told me he thinks it would be to small for me, so thats probably a no go which sucks, it seemed fairly promising. Is 19.5" what I should be looking for based on my height? It seems to me that an inch smaller wouldn't be that huge but I don't know bikes, hence why I'm here.

I got a response from the seller of the Trek 820, which is going for $250, they say it's a year old, and only has 1 minor frame scratch. I'm still waiting to hear about size of the bike and whether or not the price is negotiable.

The local store I know for a fact has Trek and Cannondale because I saw them. Here is a link for the shop: http://www.ingearcycling-fitness.com/home.htm

Just out of curiosity what would a bmx bike do for me? I see a lot of them on Craigslist at pretty low prices.

updated listing on Trek 950. http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/bik/1297031420.html

Trek 950 sold before I got to it. Bummer.

Going to contact the seller of the 3700 and see if they'll come down in price a bit, and also look at what the local shop has used since I didn't look at any used at the time.

Just out of curiosity what would a bmx bike do for me? I see a lot of them on Craigslist at pretty low prices.

It would be a total bummer on trails...unless you're just wanting to hit jumps with the kids in an empty lot.

Nope no jumps for me, at least none or purpose yet.

Just got back from a Philly bike shop where a guy recommended the 4300 to me. He first said I should be fine on an 18" or 19" bike, but then he said 19.5" was perfect and 18" is to small. So I'm not sure what to take from that entirely.

He also told me stay away from the 3700 cause I will destroy it with my size if I do anything rought with it. Is that true? Or was he just trying to sell me a higher priced bike?

Nope no jumps for me, at least none or purpose yet.

Just got back from a Philly bike shop where a guy recommended the 4300 to me. He first said I should be fine on an 18" or 19" bike, but then he said 19.5" was perfect and 18" is to small. So I'm not sure what to take from that entirely.

He also told me stay away from the 3700 cause I will destroy it with my size if I do anything rought with it. Is that true? Or was he just trying to sell me a higher priced bike?



The 4300 will take more abuse than a 3700 yes hes right there. To tell you that you will destroy the bike with your size is just him trying to sell you the better bike. Either of those bikes will support a 300 pound rider. Email trek and ask them yourself . An 18 inch is most lilkey to small for you i ride an 18 and am only 5 foot ten inches.

Im 6'0 and a 19.5 3900 fit pretty decent.

I just bought a 2010 Specialized Hardrock Sport for $440. I'm 5'11" and 220 lbs and have no worries about this bike being able to support me.

Would a 3700 last me at least a few years with the type of riding I'm doing? Seller said they'd go to $225 when I pointed out the MSRP on bikepedia

Got a bike.

It's a 19" Specialized Hardrock 2010. Paid $390 for it. Tried it compared to a Trek 3500, and Cannondale F9, and liked the Specialized best, felt the smoothest/most solid to me during my trip around the neighborhood.

Nice , the hardrock is a good bike . Enjoy it !

Good to hear. Thanks a lot, it feels good.

113231

113232

113233