Mountain Biking - Nashbar Mountain bike for newbie

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AltheCyclist
08-31-09, 01:30 PM
Hello, I'm looking for a cheap, non-WalMart mountain bike for dirt trail riding (nothing hard-core).
Anyone have experience with this ride (a Nashbar AT-1 Mountain Bike):

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10052&storeId=10053&productId=172828&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=201511&top_category=10000

Or would I be better off finding a used bike? I haven't had much luck with used, cheaper mountain bikes (the forks always seem to be trashed).

bikinfool
08-31-09, 01:36 PM
That's somewhat of a disposable component type bike (for example crankset has non-replaceable rings it appears), with a nearly non-functional suspension fork; maybe a bit better than walmart but that depends on who puts it together. If your budget is low $200 range, go used and keep looking for a suspension fork in good shape (or go rigid, with many low end suspension forks you're better off just going rigid).
AltheCyclist
08-31-09, 02:34 PM
How about this one instead? http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/bik/1304491687.html

bikinfool
08-31-09, 03:08 PM
Hard to know from a picture with zero information about the bike's components (other than it has v "breaks") or size or even how much travel it has (doesn't appear to be a "downhill" bike either, I'd guess 5" trail bike instead). Do you really want a full suspension bike and the additional cost/maintenance it might entail? Are you mechanically inclined? Personally I'd recommend a hardtail to start with, if not rigid, to learn on both for skills and maintenance. What size is it? Do you even know what size you're looking for? What kind of riding do you see yourself doing and on what kind of terrain/trails? So many questions, grasshopper...but you really do have to think about what you're getting and why, lots of choices out there...
Rex81
09-04-09, 08:19 AM
The Nashbar bike is barely better than a Walmart bike. Spend an extra hundred bucks and get this if you have to get an entry level bike:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_500HT07.htm

Or, even better, save up $450 and get this solid mid range one. It will likely last you a while and you'll be glad you spent a little more:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_700HT.htm
UBUvelo
09-05-09, 06:05 AM
The Nashbar bike is barely better than a Walmart bike. Spend an extra hundred bucks and get this if you have to get an entry level bike:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_500HT07.htm

Or, even better, save up $450 and get this solid mid range one. It will likely last you a while and you'll be glad you spent a little more:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_700HT.htm


on my ride yesterday, i saw a TON of motobecanes...and these prices seem pretty good