Mountain Biking - The new guy

Well that's me...the new guy. A little about myself....Been in the Air Force for 11 yrs, 8 of those as a F-15 crew chief and the last 3 as a F-22 crew chief. Married 5 yrs with 3 kids under 6. Just got orders to Kunsan AB Korea for 1 year unaccompanied and vehicless...is that a word. Anyway looking into getting a mountain bike not only for that but to start riding with my son. Want to keep it under $250. I was just going to go to Wally World until i came across this sight. I know you get what you pay for. I am BRAND NEW to this stuff so any advice is a plus. I'm not going to be heading down mountains at 100 mph or jumping off 30 ft cliffs. Just something to get me from point A to point B, comfy, look kinda cool and not break the bank. I am 6'4, 220 lbs if that makes a difference. Once again Thank you and i look forward to seeing what everyone has to say.

22crew

Welcome to BikeForums.

You've got it right to not buy a bike from a Big Box. A good LBS will be your best bet.

$250 will not buy a decent new MTB at an LBS. For that budget, used/Craigslist will be the way to go.

However, if you are willing to spring for around $400 you will be able to buy a nice entry-level MTB.

Good luck and have fun.

Cool, thanks for the CL advice. I've been looking on there everyday. I have no idea what i'm looking at. I pretty much just look at price. I found this one on there that is in my price range http://norfolk.craigslist.org/for/1324549341.html. Not even sure what it is. I'm hoping it's not to hard to find one considering how tall i am.

22crew

Don't get that. It's no good. Plus, although I don't know for sure, it looks like 200 is probably more than it cost new.

Cool, thanks for the CL advice. I've been looking on there everyday. I have no idea what i'm looking at. I pretty much just look at price. I found this one on there that is in my price range http://norfolk.craigslist.org/for/1324549341.html. Not even sure what it is. I'm hoping it's not to hard to find one considering how tall i am.

22crew

That one is a crappy WalMart throw-away bike and weighs like a tank.

Here's one in your area to look at:

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/bik/1362547412.html

Also, some bike shops will have used bikes, too. Usually had a look over and tune up. Just a thought.

You are indeed quite tall. That's gonna make your search a little harder.:)

Run away from that one. Full suspension for 200? Get a hardtail. Since you say you're just looking at price I suggest that you Google the bike model name and see if it's a quality bike. You might also visit SRAM and Shimano's page and get a quick familiarity with their components hierarchy. I personally will never recommend anyone to get something below the Deore level.

Run away from that one. Full suspension for 200? Get a hardtail. Since you say you're just looking at price I suggest that you Google the bike model name and see if it's a quality bike. You might also visit SRAM and Shimano's page and get a quick familiarity with their components hierarchy. I personally will never recommend anyone to get something below the Deore level.

Might be TMI for the OP at this point.

there is nothing wrong with Walmart/the guys setting up there bikes are generally real pros. /you can get a bike suitable for you for 300.dollars youll out grow it and find a steal at yard sail from someone who didnt have a one track mind//Kenneth

there is nothing wrong with Walmart/the guys setting up there bikes are generally real pros. /you can get a bike suitable for you for 300.dollars youll out grow it and find a steal at yard sail from someone who didnt have a one track mind//Kenneth

What?

Might be TMI for the OP at this point.


Point taken. Alternatively go to a bike shop and have them size you test ride a few bikes. Jot down who the makers and look for those.

there is nothing wrong with Walmart/the guys setting up there bikes are generally real pros. /you can get a bike suitable for you for 300.dollars youll out grow it and find a steal at yard sail from someone who didnt have a one track mind//Kenneth

Isn't a yard sail usually something that propels a yacht?

Well this is the newest one on craigslist today http://norfolk.craigslist.org/bik/1363506423.html. Yay or Nay. $40 can't go bad hahaha.

22crew

Welcome, and thank you for your service!

I just bought my first mountain bike, although I was pretty familiar with componentry from many years riding road bikes. I used www.mtbr.com reiviews and especially www.bikepedia.com to determine quality and cost of older bikes. I'd just sort through the years, colors, components ext on BikePedia to determine what I was looking at and how much it originally cost, and based any decision on first the fit, then the condition and bang for the buck of a particular bike. After about a month watching eBay and craigslist and bidding on or going to see several bikes, I ended up with a nice, mid-quality 12 year old steel bike from a lesser known company for $250 (see link in sig)

It won't take you long to figure out what's good and what isn't. Everything on craigslist that says vintage doesn't necessarily make it valuable (or even worth $20), but keep watching what comes up and go see it. Mine had almost no description at all, and many people might have skipped over it. (title was "2 MTN bikes $250175" where craigslist removed the "/" he had between the two prices.)

Good luck, and enjoy the search!
Steve

Well this is the newest one on craigslist today http://norfolk.craigslist.org/bik/1363506423.html. Yay or Nay. $40 can't go bad hahaha.

22crew

More Walmart crap. Too small for ya, too, big fellah!

What about the BIG bike I linked for you? Here:http://norfolk.craigslist.org/bik/1362547412.html

I got an email back from KHS. They confirmed my guess.


Steve,

It is a 1997 Summit X.

Best RegardsSo, there ya go. Yours is older than '97.