Mountain Biking - Good Bikes anyone?

Sorry to ask a question I would imagine all of ya'll get a lot, but I'm gonna any way.

I'm looking into geting a good moutain bike (around the $350) range, and I was wondering what ya'll had to suggest. I've gone to a few shops in town and talked to the people. I've found that an 18" bike it the best for me.

I looked at a Trek 4300 today, and I loved it. I'm just worried that since I know absolutly nothing about bikes that I'm going to get something that I either don't need, or is not good. Does anyone own a Trek 4300, and can you tell me your experiences with it?

I want to use the bike to ride to school here in Lubbock Texas, and also to do some minor off roading on the weekends. Any information ya'll can give me would be greatly appreciated.

PS Where are good places to look for bikes for sell on the web?

Hi, welcome to the forums.

I don't know much about the Trek 4300, but the Spec, looks fine for riding to school or light off-roading. I think Specialized Hardrock FS is about the same price, and I'm sure Giant do something it that price range. I wouldn't buy a bike over the web unless you're A- prepared to take a big risk, and B- know a lot about bikes.

Have a wander round your local bikeshops and try the bikes in your price range out. Once you've found a bikeshop you like dealing with, and found a bike that fits you well, that's the time to buy.

Get a bike frame that fits, you can always upgrade components later.

Richard

Are you looking for used bikes or new bikes?

Used, try www.mtbr.com or heck cruz around ebay!

If new, try www.pricepoint.com www.supergo.com www.jensonusa.com and there are a bunch of others.

You can always find a brand you want and then do a google or yahoo seach.

Be careful when buying used. If they don't have any pics of the bike and say, "it's just like the one on the company's website" watch out! If buying online I want to see the product I'm buying and the condition it's in. If they're an honest seller (most are) and the products in the condition they say it is, there shouldn't be a problem.

If buying new, realize you're gonna have to put it together. They come only partially assembled. If you know how, and have all the right tools not a problem! If you don't you better be ready for a headache. Sure you can take it to you LBS to have them do it, but
1)they'll be pissed you didn't buy from them
2)the cost to put it together($35-50 USD) usually equals what you saved by buying online (that's how they sell em so cheap!)
3) You better be sure you get the right size or your outta some big bucks trying to ship it back and then get the next size.
4) It's always good to establish a relationship with you LBS.
5) You're always risking it being damaged in shipping (get insurance for shipping. Esp if you use UPS Grnd!)

Oh yeah, check out www.bikesrnottoys.com it's a great place for newbies.

I just bought an 18 inch Trek 4300 last Sunday----1st ride was yesterday---did 12 miles on the pavement---so far so good.

I usually ride a road bike---but wanted something reasonably priced so I could use the dirt trails around here too. I don't plan doing anything too extreme( getting too old for that--Big 4 0 this summer)--so I figured this would be the way to go.

Was going back and forth between the Trek and the Specialized (both were the same price)---and went with the Trek because it just seemed to me the Trek was little more rugged and all the cables running on top of the tube--seemed like there would be less to get snagged or rubbed through. Disc brake option--but I doubt I'll ever put discs on it.

I looked at the 4300 a couple days ago, and did some thinking... since I'm going to be doing a lot of singletrack/off-roadng I decided to get the 4500 with the upgraded fork... but for you, since it's basically commuting and occasional weekend outings the 4300 should fit just fine! :beer:

I was bouncing between the Trek 4300, 4500 and Specialized myself. I bought the 4500 for the same reason just a little better components. So far I love it. I won't be doing any crazy stuff with it just some mild off road and it should be more than efficient for that. If you think your going to stay away from the crazy stuff because your turning the big 40, I am turning the big 50 this year so I surely don't want anything broken. Takes to long to heal at this age. :o