Mountain Biking - Any advice?

Backround, i raced motocross sense i was 4, turned pro yadda yadda, made money, got hurt end story, lol i know this does not mean I will be good on a mtb, but i used to train on them, plus i bmx'd to : ( anyways, my friend made a long trip from ohio to oklahoma where i am right now due to military, he brought his 19in jamis 29er, at the time i had no knowledge on bikes etc. So he searched craigslist for a decent bike so we could go ride, came across a trek 3700 09, paid 180 for it which seemed like a good deal. The guy said it was a 21in but it did not feel like it, I felt pretty comfortable.

My friend has been riding for a few years and the first trail we rode was a lot of climbing plus we got lost in the most technical area which had a lot of wooden trails etc. which I rode with no problems. Our ride turned into a 5 hour ride, our camal backs dry and ticks with no spray. needless to say with all the climbing and it bein my first time in years we were sore, the trek had a speedo mileage thing already and logged 21 miles, if anyone is familiar with clearbay at thunderbird lake in oklahoma then you know the elevation we dealt with. a few days later we rode at nudraper a few times, i couldnt find any other good trails online ( feel free to tell me some if you know the area) and I became addicted, my friend went back to ohio and took the trek with him sense at the time he bought it not knowing if I would stick with it.

so now i'm in the market. by the end of the week he could not stay within 15-20 seconds of me. it felt so natural and i was able to flow through the trails pretty easily once i was comfortable. i searched and even thought about buying a frame off ebay etc. but I dont know all the components to piece one together and couldnt find a good faq to do this. i know first thing is i need to go and test ride, which i have been.

I can tell once i find a bike and get comfy, i'm defiantly going to begin pushing my limits and my bike i hope, im between 5'11 and 170, i dont have a budget really for the right bike but dont plan on spending 3k. im guessing a hardtail is the best option to get the best components to begin with without spending big money? im having trouble finding what brands to be looking at besides the obvious, giant, kona, specialized, gary, trek, jamis etc? whatc brands should i look into? gearing the trek was a 21 speed? ive read 7,8,9 speeds? and all these abv. like xc, ss etc, only ones ive figured out is full and hardtail, ive read the stickies so anymore reading suggestions would be good.I guess ive typed a lot and really havent said anything useful, i hope to get any advice and maybe find some fellow oker's to ride with, so anything will help, try and be nice, i know new guys always annoy, i have been one of the vets on other forums who shake their head when reading new threads.

Well it's hard to give you any specific advice sine you aren't really sure what your price range is, but since you've taken such a quick knack to mountain biking & have a steady, decent paying job (assuming you don't have a wife or kids to support on military pay), I would look into something closer to the $1000 range, maybe even $1500 so you can get a good full suspension XC bike. There are plenty of bikes much cheaper that would be fine to begin with since you didn't have any troubles on the Trek 3700 (about about $400 new), but if you can afford it & know that mountain biking is a sport you're really getting into, it's cheaper to throw out the extra money now instead of having to upgrade later.

Now, that said, go to all your local bike shops (LBS). Think of your new bike like a new car--all the salesmen want you on their bike, & probably honestly think they're the best option for you. But only you know which bike feels right. What they can all do (since most bike shop guys are much less sharky than car dealers) is help you assess what kind of bike you really want. I went to mine I said I do mostly light to intermediate XC, & he immediately recommended the Hardrock Sport Disc as the best value in that area, even though it was one of the least expensive bikes in his shop. But just shop around & ask lots of questions, because mountain bikers in general are pretty passionate about the sport & your LBS will be more than happy to answer any & all of your questions, & get you on your first real mountain bike.

Oh, & they'll also know all the trails in about a 100 mile radius. Many that you probably can't find on any website from a google search. Very useful.

But don't buy from anyone that pays commission to their salespeople. That taints their view everytime. At my LBS they say, "you can talk to any of us." That's groovy.

Holy long paragraph batman!

To find out where the trails are, go to your LBS and ask them. They'll know.

In terms of what to get - this depends on your budget. You gave a range of what seemed like 200$ - 3000$. There's quite a bit of variation in there. If you come up with a specific budget, it'll be easier narrowing down what you should get.

A lot of people like Santa Cruz. I like Santa Cruz's Chameleon. It's in the upper end of your price range, but you won't be upset with it.

mysuggestionistonotgetanymorebadassthanyoualreadyareoryourheadmightexplodeyourockdude

HAHA, I'm not badass I'm a nub. To help I'll say up to $1,500 for right now, I have been searching Cl, Ebay for used good condition to maybe get lucky and get a FS. Lol sorry for the terrible grammer and run on paragraph, I started typing and that's what came out. I really appreciate the fast good replies. With components I don't know exactly what to look for, I like the feel of discs a lot more but I know you can usually upgrade if you have tabs? And if I spend around the 1k mark then most of the components will be more than fine? Thanks Also should i go for a 29er? I know its preference and I've read tons of threads about them.. I was looking at a Gary F 29er cobia I think, but gary's are getting discoun. so would it be a good idea? like a car that they stop making do you still buy?

mysuggestionistonotgetanymorebadassthanyoualreadyareoryourheadmightexplodeyourockdude

Gotta hand it to JY, he always has a comeback! So I have to know, if your between 5'11" and 170........what does that equate to??????? Just being a smarta$$ myself like JY. First determine budget; then ride style; then go and parooooze over bikes at your LBS and test ride a few. Then buy! Then ride and don't spend so much time on the forum. That is all the advice I can muster up right now.

. . . then go and parooooze over bikes at your LBS . . . .I think with BBP/bodily secretions rules/laws being what they are now, if you ooze on it you gotta buy it.

Peruse with care, OP.

What your primary concern should be after you decide what kind of bike best fits your needs is the frame. Components can be upgraded piece by piece afterward as a sort of 'pay-as-you-go' deal, & old components can be sold off if they're still in good condition at the time of upgrading. For the $1K range, I've heard good things about the Giant Yukon FX. Solid full suspension frame & components that you would find on a $400-500 bike, for $850 new. On the higher end of the $1500 cap, you've got the Specialized FSRxc, which I've heard great things about. There are limitless options out there, you just have to determine what kind of bike you need & try them out. It sounded like you were really interested in XC, which is what both those bikes are for. If you find that you're more into downhill or dirt jumping, those categories also have very different bikes made specifically for them. (be forewarned, though--downhill will require a much higher price cap)

Try a bike off Craigs List. If you know how to haggle you can get a pretty good bike for less than a grand. Ride it for a couple of months, tinker with it and then resell it for about the same money. Learn what you like and don't like.

MTB Magazine also just published a list of 7 FS bikes for $2K and less. The Scott Spark 50 was the lightest and seemed well equipped.

BUT it has so much white on it that someone like BN will steal it.

Try a bike off Craigs List. If you know how to haggle you can get a pretty good bike for less than a grand. Ride it for a couple of months, tinker with it and then resell it for about the same money. Learn what you like and don't like.

MTB Magazine also just published a list of 7 FS bikes for $2K and less. The Scott Spark 50 was the lightest and seemed well equipped.

BUT it has so much white on it that someone like BN will steal it.

I love white on a bike! Easily shows dirt and how hard you ride!!!!!!!! I do resemble that comment! :)

I think with BBP/bodily secretions rules/laws being what they are now, if you ooze on it you gotta buy it.

Peruse with care, OP.

You liked that didn't you???? :D

My eyes hurt.

What your primary concern should be after you decide what kind of bike best fits your needs is the frame. Components can be upgraded piece by piece afterward as a sort of 'pay-as-you-go' deal, & old components can be sold off if they're still in good condition at the time of upgrading. For the $1K range, I've heard good things about the Giant Yukon FX. Solid full suspension frame & components that you would find on a $400-500 bike, for $850 new. On the higher end of the $1500 cap, you've got the Specialized FSRxc, which I've heard great things about. There are limitless options out there, you just have to determine what kind of bike you need & try them out. It sounded like you were really interested in XC, which is what both those bikes are for. If you find that you're more into downhill or dirt jumping, those categories also have very different bikes made specifically for them. (be forewarned, though--downhill will require a much higher price cap)

Thats just it though, there's so much out there its hard to narrow down to 5 choices without knowing the exact parts, frame specs etc. you want and I was trying to get a general idea to start with, I was looking at a GF 29er, so basing off of that what type of things should i look for? I was trying to make a checklist with things I wanted then make an add to list.

At a given pricepoint, most bikes are fairly similar in terms of components. So go ride as many bikes as you can in your budget range first. You'll get a better sense of what you feel comfortable on. Then come back and ask the forum about your favorites.

At a given pricepoint, most bikes are fairly similar in terms of components. So go ride as many bikes as you can in your budget range first. You'll get a better sense of what you feel comfortable on. Then come back and ask the forum about your favorites.

Ok, I'll do that over the weekend and be back. Thanks

Then come back and ask the forum about your favorites so we can poke holes in each one, ignite flame wars amongst ourselves over individual components and sidetrack the discussion with off-topic humous photo posts.Fixed.

What's an off-topic humous photo post?

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What's an off-topic humous photo post?Example: vid captures of scenes from Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle:

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t162/dminorwa/TGMBG_2010/IMG_1892.jpg

Is humous some American word I don't know about? Because I bet you're not talking about humus...especially since you didn't know what a donair was! :P

BTW, the guy in the Syndicate jersey looks fast.

Damn. Let me try this again:


Then come back and ask the forum about your favorites so we can poke holes in each one, ignite flame wars amongst ourselves over individual components and sidetrack the discussion with off-topic humorous photo posts.Fixed.



I hate making typos!





BTW, the guy in the Syndicate jersey looks fast.I understand he's a pinner - - once you can wake him up.

Damn. Let me try this again:

Fixed.

I hate making typos!

http://www.snorgtees.com/images/Disappointment_Fullpic_1.gif

Don't you like how I don't let you off easily?





I understand he's a pinner - - once you can wake him up.

He's looks pretty old so what do you expect? ;)

Try checking http://www.mtbr.com/

You can see how ppl rate bikes and components, etc.

I cant believe nobody linked this yet.

I'm on there, ill check it out. thanks

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K there you go.

I actually ride the Gary Fisher Cobia and love it. Contrary to what you said about being discontinued, it is actually a little different. They are just being brought under the trek name but retain everything that makes a fisher a fisher. They are just slapping "trek" across it. If possible though, i would also suggest that you take a look at the x-cal, which is the next level up i believe. At this level you get the hydro brakes which you will definitely notice.

I cant believe nobody linked this yet.Why would we link a site that competes for advertisers and bandwidth? Self-defeating, no?

im going to check out some GF, jamis, and giants tomorrow.

Ok bad news, i went to some lbs today to test and all of them had a very limited number of bikes. I got to ride two Giant talon and talon 2 29er's, I liked the talon better. Then got to ride a Gary fisher 29er but it was a rig and the only 29er they had. I liked the Gary Fisher a lot even though it is not what I'm looking for. I'm going to go to another that only carries Specialized tomorrow.

Since you used to shred the gnar...what is it that you like about mountain biking?
-Do you like spinning out lap times like a geek?
-Are you into exploring the trail and gawking around at the wooden thingys with leaves on them?
-How bout popping off everything that has a lip...tweaking it out in the air?

There are different kinds of bikes for different styles of riding. I break crap, so I have a gnar frame with an All Mountain build (somewhat beefy) for general trail riding, XC, shredding the XC gnar. I tried XC bikes...but I broke 'em.


I hunch that your BMX/Moto roots could cause you to be more of a "fun" rydah...versus the Madd Spinner wearing the HR monitor.

Well I'm just gettign back into it, also I will be getting my lady a bike also to tag along whenever she's complaining we don't spend enough time together. But after just a week or so of riding with my friend who has been riding for almost there years, and me being on a borrowed bike i was pulling about 20-30 seconds at a time on him. The trails were not crazy, few kinda fast slight downhills with jumps, flowing wooded areas with steep down and ups, and some built wooden pathways not sure what you call these, told they are technical though so I enjoy these types of trails. I feel like I'm going to get addicted. I'm very into fitness and love doing this way more than running. Once I get a bike I will atleast ride 3 times a week locally, but everything within 30 minutes or so is not to crazy, and Ill look to travel to Tulsa a few times a month etc. I'm not into racing or competing, and if I do get into it I'll built a purpose only race bike. I'de like to get a nice 29er hardtail and maybe a FS 26er? 29er is gonna be my first purchase though, and I am interested in getting into fast fun stuff.

Sounds like a good FS XC bike would best suit your needs. That is, assuming you don't ride as hard as chelboed.

Why would we link a site that competes for advertisers and bandwidth? Self-defeating, no?

It was a lot easier to read the reviews on bikes, components and accessories over there. You dont have to deal with trolls.:bang:

^^ You didn't answer the question.

I just came across Niners bikes, and they are gorgeous. And I have a shop that carries them pretty close. Might choose to build one of these.

Ok so I finally found two good shops that have some inventory, one has some niners, specialized etc, the other is trek Gf etc. Ide decided to spend about $1,500 for now which I hope gets me a bike that I wont be able to out ride within a year or so. I have a few bikes im looking at, what would you pick? Gary fisher cobia 29er, trek 6700 comp disc, Gary Fisher Mamba or marlin, or a similar specialized. would you add anytihng I should check out? Ide like FS but I know if you go cheap you end up being slower due to poor suspension etc. so i wanna go with a pretty good hardtail for now. any advice is appreciated.

I hunch that your BMX/Moto roots could cause you to be more of a "fun" rydah...versus the Madd Spinner wearing the HR monitor.

you'd be surprised how much motocross has helped me ride XC in many aspects! (well, okay...mostly shredding the DH parts)

:D

It defiantly helps me, especially with reading terrian. also with body position. I keep coming across lower end bikes on craigslist that i keep debating about like 10' trek 4300 disc, 3700's, spec rockhopper, stuntjumpers, some niner air 9 frames etc. Im thinking about getting one for cheap then maybe keep as a backup, besides the niner frames would any of these be good to go for awhile on up to advanced trails but notihng to crazy 5+ ft air etc.? or should i just hold out maybe get a close out and get a nice 29er or 6700 etc?

get the stuntjumper. that one sounds awesome.

Yea, there nice but not in my top three at the moment. Im in the process of trying to research parts and acronyms etc. Theres so many aftermarket parts and im trying to figure out what fits on which type of bikes etc. like wheels, hubs, disc, cranks, brakes etc. so if theres a faq or anything or if anyone would like to help out that be awesome thanks!