Mountain Biking - I'm looking for a bike...

Hey everyone, as the days pass I go cycling more and more and I've realised that my Boomerang that costed 140 euros won't do, the suspension and gears are messed up and it's just not worth repairing them. :mad: My parents might pay for a new bike (with me paying 100 euros). I'd be doing jumps, going down stairs, mountain trails, and some tricks like wheelie, endo, bunnyhop, etc. I'm not rich so this bike will have to last me a long while. :D Right now I'm still at "entry level", I'm not very good at tricks, just normal cycling. I'd be cycling more or less everyday and this bike would have to suit my skill for as long as possible (I want this bike to be good for me (if possible) through entry level and intermediate level.
My budget is around MAX 425 euros, and I was thinking about getting the Trek 3900 for 350 euros but I wanted to hear reccomendations and opinions.
Oh and one question: I see suspensions measured by the "travel" in mm. I assume the more travel the better the suspension right? Oh yeah, what would suit me better, long or short gloves? I've got a pair of orange Fox Mesa ones (short) but my friends keep saying long ones are better.

Thanks in advance!
-Drunken Chicken

EDIT: I've upped my max. to around 425 euros.

I'd say also look at the Specialized Hardrock series... perhaps the Jamis Cross Country bikes? I've heard Jamis puts out some really good stuff at the entry level. Looking at the Trek's specs, I don't see it lasting you very long doing jumps, stairs, and medium difficulty trails. Giant also seems to offer really good value for the dollar... Might wanna check them out, too. I'm not great with currency conversion and some companies (namely Kona) seem to charge more for bikes over there than they do here, so we can't necessarily convert the US Price to a Euro price. Either way, don't just jump on the Trek... hit up some bike shops and see what you like best. Ride a few and talk to the bike shop employees. You're not just buying a bike, you're buying a relationship with a shop, really. After all, when you break something, these are the guys you're going to have to deal with (unless you fix it yourself).

For all the things you are looking for one bike the Hardrock is a good place to start. It's a good frame you can upgrade as you progress. As for travel,more is not always better. An xc rider won't run a 8" fork nor will a freerider want a sid short travel fork. These things you will learn as you go grasshopper, live long and jump far. :D

I always recommend to get a good all around bike at first, maybe with 100mm of travel up front and all so that you can figure what you want. I used to be into more free riding, then i learned XC is my sort of thing so thats where my money goes now

I second phantomcow on his suggestion. Something with a 80mm to 100mm fork would be good for just about any disclipine you could think of. I used to be into XC, but found my true calling doing more freeriding type things.

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions, I'll take them into account.

Cheers,
-Drunken Chicken =D

The Hardrock is good as a bike, but it is also good as a benchmark for comparison. If you pay more for another model, do you get more? Can you get something as good in a no-name brand for less?
The Specialized frame is quite good, but it comes out of a big taiwanese factory* just like every other frame.
* The Merida factory

Hmm, I just realized my friend had a Specialized Hardrock and it got stolen. >:( Anyway, whats that big swelling near the handlebars? :D It looks all weird... ;)

You mean the stem? Yeah, it is pretty odd looking. I'll probably replace mine, since it's pretty short (and kinda ugly).

I agree the Hardrocks are excellent bikes, maybe get the one with disc brakes and nicer parts, instead of the cheapest one (which I have).

I'm gonna have to say hardrock...great bike and I've seen several people on here who have them.

So many people here say (along with both my best friends) that if I get a higher budget get the Hardrock. I'll see if I can persuade my parents (oh by the way how is the Trek Bruiser? Both my best friends have it and it's so cool, but only 75 euros more than the Hardrock. Which should I get in that case?)

Thanks for all the feedback!
-Drunken Chicken

EDIT: 75, not 25 euros less. :)

Hmm, I just realized my friend had a Specialized Hardrock and it got stolen. >:( Anyway, whats that big swelling near the handlebars? :D It looks all weird... ;)

Hes probably talking about where the top and bottom tubes meet. There is a large contact patch between the two tubes, and alot of welds to make it strong. Someone had a picture of the Hardrock, and some other frame, but I dont remember what the thread was called...

Just did a search and found it. It was posted by Raiyn:
http://img175.exs.cx/img175/9083/Headtubewelds.jpg

Just did a search and found it. It was posted by Raiyn:
http://img175.exs.cx/img175/9083/Headtubewelds.jpg
Actually the black frame on the left IS a Hardrock (my 1999 Hardrock FS Comp) the one on the right is actually a Rockhopper, but the idea is the same for the Hardrock.

Couldn't let you call her "some other frame" :p

try the kona hahana

Not sure about the Euro's conversion, but I think it's around $650 USD

I favor HARO's. They offer a good value for the buck.... They also have the strong welds like in the photo.

I say you should get the Specialized Hard Rock because in this price range, the hardrock frame has probably got the best chance at standing up to dirt jumps and more intense stuff.

Agreed... I have yet to find anything that I want to do that I can't on my hardrock. OK, so it's not a hucking bike to go flying off 8ft drops. But if you'll notice I said anything I *want* to do, and that's not something I'm interested in. It handles just fine on singletrack, works great as a commuter and it's fun to do some mild urban assault on, too. A great starter bike if you ask me. Then again, I'm partial because I own one. One thing I will say is that they're sized weird. I got a 17.5" for the standover height but the cockpit is too short for my tastes and I had to upgrade to a 110mm 0deg rise stem.

Again, thanks for all the replies. I didn't mean the weld by the way, I meant the stem as someone correctly pointed out. Still, thanks for the pics. :)

Just another question, my friend showed me he bought some "lizardskin" (aka something that he put near the derailleur, you'll probably know what I'm talking about)
What purpose does it server? When doing jumps it protects the metal from the chain? Muffles the banging of the chain? It's only 9 euros and I'm kind of puzzled.

I had my bike for a few months without the Lizardskin I have, and the chain would slap the frame nearly every time I caught air. The thin plastic layer on there started to get turn up, and I think the aluminum underneath even got scratched. I bought a lizardskin protector to hide the black scratches and etc, and to protect it from getting worse. They dont get damaged nearly as easily, and they do help with noise some.

I just bought a Hardrock Pro and and I am quite pleased with it. I would suggest you test ride a few of the Hardrock models. They are definitely worth looking into. Good luck, John

Agreed... I have yet to find anything that I want to do that I can't on my hardrock. OK, so it's not a hucking bike to go flying off 8ft drops. But if you'll notice I said anything I *want* to do, and that's not something I'm interested in. It handles just fine on singletrack, works great as a commuter and it's fun to do some mild urban assault on, too. A great starter bike if you ask me. Then again, I'm partial because I own one. One thing I will say is that they're sized weird. I got a 17.5" for the standover height but the cockpit is too short for my tastes and I had to upgrade to a 110mm 0deg rise stem.

Ive done 8ft drops with my Hardrock :D

Just another question, my friend showed me he bought some "lizardskin" (aka something that he put near the derailleur, you'll probably know what I'm talking about)
What purpose does it server? When doing jumps it protects the metal from the chain? Muffles the banging of the chain? It's only 9 euros and I'm kind of puzzled.
Save your money. A section of clear water supply hoes is MUCH thicker and much cheaper. Throw in some zip ites and you're done. It's what I did.
http://img134.exs.cx/img134/8173/RaiynRockhopper3.jpg

My chainstay is too beefy to fit water pipe around haha. You can also use an old tube and wrap it around and zip tie, but water pipe like what Raiyn's would work really well and would work on a hardrock.

My chainstay is too beefy to fit water pipe around haha. You can also use an old tube and wrap it around and zip tie, but water pipe like what Raiyn's would work really well and would work on a hardrock.
You'd be surprised. Those vinyl hoses can get pretty big plus they only really need to cover the top and bottom. Heck I've got a gap on the inside of mine, not like it matters there. :D

Anthonaut, you don't need to wrap the whole chainstay in water pipe, you slice it and cover the top (where damage is caused by chain). Also you can get some of that clear water pipe which would be big enough to fully wrap yours. I've even seen some which is big enough to wrap mine. However I've opted for the old tube wrapped around, then electrical tape over that.

Again, thanks for all the replies! :D Is there a big difference between Hardrock, Hardrock Pro? Better components?

Again, thanks for all the replies! :D Is there a big difference between Hardrock, Hardrock Pro? Better components?
Ummm....yeah http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkFamily.jsp?sid=05Hardrock&JServSessionIdroot=wka72uxvvs.j27007

Woah, Deore derailleurs? Nice. :p

FWIW, I believe the exchange rate puts him around $800USD, not $650. He can definitely find a good HT that should last him a while. Oh, and I'll just go along with everybody else and recommend the Hardrock. :)

Edit: oops, misread the first post. I didn't read "Euros", I read "pounds" for some reason. They look the same, right. :rolleyes: :o

Better than Altus or Acera

i always fix my own bike ( in reply to the first guys reply) i guess spring rates and bleeding hydraulics arent hard after you learn to fix a car! but im mechanicaly gifted. maybe you guys arent, or you're just lazy... please dont mock my grammer it comes and goes!
also! people keep thinkin its "hardcore" to ride a bmx like a mountain bike( my cheepo MB gave out) i ride a trek bmx on local trails, i think its stupid since i stop like a dragster( not at all without hitting something or a parachute!) what do you guys think?
also, i use cloth surgical tape whereever i think i'll wreck my bike. on a black frame it looks kinda goth, but you can keep it in a seatbag for injury or repair!

Anthonaut, you don't need to wrap the whole chainstay in water pipe, you slice it and cover the top (where damage is caused by chain). Also you can get some of that clear water pipe which would be big enough to fully wrap yours. I've even seen some which is big enough to wrap mine. However I've opted for the old tube wrapped around, then electrical tape over that.


You'd be surprised. Those vinyl hoses can get pretty big plus they only really need to cover the top and bottom. Heck I've got a gap on the inside of mine, not like it matters there. :D

Yeah, its just the water pipe i've got hanging in my shed wont fit the whole way around. I guess i can leave a gap on the wheel side, like you said, it doesnt matter there. I might do that soon actually as my lizard skin is starting to get a bit holey.

Yeah, its just the water pipe i've got hanging in my shed wont fit the whole way around. I guess i can leave a gap on the wheel side, like you said, it doesnt matter there. I might do that soon actually as my lizard skin is starting to get a bit holey.
Glad to save ya a few bucks have a pint of your fave with the difference ;)

Just visited my LBS, found the Specialized Hardrock Sport, black colour, for 425 euros. :)
The Hardrock Comp costs about 600 euros, so I'll stick with the Sport (that is, if I ever DO get the money :P)

800USD? I wish! :P Nah, 425 euros. :)

On a side note, update on the status of my bike: suspension is broken, gears are getting worse by the second; they're all messed up. Then there's this sort of "metal scraping against metal" sound, I think it's coming from the crankset (whatever you call it) or the front derailleur cause the front crankset (?) has a bit of an 8 on it. Oh, and then there are the rims which have an 8 aswell. :(