aphrophluph

I recently sold my Felt F70 road bike in the hopes that I could find a decent mountain bike to replace it. I'd like to spend no more than $400, and have been looking at Trek 4500 and Specialized Rockhoppers from the early '00s.

I have paved roads around where I live, as well as lots of prairie paths ... hoping to find a bike I can use with both mountain AND road tires. Are there other models I should check out from makes like Klein, Gary Fisher, Giant, or Cannondale that might fit that profile?

Where are the best places to buy used bikes? Buy used frames and parts?

Thanks!

RonH

Hi aphrophluph.
I moved your thread to General. I think you'll get a lot more replies.

aphrophluph

cool, thanks

mtnroadie

I have a Gary Fisher Tassajara. I ride on trails and pavement. I love the geometry of the bike, and the lockout feature on the forks is amazing for road riding.

aphrophluph

Yeah, the Tassajara looks pretty sweet ... a little more $$$ than I want to spend, but maybe I can find an earlier model for less. Maybe

trailfinder41

Here are some simple steps to make your decisions a little easier:
1. If you like a particular brand from a previous experience, you can start with that if they too make moutain bikes

2. Price Range of your budget

3. The type of riding you will be doing: I.E., all-mountain, freestyle, Cross Country, etc.

4. Research on internet as far as specs, geometry fit for yourself

5. Go to bicycle store and do several test rides (try other brands as well, besides your favorite)

I am looking for the similar type of bike set up as you are: The adaptability for road use and mountain biking...As of now, I think your best bet is looking into Cross Bikes- (Lance Armstrong rides these through the mountainous trails besides just road riding all the time) or perhaps a tad heavier framed comfort road bike with straight bars: Schwinn, Giant, Fuji, just need to do some research. I myself, hope to find that the bicycle industry will make something better than a "cross bike" to accomodate those who live among the roads and have canyonous areas of their county as well, cutting inbetween as for shortcuts, etc. on the way to something as a mission. Otherwise, if you have the money, looks like an all carbon Mountain bike frame will do you well between road and mountain riding with the switch off of tire sizes with the range of 1.5-however wide the Mountain bike as allowable tire clearance. (warning these bicycles are costly! the least expensive I found was easily over $3,000.00-New).
As for used bikes....buy (if you know what you looking for) from a previous owner, and strip down the bicycle and build it up according to your needs. Good luck.

aphrophluph

Thanks a ton ... anyone have good experience or intel on building a mountain bike? Are there good places to buy frames and components I should know about?