hollenjf

Heya.. I'm fron northeast PA so there arnt many bike shops around here so I'm quite limited with information, anyhow i was wonderin if someone can reccomend a mountain bike thats fits what I'm looking for.

*16" or 15.5" frame, softtail.
*Front suspension with very small travel. I hate riding a bike with huge front shocks and the handle bars way up in the air.. I like my handlebars low and front end/neck close to the wheel for better stability.

*Looking for something that is solid that I can jump, manuver easily, take very rough terraine, go fast, beat up, but has good enough gears to tear uphill too.

I currently have a NISHIKI AMBUSH that is perrfect for what type of riding I do, but its old and starting to fall apart.

The style of riding I do is a mix of wooded trails, downhills, rocky terraine, uphills, and obsticle paths.

Thanks to anyone that can help.

Josh!

LowCel 

Do you mean soft tail or full suspension? I wouldn't recommend a soft tail for jumping and very rough terrain.

Defiance

Ummmm

https://www.bikeforums.net/mountain-biking/217075-looking-bike.html

Jason222

Again.
https://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkM...d=06Rockhopper

You need to tell us your price range as well.

hollenjf

I'm sorry.. I mean full suspension.. and my price range is under 1000$. I dont want to spend more than that for something I will be beating up and riding hard on.

thanks!

Josh

Jason222

Full suspension bikes are not worth buying under the $1500 price range because their components are usually very lacking.

If you really want a decent full suspension bike, you need to open your wallet more. OR get a hardtail. It's a noob's assumption that full suspension bikes are always better. Bikeforums gets people coming on here all the time asking for bike advice, and often saying they want a 300-500 dollar full suspension bike. That's Xmart advertisement stuck in their head.

Hardtails are the best thing you can go with under $1000. There are many types of hardtails. They range from light Xc to Freeride to urban/dirt jumping.

Your best bet is to go to you local bike shop and ask them what they would recommend. There are bagillions of bikes out there. Only the more popular brands will be recommended to you on this forum.

I strongly suggest you thoroughly read this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/mountain-biking/67259-please-read-before-asking-question-mtb-faq.html

hollenjf

Ok i'll take a ****ty shock.. as long as its under 1000$

hollenjf

or maybe I can get my old bike fixed...

I need a new wrist pin/bushing where my swingarm connects to my frame, and on the shock end.
New cables for brakes and shifters.
new brakes
new crank arms and bearings.
new wheels.

how much would all that work cost at a typical bike shop?

Jason222

That would be expensive man. Probably not worth it if the bike is older than 5 years. Some members might say otherwise. Depends on the bike.

Why are you so bent on not getting a hardtail?

hollenjf

Because I got a GT Avalanche hardtail about a month ago for a second bike.. and the back end bounces on me and slipps out loosing traction. I have a very hard time biking up a rocky dirt path compared to my current fukll frame

LowCel 

Have you considered buying used?

hollenjf

what kind of bike is that in rest in pieces.. the blue one?

Jason222

Try putting better tires on the Avalanche. Kenetics are a good, cheap tire that hook up fairly well. I have a buddy that has a GT avalanche 2 with an All mountain 3 fork and Kinetics.

https://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=6/15620083360.jpg&s=f5

That's my Trek Bruiser in that pic. It cracked. I'm getting a new frame next week.

Jason222

hollenjf, I had an idea for you. Try experimenting with your two bikes. Switch the tires between your dually and hardtail and see which climbs better after the switch.