Limbli

I've been riding BMX all my life but now think it's time to step-up to Mountain biking. Currently looking to buy a hardtail my budget is $300-$500, I've talked to some of the local bike shop owners but still don't know what type of bike is best for me.

I doubt this bike will hit the street, I plan to ride local trails and some downhill at the ski resorts during the summer months. I also had a question about Double Crown Forks on hardtails, the extra travel seems like it would be a big help but haven't been able to find anything about the subject.


Any help would be great.

mtnbiker66

You might need to pony up a few more bucks if you're doing tha DH thing. You might check out the P line from Specialized. You could also look at MTBR classifides.

Thor29

Unfortunately you won't get much bike for that budget. Especially if you plan on riding ski resorts. A used bike might help you get more bike for your money. But if that's all you can spend, then something like a Specialized Hardrock Comp Disc would be a good entry point. Just realize that bikes in that price range will be heavy, less reliable, and less smooth (as far as suspension and shifting go). I haven't seen any double crown forks on a hardtail, but if they exist I would assume that they would be on dirt jumpers. Not the best type of bike for riding cross country trails, but if you like to get massive air, a double crown fork would be stronger. Most double crown forks would also cost a lot more than your entire bike budget though (double or triple).

Limbli

Yeah I wish I could afford a Full Sus bike but for the time being I have to go with a hardtail or find a good deal. Most of the Ski resorts around my area have some pretty smooth trails.

DylanTremblay

Ok well in my opinion I think you should save up a little more money. Sure you can get an entry level bike with that but since you want to do some DH riding I say save a little more a get a bike that you can at least upgrade down the rode. For instance a Norco Rival, I think is $700ish (please correct me if I'm wrong I'm really just guesstimating). Decent parts that should hold up decently doing DH and a pretty solid frame that could be upgraded. I really wouldn't worry about the weight at this point cause, first off it'll mainly be used for DH and second at this price range there really won't be too much difference in weight.

Now for the duel crown fork I would not recommend one for a HT. First off they have way too much travel for most HT frames (sure there are a couple that can handle that much travel ie Banshee Morphine or Evil Imperial but those are way out of your price range) so this will cause the geo to be really out of wack and will put too much stress on the headtube which might cause it to crack.

Oh and Thor29...double crown forks are mainly made for DH not for DJ just for your information.

imcrushingyerhd

Maybe you could rent from your local shop when you want to DH that way you wont kill yourself on a hardtail :-) Then you could find a good used hardtail to buy and have fun in your local trails. I got a '99 Fisher Joshua F3 and ppl laugh at me but the laughing stops when we get in the woods. So just make sure that everything works when you buy an old bike; leave a deposit if you can and take it for a ride.

Don't throw away that BMX! I made the switch and traded in my Haro for my Fisher, and man do I miss dirt jumping BMX, and just screwing around street riding in my hood. Even flatlanding in my driveway. You really don't need to "switch" you could just "add" mntn biking. Most BMX guys ride mntn bikes too. A bike is a bike, some just do better in different situations ya know?

mtnbiker66

Thats what I'm talking about! Put those posouers in their place. I bet you're a lonestar legend!

Limbli

I'm just switching my main focus, instead of going to the track every week I'll be hitting the local trails. If I sold my BMX bike I could afford a sick DH bike but theres noway I'd sell it. Most of the trails in my area are downhill, I guess. You ride up to the top of the trail then ride down, I live in So Cal so most of my riding is in the mountains.


Thanks for the help guys.

DylanTremblay

There's nothing wrong with DHing on a HT. Lots of people do it. I've done it before and still do every once in awhile. As long as your not a hack it's fine.

dminor 

I knew there was a reason I never did it.

dirtbikedude

Coming from a BMX background I can tell you YOU WILL WANT TO SEE SOME AIR TIME. It is just the nature of the beast and the fact you race bmx (reading how you said you had a swet BMX rig I would guess you race) you will probably push the limits a bit when on the mountain. With that said ...

There are ht that can handle a double crown BUT the new long travel single crowns WILL get the job done (ie RS Totem, Marzocchi 66 or 55, even a 150mm travel Fox would work well). Anyways, to get a decent fork you will be paying out the arse even if you get a bike that has one as OE (original equipment).

Now you can get a lower priced fork, say a used Zoch DirtJumper1 or 2, they have a bit more travel then the new ones (10mm more) and will hold up to the abuse. I raced DH on a DJ1 a few times and it got me through so using one for some shuttle/lift assisted runs would work.

Since you are use to BMX bikes I would suggest looking into a ht with more of a dj/4X geometry, it will still work for what you will use it for and feel a bit more comfortable under ya.

If you have a Kona dealer near you see what you can get a 2006/07 Stuff or S***** frame for.

Look at Azonic, namely the Stealhead or a Fiend. Not sure how tall you are but if you can ride a 14" frame CambriaBikes has a Fiend for 350$

LAstely, KHS, a descent frame for not too much money. A complete DJ bike will run you from 500 up to 1200. The 500$ model has craaap components but will get you a complete bike BUT you will be upgrading quickly. The higher priced models have better components but of course you pay more.

I would suggest getting a frame and building it with used parts off Craigs list and ebay, save up some money after you finish the build and upgrade as needed.

DBD

dirtbikedude

By the way, where in SoCal are you?

DBD

Limbli

I live in Upland, CA. Which is pretty sweet because Mt. Baldy is only a 10 min drive from my house and that's where I planned to ride during the summer(plus some of the local trails). Yeah I use to race BMX and thats pretty much the only thing I've riding from age 3. We'll thanks to President Bush I'll have more money to put into my new Rig. My budget has gone up a lot and I think it will be around $800-$1200.

I do have one question about Hardtail vs. Full sus, from what I've been told Hardtail's are much better for jumping. How much of a difference is there between the two?


Thanks.

imcrushingyerhd

Nah that would be your Mom.

Chris_F

People laugh at you? Wow, nobody's ever really cared what bike I've riden. I used to ride a bare bones HT bike before getting my current ride and never had a single comment made about it.

dirtbikedude

You are also close to Fontana so you can get some rides in at SouthRidge. There is also a nice 4x track there you can ride when ever. Kinda like BMX for mountain bikes.

Also, there are a shyte load of us going up Marshall Cyn in two weeks and you are welcome to join. If you want details then check out STR - Marshall Cyn ride

The ride is a newbie ride meaning there will be new riders AND old riders that are new to STR. 60somethin are a confirmed go so you could meet a few riders in your area.

DBD

zx12rider

I was in the same boat as you. I went with a kona scrap. I got it for 640 out the door, but i used to work at that shop for about 4 years so i got a pretty good deal. All i really do is skate park's and street style riding but being so small it kinda suck's in the trails.