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Buying First MTN Bikes! Need Help Please!

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Buying First MTN Bikes! Need Help Please!

Old 02-16-10, 10:00 PM
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Buying First MTN Bikes! Need Help Please!

First of all hello! I live in Asheville North Carolina, and I am going to move soon. I used to go mountain biking alot with a buddy of mine, and really enjoyed it, he let me use a "Specialized" model had had, and said it was about $500 but he always overexaggerates, so I was thinking it was around $300. I enjoyed using this bike and it seemed very nice. I have had many friends have many bikes as well, My buddy had a "Haro" Mountain Bike and said he paid like $500 with it, and it seemed like a great bike. My girlfriend wants to go mountain biking alot too, and has alot of interest in it, and I was thinking I would buy us both bikes, her birthday is coming up in march, so I'd like to surprise her. I personally want a road bike to commute from work, plus it can get me in great shape! But I'd rather have the mountain bike because I can just use that for work, as well as spend time with her. Can someone help me on making a decision!
Can someone just give me some information as well on what to spot, how to spot nice bicycles, and what all we would need, like camelpacks, Helmets(OFC!!! ), and other assorted things. I am going to visit a bicycle shop right near me to get some information but I'd rather come here cause everyone seems to actually know what they talk about! (on a bike forum! I know ironic right? )
I am looking to maybe spend like 500-600 for both of us to get some nice bikes, if possible! But any info is appreciated! I joined this forum to hopefully get some help so thank you much!

-b
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Old 02-16-10, 11:37 PM
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Trek's bottom of the line mtb, Trek 820, goes for like $330. That's a steal frame, 7 or 8spd. That will break quickly if you take it off-road monthly. I'd say be ready to spend atleast $500/bike if you want something somewhat reliable for dirt riding. If you're giong off-road, you'll definitely want a helmet, and maybe gloves. Gloves, more so when(not if) you crash you're hands won't get shredded. The padding is nice for riding too. Don't worry about shoes and clipless pedals. Camelbacks can be nice but water bottles are cheaper(sometimes free) and work just as well (especially for a reason to take a break). Though they can't hold tools like most camelbacks, but if you don't know how to change a flat or fix a chain what's the point of carrying a tool. Avoid disc brakes at this price point if you can as well, they are expensive and they'll detract from the quality of the rest of the components on the bike.
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Old 02-17-10, 02:00 AM
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Nothing wrong with cheap bikes but don't expect them to do the "Ultimate" in their category well.

On mountain bikes- most of the cheaper bikes will do a bit of rough riding- but for the money you have to look basic. Rigid forks and "V" brakes instead of a POGO stick up front and disc brakes that don't work. Gearing is the other point. Most cheap MTB's never see offroad and in fact rarely see mud so they are set up with higher gearing for pavement riding.For offroad that will see a few trails up hills- then you will need low gearing. normally this is done with a crankset that has 42/32/22 crankrings on the crankset and a large rear gear of at least 28 teeth.

One thing you must do- if you want a bike that will last and be suitable for offroad- is forget about the "Wallymart" bikes. Go to a local bike shop (LBS) and tell them you want cheap and you want it offroad

And those Trek 820's- Good basic bikes. Gearing a bit high but I started True offroading with one in 1990. It was heavy- didn't have low enough gearing and low quality components- but it did teach me how to ride our local hills for a couple of years. Local hills- See the attachments. 30 to 40 miles on those at the weekend was enough

.Downs view.JPGDownsview.JPG

Most manufacturers will make a cheap bike but try and stay with one of the Known names- Trek- Specialised- Giant are just a few. A cheap bike will not be the best for hard offroad but keep riding and you will improve. Then the bike will go up the hills and you will be thinking about the the better bike- should take about 6 months so start saving.
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